Target Cobia, Drum & Sheepshead on Premium Inshore Trip
Shared Trip
Fishing
Target Cobia, Black Drum, Sheepshead in Virginia Beach waters6-8 hour shared charter with sight fishing and trollingAll gear, bait, and local expertise included onboard
Get ready for a world-class inshore fishing adventure right off the Virginia Beach coast with Nauti Dog Sportfishing. This 6 to 8-hour shared charter puts you in prime position to tangle with some of the Atlantic's most sought-after summer species. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this trip delivers the perfect mix of action and relaxation. Your licensed captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish using a variety of techniques that keep things interesting all day long.
This isn't your typical bottom fishing grind – you'll experience the best of Virginia Beach inshore fishing through sight fishing, bottom bouncing, and trolling. The shared charter format creates a laid-back atmosphere where you can swap fish stories with fellow anglers while targeting multiple species throughout the day. Your captain provides all the gear, fresh bait, and local knowledge you need, so you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat. The diverse fishing methods mean you'll stay engaged from start to finish, switching between light tackle finesse fishing and more aggressive approaches depending on what's biting. Summer months bring the most consistent action, with warm water pushing baitfish inshore and drawing hungry predators into casting range.
The beauty of this charter lies in the variety of approaches your captain employs throughout the day. Sight fishing is pure adrenaline – spotting fish cruising the shallows and making precision casts with live bait or lures. When the bite slows on top, you'll switch to bottom fishing with circle hooks and fresh cut bait, targeting structure-loving species like Black Drum and Sheepshead. The trolling component covers water efficiently while searching for schools of Spanish Mackerel and Cobia. Light tackle keeps the fight sporting and lets you feel every head shake and run. Live bait is the ace in the hole here – nothing beats a frisky spot or croaker for drawing strikes from wary inshore gamefish. Your captain reads the conditions and adjusts tactics accordingly, whether that means working oyster bars, channel edges, or nearshore wrecks.
Spanish Mackerel are the perfect starter fish and crowd pleasers on this charter. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and hit with surprising aggression for their size. Peak season runs from late May through September when they school up in massive numbers. They're suckers for small spoons and cut bait, and their razor-sharp teeth make for exciting light tackle battles. What anglers love most is their willingness to bite and the excellent table fare they provide.
Black Drum are the heavy hitters of the inshore scene, with fish ranging from schoolie 2-pounders to bull drum pushing 40+ pounds. These bottom dwellers love structure like oyster bars, bridge pilings, and channel edges. Summer brings the most consistent action, especially on incoming tides when crabs and other prey get flushed out of the shallows. Their powerful runs and bulldogging fights test your tackle and technique. Many anglers get hooked on drum fishing because of the potential for that once-in-a-lifetime giant.
Spadefish are the ultimate light tackle challenge and a customer favorite for their tricky feeding habits. These pancake-shaped fighters typically weigh 2-4 pounds and require finesse presentations around structure. They're notorious for being picky eaters, often following baits to the surface before turning away at the last second. Peak season runs July through September when they school around wrecks and artificial reefs. Successfully hooking a Spadefish requires patience and skill, making them a prized catch for experienced anglers.
Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" with distinctive black stripes and a reputation for being bait thieves. These 2-6 pound fighters have human-like teeth perfect for crushing crustaceans around structure. They're year-round residents but bite best during summer months when water temperatures peak. What makes Sheepshead special is their incredible table fare and the challenge they present – feeling the subtle bite and setting the hook before they steal your bait takes real skill.
Redfish are the apex predators of the inshore game, typically running 20-35 inches in Virginia Beach waters. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water hunting and provide some of the most visual fishing opportunities. Summer brings consistent action in the back bay systems and around inlet mouths. Their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style in shallow water creates heart-pounding battles on light tackle. Redfish have achieved legendary status among inshore anglers for good reason.
Cobia are the wildcards that can turn a good day into a great day. These brown sharks lookalikes cruise the shallows and often approach the boat out of curiosity. Summer months bring the best Cobia fishing when they move inshore to spawn. Fish typically range from 25-50 pounds, with the occasional giant topping 60. What makes Cobia fishing so addictive is their aggressive nature and willingness to eat large baits. Sight fishing for Cobia combines the thrill of the hunt with explosive hookups that test your drag system.
This top-rated Virginia Beach inshore charter offers everything you need for a memorable day on the water. The combination of multiple fishing techniques, diverse target species, and expert local guidance creates an experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Whether you're looking to introduce someone to saltwater fishing or add new species to your personal best list, this shared charter delivers outstanding value. The summer season provides the most consistent action, but these productive waters offer year-round opportunities for dedicated anglers. Don't miss your chance to fish with one of Virginia Beach's most knowledgeable captains – book your spot today and get ready for the kind of fishing day that becomes the story you'll tell for years to come.
This 2022 24' Key West motorboat cuts through Virginia Beach waters with authority, powered by a robust 300 HP engine that delivers smooth cruising at 35-45 mph. Built for serious inshore fishing, she's equipped with GPS navigation and VHF radio to keep you connected and on target. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to 4 anglers, making her perfect for sight fishing Cobia, working the bottom for Black Drum and Sheepshead, or trolling for Redfish and Spadefish. Her shallow draft lets you slip into productive backwater spots while maintaining the stability needed for fighting bigger fish. Whether you're casting live bait or working light tackle, this versatile fishing platform puts you right where the action happens along Virginia's productive coastline.
Pogonias CromisThe heavyweights of the drum family, these gray-black bruisers with their distinctive barbels under the chin are serious fighters. Most range 5-30 pounds, but monsters over 50 pounds show up regularly around Virginia Beach. They hang out in shallow flats, oyster beds, and around structure in 2-20 feet of water. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their famous drumming sounds underwater. Guests love them because they pull hard and taste great if you keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds. The bigger fish are tough and better released. These bottom feeders love fresh crab, clams, and cut bait. Here's the key: use enough weight to stay on bottom and watch your rod tip closely - they're sneaky biters who'll steal your bait if you're not paying attention.
Rachycentron CanadumVirginia Beach's brown sharks that aren't sharks - these big, solitary predators are some of our most prized catches. Averaging 30-50 pounds with fish over 100 pounds possible, they're worth the effort. Find them around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 20-80 feet during their spring and summer migration. May through September offers the best chances when they move through our waters. What guests love most is the combination of size, fight, and incredible table fare - firm, white meat that rivals the best seafood restaurants serve. They're curious fish that often approach the boat, making for exciting sight fishing opportunities. Bucktail jigs and live eels work great. The key with Cobia is patience and being ready - they often cruise alone or in pairs, and when one shows up, you need to present your bait quickly and accurately. Keep your drag loose initially; they make powerful runs when hooked.
Sciaenops OcellatusThese copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails are Virginia Beach favorites. Most run 20-35 inches and put up memorable fights in shallow water. You'll find them in 1-4 feet around grass flats, oyster beds, and marsh edges where their backs sometimes show above water. Late spring through fall offers consistent action, especially during moving tides. What makes them special is their aggressive nature and excellent table fare - firm, sweet meat that's perfect for blackening. They'll eat almost anything but love live shrimp, crabs, and topwater plugs. The sight fishing is what gets people hooked - literally watching them cruise the flats and casting ahead of them. My go-to tip: when you spot one, cast well ahead of where they're headed and work your bait back slowly. Redfish are curious and will often follow a lure before deciding to strike.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThe "convict fish" with their black and white prison stripes are some of the craftiest thieves in the water. Running 1-8 pounds typically, they're famous for those human-like teeth that can crush barnacles and steal your bait in seconds. Find them around any structure - docks, bridges, oyster bars, and jetties in shallow to moderate depths. Spring spawning season offers the best shot when they gather in larger numbers. Guests love the challenge and the reward - these are some of the best eating fish around with sweet, white meat. They're notorious bait thieves though, so you need to stay sharp. Fiddler crabs and barnacles are their favorite meals. The secret is getting your bait tight to the structure where they live and setting the hook fast when you feel that telltale nibble - hesitate even a second and they'll clean your hook without you knowing it.
Chaetodipterus FaberThese disk-shaped silver fish with black stripes look like oversized angelfish and put up a surprisingly good fight for their size. Most run 3-10 pounds and around 18 inches, though bigger ones show up. They travel in huge schools - sometimes 500 fish or more - around structures, reefs, and wrecks in 15-60 feet of water. Summer months are prime time when they move closer to shore and become more active. What guests enjoy most is their scrappy nature and excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're picky eaters who love clams and small crabs. The trick with Spadefish is using small circle hooks and getting your bait right into the school. Cast past them and drag your clam bait slowly through the group. Once you locate a school, you can often catch several before they move on.
Scomberomorus MaculatusThese silver speedsters with yellow spots are some of the most fun fish you'll hook inshore. Averaging 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds, Spanish Mackerel travel in massive schools near the surface during our warmer months. They're found around structures, flats, and near shore in 10-30 feet of water. Peak action happens late spring through early fall when water temperatures climb. What makes them special? They fight hard for their size and make excellent table fare - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. Their speed and schooling behavior means when you find one, you'll likely catch several. Pro tip: when you hook into a school, keep your bait moving fast - these fish chase prey at high speed, so a quick retrieve often triggers more strikes than letting it sit.
The Back Deck, Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, USA