Middle Grounds Wreck Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target skipjack tuna, king mackerel, and mahi mahi offshoreFish productive shipwreck sites 35 miles from shoreBottom fishing for black seabass, triggerfish, and flounder
Captain, you're looking at one of our most popular offshore charters that takes you 35 miles out to some of the best wreck sites along the coast. This all-day fishing trip runs from 7am to 3pm and targets everything from fast-moving pelagics like King Mackerel and Skipjack Tuna to bottom dwellers including Black Sea Bass and Triggerfish. We keep it intimate with a max of 6 anglers, so you'll have plenty of room to work and won't be fighting for space at the rail. All gear and licenses are included - just bring yourself, some snacks, and get ready for a day of top-rated fishing action on some renowned wrecks that consistently produce fish.
This isn't your typical inshore trip - we're heading way out to where the big boys play. The ride out takes about an hour and fifteen minutes, giving you time to rig up, grab some coffee, and watch the coastline disappear. Once we hit the Middle Grounds, you'll see why this area is a customer favorite among serious anglers. These shipwrecks create underwater structure that draws baitfish, and where there's bait, there's always predators. We'll start by trolling around the wrecks looking for schools of Skipjack Tuna and Kings cruising the surface. When conditions are right, we might even see some Mahi Mahi that have wandered into the area following floating debris or current lines. After working the surface action, we'll anchor up on promising structure and drop lines to the bottom where the reef fish live. The beauty of this trip is the variety - you never know if your next fish will be a screaming King Mackerel on the surface or a hefty Black Sea Bass pulled up from 80 feet down.
We run a combination approach that maximizes your chances at multiple species. For the trolling portion, we'll pull a spread of spoons, diving plugs, and ballyhoo rigs at varying depths around the wreck sites. The key is covering water and finding where the fish are holding on any given day. Our tackle includes medium to heavy spinning gear and conventional reels spooled with 20-30 pound test - perfect for handling everything from smaller Skipjacks to trophy Kings. When we switch to bottom fishing, we'll use circle hooks with natural baits like squid, cut bait, and live pinfish when available. The wrecks sit in 60-90 feet of water, so we use enough weight to get down quickly while still feeling the subtle bites from species like Triggerfish and Sea Bass. Don't worry if you're new to offshore fishing - our crew will walk you through everything from setting the drag to proper hook-setting technique. We provide all rods, reels, tackle, and bait, plus we'll clean and bag your catch at the end of the day.
Black Sea Bass are the bread and butter of wreck fishing out here, and for good reason. These chunky bottom dwellers love hanging around structure and put up a solid fight on medium tackle. They typically run 1-3 pounds with occasional larger fish pushing 5+ pounds during peak season from late spring through early fall. What makes them special is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare - firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill or fryer. You'll find them holding tight to the wreck structure, so expect to lose some tackle to the bottom, but that's all part of the game.
Ocean Triggerfish are one of the most underrated fighters in these waters. These colorful, deep-bodied fish have strong jaws designed for crushing shellfish, so they'll test your drag system when hooked. They're most active during the warmer months and can be tricky to hook due to their habit of nibbling bait, but once you connect, they'll pull hard all the way to the boat. Triggers average 2-4 pounds and have a unique flavor that's gained a cult following among anglers in the know.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as many call them, are the ultimate ambush predators. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy areas near the wrecks and explode upward to grab unsuspecting baitfish. They're masters of camouflage and can be challenging to spot even when you're looking right at them. Fluke fishing peaks from May through September, with larger "doormat" fluke over 5 pounds possible during the best bite periods. They're prized for their delicate, flaky meat and are considered one of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Spadefish show up in schools around the wrecks during summer and early fall, creating some of the most consistent action you'll find. These silver, pancake-shaped fish are strong swimmers that will bend your rod and test your patience. They can be picky eaters, often requiring light tackle and small baits, but when you find a school, it's game on. Most Spadefish run 1-3 pounds, but they make up for size with numbers and fighting spirit.
King Mackerel are the apex predator we're hunting during the trolling portion. These torpedo-shaped speedsters can reach 20+ pounds and are famous for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. Kings patrol the edges of the wrecks looking for schools of baitfish, and when they hit your trolled bait, you'll know it immediately. They're most active from late spring through fall and represent the trophy potential of this trip. A good King will peel line off your reel like it's going out of style and provide memories that last long after the trip ends.
This world-class wreck fishing adventure offers the best of both worlds - the excitement of trolling for pelagics and the steady action of bottom fishing. With only 6 spots available per trip
Ready to hit the productive waters 35 miles offshore? Our 38-foot Albemarle Express is built for serious fishing on the Middle Grounds. This fishing machine comes loaded with a comfortable salon, full galley with fridge and freezer, AC to beat the heat, and a clean head with shower. The electronics package includes GPS, radar, VHF radio, and fish finder to put you on the fish. We've got all the safety gear covered too - GPS phone, 8-man life raft, and EPIRB for peace of mind in blue water. The boat sleeps up to 6 anglers and has entertainment onboard for the ride out to the wrecks. Whether we're trolling for kings, skipjack tuna, and mahi or dropping down for black sea bass and triggers, you'll fish in comfort. All tackle and licenses included - just bring your crew of up to 6 and get ready to fish some prime Atlantic structure.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are solid fighters that hang around our wreck sites in 35-120 feet of water. Most run 1-4 pounds, but the bigger males can push 8+ pounds and develop that distinctive blue coloring during spawning season. They're part of the grouper family and love structure - wrecks, rocky bottom, anything they can hide around. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move closer to shore. What guests love about these fish is the steady action and excellent table fare. Here's a tip that works well out here: use squid strips on a two-hook bottom rig and let it sit right on the structure. They're curious fish and will usually investigate, but don't rush the hookset - let them take it and run with it first.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that patrol our trolling grounds, averaging 20-30 pounds with some pushing 50+. These olive-backed bullets are built for speed and feed aggressively on baitfish around structure and temperature breaks. Spring through fall offers consistent action, especially when bait schools are thick. Guests love the blistering runs and acrobatic jumps - few fish can match their initial burst of speed when hooked. They're also excellent eating when bled and iced properly. We troll spoons, plugs, and live bait around 6-8 knots near the wrecks and drop-offs. Pro tip: rig live baits with two hooks on wire leader - one through the nose, treble hook near the tail. Kings typically attack from behind, so that stinger hook back there saves a lot of cutoffs from their razor-sharp teeth.
Canthidermis SufflamenTriggerfish are scrappy little fighters that love our offshore wrecks and ledges. Most run 10-18 inches, but they punch above their weight class with attitude to spare. You'll find them around structure in 35-100 feet, often in loose schools above the bottom. They're grayish with tough, leathery skin and have this neat trick where they lock their dorsal spine into crevices when threatened. Guests get a kick out of their feisty nature and the challenge they present. Their small mouths and sharp teeth make them tricky to hook consistently. My go-to method is small #4 or #6 circle hooks with thin squid strips - about coin-sized pieces. Skip the leader and tie direct to 15-pound test. When you feel that first nibble, give them time to really take it before setting the hook.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are unique-looking disc-shaped fish with bold black stripes that school heavily around our wrecks. They average 3-10 pounds and about 18 inches, though some push past 14 pounds. These silver beauties love structure and typically travel in large schools of several hundred fish. When you find one, you've usually found many. They're popular with guests because they put up a solid fight and have an interesting appearance - almost like saltwater angelfish. The action stays consistent most of the year around our offshore sites. Clams are absolutely deadly bait for spadefish - chunk them up on small circle hooks and drop near the structure. Here's the trick: cast past the school and slowly drag your bait through them. They're curious but spooky, so patience pays off when working these schools.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the "chameleons of the sea" - flatfish that change colors to match the bottom perfectly. Most run 15-20 inches, but doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds make for memorable fights. They're ambush predators that bury in sand near structure, waiting for baitfish to swim by. We find them around our wreck sites where they hunt the edges. Fall months, especially September through November, offer the best action as they fatten up before moving offshore. Guests love the challenge of fooling these smart fish and they're absolutely delicious on the table. Best technique out here is bouncing live baitfish or sea worms near the bottom on circle hooks. Hook smaller baits through the eyes, larger ones through the lips, and keep that bait moving slowly along the sand.
Virginia Beach, VA, United States