VIRGINIA BEACH — October marks a lot of things: Shorter days and longer nights, cooler temperatures, changing leaves, Halloween, and night fishing in the surf at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
While for many decades the refuge has been open to fishing in the surf, it’s only for the last 10 years that fishers have had the opportunity to fish at night in the surf on the refuge’s beach, said Erica Ryder, visitor services specialist at Back Bay.
“In response to community input, a local nonprofit organization, Virginia Coastal Access Now, worked with many partners to increase access to fishing areas in our region,” Ryder said. “One of the areas of interest was the refuge beach. Working together, the refuge and VCAN developed the night surf fishing program.”
She said during this time of the season a certain species of fish, red drum, move down the coast and attract a lot of anglers to the surf.
Ryder said the refuge issues Special Use Permits to fishers who would like to participate in the program. The permits are valid from October 1-31, and allow fishers to remain on the refuge beach until midnight.
These permits will be issued beginning this week, giving anyone who is interested time to prepare for the coming season.
To get a permit, interested people need to visit the refuge’s Visitor Center or headquarters building during operating hours and bring with them their surf fishing license, along with the permit fee of $35 (cash or check).
The Visitor Center issues permits from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and the headquarters building issues permits 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Ryder said to ensure the refuge is open, visitors and those interested in buying a night surf fishing Special Use Permit should check the refuge’s website, Facebook page, or call 757-301-7329 ext. 3106 before making the trip.
