Beginner-Friendly Extended Half Day Virginia Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour beginnerfriendly inshore fishing trip with expert guidanceTarget Cobia, Redfish, and Striped Bass with all equipment providedMaximum six guests with patient instruction for firsttime anglers
Looking to dip your toes into the fishing world without jumping in the deep end? Captain Buck's 6-hour morning trip out of Virginia waters is exactly what you need. This top-rated beginner experience takes the intimidation factor right out of fishing and replaces it with solid instruction, quality gear, and plenty of time to get comfortable on the water. You'll be targeting some of Virginia's most popular inshore species - Cobia, Striped Bass, and Redfish - while learning the ropes from a captain who genuinely enjoys teaching newcomers. No pressure, no rushed explanations, just good fishing made accessible for up to 6 guests who want to see what all the fuss is about.
This isn't your typical "here's a rod, good luck" kind of trip. Captain Buck takes the time to walk you through everything from how to hold your rod properly to reading the water for signs of fish. The 6-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunity to practice different techniques without feeling rushed. Virginia's inshore waters provide the perfect classroom - calm enough for beginners to get their bearings, but active enough to keep things interesting. You'll start the morning learning basic casting and retrieval, then work your way up to more targeted approaches as the day progresses. The boat stays in protected waters where you can focus on fishing fundamentals instead of fighting seasickness. All tackle, bait, and gear come included, so you can concentrate on learning rather than worrying about what to bring.
Captain Buck keeps the techniques simple but effective for this beginner-focused trip. You'll primarily use light spinning tackle that's forgiving for new anglers but still gives you a real fight when you hook up. The captain typically sets up with live bait rigs and artificial lures depending on what the fish are showing interest in that day. Expect to learn basic bottom fishing for Redfish around structure, sight casting to Cobia when they're cruising the surface, and working the grass lines for Striped Bass. The gear is all maintained to rental standards, meaning everything functions smoothly and won't frustrate you while you're learning. Captain Buck demonstrates each technique first, then coaches you through it step by step. No complicated knots or advanced rigging - just solid, fish-catching methods that work consistently in these Virginia waters.
Cobia are the crown jewel of Virginia inshore fishing, and for good reason. These brown sharks look-alikes cruise the surface during warmer months, often following rays and other fish. They typically run 20-40 pounds in these waters, making them a serious fight on light tackle. Cobia are curious fish that will often come right up to the boat to investigate, giving you multiple shot opportunities. The best time to target them runs from late spring through early fall when water temperatures climb above 70 degrees. What makes Cobia special for beginners is their willingness to eat and their surface behavior - you can actually see your target before you cast.
Striped Bass, locally called Rockfish, are Virginia's bread and butter species for a reason. These silver-sided fighters school up in huge numbers during their spring and fall migrations, making them perfect targets for new anglers. Most fish in the inshore waters run 18-28 inches, providing plenty of action without being overwhelming on light gear. Stripers are structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, channel edges, and drop-offs. They hit both live bait and artificials aggressively, and their strong runs make for memorable fights. The spring run typically starts in April and runs through June, while fall fishing picks back up in September.
Redfish round out the slam possibilities and are arguably the best species for building confidence in new anglers. These copper-colored drum average 20-30 inches in Virginia waters and fight with a steady, bulldogging power that's manageable but definitely noticeable. Reds are year-round residents that hang around oyster bars, grass flats, and shallow structure. They're not picky eaters and will readily take cut bait, live shrimp, and soft plastics. What makes Redfish perfect for beginners is their predictable behavior - once you locate a school, they typically stay put and continue feeding, giving everyone on board multiple chances to hook up.
This customer favorite trip fills up consistently because Captain Buck has figured out the winning formula for introducing people to fishing the right way. Six hours gives you enough time to really learn something, the inshore waters keep things comfortable, and the target species provide action that ranges from exciting to downright memorable. Whether you're testing the waters before committing to the fishing lifestyle or just want a relaxed day learning something new, this beginner-friendly charter delivers exactly what it promises. The gear, instruction, and fishing grounds are all world-class, but the real value is in the patient teaching approach that turns fishing rookies into enthusiasts. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before booking. Get your spot locked in with Get Hooked Charters and discover why Virginia inshore fishing keeps people coming back season after season.
Step aboard this beautifully restored 40ft Evans cabin cruiser for your Virginia fishing adventure! This Downeast-style boat was completely refreshed in 2019 and combines classic charm with modern comfort. The powerful 800HP Detroit engine delivers smooth rides at up to 18 knots, perfect for reaching those productive fishing spots along Virginia's inshore waters. You'll fish in comfort with air conditioning, a full kitchen, and refrigerator to keep your catch fresh. The spacious cabin accommodates up to 6 anglers, making it ideal for small groups learning the ropes together. Captain Buck uses the onboard fish finder and GPS to locate the best spots for Cobia, Redfish, and Striped Bass while the radar keeps you safe in changing conditions. Between fishing sessions, relax in the comfortable cabin, grab cold drinks from the icebox, or enjoy the multimedia system. The full bathroom and kitchen facilities mean you can stay out on the water longer without sacrificing comfort. This boat's design makes it perfect for beginners - stable, spacious, and equipped with everything needed for a successful day of learning to fish Virginia's productive inshore waters.
Rachycentron CanadumThese dark brown, shark-like fish are some of the most exciting targets we chase in Virginia waters. Most cobia run 30-50 pounds, though we've seen monsters pushing 60+. They're loners by nature, cruising shallow reefs, wrecks, and around channel markers in 20-50 feet of water. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they move inshore to spawn. What makes cobia special? They fight like freight trains and taste even better - firm, white meat that's restaurant quality. Plus, they're curious fish that'll often swim right up to the boat. My go-to trick: when you spot one, cast a bucktail jig well ahead of where it's swimming, then work it slow and steady back toward the fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for beginners because they're aggressive feeders and put up a solid scrap. Most of ours run 18-30 inches with that classic copper color and distinctive black spot near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface around grass beds, oyster bars, and muddy flats. Best fishing happens during warmer months when they're actively feeding in the shallows. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their powerful runs when hooked. The meat's excellent too - mild and sweet. They're also protected gamefish, so we practice catch and release on the big breeders. Pro tip: sight-cast ahead of cruising fish rather than right at them - they spook easy in skinny water.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the backbone of our Virginia fishing scene. These silver beauties with their distinctive black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds in our waters, though we hook bigger ones regularly. You'll find them around structure - bridge pilings, rocky points, and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. They love moving water and cooler temps, making early morning and evening prime time. Spring and fall migrations bring the hottest action as schools push through our area. Guests love stripers because they fight hard, grow big, and make excellent table fare with that sweet, flaky meat. Here's a local tip: when the water's murky after a storm, switch to darker lures with some rattle - stripers hunt by sound and vibration in low visibility.
Virginia