Target Cobia and Red Drum on Norfolk's Inshore Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Cobia, Red Drum, and Spanish Mackerel inshoreFivehour charter accommodates up to six anglersAll fishing equipment and safety gear provided
Norfolk's inshore waters are absolutely loaded with fish, and Goin' Anyways SportFishing knows exactly where to find them. This 5-hour charter puts you right in the middle of some of the best inshore action on the East Coast, targeting everything from hefty cobia to feisty red drum. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a fishing rod, our crew will put you on fish and show you the ropes. We're talking about waters that consistently produce, with structure and current that keeps the bite going strong throughout the season.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're rushing around trying to cover too much ground. Five hours gives us the perfect window to hit multiple spots and really dial in on what's biting. We'll start early to beat the crowds and take advantage of those prime feeding windows when fish are most active. The Chesapeake Bay tributaries and Norfolk's nearshore waters offer incredible variety - one minute you might be sight-fishing for drum in shallow grass flats, the next you're dropping baits around structure for cobia or sheepshead. Our boat is rigged specifically for inshore work, with a shallow draft that lets us get into those productive backwater spots where the big fish hang out. The crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, reading tides, structure, and seasonal patterns to put you on the most productive water possible. Expect to move between 3-4 different spots depending on conditions, each offering different species and fishing techniques.
Inshore fishing in Norfolk requires versatility, and we've got the gear and knowledge to match any situation. We'll be running everything from light spinning tackle for spanish mackerel to heavy conventional setups when we're targeting big cobia. Sight-fishing is huge here - polarized sunglasses are a must because you'll often see your target before you cast to it. We use a mix of live bait, cut bait, and artificials depending on what we're after. For red drum, we might be throwing spoons or soft plastics over grass beds, while cobia fishing often involves live eels or crabs around structure. The boat carries a full spread of tackle including circle hooks for catch-and-release fishing, various weights for different depths and currents, and a solid selection of lures that produce consistently in these waters. Our crew will walk you through proper technique for each species - from how to work a jig for flounder to the patience required for sheepshead around pilings. Bottom fishing, sight casting, and trolling are all part of the arsenal depending on conditions and what's showing up on the fish finder.
Sheepshead are the ultimate test of your fishing skills and patience. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around structure like bridge pilings, docks, and oyster bars, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and barnacles. They're notorious bait stealers with incredibly light bites - you'll swear something's wrong with your tackle until you realize a sheepshead just cleaned your hook without you feeling it. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall when they're most active in the shallows. What makes them exciting is the challenge - once you dial in the technique and start consistently hooking them, you feel like you've cracked some kind of fishing code. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Red drum, or redfish as most locals call them, are the backbone of Norfolk inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers cruise shallow flats and around structure, often in schools that'll get your heart racing when you spot their backs and tails in skinny water. They're aggressive feeders that'll absolutely smoke a well-placed spoon or soft plastic, and their initial run will test your drag system. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're feeding heavily before and after spawning. The slot-size fish (18-26 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls provide pure adrenaline with runs that can peel line off your reel. Norfolk's grass flats and oyster bars are prime red drum habitat, and our crew knows exactly which tides and conditions turn these areas into fishing gold mines.
Cobia are the prize catch that keeps anglers coming back to Norfolk waters. These brown sharks, as they're sometimes called, are curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities you won't forget. They're structure-oriented, hanging around buoys, crab pot markers, and channel edges where baitfish congregate. Summer months bring the best cobia action when they're moving through Norfolk waters during their annual migration. What makes them special is their size and fight - these fish commonly reach 30-50 pounds and have the power to straighten hooks and snap leaders if you're not prepared. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening. The excitement of seeing a 40-pound cobia swimming toward your bait never gets old.
Spanish mackerel provide non-stop action when they're around, especially during their spring and fall migrations through Norfolk waters. These silver speedsters travel in schools and feed aggressively on small baitfish, creating surface commotion that's visible from a distance. They're perfect for light tackle fishing, screaming drag on spinning reels while putting on an aerial show. What's great about spanish mackerel is they're willing biters - when you find a school, you can often catch them one after another until your arms are tired. They respond well to small spoons, jigs, and live bait, making them perfect target species for anglers of all skill levels. Their oily, rich meat is excellent smoked or grilled, and they're the perfect size for a fish dinner without waste.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey. These flatfish require a different approach - slow presentations along drop-offs,
Hit the waters of Norfolk aboard this reliable 29-foot Topaz sportfishing boat that's been putting anglers on fish since 1989. Twin 230HP Volvo engines push this classic ride to 24 knots, getting you to the hot spots fast. The flybridge gives your captain a perfect view for spotting cobia and red drum, while the fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of Spanish mackerel. With space for 6 anglers, there's room to spread out whether you're fighting a bull red or hauling in bluefish. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 5-hour charter. GPS and radar ensure safe navigation in Norfolk's inshore waters, so you can focus on what matters most - getting your line wet and filling the coolers with flounder, sheepshead, and whatever else is biting in Virginia's productive coastal waters.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - they'll fool you every time with that dark, torpedo shape cruising near the surface. These are serious fish, averaging 20-40 pounds with some pushing 60-plus. You'll find them around structure in 20-60 feet during spring migration from April through June, then around wrecks and reefs all summer. They're curious fish that'll often swim right up to the boat to investigate. What makes them special is they fight like a freight train - long, powerful runs that'll burn your arms. The meat is white, firm, and absolutely delicious grilled or blackened. Here's the deal: when you spot one, cast a bucktail jig ahead of where it's swimming and work it back slowly. They'll usually follow it for a while before striking.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are the poster fish for shallow water sight fishing here in Norfolk. They typically run 18-30 inches and love cruising the flats in 1-4 feet of water where you can actually see their bronze backs and that signature black spot near the tail. Spring and fall are peak times when they're moving through our area, feeding heavily on crabs and shrimp around grass beds and oyster bars. What guests love is watching these fish cruise by in skinny water - it's pure visual hunting. They fight hard with long, powerful runs that'll test your drag. The meat is firm with a mild flavor that grills up perfectly. Local trick: look for nervous water or muddy spots where they're rooting around feeding, and cast your bait right into the disturbance.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are easy to spot with their black and white stripes - we call them "convict fish" around here. Most run 1-3 pounds, but you'll occasionally hook into a 5-8 pounder that'll test your tackle. They love hanging around any structure with barnacles - bridge pilings, docks, jetties. Spring through fall is prime time when they're actively feeding in 5-20 feet of water. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with those human-like teeth, so you need quick reflexes to set the hook. The meat is sweet and flaky, making them excellent table fare. Pro tip: get your bait right against the structure and keep a tight line - they'll pick at the bait before committing, so when you feel that first nibble, set the hook hard.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. They typically run 12-18 inches, though we catch plenty of 3-5 pounders that make great table fare. You'll find them on sandy and muddy bottoms around inlets, creek mouths, and grass flats in 5-15 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they're staging for their offshore spawn - that's when we see the biggest ones. What's cool is watching them change color to match the bottom perfectly. The meat is white, mild, and flaky - classic eating fish. They don't fight hard, but they're tricky to hook since they grab bait and just sit there. My tip: use a Carolina rig with live minnows or shrimp, and when you feel weight, slowly lift the rod tip and reel tight before setting the hook.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons with razor teeth that'll slice through your line in a heartbeat. They run 1-3 pounds on average, with silver sides covered in yellow spots that make them easy to identify. You'll find schools of them from late spring through early fall, usually in 10-30 feet around structure or following baitfish. They hit fast and fight hard for their size, making screaming runs that'll put your drag to the test. The meat is rich and oily - perfect for smoking or grilling fresh. What's fun is they'll often hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk, creating explosive surface strikes. Wire leaders are essential since those teeth will cut mono instantly. Watch for diving birds - they'll lead you right to feeding schools.
Norfolk