Middle Grounds Wreck Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
35-mile offshore trip targeting shipwrecks for tuna and kingfishBottom fishing for black seabass, triggerfish, and flounder availableFull-day charter accommodates six guests with gear included
When you're ready to step up your fishing game and target some serious offshore species, this middle grounds trip is exactly what you've been looking for. Captain Knot Tell'n takes you 35 miles from shore to some of the most productive shipwreck sites where pelagics cruise the water column and bottom dwellers stack up around structure. It's that perfect sweet spot between inshore and deep sea fishing - far enough to get into the good stuff, but not so far that you're burning fuel all day. With an 8-hour window from 7am to 3pm, you'll have plenty of time to work both the surface and the bottom for a mixed bag that'll keep your rod bent and your cooler full.
This isn't your typical inshore grind - we're heading out to the middle grounds where the real action happens. The boat ride takes about an hour each way, giving you time to rig up, talk strategy, and watch the bottom machine as we cruise over some serious structure. Once we hit the wrecks, the game plan shifts depending on what's showing up on the fish finder and what's happening on the surface. You might start the morning trolling spreads through the area, covering water and looking for those telltale signs of feeding fish - birds working, bait flipping, or that magical sight of tuna busting on the surface. When the trolling bite slows down or we mark good bottom structure, we'll anchor up or drift over the wrecks to target the resident bottom species. The beauty of this trip is the variety - you never know if you'll hook into a screaming king mackerel on the troll or feel that distinctive head shake of a nice black sea bass on the bottom rig.
Captain Knot Tell'n has all the gear dialed in for this type of fishing, so you don't need to stress about bringing the right tackle. For the trolling portion, we're pulling a spread of planers, downriggers, and surface baits to cover the entire water column where these pelagic species feed. The key is presenting different baits at different depths - maybe some spoons and cigar minnows down deep for the kings, and some ballyhoo or artificial lures up top for any mahi that might be cruising through. When we switch to bottom fishing, we're talking heavy conventional reels spooled with enough line to reach the bottom in 100+ feet of water, plus the weight to hold in the current. Circle hooks are the name of the game here - they're required for most species anyway, and they drastically reduce gut hooking when you're dealing with everything from triggerfish to flounder. The captain will show you how to work a chicken rig for the smaller stuff and when to switch to single hook rigs for the bigger black sea bass that like to hole up in the wreck structure.
Black Sea Bass remain the bread and butter of these wreck trips, and for good reason. These chunky bottom dwellers love to stack up around structure, and a good wreck can hold dozens of keeper-sized fish. They typically run 2-5 pounds out here, with the occasional bruiser pushing 6-7 pounds that'll make your day. Summer is prime time for sea bass, when they're actively feeding and the regulations allow for good bag limits. What makes them so popular with anglers is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare - firm white meat that's hard to beat. Ocean Triggerfish add some serious fight to the mix, and these guys will test your drag system. They average 3-8 pounds but fight like fish twice their size, using those big paddle fins to pull sideways against the current. Triggers are notorious bait stealers, so you'll need to stay sharp and set the hook quick when you feel that first tap.
Summer Flounder provide a different kind of challenge, as they're ambush predators that require a more finesse approach. The middle grounds hold some quality doormat flounder in the 3-6 pound range, with the occasional fish pushing 8+ pounds. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying in wait near the edges of wrecks where they can ambush passing baitfish. What makes flounder fishing so rewarding is the technique - you need to feel for that subtle pickup and know when to set the hook on a fish that's often swimming toward you. Spadefish round out the bottom fishing action, and while they might not be the hardest fighters, they make up for it in numbers and taste. These silver pancakes school up tight around structure and can provide non-stop action when you locate them.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of this trip, capable of blistering runs that'll scream line off your reel in seconds. The middle grounds kings typically range from 15-30 pounds, with the occasional smoker king pushing 40+ pounds. What makes king fishing so addictive is the visual aspect - you'll often see the strike happen as these predators slam your bait with authority. They're also one of the best eating fish in these waters when handled properly, with firm steaks that are perfect on the grill.
With a maximum of 6 anglers, this middle grounds adventure gives you the perfect balance of elbow room and camaraderie on the water. Captain Knot Tell'n provides all the gear, licenses, and local knowledge you need to make the most of your 8 hours on the fishing grounds. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler with quality bottom fish or hoping to tangle with some hard-pulling pelagics, this trip delivers the kind of variety that keeps things interesting all day long. The middle grounds offer some of the most consistent fishing in the area, and with an experienced captain who knows these wrecks like the back of his hand, you're setting yourself up for the kind of fishing trip that'll have you planning your next one before you even hit the dock. Don't wait too long to book
Our 38-foot Albemarle Express is your ticket to the productive Middle Grounds fishing zones, 35 miles offshore where the wrecks hold serious fish. This well-equipped sportfisher features a comfortable salon with AC to escape the sun, plus a full galley with fridge and freezer to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The enclosed head with shower means you can clean up after battling fish all day. Electronics-wise, we've got you covered with GPS, radar, fish finder, and VHF radio to locate structure and stay connected. Safety gear includes an 8-person auto-inflating life raft and EPIRB beacon. Whether we're trolling for skipjack tuna and king mackerel around the wrecks or dropping baits to the bottom for black sea bass and triggerfish, this boat handles the offshore waters with ease. The spacious cockpit gives your group of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to work multiple rods when the bite gets hot. All fishing gear and licenses are included for your 8-hour adventure.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are solid fighters that love hanging around these offshore wrecks in 60-120 feet of water. Most fish run 1-4 pounds, but the bigger males can hit 8+ pounds and develop that distinctive blue coloring during spawning season. They're curious fish that congregate around structure, making them perfect targets when we drop down to the bottom after trolling. What makes them fun is they'll hit just about anything - squid strips, clams, or small jigs work great. They put up a decent scrap until they break the surface, then it's game over. Here's the trick: use a two-hook bottom rig and keep your bait moving slightly off the wreck. They're excellent eating and always a crowd pleaser when the trolling slows down.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are the speed demons we're targeting when trolling these wreck edges - built for pure velocity and razor-sharp strikes. Most fish run around 30 pounds, but females can push 90+ and provide some serious drag-screaming runs. They cruise the 40-150 foot range hunting baitfish around structure, with those knife-like teeth that'll slice through anything but wire leader. The warmer months bring the best action when water temps hit 68-84°F. What guests love is that explosive initial strike followed by blistering runs that test your equipment. Great eating too, despite the reputation. Pro tip: rig live bait with two hooks on heavy wire - one through the nose, second hook trailing behind. Kings always bite the tail end first.
Canthidermis SufflamenThese tough little fighters are built like tanks with attitude to match. Ocean Triggerfish run 10-18 inches around these wrecks and have small mouths packed with sharp teeth that'll test your rigging skills. They school up in 35-100 feet near drop-offs and aren't shy about taking bait, but landing them is another story. What guests love is their unique defense mechanism - they'll wedge into the wreck structure and lock their dorsal spine, making you work for every fish. The meat is firm and tasty, almost like grouper. My tip: use small #4 or #6 circle hooks with coin-sized squid strips tied directly to 15-pound test. No leader needed, and don't yank when you feel that first nibble - let them take it.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are the disk-shaped schooling fish that show up in massive numbers around these offshore structures. They average 3-10 pounds and 18 inches, with those distinctive black stripes on silver bodies that make them look like oversized angelfish. What's cool is they travel in schools of 500+ fish, so when you find one, you've found dinner for the whole boat. They're surprisingly tough fighters for their size and excellent table fare. During summer months, they hang tight to wrecks and reefs where they feed on small crustaceans and jellyfish. Here's the secret: use small circle hooks with fresh clam strips, cast past the school, then drag your bait right through the middle of them. They'll compete for it every time.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the chameleons of the seafloor, lying in wait around these wreck sites where they ambush baitfish. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big females can push 26 pounds and live up to 17 years. They're masters of camouflage, changing colors to match the bottom. Fall fishing from September through November is prime time when they're actively feeding before their offshore migration. What makes them special is that sideways bite - both eyes are on one side, so they attack from an angle. The meat is outstanding, white and flaky. My go-to technique is hooking live minnows through the eye socket on circle hooks, then bouncing it just off the bottom near wreck edges. Patience pays off with these fish.
Virginia Beach, VA, United States