More Than 60 Anglers Reel in Nine Different Species During Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Rod and Reef Slam in Hampton

More than 60 anglers caught nine different species of fish from the Hampton River during the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) Rod and Reef Slam in Hampton Saturday. 

Anglers as young as six years old reeled in flounder, croaker, and sea bass, among other species of fish for four hours Saturday. From the water, a group of kayakers explored the biodiversity of nearby coves. The event celebrated oyster restoration as well as broadened access to fishing on the Hampton River through education.  

“CBF’s Rod and Reef Slam is not your typical fishing event. Size doesn’t matter. The goal is to connect the community with the joys of fishing, how oyster reefs and the biodiversity they cultivate contribute to great angling, and the importance of clean, local waterways,” CBF Virginia Executive Director Chris Moore said. 

Oyster reefs are essential to the health of the Chesapeake Bay, filtering water and, in great news for anglers, providing habitat for a variety of fish like striped bass, sea trout, as well as the Bay’s iconic blue crab. On Saturday, anglers of all ages and skill levels learned the basics of angling or refined their techniques with expert CBF staff. 

Cameron Harris, a freshman at Hampton University studying marine science, caught two fish by 10:30 am Saturday morning. It was his first time at the Rod and Reef Slam, but he was no stranger to fishing off the pier near Hampton University’s campus. The more oysters, he said, the more the river benefits. 

The oysters in the Bay could once filter a volume of water equal to that of the entire Bay—about 19 trillion gallons—in a week. Today, it would take the remaining Bay oysters more than a year. Decades of overharvesting, habitat destruction, and disease have decimated the Bay's oyster population. 

CBF and its partners are working to restore oyster reefs in local Virginia rivers. Just last week, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation awarded CBF a grant to bring one million baby oysters to two new sanctuary reefs in the Hampton River. This community-oriented project in the densely populated city will engage Hampton University students and other civic organizations.  

This work will complement CBF’s existing restored reefs, whose success includes increased populations of popular reef fish. 

Explore more oyster facts and view a time lapse video of oysters filtering water.