Expert Guided 8 Hour Private Nearshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eighthour nearshore fishing within 10 miles of Virginia Beach coastTarget Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Ribbonfish, and seasonal SpadefishPrivate charter accommodates up to six guests with trolling focus
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Step aboard our beautifully restored 54' Jim Smith Custom convertible for your Virginia Beach nearshore fishing adventure. This classic sportfisher was completely rebuilt in 2015 and packs twin 660HP Cummins engines that'll cruise you smoothly to the fishing grounds at 26 knots. Built for serious anglers, she's loaded with everything you need: fish finder to locate schools, GPS and radar for safe navigation, plus a spacious flybridge for spotting fish and enjoying the ride. Air conditioning keeps you cool between bites, while the onboard fridge and icebox ensure your catch stays fresh and your drinks stay cold. The roomy cockpit gives all 6 anglers plenty of space to work, whether you're trolling for Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish or casting for Redfish and Cobia. We'll target productive waters within 10 miles of shore, focusing on proven spots where Spadefish congregate in June and Ribbonfish run year-round. With a full galley, multimedia system, and head onboard, you'll have all the comforts needed for a full 8-hour day on the water. Just bring your lunch, drinks, and sun protection - we'll handle the rest and put you on the fish.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are the bulldogs of nearshore fishing - aggressive predators with razor teeth that average 3-10 pounds and never back down from a fight. We target them from spring through fall around baitfish schools, often in 20-50 feet of water near structure. What makes blues special is their feeding frenzies - when they're on the bite, it's nonstop action with multiple hookups. They hit everything from spoons to cut bait with serious attitude. Smaller "snapper" blues are perfect for kids and beginners. The meat is excellent when iced immediately and cooked fresh. My best advice: use wire leaders because their teeth will slice through mono instantly, and don't put your fingers near their mouth - even small ones can deliver a nasty bite. When you find feeding birds, that's where the action is.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these prehistoric-looking fish average 40-60 pounds and put up one heck of a fight. We spot them cruising near the surface around buoys, wrecks, and channel markers, typically in 30-70 feet of water. Spring migration from April through June is prime time when they're moving north along our coast. What makes cobia special is their curiosity - they'll actually follow the boat and investigate lures, making for exciting sight fishing. Plus, they're outstanding eating with firm, white meat that grills perfectly. My go-to trick: when you see one, cast a bucktail jig or live eel well ahead of where it's swimming and work it back slowly. Don't cast right at them - they spook easily but will chase down a properly presented bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are built for battle - these copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails average 28-33 inches and fight way above their weight class. Around Virginia Beach, we target them in shallow bays, around oyster bars, and near grass flats in 1-4 feet of water. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're actively feeding on crabs and shrimp. What guests love most is watching their backs break the surface in skinny water - it's pure adrenaline when a 20-pounder explodes on a topwater plug. They're also fantastic table fare with mild, flaky meat. The key trick I share: look for nervous baitfish and muddy water where they're rooting around the bottom. Cast past the disturbance and work your bait back through it slowly.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are one of June's best targets here - these silver, disk-shaped fish with black stripes average 3-8 pounds and 18 inches. They travel in massive schools of 500+ fish around wrecks, reefs, and nearshore structure in 30-60 feet of water. What makes them special is the scrappy fight they put up for their size, plus they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. We find them most active during warmer months when water temps climb. They love feeding on small crabs, shrimp, and jellyfish around structure. Pro tip: when we locate a school, use small circle hooks with fresh clam strips - they can be picky, but once you dial in the right presentation, you'll often hook multiple fish from the same school. Their curious nature means they'll investigate the boat, giving us great sight-fishing opportunities.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons with silver sides covered in yellow spots - perfect for fast-paced trolling action. These 1-2 foot fish typically weigh 2-4 pounds but make up for size with blazing runs and aerial acrobatics. We find big schools cruising 10-30 feet deep over nearshore structure and sandy bottom from spring through fall. What guests love is the nonstop action when we hit a school - they'll hammer trolled spoons, small jigs, and live bait. They're also delicious with mild, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill. The secret is keeping your trolling speed around 4-6 knots and using small, shiny lures. When we mark a school, we'll circle back with lighter tackle for even more fun - just watch those razor-sharp teeth when handling them.
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