6 Hour Inshore Fishing Trip up to 6 person
Private Trip
Sixhour private charter targeting multiple inshore species around Virginia BeachAll fishing equipment, bait, tackle, and saltwater licenses included onboardAccommodates up to six guests with familyfriendly atmosphere and expert guidance
Looking for a solid day of fishing without the long haul to deep water? This 6-hour inshore trip with Casting Horizon Fishing Charter VA gives you plenty of time to work the best spots around Virginia Beach. We'll launch from Fisherman's Wharf Marina and spend the day hitting productive waters where the fish actually live – around bridge pilings, inshore wrecks, and structure that holds everything from flounder to red drum. The Sea Hunt Gamefish 27 is built for these waters, giving us the perfect platform to fish comfortably while staying close to shore where the action happens.
This isn't your typical quick morning trip – six hours gives us real time to find fish and put you on them. We'll start by reading conditions and targeting the most productive spots for whatever's biting that day. The beauty of inshore fishing around Virginia Beach is the variety. One minute you might be working a jig for flounder around a wreck, the next you're sight-casting to drum cruising shallow water. The trip accommodates up to six anglers, so whether you're bringing the family or a group of fishing buddies, everyone gets personal attention and coaching. Don't worry about gear – all rods, reels, bait, and tackle are provided, plus your saltwater license is covered under our charter permit. We keep safety equipment on board and know these waters like the back of our hand.
Inshore fishing around Virginia Beach is all about reading structure and matching your technique to what the fish want. We'll work bridge pilings where current creates ambush points for drum and sheepshead. These fish love hanging in the shadows, so we'll use precise presentations with live bait or jigs to get them fired up. Inshore wrecks are another hotspot – these artificial reefs hold black sea bass, flounder, and spadefish. We'll anchor up and fish vertically with bottom rigs, or drift and work soft plastics depending on conditions. Grass flats and channels are prime territory for speckled trout and flounder. Here, we might switch to lighter tackle and work topwater plugs early in the day or bounce jigs along the bottom. The key is adapting to what's working. Some days the fish want live bait presented naturally, other days they're aggressive and will hit moving lures. That's why having six hours matters – we can adjust tactics and move spots until we find the bite.
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that show up in late spring through fall around Virginia Beach. These fish travel in schools and when you find them, the action gets fast. They'll hit small spoons, jigs, or live bait with aggressive strikes that'll wake up anyone dozing on deck. Most run 1-3 pounds but fight way above their weight class. What makes them exciting is the numbers – when a school moves through, everyone on the boat can be hooked up at once.
Black Sea Bass are the workhorses of Virginia's inshore wrecks and hard bottom. These chunky fighters love structure and will hit just about anything you drop down to them. They're not huge – most run 1-4 pounds – but they're consistent biters and excellent table fare. Sea bass are curious fish that often come up to investigate the boat, making them perfect for kids and beginners. They're available spring through fall, with the biggest concentrations around inshore wrecks and bridge pilings.
Summer Flounder, or fluke, are the ultimate prize for inshore anglers. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand waiting to ambush prey. They can range from keeper-sized 18-inchers to genuine doormats over 5 pounds. What makes flounder fishing addictive is the challenge – they're finicky biters that require patience and technique. When you feel that distinctive tap-tap-weight of a flounder pickup, your heart rate jumps. They're most active from late spring through early fall, with the biggest fish often caught in deeper water around inshore structure.
Spadefish are underrated fighters that school around wrecks and bridge pilings during summer months. These disc-shaped fish are strong swimmers that will test your drag and technique. They're selective feeders that often require light tackle and small baits, making every hookup a real accomplishment. Most spadefish run 2-4 pounds, but their broad profile and stubborn nature make them feel much bigger. They're also excellent eating, with firm white meat that rivals any fish in these waters.
California Sheephead might be listed in the target species, but around Virginia Beach waters, you're more likely to encounter regular sheepshead – those black-and-white striped convicts that hang around structure. These fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, and they're notorious bait thieves. Sheepshead require patience and skill to hook consistently, but once you figure them out, they become addictive targets. They're available year-round but most active in cooler months when they move inshore to feed and spawn.
Six hours on the water with Casting Horizon Fishing Charter VA gives you the best shot at experiencing what Virginia Beach inshore fishing is all about. You'll have time to work different techniques, target multiple species, and really learn these productive waters. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your next personal best or a family wanting to introduce kids to saltwater fishing, this trip delivers the right mix of action and instruction. The Sea Hunt Gamefish 27 provides a stable, comfortable platform for up to six people, and all the gear and licensing is handled for you. Don't wait for the perfect conditions – some of the best fishing happens when you least expect it. Book your spot and get ready to see why Virginia Beach consistently ranks as one of the top inshore fishing destinations on the East Coast.
Get ready to fish Virginia Beach waters aboard our 2017 Sea Hunt Gamefish 27 center console! This beauty packs twin 250HP Yamahas that'll cruise at 58 knots, meaning you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time getting there. Built for serious fishing, she handles the Chesapeake Bay's chop with ease while keeping all 6 anglers comfortable and dry. The center console design gives everyone room to move around and fight fish without getting tangled up. GPS navigation gets you to the hot spots fast, while the fish finder helps locate schools around bridge pilings and inshore wrecks. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold throughout your 6-hour adventure. Whether you're targeting drum, flounder, or whatever's biting that day, this boat's got the power and fishability to make it happen. Perfect setup for families or groups wanting to experience Virginia Beach's productive inshore fishing grounds.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are chunky, bottom-dwelling fighters that hang around our wrecks, bridge pilings, and rocky structure. Most run 2-4 pounds, but we see some nice 6-8 pounders, especially the bigger males with their distinctive humped heads during spawning season. They're most active from late spring through summer in 20-60 feet of water. What makes them fun is they'll fight hard all the way to the boat, plus they're fantastic eating - firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. These fish are structure-oriented, so once you find them, you can usually catch several. Pro tip: use a two-hook bottom rig with squid or clam strips, and don't be surprised if they try to steal your bait - they're aggressive feeders with big mouths.
Semicossyphus PulcherActually, we don't target California Sheephead here in Virginia Beach - that species is found on the West Coast. What we do have is Atlantic Sheepshead, which are completely different fish. Our Sheepshead are silvery with black vertical bars and human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around structure. They typically run 2-8 pounds and are found year-round around our bridge pilings, docks, and jetties. They're challenging to catch because they're notorious bait stealers with those strong teeth, but they're fantastic eating. The key is using small hooks with fiddler crabs, sand fleas, or oysters. Fish right against the pilings where they feed, and set the hook fast when you feel them nibbling - they'll strip your bait clean if you wait too long.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are disk-shaped silver fish with black vertical stripes that travel in big schools around our wrecks and bridge pilings. They average 3-10 pounds and put up a surprising fight for their size - they're strong swimmers that will test your drag. You'll find them in shallow to mid-depth waters, often suspended in the water column near structure during warmer months. What makes them special is their schooling behavior - when you find one, you'll usually find hundreds more. They're also excellent eating with sweet, white meat. The challenge is getting them to bite since they can be finicky feeders. Here's the trick: use small circle hooks with fresh clam or even pieces of jellyfish if you can find them. Cast past the school and let your bait drift naturally through them.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast-moving silver fish with distinctive yellow spots that typically run 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds. These speed demons swim in large schools near the surface, making them exciting targets when they're feeding. You'll find them around our bridge pilings and inshore structures, especially during warmer months from late spring through fall. They're some of the fastest fish in the ocean, so when you hook one, expect a screaming run and acrobatic jumps. The meat is excellent - mild flavor that grills beautifully or even works for sushi. Here's a local tip: when you see them schooled up, cast small spoons or jigs just past the school and work your lure back through them quickly. They'll hit hard and fast, so keep your drag set properly.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder, or "fluke," are master ambush predators that lie flat on sandy bottoms waiting to strike. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches, but the big "doormat" females can hit 5-8 pounds or more. They're found over sand and mud bottom near structure edges, usually in 15-40 feet of water. Fall months from September through November are prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. What anglers love is their aggressive strike and the challenge of figuring out their patterns - they can be picky feeders. The white, flaky meat is top-notch table fare. Local trick: use a bucktail jig tipped with a strip of squid or live minnow, and work it slowly along the bottom with short hops. They'll often follow before committing to bite.
Virginia Beach, VA