Private 8 Hour Nearshore Fishing Trip
Looking for a full day on the water without the long boat ride to the deep blue? This 8-hour nearshore adventure with Fly'N Fish keeps you within 10 miles of Virginia Beach while still delivering serious fishing action. Perfect for families, casual anglers, or anyone who wants to spend a relaxed day targeting some of the coast's most popular species. You'll be trolling for Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and Ribbonfish while keeping your eyes peeled for bigger prizes like Redfish and Cobia. Come June, we shift focus to one of the area's customer favorites - Spadefish - which swarm the nearshore structure and provide non-stop action.
What to Expect on the Water
This trip strikes the perfect balance between comfort and productivity. We stay close enough to shore that you'll enjoy smooth seas and shorter travel times, but far enough out to find the good fish. The 6-person capacity keeps things intimate - you won't be fighting for rail space or waiting in line to use gear. Most of our time gets spent trolling the productive waters between the beach and the 10-mile mark, where baitfish congregate and predators follow. The boat's equipped with everything you need to fish, but remember to pack your own lunch, drinks, and plenty of sun protection. Eight hours goes by fast when the fish are biting, but that Virginia sun can sneak up on you. We've seen plenty of first-timers come back looking like lobsters because they skipped the sunscreen.
Trolling Tactics & Gear
Trolling remains the name of the game for this type of nearshore fishing. We'll be pulling a spread of lures and baits behind the boat at varying speeds to cover water and locate schools. Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish respond well to small spoons and diving plugs, while we might switch up to larger presentations when Cobia are around. The beauty of trolling is that it lets us cover lots of ground while keeping multiple lines in the water - maximizing your chances of hooking up. When we mark fish on the sonar or spot feeding activity, we'll often stop to cast and work the area more thoroughly. That's when things get exciting for Redfish and Cobia, which often cruise the nearshore waters looking for easy meals. All tackle gets provided, from the rods and reels down to the terminal tackle, but feel free to bring your favorite setup if you've got one.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Spadefish turn into the stars of the show during June, when they school up around nearshore structure in massive numbers. These disc-shaped fighters average 2-4 pounds but don't let their size fool you - they're scrappy and delicious. They feed heavily on jellyfish and small invertebrates, making them tricky to target consistently, but when you find a school, the action stays hot for hours. What makes Spadefish special is their willingness to bite throughout the day and their excellent table fare.
Spanish Mackerel provide consistent action from spring through fall, with fish ranging from 1-3 pounds on average. These speed demons hit trolled lures hard and make blistering runs when hooked. They school up in huge numbers, so when you find them, everyone on board usually gets in on the action. Peak season runs from May through October, with the best fishing often happening during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around.
Bluefish remain one of Virginia Beach's most reliable catches, available year-round but peaking in spring and fall. These voracious predators travel in schools and attack anything that moves, making them perfect for beginners and kids. They range from 2-8 pounds in nearshore waters, with the larger "chopper" blues providing serious fights on light tackle. Their aggressive nature means fast action when you locate a school.
Redfish cruise the nearshore waters year-round, with fish ranging from 20-40 inches common. These copper-colored bruisers love to ambush bait around structure and provide long, bulldogging fights that test your endurance. Spring and fall offer the best shot at multiple fish, when they school up during their spawning migrations. The slot-size fish make excellent eating, while the oversized bulls provide trophy photo opportunities.
Cobia represent the wild card species that can turn a good day into a great one. These brown sharks with attitude cruise the nearshore waters from May through September, often following rays and other bottom dwellers. They average 20-40 pounds but can reach much larger sizes. What makes Cobia special is their curiosity - they'll often come up to investigate the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities that get your heart pumping. Their firm, white meat rivals any fish in the ocean.
Time to Book Your Spot
This 8-hour nearshore trip delivers the best of Virginia Beach fishing without the commitment of a full offshore adventure. You get variety, consistent action, and the chance at both numbers and size - all while staying in comfortable waters close to home. The 6-person limit ensures everyone gets personal attention and plenty of fishing time. Whether you're introducing kids to saltwater fishing, planning a family outing, or just want a relaxed day targeting quality fish, this trip checks all the boxes. Pack that cooler, grab your sunscreen, and get ready for a top-rated day on the water. Book now to secure your spot on Virginia Beach's most productive nearshore waters.