Virginia Beach Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Black Drum, Redfish, Sheepshead, and Trout inshore watersMultiple fishing techniques including bottom fishing and trolling methodsFour-person capacity trips from Oceanfront or Lynnhaven Inlet
Looking for some solid inshore action without the long boat ride? This Virginia Beach fishing trip puts you right where the fish are biting, launching from either the bustling Oceanfront or the productive Lynnhaven Inlet. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will have you targeting some of the area's most sought-after species. With room for up to 4 anglers, this is the perfect setup for families, small groups, or couples wanting to experience what makes Virginia Beach a top-rated fishing destination on the East Coast.
Your day starts with a quick boat briefing before heading out into Virginia Beach's renowned inshore waters. The captain will read the conditions and decide whether to fish the back bays, hit the nearshore structure, or work the inlet depending on what's biting. These trips typically run in water depths from 8 to 40 feet, keeping you close enough to shore that you won't deal with big swells but far enough out to find the good stuff. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're working a grass flat for redfish, the next you're bouncing bottom rigs near bridge pilings for sheepshead. Your captain will adjust tactics throughout the day based on tides, weather, and fish activity to give you the best shot at a memorable catch.
The captain comes equipped with tackle suited for multiple fishing techniques, and you'll likely use several during your trip. Bottom fishing with cut bait is deadly for black drum and sheepshead around structure, while live bait under popping corks works magic for trout and redfish on the flats. When conditions are right, you might troll spoons or jigs to cover water and locate schools of active fish. Spin casting with soft plastics and topwater plugs can produce explosive strikes, especially during dawn and dusk periods. The boat carries everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and ice – so you can focus on fishing instead of gear prep. Your captain will show you the ropes if you're new to any technique, making this trip perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Black drum are the heavyweights of this fishery, with mature fish pushing 40-60 pounds and providing serious arm-burning fights. These bronze-backed bruisers love oyster bars, bridge pilings, and channel edges where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Spring and fall offer the best action, though smaller "puppy drum" are catchable year-round. What makes them special is their raw power – once hooked, they'll use their broad sides and bulldogging strength to test your drag and patience.
Redfish, or red drum, are the poster fish for Virginia inshore fishing and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-35 inches and are known for their aggressive strikes and determined runs. They cruise shallow grass beds and oyster bars, often with their backs out of water when feeding. Fall brings the best numbers as schools migrate through the area, but summer fishing can be world-class when you find them in the right spots. Reds fight clean and hard, making long runs that'll have your reel singing.
Sheepshead might look funny with their human-like teeth, but don't let their appearance fool you – these black-and-white striped fish are some of the craftiest thieves in the water. They hang around structure like bridge pilings, docks, and jetties, using their strong jaws to crush barnacles and crabs. The best fishing happens during their spring spawning run when they move inshore in numbers. Landing a quality sheepshead requires finesse and quick reflexes since they're notorious bait stealers.
Spotted sea trout are the bread and butter of Virginia Beach inshore fishing, providing consistent action for light-tackle enthusiasts. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots love grass flats, channel edges, and areas with good current flow. They're most active during spring and fall, though summer evenings can produce excellent topwater action. Trout are perfect for beginners since they're aggressive biters and relatively easy to hook, but they're also fun for experienced anglers who appreciate their acrobatic jumps and delicate mouths that require smooth drag settings.
This Virginia Beach inshore fishing trip delivers exactly what serious anglers want – variety, action, and the chance to tangle with some of the Mid-Atlantic's best gamefish without burning half your day getting to the fishing grounds. Whether you're a local looking to dial in your home waters or a visitor wanting to experience what makes this area a customer favorite, Patriotic Excursions has the local knowledge and equipment to make it happen. The 4-person capacity keeps groups small and personal, giving everyone plenty of room to fish and individual attention from the captain. Don't wait for the perfect conditions – book your trip and let the captain's expertise put you on fish when you're ready to get on the water.
Hit the waters around Virginia Beach aboard this well-equipped motorboat, perfect for targeting the area's best inshore species. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the lines whether you're bottom fishing for Black Drum and Sheepshead or casting for Redfish and Trout. The boat comes loaded with everything you need – a reliable fish finder to locate the hotspots, GPS to navigate the productive waters from Oceanfront to Lynnhaven Inlet, and VHF radio for safety. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard ice box as your captain switches up techniques throughout the day, from trolling the channels to drifting over structure. Whether you're spin casting the shallows or working the bottom around pilings, this setup handles it all while keeping you comfortable on the water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Virginia Beach waters, sporting those distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds, but 15+ pounders show up around bridge pilings and dock structures. They're year-round residents but really turn on in spring around spawning time. What guests love is the challenge - these guys are notorious bait thieves with light bites that'll clean your hook before you know it. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the bay, with sweet white meat that's worth the effort. My go-to tip: use fiddler crabs or barnacles, keep your bait tight to structure, and the second you feel weight, set that hook hard. They've got crusher teeth that'll cut your line if you hesitate.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 50+ pounds. They're bottom feeders that love oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths around the Chesapeake Bay area. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What makes them special is their crushing power; those pharyngeal teeth can crack oysters like nothing. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: use fresh blue crab or clam, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them mouth it for a second, then drive it home hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, with those signature copper sides and black spots near the tail. Most range 18-30 inches, but we see plenty of slot-size fish around 28 inches that put up incredible fights in 2-4 feet of water. They love oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths where they cruise for crabs and baitfish. Spring through fall is prime time, especially early morning when they're tailing in skinny water. What makes them special is that explosive topwater strike and bulldog fight - pure adrenaline on light tackle. The meat's excellent too, with a mild sweet flavor. Pro tip: look for nervous water or actual tails sticking up, then cast past them and work your bait back slowly. Patience pays off with these spooky fish.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter inshore fish, running 14-24 inches with plenty of 2-5 pounders mixed in. They love grass flats and shallow water structure, especially around the Lynnhaven area where they cruise for shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and spring are peak times, though we catch them year-round in deeper channels during winter. Guests appreciate their willingness to bite artificial lures and their excellent table fare - soft, white meat that's perfect pan-fried. These fish are aggressive feeders that'll hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp. Local secret: work the grass edges at dawn or dusk with a popping cork and live shrimp. Keep it just above the grass line and let it sit - when that cork disappears, you're hooked up.
Richmond