Evening Inshore Charter with Alanna Kay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Twohour evening fishing charter with Captain Pat's local expertiseTarget active Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel during golden hourAccommodates up to six guests for family and friend outings
Picture this: the afternoon heat is starting to break, the golden hour light is painting the water, and you're heading out with Captain Pat for two hours of prime inshore fishing along Virginia Beach's productive coastline. This isn't your typical all-day grind – it's a perfectly timed evening bite that lets you squeeze in some serious fishing without burning your whole day. Captain Pat knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's dialed into where the Spanish Mackerel, Redfish, and King Mackerel are feeding when the sun starts dropping. Whether you're looking to introduce the kids to saltwater fishing or you want to unwind after a beach day, this charter hits the sweet spot for both novice and experienced anglers.
You'll meet Captain Pat at the dock as the day starts cooling off – that's when the magic happens inshore. The evening bite is legendary around Virginia Beach, and there's good reason for it. As temperatures drop and light changes, baitfish start moving, and that gets the predators fired up. Your group of up to six anglers will have plenty of room to spread out and work different techniques without getting tangled up. Captain Pat runs a clean, well-maintained boat equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for the species you're targeting. The pace is relaxed but focused – you're here to catch fish, but there's no need to rush. The coastal scenery provides a perfect backdrop as you work structure, drop-offs, and current breaks where Virginia Beach's inshore species love to ambush prey. Don't worry about bringing your own gear unless you want to – everything you need is provided, from tackle to bait to expert guidance on reading the water.
Captain Pat adapts his approach based on what's biting, but you can expect to work a mix of live bait presentations and artificial lures that produce consistently in these waters. Depending on conditions and fish activity, you might be drifting with live or cut bait near structure, trolling small spoons and jigs along current edges, or casting to visible feeding activity. The tackle is sized perfectly for inshore species – not too heavy that you lose the fight, but stout enough to handle a surprise King Mackerel or bull Redfish. You'll learn to read your rod tip, feel the difference between a bite and bottom contact, and understand how current affects your presentation. Captain Pat is excellent at coaching technique without taking over your rod – he wants you to land your own fish but he's right there with guidance on hooksets, drag settings, and fighting fish effectively. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety of presentations that work, and you'll likely try several approaches during your two hours on the water.
Spanish Mackerel are the bread and butter of Virginia Beach inshore fishing, especially during evening hours. These aggressive feeders typically run 1-3 pounds and are absolute blast on light tackle – they hit hard, make blistering runs, and jump when hooked. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with evening hours being prime time as they chase baitfish in shallow water. Spanish Mackerel have razor-sharp teeth and incredible speed, making them exciting for anglers of all skill levels. They're also excellent table fare when handled properly, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling.
Redfish are the prize catch that every inshore angler dreams about. These copper-colored bruisers can range from slot-size fish around 18-27 inches up to oversized bulls that'll test your tackle and technique. Redfish are structure-oriented and love to feed around docks, oyster bars, and grass flats during evening hours when the water cools. They're incredibly strong fighters that use their broad sides to pull drag and make powerful runs toward cover. The distinctive black spot near their tail makes them easy to identify, and their willingness to eat both live bait and artificials makes them a favorite target for Virginia Beach charter captains.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the inshore scene, capable of reaching 40+ mph and stripping line off reels in seconds. These toothy predators patrol along the coast following baitfish schools, and when you hook into a good King, you'll know it immediately. They're notorious for their acrobatic jumps and long, powerful runs that can take you well into your backing. Kings typically range from 10-30 pounds in these waters, with larger fish being more common during certain seasonal migrations. They require careful handling due to their sharp teeth, but they're worth the effort for their fighting ability and excellent eating quality.
Spadefish might not be the flashiest species, but they're incredibly fun to catch and represent some of the best eating in Virginia Beach waters. These disc-shaped fish school around structure and can provide non-stop action when you locate them. They're notorious bait stealers with small mouths, so hooking them requires patience and technique. Spadefish typically run 1-3 pounds and fight much harder than their size suggests, using their flat bodies to create maximum resistance. They're most active during warmer months and often feed in large schools that can keep your group busy for the entire trip.
Atlantic Mackerel are smaller cousins to the Spanish Mackerel but no less exciting on appropriate tackle. These schooling fish often show up in large numbers during certain times of year, providing fast-paced action that's perfect for novice anglers or kids. They typically range from 8-14 inches and are incredibly aggressive feeders that will hit small jigs, spoons, and bait presentations. When you find a school of Atlantic Mackerel, it's not uncommon to have multiple hookups simultaneously, creating excitement and chaos that makes for memorable fishing stories.
Captain Pat's evening charters book up quickly
Step aboard The Provincial, a beautifully restored 42-foot sport fishing boat that's your ticket to Virginia Beach's productive inshore waters. This vessel runs smooth and steady with twin 375HP Cummins engines, giving you reliable power to reach those prime fishing spots where Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel are biting. The boat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers and comes loaded with everything serious fishermen need - fish finder to locate schools, GPS for precise navigation, and radar for those foggy morning trips. Stay cool between catches with onboard AC, keep your drinks ice-cold, and take advantage of the flybridge for better sight fishing. Whether you're targeting evening feeders during golden hour or working structure for bigger fish, The Provincial puts you in the right position to make it happen on the Chesapeake Bay waters.
Scomber ScombrusAtlantic Mackerel are smaller, schooling fish typically 10-14 inches with metallic blue-green backs and distinctive wavy black bars. They travel in massive schools that can stretch for miles, usually in 30-80 feet of water during summer migrations. Peak season is late spring through early summer when they move through Virginia Beach heading north. What's fun about them is the non-stop action - when you find a school, everyone on the boat stays busy. They're also fantastic eating, rich in healthy oils and perfect for smoking or grilling. These aggressive feeders will hit almost anything shiny, but small metal jigs or sabiki rigs work best. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep your jig in the water - the hooked fish will often call in the whole school, and you can catch them two or three at a time on multiple-hook rigs.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel, or "Kings," are the big brothers of the mackerel family, typically weighing 15-40 pounds with some giants pushing 50-plus. They patrol deeper waters from 40-150 feet, often around structure and temperature breaks. Late spring through fall is prime season when they migrate through Virginia Beach waters. What makes Kings special is their blistering speed and long, powerful runs that'll test your tackle and skills. They're also great eating with firm, white meat. These fish are ambush predators that love live bait, especially menhaden or bluefish. The key technique: use a stinger rig with two hooks on wire leader - one through the bait's nose, another free-swinging near the tail. Kings often bite the back half of baits, so that trailing hook saves a lot of missed fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or Red Drum, are bronze-colored powerhouses averaging 20-35 inches with distinctive black spots near their tails. They love shallow water from 1-6 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths where they can ambush crabs and shrimp. Fall is peak season here, but they're catchable year-round when water temps stay above 60°F. What makes them special is that stubborn, head-shaking fight in shallow water - they'll use every inch of depth against you. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. These fish are sight feeders that spook easily, so approach quietly and make long, accurate casts. Best tip: look for "tailing" fish with their backs exposed while feeding head-down. Cast a gold spoon or soft plastic just ahead of where they're moving and work it slowly along the bottom.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are distinctive, disc-shaped fish that average 3-8 pounds with striking black stripes on silver bodies. They school heavily around wrecks, reefs, and bridge pilings in 20-60 feet of water, often in groups of hundreds. Late spring through early fall brings the best action when water temps warm up. What guests love about Spadefish is their stubborn, bulldogging fight - they'll pull straight down and use that flat body to their advantage. They're also excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. These fish are grazers, so they can be picky eaters, but fresh clam strips on small circle hooks work best. Here's the trick: when you find a school around structure, drop your bait just past them and let it drift through naturally - they spook easily if you cast right into the middle of them.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that typically run 1-3 pounds and love to travel in schools near the surface. You'll spot their silver sides with yellow spots as they chase baitfish along our coastline. They hang around structures, jetties, and drop-offs in 15-40 feet of water, especially active during our evening trips when they feed heavily. Summer through early fall is prime time here in Virginia Beach. What makes them fun is their speed - they'll hit a lure hard and make short, fast runs that'll test your drag. The meat is excellent eating too, with a mild flavor that's perfect grilled or smoked. Pro tip: when you see birds diving or bait jumping, cast small spoons or jigs just past the school and work them back through - Spanish Mackerel can't resist the flash.
Virginia Beach, VA