5.0(1 Reviews)Virginia Beach Inshore Fishing Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Fishing
Private 6-8 hour inshore charter targeting multiple speciesCombines sight fishing, bottom fishing, and trolling techniquesAll gear included with expert captain guidance provided
Looking for a solid day of fishing the Virginia Beach inshore waters? This private charter takes you right where the fish are biting. We're talking about a 6 to 8-hour trip targeting some of the best inshore species around – Cobia, Black Drum, Sheepshead, Spanish Mackerel, Redfish, and Spadefish. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish whether you're just starting out or you've been working these coastal grounds for years. Every trip gets customized to match your crew's experience level, so nobody gets left behind and everyone goes home with stories to tell.
Your day starts early when you meet your captain at the dock. After a quick safety briefing and gear check, you're heading out to the productive summer fishing grounds that Virginia Beach is famous for. The beauty of this charter is the variety – you're not stuck doing just one thing all day. Your captain will mix it up with sight fishing when conditions are right, drop down for some bottom fishing action, and run some trolling patterns to cover water and find active fish. The boat handles up to four anglers comfortably, so there's plenty of room to work without getting tangled up in each other's lines. Live bait and lures are both in play depending on what the fish are telling us, and your captain will switch tactics as needed to keep the action going strong.
This isn't a one-trick operation. Your captain brings the full arsenal of inshore techniques to put fish in the boat. Sight fishing is huge here during summer months – when you can see those big Cobia cruising the surface or spot Redfish tailing in shallow water, it's game on. Bottom fishing gets you into the Drum, Sheepshead, and Spadefish that hold around structure. We're talking about dropping live or cut bait down to where these fish feed, using just enough weight to get down but not so much that you lose the feel. Trolling covers the most water and is deadly on Spanish Mackerel and roaming schools of other species. All your gear is provided, from rods and reels matched to the target species, to tackle boxes stocked with the lures and rigs that produce in these waters. Your captain handles the technical stuff like rigging and fish handling, so you can focus on fighting fish and enjoying the day.
The word is getting out about how consistent this charter produces results. Gabriel recently summed it up perfectly: "Incredible" - Gabriel. That's the kind of feedback that speaks volumes about what you can expect when you book your trip.
Spanish Mackerel are one of the most reliable targets during the summer months around Virginia Beach. These fish are pure speed and aggression, hitting trolled spoons and small jigs with authority. They average 1-3 pounds but what they lack in size they make up for in numbers and fight. Peak season runs from May through September, and they're often the first fish to bend your rod on any given trip. Kids and beginners love them because they hit hard and stay hooked, plus they make excellent table fare when prepared right.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene here. These bruisers can push 30-50 pounds or more, and they'll test your drag system and your back muscles. They're bottom feeders that love structure like bridge pilings, wrecks, and shell beds. Summer is prime time for big Drum, and they're suckers for fresh cut bait presented right on the bottom. The fight is all power and stubbornness – they don't jump or run far, but they'll pull steady and hard until you finally get them boat-side. Landing a trophy Black Drum is something every angler remembers.
Spadefish are the picky eaters that reward patience and finesse. These silver, disc-shaped fish school around structure during summer months, and when you find them, you can often catch several before they wise up. They're notorious for their light bites and their ability to steal bait without getting hooked. Small hooks, light line, and fresh bait are keys to success. They fight harder than their size suggests and are considered excellent eating by those in the know.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped fish that will test your hook-setting reflexes. They're master bait thieves with powerful jaws designed for crushing barnacles and crabs off structure. Finding them isn't hard – they live around any kind of hard bottom, pilings, or rocky areas. The challenge is getting them hooked before they strip your bait clean. They bite light and fast, so you need to be ready to set the hook at the first tap. Land one, though, and you've got some of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Redfish, also called Red Drum, are the copper-colored fighters that make every angler's heart race. Virginia's Reds typically run 20-40 inches and are built for power. They love shallow water, grass beds, and structure where they can ambush prey. Sight fishing for Redfish is about as exciting as inshore fishing gets – watching a big Red inhale your bait in clear water never gets old. They make long, powerful runs and have the stamina to keep fighting right up to the boat. Summer months are prime time, especially early morning and late afternoon.
Cobia are the holy grail of Virginia Beach inshore fishing. These brown sharks-looking fish are curious, aggressive, and can reach impressive sizes – 30 to 50 pounds is not uncommon. They're often found around structure, following rays, or just cruising the surface where you can sight cast to them. Cobia are smart fish that will inspect your bait before committing, but once hooked, they're pure power. They'll make long runs, dive deep, and generally do everything they can to throw
Our 2022 24' Key West puts you right where the action is in Virginia Beach's productive inshore waters. This nimble fishing machine cuts through choppy seas with ease thanks to its 300 HP engine, getting you to the hotspots fast and keeping you comfortable during those long battles with cobia and drum. The spacious deck gives all four anglers room to work without tangling lines, while the GPS keeps us on the fish and the VHF radio ensures we stay connected to other boats sharing intel on the bite. Whether you're sight fishing for cruising cobia or dropping baits for hefty black drum, this boat handles it all. The stable platform makes it perfect for both casting lures and fighting fish, so you can focus on what matters most – putting quality fish in the boat.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, commonly running 10-30 pounds in our Virginia Beach waters. These bottom-huggers love oyster beds, bridge pilings, and shallow flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. They're built like tanks - dark, chunky fish that can really test your drag. What guests love is the solid, steady fight they put up. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat, while the big ones are better released. Live or cut crab is the go-to bait, but here's a local trick: fish your bait right on the bottom and be patient. These fish are deliberate feeders, so when you feel that slow, heavy pull, count to three before setting the hook.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bulldogs of Virginia Beach waters - dark brown, shark-looking fish that average 20-40 pounds but can push 60 or more. They're loners, cruising near the surface around buoys, structure, and even following rays and sharks. Late spring through summer is prime time when they're migrating through our area. What makes them special is their size, fight, and incredible table quality - firm, white meat that's like a cross between grouper and mahi. They're also curious fish that will come check out your boat. They hit bucktail jigs, eels, and live bait like spot or croaker. Here's what works locally: when sight fishing, don't cast right at them - they spook easily. Instead, lead them by 20-30 feet and work your jig back toward the fish. If they follow but don't bite, switch to a different color or smaller lure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the golden retrievers of the fishing world - bronze-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails that typically run 18-32 inches in Virginia Beach waters. They love shallow flats, grass beds, and around structure in 1-4 feet of water where you can actually sight fish for them. Fall is prime time when they school up, but summer offers great action too. What gets anglers excited is watching these fish cruise the shallows with their backs out of water, plus they fight hard with long runs. They're also excellent eating when kept within slot limits. They'll hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live bait like shrimp or cut mullet. Here's a local tip: when you spot them in shallow water, cast well ahead of the fish and let your bait settle. Redfish spook easily, so approach quietly and make long casts to avoid spooking the school.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Virginia Beach - gray with black bars and human-like teeth that can crush barnacles off pier pilings. They typically run 2-6 pounds and are found tight to structure like docks, bridges, and jetties year-round, with spring being peak season. These fish are notorious bait thieves with a light, nibbling bite that'll clean your hook without you knowing. What makes them appealing is their challenge factor and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals any fish. They're also unique with those weird teeth that look almost human. Live or fresh dead shrimp and fiddler crabs work best on small hooks. Here's the local secret: get your bait as close to the pilings as possible and keep tension on the line. The moment you feel weight or tapping, set the hook hard - they have bony mouths and you need to drive it home.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are the pancakes of the sea - flat, disk-shaped fish that usually run 3-8 pounds around Virginia Beach. They school up in big numbers around wrecks, reefs, and bridge structures, especially during summer months. These silver fish with black vertical bars are tricky to catch because they're notorious bait pickers. They feed on small invertebrates and have tiny mouths, so they'll nibble your bait clean without getting hooked. What makes them fun is their unique look and the challenge they present - plus they're excellent eating with sweet, white meat. Fresh clam on a small circle hook is your best bet, but here's what works locally: when you find a school, drop your bait right through the middle and watch your rod tip closely. The bite feels like gentle tapping, so set the hook on any unusual movement.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that typically run 1-3 pounds around Virginia Beach. They travel in schools and love our warmer waters from late spring through early fall. You'll find them near the surface around structure like piers, jetties, and even in open water when baitfish are thick. They're built for speed with their sleek, silver bodies and can put up a surprising fight for their size. What makes them popular is their excellent eating quality - firm, white meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. They hit fast-moving lures like small spoons and jigs, but here's a local tip: when you see diving birds working bait, cast just outside the commotion. The mackerel are usually feeding on the edges of the baitball, and that's where you'll get your best shots at them.
5.0 out of 5.0Incredible
The Back Deck, Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, USA