Virginia Beach Cobia Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Offshore cobia fishing from Sandbridge to Eastern Shore watersLive bait and jigging techniques with provided equipment includedFourperson capacity trips available June through September season
Get ready for some serious action on the waters between Sandbridge and the Eastern Shore. This Virginia Beach cobia fishing trip puts you right in the heart of some of the Mid-Atlantic's best fishing grounds, where these brown sharks cruise the shallows and structure during peak season. With Patriotic Excursions, you'll get a captain who knows exactly where to find the fish and has the gear dialed in for success. We're talking about a top-rated experience that keeps anglers coming back year after year, whether you're throwing jigs or working live bait around schools of rays.
This trip runs from June through September when cobia are most active in Virginia waters. You'll head out from Sandbridge with up to three other anglers, making for a personal experience where everyone gets plenty of shots at fish. The captain provides all your tackle, so you don't need to worry about rigging up the right gear or bringing heavy spinning setups. The Eastern Shore waters offer incredible structure and baitfish concentrations that draw in not just cobia, but spanish mackerel, spadefish, and even king mackerel during the right conditions. Expect to cover water efficiently, watching for rays, floating debris, and temperature breaks where these fish hang out. The boat setup is designed for sight fishing and working both artificial lures and live bait presentations.
Your captain will have you covered with two main approaches that consistently produce results in these waters. Live bait fishing involves working eels, spot, or croakers around structure where cobia cruise looking for easy meals. You'll free-line baits or fish them under floats, depending on conditions and fish behavior. The jigging game focuses on bucktails, soft plastics, and spoons worked vertically or cast-and-retrieve style around schools of rays or other structure. Heavy spinning gear in the 30-50 pound class handles these fish perfectly, giving you the backbone to turn cobia away from structure while still feeling every head shake. The captain reads the water and adjusts tactics throughout the day, switching between sight fishing and blind casting based on what's happening below the surface.
Cobia are the stars of this show, and Virginia Beach waters produce some bruiser fish that'll test your drag and your arms. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20-50 pounds in local waters, with bigger fish pushing 60+ pounds showing up regularly during peak summer months. They're curious fish that often follow rays and other marine life, making for visual fishing opportunities that get your heart pumping. Spanish mackerel provide non-stop action on lighter tackle, hitting small jigs and spoons with aggressive strikes that'll catch you off guard. Spadefish around structure offer excellent table fare and fight harder than their size suggests, often schooling in good numbers during summer months. King mackerel cruise the deeper edges and temperature breaks, providing wire-leader action and blistering runs that separate serious anglers from weekend warriors.
Cobia are what most anglers dream about on these trips, and for good reason. These brown sharks, as locals call them, cruise Virginia's inshore waters from June through September, following rays and looking for crabs and baitfish. They're incredibly strong fighters that make long runs and aren't afraid to head for structure when hooked. What makes cobia special is their curiosity - they'll often circle the boat or follow other hooked fish, giving you multiple shots at the same school. Peak season runs July through August when water temperatures hit their stride and bait concentrations are highest.
Spanish mackerel bring consistent action throughout the summer months, schooling heavily around bait pods and structure. These fish hit fast and fight with surprising strength for their size, typically running 1-3 pounds in local waters. They're excellent eating and respond well to small jigs, spoons, and cut bait presentations. What anglers love about spanish mackerel is their reliability - when cobia fishing slows down, you can almost always count on these fish to keep rods bent and spirits high.
Spadefish gather around hard structure during summer months, forming schools that provide steady action once you dial in the right presentation. These silver pancakes fight much harder than they look, using their broad sides to pull drag and test light tackle. They're primarily bottom feeders that respond to small baits and light tackle presentations, making them perfect targets when you want to switch up techniques and try finesse fishing.
King mackerel patrol the deeper waters and temperature breaks off Virginia Beach, providing explosive action for anglers looking to tangle with serious predators. These fish make screaming runs that'll empty your spool if you're not ready, and they're not shy about showing off with aerial displays. Kings typically show up when water temperatures are right and baitfish schools are thick, often during the same conditions that produce good cobia fishing.
Virginia Beach cobia season is relatively short but incredibly productive, making every trip count between June and September. This world-class fishery produces consistent results for anglers who get out there with experienced captains who know the local waters and fish behavior. With only four spots available per trip, you're guaranteed personal attention and plenty of fishing time without crowds. The captain's local knowledge and provided tackle take the guesswork out of your day, letting you focus on fighting fish instead of rigging gear. Book your Virginia Beach cobia adventure with Patriotic Excursions and experience why this customer favorite keeps anglers coming back to these productive Mid-Atlantic waters.
This motorboat is built for serious cobia fishing off Virginia Beach. Equipped with a reliable fish finder to locate those prized cobia, plus GPS navigation to get you from Sandbridge to the Eastern shore fishing grounds safely. The VHF radio keeps you connected with other anglers and marine traffic. A spacious ice box ensures your catch stays fresh on the ride back to port. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, this boat handles the offshore waters with ease while you jig or work live bait for cobia. The captain provides all fishing gear, so you just need to bring your enthusiasm for landing these powerful fish during the June through September season.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that reach 30-60 pounds and fight like trucks. They're loners, not schoolers, usually found cruising around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 30-70 feet. Our season runs June through September when they migrate through for spawning. What makes cobia special is their curiosity - they'll swim right up to the boat to investigate, giving you shot after shot. They're also premium table fare with firm, white meat that rivals grouper. Most cobia are caught sight fishing with bucktail jigs or live bait like eels and crabs. The trick is staying calm when you see one - they spook easy. Cast past the fish and work your jig back toward them slowly. If they follow but don't bite, let it sink and jig it right in front of their face.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the big brothers of the mackerel family, averaging 20-40 pounds but capable of hitting 50-60+ pounds. They cruise in 40-150 feet of water around structure, drop-offs, and temperature breaks. Peak season here runs late spring through fall when baitfish are thick. These fish are prized for their blistering runs and aerial shows - they'll test your drag and your nerves. They're also great eating with firm, steaky meat that grills perfectly. Kings are aggressive predators that hit both live bait and lures hard. The key to landing them consistently is using a dual-hook rig on wire leader - put one hook in the bait's nose and let a treble hook dangle behind it. Kings often attack from behind, and that stinger hook will nail them when they try to steal your bait.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are disk-shaped, silver fish with black stripes that average 3-10 pounds and 18 inches. They school heavily around wrecks, reefs, and bridge pilings in 30-80 feet of water. These fish show up best from late spring through early fall when water warms up. What guests love is their scrappy fight - they pull hard and sideways like a big bream on steroids. Plus they're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. Spadefish can be tricky since they're picky eaters, preferring small baits like pieces of clam, shrimp, or even jellyfish on small circle hooks. Here's the key: when you find a school, don't anchor right on top of them. Drift past and cast your bait through the school - they spook easily but once hooked, they'll give you a solid fight.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, silvery fish with yellow spots that typically run 1-2 feet and weigh 2-8 pounds. They travel in large schools near the surface, making them perfect targets for light tackle fishing. You'll find them around nearshore structures, piers, and inlets during warmer months - they show up here late spring through fall when water temps hit the mid-60s. What makes them popular is their speed and fight on lighter gear, plus they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky meat. They hit fast-moving lures like spoons and small jigs, but here's a local trick: when you see birds diving, cast small shiny lures just past the school and retrieve quickly through the feeding frenzy. Their sharp teeth will cut through mono, so use a short wire leader.
Richmond