Premium Deep Sea Fishing Adventures in Virginia Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Expert Captain Tim guides guests to prime offshore fishing spotsTarget trophy species including Cobia, Tuna, Marlin, and Red DrumSpacious 53foot vessel accommodates up to six anglers comfortably
When you're ready to leave the shallow waters behind and chase the big boys offshore, Captain Tim Watters knows exactly where to find them. His 53-foot Ricky Scarborough cuts through Virginia Beach waters like butter, carrying up to six anglers to the kind of deep water fishing spots that separate weekend warriors from serious fishermen. This isn't your typical pier fishing trip – we're talking about real blue water action where cobia cruise the structure, tuna crash bait balls, and marlin hunt in the deep. Cast & Blast Fishing Charters has built a reputation on putting anglers on fish, and Captain Tim's local knowledge runs as deep as the waters we fish.
Your day starts early at the Virginia Beach marina, where Captain Tim briefs you on the plan while the boat gets loaded with ice and bait. The ride out varies depending on where the fish are biting – sometimes we're fishing in 60 feet, other days we're running 20 miles offshore to find the temperature breaks where pelagics hunt. The 53-foot Ricky Scarborough handles the Atlantic swells with ease, giving you a stable platform whether you're fighting a bull red drum or working a tuna to the boat. Captain Tim reads the water like a book, watching for birds, temperature changes, and bait activity that signal feeding fish below. You'll spend the day rotating between different techniques – from live baiting structure for cobia to high-speed trolling for billfish. The boat's equipped with quality tackle, but feel free to bring your favorite rods if you want to land that fish of a lifetime on your own gear.
Virginia Beach offshore fishing demands versatility, and Captain Tim switches tactics based on what's biting and where we find the fish. Trolling makes up a big chunk of our day – we'll pull spreads of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and lures through temperature breaks and along current edges where tuna and marlin feed. When we mark fish on the bottom machine or find structure holding cobia, we switch to live bait and chunk bait presentations. The boat carries a good selection of circle hooks, weights, and leaders sized for everything from flounder to blue marlin. Captain Tim handles the technical stuff like reading the fish finder and adjusting the spread, but he'll teach you to read the signs too – how birds diving means bait fish below, why that temperature change on the GPS matters, and how to tell when a fish is about to eat your bait. Bottom fishing here means dropping baits around wrecks, reefs, and structure in 40 to 120 feet of water, where drum, flounder, and other species hold tight to cover.
Cobia are the crown jewel of Virginia Beach fishing, and these brown sharks of the shallows get big here – really big. During peak season from April through October, we see fish from 30 pounds up to monsters pushing 60 pounds or more. Cobia cruise around structure, buoys, and even follow rays in shallow water, making them perfect sight-fishing targets. They fight like freight trains and taste even better on the dinner table. What makes cobia special here is how they respond to live bait – watching a 50-pound cobia eat a live eel or blue crab never gets old.
Albacore tuna show up in good numbers during summer months, typically running from 15 to 40 pounds in our waters. These silver bullets hit trolled baits hard and make screaming runs that'll test your drag settings. Albacore prefer cooler water, so we often find them along temperature breaks 15 to 30 miles offshore. They're excellent table fare and put up a fight that'll leave your arms sore. The key to consistent albacore fishing is finding the right water temperature – usually where warmer inshore water meets cooler offshore currents.
Spanish mackerel might not be the biggest fish in the ocean, but they make up for size with pure aggression and numbers. These torpedo-shaped speedsters hit small spoons, jigs, and trolled baits with authority, often coming in schools that keep multiple anglers busy at once. They're perfect for beginning anglers to cut their teeth on, and smoked Spanish mackerel is hard to beat. Look for them around structure and temperature breaks from spring through fall.
Blackfin tuna are the smaller cousins of yellowfin, but don't let their size fool you – these 10 to 25-pound fish fight like they're twice their weight. Blackfins school up tight and respond well to chunking, live bait, and small trolled lures. They're excellent sashimi fish and perfect for anglers who want tuna action without the marathon fights of bigger species. We typically find blackfins around temperature breaks and structure in 60 to 200 feet of water.
Summer flounder, or fluke, are Virginia Beach's premier bottom fish, with doormat-sized fish over 8 pounds caught regularly in our waters. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury in sand near structure, waiting to attack passing baitfish. Flounder fishing requires patience and the right technique – we drift live minnows, squid strips, and bucktails near structure and wrecks. The fight isn't spectacular, but landing a 6-pound fluke makes for great photos and better eating.
Blue marlin represent the ultimate offshore challenge – billfish that can exceed 400 pounds and test every aspect of your tackle and technique. Virginia Beach sits in prime marlin territory during summer months, when these apex predators follow warm water currents and baitfish concentrations. Marlin fishing means trolling big baits, heavy tackle, and being ready for the fight of your life when one shows up behind the spread. Most anglers release marlin, but the experience of fighting a fish that big stays with you forever.
Redfish, or red drum, come in two distinct varieties in
The 53' Ricky Scarborough cuts through Virginia Beach waters with serious fishing power. This spacious motorboat handles offshore runs at 30 knots, getting your crew of up to 6 anglers out to the deep water fishing grounds where Cobia, Tuna, and Marlin are waiting. Captain Tim Watters knows these waters like the back of his hand and uses the boat's GPS navigation and fish finder to put you right on top of the action. The roomy deck gives everyone plenty of space to work their lines without getting tangled up. Whether you're targeting Red Drum in the shallows or heading way offshore for the big pelagics, this well-equipped vessel has the range and stability to handle whatever the Atlantic throws at you. The electronics package keeps you connected to the fish while the boat's design lets you fight those trophy catches in comfort.
Thunnus AlalungaAlbacore tuna are bullet-shaped speedsters that typically run 18-25 inches and 20-45 pounds. They're the only tuna you can call "white meat" - and it tastes as good as it sounds. These fish travel in massive schools up to 19 miles wide in deep, warm offshore waters. We target them best during summer months when water temps are right. What makes albacore special is their nonstop energy - they never rest and put up a solid fight pound for pound. Guests enjoy the fast action when you find a school. Trolling works great with cedar plugs or tuna feathers positioned 50-90 feet behind the boat. Pro tip: once you hook the first fish, work fast - land it quick or the whole school might spook and disappear.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family, usually running up to 39 inches and 46 pounds. They're dark with yellow finlets and that distinctive golden stripe that fades once landed. We find them in warm offshore waters, often schooling with skipjack. Peak season runs autumn through spring when water temps are above 68 degrees. What makes blackfin special is their fierce fighting spirit - they're scrappy pound for pound and guests love the battle. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, tasty meat. These fish respond well to chunking, vertical jigging, and trolling. The key is scaling down your tackle - use 30# fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0 circle hooks since they're sharp-eyed and leader-shy.
Makaira NigricansBlue marlin are the giants of the billfish world - females can reach 16 feet and over 1,000 pounds (called "granders"), while males top out around 350 pounds. These deep blue beauties cruise warm offshore waters, following temperature breaks and current lines. Peak season here runs summer through early fall when gulf stream conditions are right. What makes marlin fishing special is the combination of power, speed, and aerial acrobatics - there's nothing like watching one of these fish launch itself skyward. They're the ultimate trophy fish. We troll artificial lures and live bait in the deep blue water. Pro tip: when you get a marlin bite, clear the other lines fast and be ready for a long fight. These fish are built for endurance, so pace yourself and trust your tackle.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are dark brown bruisers that average around 6 feet and 100 pounds, often mistaken for sharks when cruising near the surface. We find them around wrecks, reefs, and buoys in 30-70 feet of water, especially during spring migration from May through July. They're mostly loners, which makes spotting one exciting. What guests love about cobia is the aggressive fight they put up and their excellent table fare - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. These fish will hit bucktail jigs, live bait, and even topwater lures. My tip: when you see one, get your bait in front of it fast and keep it moving. Cobia are curious but spook easily, so make that first cast count.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are copper-colored fighters with distinctive black eyespots near the tail. They typically run 28-33 inches, but big ones can hit 45 inches and 50 pounds. These fish love super shallow water - often so shallow their backs show above the surface. We find them around oyster bars, grass flats, and structure in 1-4 feet of water. Best action happens during warmer months when they're actively feeding in the shallows. What guests love is the visual excitement of sight fishing and the strong fight redfish put up in shallow water. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. Topwater plugs create explosive strikes, but they'll also hit soft plastics and live shrimp. My tip: look for nervous water and tailing fish, then make long, accurate casts to avoid spooked them.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are sleek silver speedsters with golden spots, typically running 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds. They travel in huge schools near the surface, making for fast action when you find them. These fish love warm water and show up best during summer months around structures, jetties, and nearshore waters. What guests love is the nonstop action - where there's one, there's usually dozens more. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling. Spanish mackerel hit fast-moving lures like spoons and small jigs, plus they'll take live shrimp and cut bait. My advice: use light tackle and keep your lures moving. These fish have sharp eyes and razor teeth, so don't give them time to inspect your offering.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the "chameleons of the sea" - flatfish that change color to match the bottom. They average 15-20 inches but can hit 26 pounds. These ambush predators lay buried in sand and mud bottoms in bays, channels, and nearshore waters. Best fishing runs September through November when they're feeding heavily before winter. What guests enjoy is the challenge - finding these masters of disguise takes skill, and they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. Flounder love live minnows, squid, and sea worms fished on the bottom with circle hooks. My tip: hook smaller baits through the eyes, larger ones through the lips. Fish slow and be patient - when a flounder grabs your bait, give them time to turn it before setting the hook.
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