Virginia Beach Offshore Wreck Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
8hour offshore fishing targeting wrecks and Chesapeake Light HouseCharter includes all equipment, bait, tackle, and fishing licensesAccommodates up to 6 guests with experienced licensed captain
Picture this: you're 12 miles off the Virginia Beach coast, engines shut down over a productive wreck site, with the iconic Chesapeake Light Tower on the horizon and offshore windmills creating fish-holding structure as far as the eye can see. This full-day offshore adventure aboard our Sea Hunt Gamefish 27 puts you right in the heart of Virginia's most productive fishing grounds. We're talking about an 8-hour trip that'll have you working everything from shallow wreck sites to deeper structure where the big fish hang out. Whether you're after a cooler full of keeper black sea bass or hoping to tangle with some hard-fighting spadefish around the windmill foundations, this charter delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Your day starts early at Fisherman's Wharf Marina, where you'll meet Captain and crew before heading out through Rudee Inlet. The ride out takes about 45 minutes to an hour depending on where we're fishing, but trust me, it's worth every minute of that boat ride. We're targeting multiple structure types throughout the day - natural bottom, artificial reefs, historic shipwrecks, and those newer windmill foundations that have become absolute fish magnets. The Sea Hunt Gamefish 27 is built for this kind of fishing, with plenty of room for six anglers to fish comfortably and all the electronics needed to mark fish and structure. You'll spend your day moving between spots based on what's biting best, tide conditions, and what the fish finder is showing us. Don't worry about bringing anything except your cooler for fish and maybe some snacks - we've got all the rods, reels, tackle, bait, and even your fishing license covered under our charter permit.
This is classic Virginia Beach bottom fishing at its finest. We're primarily using conventional reels spooled with 30-50 pound test, paired with medium-heavy rods that can handle both the sinker weight needed to reach bottom in 60-80 feet of water and the fight these fish put up. Most of our fishing involves dropping two-hook bottom rigs tipped with squid, clams, or cut bait right down to the structure. The key here is feeling that sinker hit bottom, then reeling up a turn or two to keep your bait just off the wreck or reef. When we're working the windmill foundations, we might switch up tactics and try some vertical jigging with bucktails or metal jigs. The captain will walk you through the techniques if you're new to this style of fishing, but experienced anglers will feel right at home working structure in 40-80 feet of water. Current and tide play a huge role out here, so we're constantly adjusting our approach based on water movement and what the bottom machine is telling us.
Black sea bass are the bread and butter of Virginia Beach offshore fishing, and for good reason. These chunky, hard-fighting fish stack up on wrecks and structure from late spring through fall, with the best action typically happening from May through October. What makes sea bass so popular isn't just that they're fun to catch - they're absolutely delicious table fare. You'll find them ranging from keeper size (13 inches) all the way up to trophy fish pushing 20+ inches and several pounds. They hit hard, make strong runs toward structure, and fill up the cooler nicely. Summer flounder add another dimension to these trips, especially during their peak season from June through September. Virginia Beach fluke can run big - we're talking fish in the 3-6 pound range with doormat flounder over 8 pounds always a possibility. Spadefish show up around structure during summer months and provide some of the most exciting action you'll find offshore. These silver bullets are incredibly strong fighters that'll test your drag system and your arms. Triggerfish have become increasingly popular targets, known for their aggressive strikes and excellent eating quality, though they can be tricky to hook with their small mouths. Bluefish round out the mix, especially during spring and fall migrations when schools of choppers move through Virginia Beach waters, providing fast action and great sport on lighter tackle.
Black Sea Bass dominate the wreck fishing scene here for good reason - these bottom dwellers are perfectly adapted to Virginia's offshore structure. They're most active during daylight hours and tend to hold tight to cover, making them perfect targets for our bottom fishing approach. Peak season runs from May through November, with the largest fish typically caught during fall months when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore for winter. What makes sea bass special is their combination of fighting ability and table quality - they're strong enough to give you a good battle but also rank among the best eating fish in the Atlantic.
Summer Flounder bring a different kind of excitement to these offshore trips. Virginia Beach is known for producing some of the largest fluke on the East Coast, with fish over 5 pounds caught regularly during peak summer months. These ambush predators lie flat against sandy bottom near structure, waiting to grab unsuspecting baitfish. When a big fluke hits your bait, there's no mistaking it - they make strong, sustained runs and fight hard all the way to the boat. The meat is firm, white, and incredibly versatile in the kitchen.
Spadefish are the surprise stars of summer offshore fishing around Virginia Beach. These disc-shaped fish school around tall structure like the Chesapeake Light Tower and windmill foundations, where they feed on small invertebrates and algae. Spadefish are incredibly strong fighters that will test both your tackle and your endurance - pound for pound, they're some of the hardest fighting fish in Virginia waters. They're most active from July through September and provide consistent action when conditions are right.
Grey Triggerfish have gained popularity among Virginia Beach anglers for their aggressive strikes and excellent table fare. These colorful fish have powerful jaws designed for crushing shellfish and cr
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are one of our most reliable catches around the offshore wrecks and structure we fish. Most run 1-4 pounds, but we see some nice trophies up to 8+ pounds in deeper water. They love hanging around rocky bottoms, wrecks, and artificial reefs in 40-120 feet of water. Best fishing is late spring through early fall when they're up from their winter migration south. These guys put up a solid fight for their size and are absolutely delicious - firm, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're curious fish that respond well to cut bait and jigs. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep your line tight and get it up quickly. Where there's one sea bass, there's usually more, and they'll often follow a hooked fish right to the boat.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive feeders that show up here from late spring through fall, typically running 2-15 pounds with occasional bigger ones. They travel in schools and hit hard when feeding on baitfish around our offshore wrecks and structure. You'll find them from the surface down to about 60 feet, especially when they're chasing menhaden or other forage fish. These fish fight like crazy once hooked - they'll make strong runs and keep pulling even at the boat. The meat is excellent when properly handled, with a rich flavor that's perfect grilled. When you see birds working the surface or notice bait getting pushed around, that's usually bluefish underneath. Use a wire leader since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through regular line in seconds.
Balistes CapriscusGrey triggerfish are tough customers that live around our offshore wrecks and hard bottom areas in 40-180 feet of water. Most average 12-17 inches and up to a few pounds, but they're built like tanks with leather-tough skin. They're most active during summer and early fall when water temps are warmest. What guests love about triggers is the challenge - they're smart fish with sharp teeth that will steal your bait if you're not paying attention. They nibble first, then commit, so you need to stay alert. The meat is excellent - firm, white, and sweet. These fish have an attitude and will fight all the way to the boat. Here's the key: use chunk squid on a small hook, drop it to the bottom, then reel up fast when you feel that first tap. They'll try to wedge into the wreck if given slack line.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are one of the more unique catches you'll encounter on our offshore trips. These disk-shaped, silver fish with distinctive black stripes typically run 3-8 pounds and travel in large schools around our wrecks and towers. They prefer structure in 30-100 feet of water and are most active during the warmer months when water temperatures are up. What makes spadefish special is their challenging nature - they're notorious bait stealers with small mouths, but they fight harder than their size suggests. The meat is surprisingly good, firm and mild when prepared right. They school heavily around jellyfish, so when we see jellies in the water, we know spadefish are likely nearby. Use small circle hooks with fresh clam or cut bait, and be ready for subtle bites that require quick hook sets.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of camouflage that lie flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Most of our catch runs 15-20 inches, but we regularly see doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds around the offshore structure. They're found in 20-80 feet of water near wrecks, ledges, and drop-offs where current brings baitfish. Best action is typically late summer into fall when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. These flatfish are prized for their sweet, mild white meat - probably the best eating fish we catch. They can be tricky since they often mouth the bait before committing. My advice: when you feel that soft tap, let them run with it for a few seconds before setting the hook. Patience pays off with fluke.
Virginia Beach, VA