Virginia Inshore Fishing: Cobia, Redfish & Bass
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Cobia, Redfish, and Bass on extended morning tripCaptain Buck provides all equipment and expert guidanceFamily-friendly charter accommodates up to 6 guests
When you're looking for a fishing trip that delivers both variety and quality, Captain Buck's extended half day morning charter hits all the right notes. Virginia's inshore waters serve up some of the East Coast's best fishing, and this trip puts you right in the thick of it. You'll be targeting three of the area's most sought-after species—Cobia, Striped Bass, and Redfish—all while enjoying the kind of personalized attention that only comes with a smaller group size. With room for up to six anglers, this isn't one of those cattle boat operations where you're fighting for rail space.
Captain Buck knows these Virginia waters like the back of his hand, and he's built this trip around maximizing your time where the fish are biting. The morning start gives you the advantage of cooler temperatures and active fish, plus you'll beat the afternoon boat traffic that can spook fish in the shallows. This is a family-friendly operation, so don't hesitate to bring the kids along—there's nothing quite like watching a young angler's face light up when they hook into their first keeper. All your tackle and equipment come included in the price, which means you can show up with just your fishing license and enthusiasm. Captain Buck provides everything from rods and reels to bait and tackle, all maintained to the standards you'd expect from a top-rated charter operation.
Virginia's inshore fishing scene revolves around structure, current, and timing, and Captain Buck has dialed in all three. You'll be working a mix of techniques depending on what's biting—everything from live bait fishing around bridge pilings and channel markers to sight fishing the grass flats when conditions are right. The boat is equipped with quality fish finders and GPS, so you're not wasting time wandering around hoping to stumble onto fish. When you're targeting Cobia, expect to work deeper channels and around structure where these curious fish like to cruise. For Redfish, you'll likely hit the shallow grass beds and oyster bars where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Striped Bass fishing often means working the current breaks and drop-offs where baitfish get pushed around by the tide.
Virginia's Cobia are the crown jewel of the inshore scene, and for good reason. These brown sharks, as locals sometimes call them, are curious, aggressive, and put up a fight that'll test your tackle and technique. Most Virginia Cobia run between 30 and 50 pounds, though fish pushing 60+ pounds show up regularly during peak season. The best Cobia fishing typically runs from late spring through early fall, with July and August being prime time. What makes Cobia so exciting is their willingness to come up and investigate the boat—you'll often see them swimming around checking things out before deciding whether to hit your bait.
Striped Bass remain the backbone of Virginia's inshore fishery, and Captain Buck knows how to put you on them. These fish are available year-round in Virginia waters, though their behavior changes with the seasons. Spring and fall migrations bring the biggest schools and most consistent action. Virginia Stripers range from schoolie size up to trophy fish pushing 40+ pounds. They're aggressive feeders when you find them, and they'll hit everything from live bait to artificial lures. The fight is classic—strong initial runs followed by bulldogging battles that'll make your arms burn.
Redfish have made a strong comeback in Virginia waters, and they've quickly become a customer favorite for their consistent availability and hard-fighting nature. Virginia Reds typically range from slot-size fish around 18-26 inches up to oversized bull reds that can push 40+ inches and 30+ pounds. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow grass flats and oyster beds where they root around for crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Redfish are known for their powerful runs and stubborn fights—they're not flashy jumpers, but they'll make you work for every inch of line you gain.
Virginia's inshore fishing scene offers something special that you won't find everywhere—consistent action on multiple species in waters that don't require a long run offshore. Captain Buck has put together a trip that takes full advantage of what makes this area special, combining local knowledge with quality equipment and a genuine commitment to putting his anglers on fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some Virginia species to your list or a family wanting to introduce the kids to serious fishing, this extended half day trip delivers the kind of experience that keeps people coming back. The included tackle and family-friendly approach remove the barriers that sometimes make fishing charters feel intimidating for newcomers, while the focus on quality species and productive techniques ensures that experienced anglers won't be bored.
Get ready to chase cobia, redfish, and bass aboard this beautiful 40-foot Evans cabin cruiser! This restored Downeast beauty cuts through Virginia waters with an 800HP Detroit engine, cruising smoothly at 18 knots while you scan for your next catch. The spacious cabin keeps up to 6 anglers comfortable with air conditioning between fishing spots, plus there's a full kitchen and icebox to keep your drinks ice-cold. Captain Buck knows exactly where the fish are hiding, and with the onboard fish finder and GPS, you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching. The radar helps navigate safely in any conditions, while the multimedia system keeps everyone entertained during travel time. Whether you're targeting trophy stripers in the shallows or hunting cobia in deeper waters, this well-equipped vessel has everything you need for a successful morning on the water. Perfect for families - kids love the adventure of reeling in their first redfish from this comfortable platform!
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are solitary hunters that average around 6 feet and 100 pounds - these dark brown fish with lighter bellies are often mistaken for sharks due to their single dorsal fin. Here in Virginia waters, we find them around reefs, wrecks, and buoys, usually in 30-70 feet of water during spring migration and spawning season from June through August. They're excellent table fare with firm, sweet meat that makes them highly sought after. What makes cobia fishing exciting is sight fishing - you'll actually spot them cruising just below the surface before making your cast. Bucktail jigs in the 4-8 oz range work best around structure. My tip: don't worry about jig color with cobia - they'll hit anything if you get it in front of them at the right depth.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are shallow water specialists that love working the flats in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black eyespots near the tail average 28-33 inches and put up a great fight for their size. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass flats, and muddy bottoms in our bays and marshes year-round, though they're most active during warmer months. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their explosive topwater strikes in skinny water. They're also excellent on the table with mild, sweet meat. My go-to approach is sight fishing with topwater plugs or shrimp-imitating jigs. Local trick: when you spot tailing reds, cast well ahead and let them come to your bait - they spook easily in shallow water.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the backbone of our Virginia fishing, typically running 20-40 pounds with those distinctive dark stripes along their silver sides. These structure-loving fish hang around drop-offs, reefs, and current breaks where they ambush baitfish. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action as they move up and down the coast following water temps between 55-68°F. What guests love about stripers is their strong fight and excellent eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're active dawn and dusk feeders, so timing your trip right makes all the difference. We fish them with live herring, eels, or bloodworms around moving water near shore structure. Pro tip: look for birds working the surface - that's where you'll find feeding stripers underneath.
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