5.0(1 Reviews)Virginia Beach Inshore Fishing Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Fishing
Private 68 hour inshore charter targeting multiple speciesCombines sight fishing, bottom fishing, and trolling techniquesAll gear included with trips tailored to skill levels
Virginia Beach's inshore waters are where the action happens, and this private charter puts you right in the sweet spot. You'll spend 6 to 8 hours targeting some of the coast's best fighting fish – Cobia, Black Drum, Sheepshead, Spanish Mackerel, Redfish, and Spadefish. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand and will adjust the approach based on conditions, tides, and what's biting. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or you've been working these waters for years, this trip delivers the goods. All your tackle, bait, and gear come included, so you just need to show up ready to fish.
This isn't your typical run-and-gun charter. Your captain takes a strategic approach, mixing sight fishing, bottom fishing, and trolling to maximize your shots at quality fish. When conditions are right, you'll hunt Cobia by sight – watching for those brown shadows cruising near the surface around buoys and structure. The bottom fishing game targets Drum, Sheepshead, and Spadefish around wrecks, pilings, and natural structure where these fish love to hang out. Trolling comes into play for Mackerel and roaming Redfish, covering water efficiently while you wait for that rod to bend. Your captain reads the water constantly, adjusting tactics based on tide, wind, and fish activity. The boat stays comfortable with up to 4 anglers, giving everyone room to work without getting tangled up. Live bait and artificial lures both see action depending on what the fish prefer that day.
Virginia Beach inshore fishing demands versatility, and your captain brings the right tools for every situation. Sight fishing for Cobia means having rods rigged with live eels, crabs, or bucktails ready to pitch when fish appear. These bronze bruisers can be picky, so having multiple presentations ready makes the difference. Bottom fishing setups use circle hooks with fresh cut bait – blue crab, shrimp, and cut fish work magic on Drum and Sheepshead. The key is getting your bait right to the structure without getting hung up constantly. Trolling spreads cover water with spoons, diving plugs, and rigged baits at different depths and speeds. Your captain handles all the rigging and re-baiting, but they'll teach you the techniques if you're interested. The gear stays heavy enough to handle big Drum and Cobia but light enough that Mackerel and Spadefish still put up a good fight. Circle hooks help with catch-and-release, and the captain knows current regulations to keep you legal.
"Incredible" - Gabriel
Cobia are the crown jewel of Virginia Beach inshore fishing, showing up in good numbers from May through September. These brown sharks with attitude cruise near buoys, channel markers, and structure, often swimming right at the surface where you can see them coming. They fight like freight trains, making long runs and testing your drag system. Most fish run 20 to 40 pounds, but 50-pounders show up regularly. The sight fishing aspect makes them special – watching a big Cobia eat your bait never gets old.
Black Drum are the bulldozers of the inshore scene, with fish over 50 pounds common in Virginia Beach waters. They hang around structure, pilings, and wrecks, crushing crabs and cut bait. Spring and fall see the biggest fish, but quality Drum bite year-round. Their fight stays deep and powerful, more like wrestling than running. The bigger fish provide serious arm workouts and great photo opportunities.
Sheepshead earn their reputation as bait thieves, but that's what makes them fun to target. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth for crushing crabs and barnacles around structure. They bite light and quick, requiring good timing on the hookset. Virginia Beach's abundant pier pilings and jetties provide perfect habitat. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from keeper size to hefty 5-pounders.
Spanish Mackerel bring non-stop action when schools move through the area. These silver speedsters hit trolled spoons and jigs with authority, providing bent rods and screaming drags. Summer months see the best numbers, with fish averaging 1 to 3 pounds but fighting way above their weight class. They're also excellent table fare, making them popular targets for anglers who like to take fish home.
Redfish, or Red Drum, cruise Virginia Beach's inshore waters in schools, providing multiple-hookup opportunities when you find them. These copper-colored fighters average 20 to 30 inches and battle with strong runs and head-shaking jumps. They hit both live bait and artificials, adapting well to different presentations. Fall months often produce the best action as fish school up before moving offshore.
Spadefish gather around wrecks and structure in summer, creating some of the most consistent action available. These silver, disc-shaped fish school in large numbers and readily take small pieces of cut bait. They average 1 to 3 pounds but their schooling nature means steady action once you locate them. Their unique shape and fighting style make them interesting targets, and they're excellent eating too.
Virginia Beach inshore fishing delivers variety, action, and the chance at some serious fish. This charter gives you access to productive waters with an experienced captain who knows how to put you on fish. The combination of techniques keeps things interesting, and the 6 to 8-hour timeframe lets you really work the bite. With all gear included and trips customized to your skill level, you can focus on fishing instead of logistics. Summer and fall offer peak fishing, but quality fish bite
Get ready to chase Cobia and Black Drum aboard our 2022 24' Key West! This solid fishing machine packs a 300 HP engine that'll cruise you smoothly to Virginia Beach's hottest inshore spots at 35-45 mph. Built for serious anglers, she's loaded with GPS navigation to find the fish and VHF radio to stay connected on the water. With room for 4 guests, there's plenty of space to work the rods whether you're sight fishing for Cobia or dropping bottom rigs for Drum and Sheepshead. The boat handles beautifully in coastal waters, letting your captain position you perfectly for trolling runs or when following schools of baitfish. From shallow grass flats to deeper structure, this Key West cuts through chop and gets you fishing fast.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some pushing 50-plus. These fish are built like tanks with powerful jaws that crush oysters and crabs all day long. You'll find them around oyster bars, bridge pilings, and shallow flats, especially during spring spawning season when they school up tight. They're notorious for their subtle bites – more like a gentle tapping than a hard strike. What makes them special is that stubborn, bulldogging fight once hooked. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones get tough and stringy. My go-to tip: use fresh crab on a circle hook and fish it right on the bottom near structure. When you feel that tap-tap-tap, don't set the hook – just start reeling steady.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks – powerful, aggressive fish that average 20-40 pounds and fight like trucks. They're loners most of the year, cruising around buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 20-60 feet of water. Late spring through summer is when they show up here during their migration north. What makes them special is the sight fishing – spotting these big brown torpedoes just under the surface and casting right to them. They're also some of the finest eating fish in the ocean with firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. Bucktail jigs and live eels work great, but they'll eat almost anything you throw at them. The trick is not spooking them when you spot one – ease up slowly and make that first cast count because you usually only get one shot.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails that make for some of our most exciting sight fishing. They typically run 18-27 inches in our shallow waters, cruising grass flats and oyster bars in just 1-4 feet of water. Summer and fall are prime times when they school up and feed aggressively on shrimp and crabs. What makes them special is that explosive topwater action – watching a 20-pound red blow up on a surface plug never gets old. They're solid table fare with firm, mild meat that grills perfectly. These fish aren't picky eaters and will hit everything from live shrimp to big topwater plugs. The key is staying quiet when you spot them tailing in skinny water – one wrong move and the whole school vanishes. Cast ahead of their path and work the bait back slowly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes and those famous human-like teeth that can crack barnacles like candy. They typically run 2-8 pounds around here, though 15-pounders show up occasionally. These fish live around any hard structure – docks, pilings, jetties, and wrecks where they can scrape off barnacles and crabs. Spring is prime time when they spawn around inlet structures. They're notorious bait thieves with light, nibbling bites that'll clean your hook before you know it. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the ocean – sweet, flaky white meat that's worth the effort. Keep your bait pinned tight to the hook and fish right against the structure. When you feel that subtle tap, set the hook hard and fast.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are the disk-shaped silver fish with black stripes that look like they belong in an aquarium, but they pack a serious punch when hooked. They average 3-8 pounds and travel in massive schools around wrecks, reefs, and bridge pilings during summer months. What makes them fun to target is their unique behavior – they actually play dead when threatened, which can make for some interesting fights. They're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat similar to sheepshead. These fish are picky eaters that prefer small baits like clam strips or tiny pieces of jellyfish on small circle hooks. The trick is getting your bait right in front of their faces since they won't chase it far. Cast past the school and drag your bait slowly through them for best results.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that typically run 1-3 pounds and fight way above their weight class. You'll spot them by their silver bodies with yellow spots and that distinctive streamlined look. They travel in schools near the surface, especially around structures and bait pods during our summer months. These fish love to hit trolled spoons and small jigs, but they've got razor-sharp teeth that'll cut your line in a heartbeat. The meat is excellent – firm and flaky with great flavor for grilling or smoking. Here's a local trick: when you see birds working bait, get there fast and cast small silver spoons right into the action. They'll tear up your drag and put on a real show jumping.
5.0 out of 5.0Incredible
The Back Deck, Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, USA