Half Day Virginia Beach Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore charter targets Virginia Beach coastal watersLight tackle fishing along beaches, inlets, and flatsProfessional captain adapts to conditions for maximum success
When you're looking for consistent action and variety on the water, this half-day inshore charter with Hookz Sportfishing delivers exactly what Virginia Beach anglers crave. You'll spend quality time working the productive waters where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic, targeting some of the most sought-after species along the East Coast. The beauty of this trip lies in its flexibility – your captain reads the conditions and adjusts throughout the day, hitting the spots that are firing and keeping your lines tight.
This isn't your typical cookie-cutter fishing trip. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand and adapts to what Mother Nature serves up each day. You might start the morning working shallow grass flats where redfish cruise looking for bait, then move to deeper structure where cobia hang out, or slide into the surf zone where sea trout are feeding. The four-angler capacity keeps things comfortable and personal – no crowded boat deck or fighting for rod space. You'll fish the prime spots around Virginia Beach's diverse inshore waters, from the protected back bays to the nearshore reefs and everything in between. The extended time on the water means you're not rushed, giving everyone a real chance to get into fish and learn the techniques that work best in these waters.
You'll be fishing with light to medium tackle setups that make every fish feel like a monster while still having the backbone to handle the bigger surprises that Virginia Beach waters are known for. Depending on conditions and target species, you might be throwing soft plastics on jig heads, working topwater plugs at first light, or dropping live bait around structure. The captain will have you rigged with everything from paddle tails and gulp baits for bottom fishing to spoons and plugs for working the water column. Techniques vary with the bite – you could be sight fishing for tailing reds in shallow water one moment, then vertical jigging around bridge pilings the next. The gear is perfectly matched to the fishing style, giving you that sensitive feel to detect light bites while still having enough muscle to turn fish away from cover.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Virginia Beach inshore fishing, and for good reason. These speckled beauties are aggressive feeders that hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastics, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. They run strong in the 14-20 inch range here, with plenty of keepers mixed in with some real slobs that'll bend your rod double. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up in the grass beds and around structure, but summer fishing stays consistent in deeper holes and channels. What makes sea trout special is their willingness to bite and their scrappy fight – they'll make multiple runs and have a habit of jumping that keeps things exciting.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Virginia inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers are what dreams are made of. They average 20-30 inches in these waters, with plenty of bull reds that'll test your drag system and your arm muscles. The best action typically happens in late summer and fall when they school up in massive numbers, but you can find them year-round in the right spots. What gets anglers fired up about reds is their power – once hooked, they make long, determined runs that'll have your reel screaming. Plus, they're smart fish that require some finesse, making each hookup feel earned.
Cobia are the wildcards that can show up anytime during the warmer months, turning a good day into an epic one. These brown sharks, as locals call them, are curious fish that often cruise near the surface around structure, buoys, and even following rays. They're absolute tackle busters, capable of peeling off 100 yards of line in seconds and diving straight down when they see the boat. The average cobia here runs 30-40 inches, but 50+ inch fish are always a possibility. They're also fantastic table fare, making them a favorite among anglers who like to take home dinner.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage and the ultimate light-tackle challenge. These flatfish are ambush predators that lie buried in sand waiting for bait to swim by, making them tricky to target but rewarding when you figure them out. Virginia Beach flounder run good sizes, with plenty in the 16-20 inch range and doormat-sized fish over 24 inches always possible. Fall is prime time when they're staging for their offshore migration, but spring and summer fishing around inlets and channels can be phenomenal. What makes flounder fishing addictive is the subtle bite – you need to stay focused and feel for that gentle tap-tap before setting the hook.
Virginia Beach inshore fishing offers some of the most consistent and diverse action on the East Coast, and this half-day charter puts you right in the middle of it all. With Hookz Sportfishing's local expertise and top-rated reputation, you're getting more than just a fishing trip – you're getting an education in how to fish these waters effectively. The four-person limit ensures everyone gets hands-on attention and plenty of rod time, while the flexible approach means you'll be fishing the most productive water throughout your time out there. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or someone wanting to experience world-class inshore fishing, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait – the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak seasons when the bite is hot.
Step aboard this 25-foot Southern Cross sportfisher for your Virginia Beach inshore adventure. Powered by a reliable 300hp Suzuki outboard, this boat gets you to the fish fast and keeps you comfortable while working the productive coastal waters. The elevated cobia tower gives your captain excellent visibility to spot fish and navigate the shallows, while the wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into position without spooking your targets. Modern Garmin electronics and fish finder help locate structure and schools, whether you're fishing inlet mouths, shallow flats, or working the surf line. With plenty of storage for tackle and your catch, plus full Coast Guard safety equipment, this well-equipped vessel handles everything from light tackle finesse fishing to battling bigger inshore species like red drum and cobia along Virginia's coastline.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - they average 30-50 pounds but can hit 100+ pounds around here. These solitary fish cruise near the surface around structure like buoys, channel markers, and wrecks in 20-60 feet of water. Spring migration from April through June is peak season when they're moving north, but we see them all summer around inshore structure. What makes them special is their incredible fight and curiosity - they'll follow the boat and inspect lures before striking. The meat is outstanding too, firm and white like mahi. Since they're usually alone, sight-fishing is key. When we spot one, I tell guests to cast a bucktail jig or large soft plastic ahead of the fish and work it slowly. Cobia are smart, so if they refuse one lure, switch colors or presentations quickly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are our bread and butter fish here - they run anywhere from 18-inch "puppy" drum up to 40+ inch bulls. You'll spot them by that distinctive black spot near the tail and copper-bronze coloring. These fish love super shallow water, often with their backs showing in 1-3 feet around oyster bars, marsh edges, and grass flats. Fall is prime time when they school up, but we catch them year-round. What guests love most is watching them cruise the shallows and that aggressive topwater strike - it's pure visual fishing. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. My go-to tip: when sight-fishing, lead them by a few feet and let your bait sit still. Reds are curious and will come investigate, but spook them with too much movement and they're gone.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout around Virginia Beach typically run 14-24 inches and weigh 1-5 pounds, though we've seen some bigger ones. These silvery fish with black spots love shallow grass flats and structure like oyster bars. They're most active during cooler months - fall through early spring - especially on moving water at dawn and dusk. What makes them fun to target is their aggressive strike on topwater plugs and soft plastics, plus they're fantastic eating with tender, flaky white meat. They can be finicky though - one trick I share with guests is to slow your retrieve way down when the bite gets tough. These fish will follow a lure forever before committing, so patience pays off. We find them in 2-8 feet of water around channels and drop-offs where baitfish concentrate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, but doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds make for great photo ops. You'll find them on sandy bottoms near inlets, channels, and structure in 5-20 feet of water. Fall is prime time as they move toward inlets before heading offshore for winter. Guests enjoy the challenge of targeting a fish that's invisible until it strikes, plus flounder are some of the best eating fish in the ocean - sweet, firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key is fishing slow with live minnows or soft plastics right on bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook - flounder grab prey sideways and need time to turn it around.
Virginia Beach, VA