Virgin Beach Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing trip targeting multiple speciesProfessional captain guides guests to prime fishing locationsSmall group experience accommodating up to four guests
Looking for some solid action on the Virginia waters? This 4-hour inshore fishing trip with Patriotic Excursions puts you right where the fish are biting. Virgin Beach offers some of the most consistent inshore fishing on the East Coast, and our captains know every creek, grass flat, and drop-off that holds fish. You'll be targeting sea trout, redfish, black drum, flounder, and sheepshead using proven techniques that work in these productive waters. With room for up to 4 anglers, this trip gives you plenty of space to cast and fight fish without bumping elbows.
Your day starts with a quick briefing on tackle, techniques, and what we're seeing out there. The Virginia inshore waters around Virgin Beach are perfect for sight fishing and structure work - we've got everything from shallow grass beds where redfish cruise to deeper channels where the drum hang out. The captain will adjust the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's been producing lately. You might find yourself casting soft plastics around oyster bars one minute, then working live bait near bridge pilings the next. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety - every spot tells a different story, and the fish respond to different presentations throughout the day. Expect to move around and try multiple techniques as we chase the bite.
We'll be running a mix of artificial and live bait depending on conditions and what the fish want. Soft plastic jigs are money for trout and redfish, especially when worked along grass lines and oyster bars. The captain will have you rigged with everything from paddle tails to scented baits that trigger strikes in murky water. When the drum are schooled up, we'll switch to bottom rigs with fresh shrimp or crab - these fish can be picky, but when you find them, they'll bend your rod hard. For flounder, we'll drift live minnows or work bucktails along sandy bottoms where they're ambushing bait. The gear is all provided, from medium-action spinning rods perfect for inshore work to tackle boxes loaded with what's been producing. Circle hooks keep the fish healthy for release, and our nets are sized right for bringing fish aboard safely.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Virginia inshore fishing, and Virgin Beach waters hold some quality fish. These speckled beauties love grass flats and drop-offs, especially during moving tides. They'll hit soft plastics worked with a steady retrieve, but don't be surprised when they want a more erratic presentation. Most fish run 14-18 inches, with keeper-sized trout showing up regularly when conditions are right. The cool thing about sea trout is they school up, so when you find one, there are usually more around.
Black drum are the heavyweights of this fishery, and Virginia waters produce some serious fish. These bruisers love structure - bridge pilings, oyster beds, and channel edges where they root around for crabs and shrimp. A hooked drum will make long, powerful runs that test your drag system. Most fish range from 20-40 pounds, but don't be shocked if something bigger grabs your bait. They're most active during slack tide periods when they move up shallow to feed.
Summer flounder, or fluke, are ambush predators that lay flat on sandy bottoms waiting for baitfish to swim by. The Virginia waters around Virgin Beach hold good numbers, especially near channel edges and structure transitions. A hooked flounder puts up a great fight with head-shaking runs and sudden direction changes. These fish are excellent table fare, and there's nothing better than fresh flounder fillets after a successful day on the water. Look for fish in the 16-22 inch range with some bigger doormat-sized fish mixed in.
Redfish are the most exciting visual target we chase here. These copper-colored fighters cruise shallow flats and oyster bars, often with their backs out of the water. When you spot a red, your heart rate jumps - they're spooky but aggressive when presented with the right bait. A hooked red will make blistering runs and use its broad tail to fight hard in shallow water. Virginia reds typically run 20-30 inches, and they're beautiful fish with distinctive black spots near their tails.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of this trip - they're notorious bait stealers with small mouths and sharp teeth. These black-and-white striped fish hang around structure like bridge pilings and rocky areas. They require finesse and patience, but landing a quality sheepshead feels like solving a puzzle. They're excellent eating with white, flaky meat, making them a favorite target for anglers who appreciate both the challenge and the reward.
Virgin Beach inshore fishing delivers consistent action for anglers who want to target multiple species without heading offshore. This 4-hour trip gives you enough time to explore different areas and techniques while keeping things manageable for families or anglers who prefer shorter days on the water. The variety of fish available means there's always something biting, whether you're a beginner learning the ropes or an experienced angler looking to add new species to your list. Patriotic Excursions knows these waters inside and out, and their local knowledge puts you on fish when other boats are still searching. Don't wait - book your Virgin Beach fishing adventure today and see why Virginia's inshore waters keep anglers coming back for more.
Your fishing boat comes equipped with everything you need for a successful day chasing inshore favorites around Virgin Beach. The GPS keeps you on course to the hottest spots, while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. Ice box keeps your catch fresh, and the VHF radio maintains contact with other anglers and marine traffic. Perfect for up to 4 people targeting sea trout, black drum, flounder, and redfish using various techniques. Your captain knows these waters and will put you on fish whether they're hiding in grass flats, around structure, or cruising the shallows. All the electronics and storage you need for a productive 4-hour trip.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails that every angler wants to catch. They typically run 28-33 inches but can reach 50+ pounds offshore. What makes them special is how they cruise our shallow flats in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. They'll hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp, and the fight is legendary with long runs and head-shaking jumps. The smaller slot-size fish are excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're most active in the shallows around oyster bars and grass flats. Local tip: when you see them tailing or cruising, cast well ahead of where they're going and let your bait sink to the bottom - they feed down and spook easily from overhead movement.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are our local flatfish that blend perfectly with sandy bottoms using their chameleon-like color changes. These ambush predators typically run 15-20 inches but can reach impressive sizes up to 26 pounds. Fall fishing from September through November is prime time when they're most active and easier to locate. They love sandy flats, channel edges, and anywhere they can lie in wait for baitfish like minnows and squid. What makes them special is their unique sideways bite and the challenge of detecting their subtle takes. The white, flaky meat is fantastic table fare too. Pro tip: use a long leader with your bait and give them time to turn the bait in their mouth before setting the hook - they grab prey sideways and need a moment to position it right.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish you'll recognize by their black and white stripes and those freaky human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and barnacle-covered pilings where they pick off crabs and shellfish. They're notorious bait thieves that'll clean your hook without you feeling a thing, but when you hook one solid, they put up a great scrap for their size. Spring brings the best action when they move to structure for spawning. The meat is sweet and flaky - some of the best eating inshore if you can get past cleaning those tough scales. Here's the key: get your bait tight to structure and watch your rod tip like a hawk. The second you see any movement or feel weight, set the hook hard because they'll spit it fast.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout as locals call them, are beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots. They average 14-24 inches and about 1-5 pounds, with their torpedo-shaped bodies built for speed. You'll find them over grass flats and in shallow water, especially at night when they move up to feed. They love our estuaries year-round but school up in deeper channels during winter cold snaps. These fish are scrappy fighters that'll jump and make runs, plus the meat is tender and mild - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Spring and fall provide the most consistent action when water temps are ideal. Here's a local trick: try topwater plugs or soft plastics that imitate shrimp, and work them slowly over the grass beds during moving water.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These grey-black bruisers love our shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're incredibly strong fighters that'll test your drag, but stick to the smaller ones under 15 pounds for the table since the big ones get tough and stringy. My go-to tip: use fresh crab on a fish-finder rig and let it sit on bottom near structure. These fish are cautious, so be patient and don't set the hook until you feel solid weight.
Richmond