Deep Sea Fishing Virginia Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target Cobia, Tuna, Marlin, and Red Drum offshoreCaptain Tim Watters provides expert guidance and local knowledge53-foot vessel accommodates up to six guests comfortably
If you're looking for a world-class deep sea fishing adventure off the Virginia coast, Captain Tim Watters knows exactly where the fish are biting. His 53-foot Ricky Scarborough is built for serious offshore action, and with room for up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work without feeling crowded. The waters off Virginia Beach are legendary for their variety - from hard-fighting Cobia cruising the structure to massive Blue Marlin patrolling the blue water. Captain Tim has been working these waters long enough to know the seasonal patterns, the best tides, and exactly which spots fire up when conditions are right.
Your day starts early - that's just how offshore fishing works if you want to put fish in the boat. The Ricky Scarborough is a proven platform that handles the Atlantic swells like a champ, so even if you're not the strongest sea legs, you'll be comfortable out there. Captain Tim runs a clean operation with quality gear, sharp hooks, and fresh bait. He's the kind of guide who actually wants to see you catch fish, not just burn fuel and collect a check. Expect to cover some serious water as you hunt different species throughout the day. One minute you might be sight-fishing Cobia around structure, the next you're trolling for Tuna in the blue water. That's what makes Virginia Beach fishing so special - the variety keeps you on your toes.
Captain Tim adapts his approach based on what's running and what the conditions allow. For Cobia, you'll often sight-fish with live bait or heavy jigs around structure and markers. These fish love to follow rays and sharks, so keep your eyes peeled for dark shadows beneath the surface. When targeting Tuna species, expect serious trolling action with spreader bars, daisy chains, and high-speed lures. The boat carries quality conventional reels spooled with fresh line, but if you've got your own favorite setup, bring it along. For the bigger game like Blue Marlin, you'll be pulling large baits and lures designed to get their attention from a distance. The key is staying ready - offshore fishing can go from quiet to chaos in seconds when you hook into something serious.
Cobia are the crown jewel of Virginia Beach fishing, especially during their spring and fall migrations. These brown sharks (as locals call them) can push 40-50 pounds and fight like freight trains. They're curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you shot after shot if you don't spook them. Peak season runs May through September, with some of the best action happening around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel structure.
Albacore Tuna are speed demons that'll test your drag system and your arms. These silver bullets typically show up in late spring and stick around through fall. They school up in good numbers, so when you find them, you can often load the cooler. They're also fantastic table fare - probably the best eating Tuna you'll find in these waters.
Spanish Mackerel might not be the biggest fish you'll catch, but they're scrappy fighters and excellent for beginners or kids. They're abundant throughout the warmer months and hit small jigs, spoons, and live bait with aggressive strikes. Don't let their size fool you - a big Spanish Mackerel on light tackle is a blast.
Blackfin Tuna are the smaller cousins of the Yellowfin, but they make up for size with numbers and fight. These fish love to school up and feed aggressively, creating some of the most action-packed fishing you'll find offshore. They typically show up in summer and fall, often mixing with Albacore schools.
Summer Flounder (Fluke) are the flatfish kings of the Virginia coast. These predators can grow impressively large and are masters of camouflage. They're structure-oriented fish that require precise presentations with bucktails, soft plastics, or live bait. A trophy Summer Flounder is a legitimate wall-hanger and fantastic eating.
Blue Marlin are the ultimate prize in Virginia Beach waters. These apex predators can exceed 400 pounds and provide the fight of a lifetime. They're most common during the warmer months when baitfish concentrate along the continental shelf. Even seeing one of these magnificent fish is an experience most anglers never forget.
Redfish (Red Drum) are powerful, copper-colored bulldogs that can grow to massive proportions. The big ones are typically found around structure and wrecks, where they feed on crabs and baitfish. They're known for their incredible pulling power and stamina - a big Red Drum will test every knot and connection on your tackle.
Captain Tim Watters and Cast & Blast Fishing Charters have built their reputation on putting clients on fish, not just taking them for expensive boat rides. The 53-foot Ricky Scarborough gives you the range to reach the best fishing grounds, and with only 6 anglers maximum, you'll get the personal attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great one. Virginia Beach offers some of the most diverse offshore fishing on the East Coast, and having a captain who knows these waters inside and out is worth its weight in fish. Whether you're chasing your first Cobia or hunting for a grander Blue Marlin, this is your chance to fish with someone who lives and breathes these waters. Don't wait until the prime dates are gone - the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak migration periods.
The 53' Ricky Scarborough cuts through Virginia Beach waters with authority, her twin engines pushing this offshore workhorse to 30 knots when the bite is hot. Captain Tim Watters knows these waters like the back of his hand, and this boat gets you to where the Cobia, Tuna, and Marlin are feeding without wasting precious fishing time. The spacious deck gives all 6 anglers room to work without tangling lines, while the GPS and fish finder technology takes the guesswork out of finding productive bottom structure and baitfish schools. Built for serious offshore pursuits, she handles the Atlantic swells with confidence whether you're targeting pelagic species in the deep blue or working the nearshore waters for Red Drum. Her electronics package and navigation systems mean more time with lines in the water and less time searching empty water.
Thunnus AlalungaAlbacore are the smaller cousins in the tuna family, but don't let that fool you - these fish pack a punch. Running 18-25 inches and 20-45 pounds, they're perfect for anglers wanting tuna action without the massive tackle requirements. We find them in deeper offshore waters where they travel in schools that can stretch for miles. Spring through fall gives us the best shot at them around Virginia Beach. What guests love about albacore is that they're the only tuna you can call "white meat" - the flavor is clean and mild, perfect on the grill. They fight hard and never stop moving since they need constant water flow over their gills. When trolling for them, keep your lures 50-90 feet behind the boat and watch for that first hookup - where there's one, there's usually a whole school waiting.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family, but they make up for size with pure attitude. These dark, sleek fish typically run up to 39 inches and 46 pounds, preferring our warmer offshore waters above 68 degrees. We target them year-round, but fall through spring gives us the best action around Virginia Beach. What guests love is their fierce fighting spirit - pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fish out there. The meat quality is top-notch too, with that rich tuna flavor that's perfect for searing or sashimi. They often school up with other tuna species, so when you find one, there's usually more around. These fish have incredibly sharp eyesight, so my tip is to scale down your tackle - use lighter fluorocarbon leaders and smaller circle hooks. They'll see heavy gear coming from a mile away.
Makaira NigricansBlue marlin are the ultimate trophy fish and the reason many anglers dream of deep-sea fishing. These massive billfish can reach over 1,000 pounds for females, while males stay around 350 pounds. We target them in deep blue water, usually 100+ feet, during the warmer months when they migrate through our area. What makes marlin fishing special is the incredible fight - they're famous for their acrobatic jumps and powerful runs that can last for hours. The thrill of seeing a marlin come up behind your lure is something you'll never forget. While the meat is good, most anglers prefer the catch-and-release experience for these magnificent fish. Summer gives us our best shot at them around Virginia Beach. My tip: make sure your drag is set properly and be prepared for a long battle. These fish will test every piece of your equipment and your endurance too.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of my favorite species to target around Virginia Beach. These dark brown fish average around 6 feet and 100 pounds, and they're usually found solo rather than in schools. We typically hunt them in 30-70 feet of water around wrecks, reefs, and buoys during spring and summer. What makes cobia special is their incredible table fare - firm texture and excellent flavor that rivals any fish out there. They're also strong fighters that'll test your gear. The best part about cobia fishing is sight fishing - you'll actually see these fish cruising just below the surface. My tip: when you spot one, cast a bucktail jig ahead of where they're swimming, not right at them. Let it sink and work it slowly back. These fish are curious but spook easily, so patience pays off.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are one of our most sought-after inshore species around Virginia Beach. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 28-33 inches, though we catch plenty of bigger bull reds offshore. They love shallow water from 1-4 feet deep around oyster bars, grass beds, and jetties. Spring and fall give us the best action when they're actively feeding. What guests love about redfish is their powerful fights and excellent table fare - the meat has a mild, sweet flavor that's perfect grilled or blackened. They're also sight fishing targets, which adds to the excitement when you spot their backs cruising the shallows. My local tip: when fishing the flats, look for nervous water or tailing fish, and cast topwater lures ahead of where they're moving. The explosive surface strikes will get your heart pumping every time.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, fun, and plentiful around Virginia Beach. These silver speedsters with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet long and 8-11 pounds, traveling in massive schools that can stretch for miles. We find them near the surface around structures, jetties, and along the beach from spring through fall when water temps warm up. What makes them popular with guests is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and run like crazy. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, white meat that grills perfectly or makes great sushi. They're also one of the fastest fish in the ocean, hitting lures at incredible speeds. My local tip: use a wire leader because these fish have razor-sharp teeth that'll cut right through mono. Small spoons and jigs work great, but don't be afraid to downsize your tackle for more action.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke as we call them locally, are one of the most popular fish we target around Virginia Beach. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying on sandy bottoms in 15-50 feet of water waiting to ambush prey. They average 15-20 inches, but we regularly see fish pushing 5-8 pounds, with some real doormat-sized ones over 10 pounds. Fall is prime time - September through November when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. What guests love is the challenge of finding them and the excellent eating - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They're ambush predators, so you need to get your bait right to them on the bottom. My go-to tip: use a circle hook with live minnows or strips, and give them time to fully take the bait. Fluke bite sideways, so patience is key before setting the hook.
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