Deep Sea Fishing Norfolk: 15-Hour Private Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
15hour private offshore charter targeting marlin, tuna, and sharksAtlantic deepsea fishing adventure for up to 6 guestsAll gear, bait, and dedicated crew included with early departure
You want big fish? This is how you get them. Our 15-hour private offshore charter from Norfolk takes you where the real action happens – 30+ miles out in the Atlantic where blue water meets serious game fish. We're talking marlin territory, tuna grounds, and the kind of fishing stories you'll tell for years. This isn't your typical half-day trip. We leave at 5 AM and make the most of every hour, giving you the best shot at trophy fish that call these waters home. With room for up to 6 anglers, you'll have the entire boat and crew focused on one thing: putting you on fish.
The Norfolk Canyon and surrounding offshore waters are legendary among East Coast anglers, and for good reason. We're hitting productive grounds where warm Gulf Stream waters mix with cooler coastal currents, creating the perfect feeding conditions for pelagic species. Your day starts early – 5 AM departure means we're on the fishing grounds by sunrise when the bite is often hottest. The crew sets up multiple spread configurations throughout the day, adjusting tactics based on conditions and what we're seeing on the fish finder. You'll cover serious ground, sometimes running 40+ miles offshore to find the right water temperature and bait schools. The boat stays comfortable even on long runs, and there's plenty of room to fight fish without getting in each other's way. Expect to see everything from flying fish to sea turtles as we hunt for the big ones.
We run a serious spread out here – usually 6-8 lines with a mix of high-speed trolling lures for tuna and slower presentations for marlin. The crew handles all the rigging, from setting up the outriggers to adjusting the teasers that bring fish up from the deep. You'll fish with tournament-grade tackle: 50W and 80W reels spooled with braided line, matched to rods that can handle whatever shows up. For marlin fishing, we deploy large lures and whole ballyhoo on circle hooks, while tuna setups feature smaller cedar plugs and feathers pulled at higher speeds. When we find temperature breaks or debris lines, we'll slow down and work the edges where predators ambush baitfish. The captain reads the water constantly – looking for bird activity, color changes, and current seams that hold fish. GPS marks from productive trips help us return to proven spots, but offshore fishing means staying mobile and adapting to what the ocean gives you each day.
Blue Marlin are the undisputed kings of Norfolk's offshore waters. These giants show up best from June through September when water temperatures hit the sweet spot above 75 degrees. Blues average 200-400 pounds here, with fish over 500 pounds caught every season. They're ambush predators that cruise temperature breaks looking for schools of tuna and dolphin. When a blue marlin hits your spread, you'll know it – the strike is explosive and the fight is pure adrenaline. Most anglers choose catch-and-release for these magnificent fish, making for epic photos and lifetime memories.
Yellowfin Tuna are speed demons that test your endurance and tackle. Norfolk's yellowfins typically run 40-100 pounds, with occasional giants pushing 150+. They school in deeper water and respond well to high-speed trolling with small lures and feathers. The bite is often best early morning or late afternoon. Yellowfins make blistering runs and fight hard to the boat – expect 30+ minute battles on heavy tackle. The meat is world-class sashimi grade, making them a favorite target for anglers who want to take fish home.
White Marlin are Norfolk's most consistent billfish, showing up reliably from May through October. These smaller cousins of blue marlin typically weigh 50-80 pounds but fight with incredible energy. They're curious fish that often follow teasers and present great opportunities for sight fishing when they come up in the spread. White marlin jump repeatedly when hooked, putting on an aerial display that's pure excitement. The season peak is July through September when multiple fish days are common.
Mahi Mahi bring non-stop action when we find them around floating debris or weed lines. These colorful fighters average 10-25 pounds in Norfolk waters, with bulls occasionally hitting 40+. Mahi school heavily, so one hookup often leads to multiple fish. They hit everything from ballyhoo to jigs and provide fantastic table fare. Kids love mahi fishing because the action is fast and the colors are stunning – gold, green, and blue that light up when they're fighting.
Bluefin Tuna make seasonal appearances that get the entire fishing community buzzing. These powerful fish show up during cooler months, typically December through March, when they follow bait schools along the coast. Norfolk bluefins range from schoolies around 30 pounds to giants over 200 pounds. They require specific techniques – often chunking with butterfish or trolling small lures in tight schools. The meat is incredibly valuable, making bluefin one of the most prized catches in offshore fishing.
Fifteen hours of private offshore fishing doesn't come around every day, and neither do the conditions that make trips like this legendary. The best dates book months ahead, especially during prime marlin season when the bite is red-hot. You're getting a dedicated crew, top-shelf tackle, and access to some of the Atlantic's most productive fishing grounds. The investment pays off when you're fighting the fish of a lifetime with nobody else on the boat but your crew. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just ready for the offshore adventure you've been dreaming about, this trip delivers the goods. Check availability and secure your dates – the big ones are waiting.
Get ready to chase big game fish aboard our beautifully restored 42-ft Hatteras! This classic 1974 sportfisher was completely rebuilt in 2015 and packs serious power with twin Detroit Diesel 450HP engines that'll cruise you out to the fishing grounds at 25 knots. The spacious cockpit gives your crew of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to work lines and fight fish. Up on the flybridge, you'll have perfect visibility for spotting birds and bait while our fish finder does the work below the surface. When you need a break from the action, grab a snack from the galley or use the onboard head. Our GPS and radar keep you safe and on target during those long 15-hour runs to where the marlin and tuna are biting. This boat was built for serious offshore fishing, and with Norfolk's prime access to the Atlantic's best fishing grounds, you'll be set up for an epic day on the water targeting everything from massive sharks to trophy-sized pelagics.
Makaira NigricansBlue Marlin are the crown jewel of offshore fishing - these massive billfish can reach 16 feet and over 1,000 pounds for females, though males stay around 350. They cruise deep blue waters beyond the continental shelf, typically in 100+ foot depths where warm currents meet cooler waters. Summer through early fall gives us our best shot at them here off Norfolk. What makes them special isn't just their size - it's the fight. When hooked, they'll leap clear out of the water in spectacular displays before making powerful runs that can strip hundreds of yards of line. The meat is decent, but most folks are after the bragging rights. My tip: when trolling, keep your baits swimming just under the surface and watch for that telltale dorsal fin cutting through the swells.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the ultimate prize - massive, powerful fish that can reach over 1,000 pounds and 12 feet long, though most we see run 200-400 pounds. They're warm-blooded, which lets them handle our cooler Mid-Atlantic waters better than other tunas. We typically find them in 60-300 feet around structure, temperature breaks, and bait concentrations. Fall and winter are prime seasons when they migrate south past Norfolk. These fish are legendary fighters with incredible stamina - they'll make deep dives and long runs that can last hours. The meat is world-class sashimi grade, which explains why they're so sought after. They require heavy tackle and serious commitment. Here's what I've learned: when chunking, use fresh herring or mackerel and be patient. Bluefin are smart and will circle your spread for a long time before committing to bite.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most beautiful fish in the ocean with their bright golden sides and electric blue-green backs. They typically run 15-30 pounds and about 3 feet long, though we've seen some real bulls push 50+. These fish love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks in 100-500 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time off Norfolk when water temps hit the 70s. What guests love about mahi is their aggressive strike and aerial show - they'll jump and tail-walk like crazy when hooked. Plus, they're absolutely delicious with firm, white meat that's perfect on the grill. Look for frigate birds diving on bait - that's usually where the mahi are feeding. Here's a local trick: once you hook one, keep the boat in the area and throw out more lines. Mahi travel in schools.
Kajikia AlbidaWhite Marlin are smaller than their blue cousins but pound-for-pound some of the best fighters in the ocean. They typically run 50-80 pounds and around 6-7 feet long. These billfish prefer the deep blue water beyond the shelf edge, often around underwater canyons and temperature breaks in 100+ feet. Summer is prime time off Norfolk when water temps climb into the 70s. What draws anglers is their spectacular jumping ability and never-give-up attitude - they'll greyhound across the surface and make long runs that'll have your arms burning. Most are released, but the experience is what counts. They're smart hunters that will follow baits before striking, so patience pays off. My advice: when trolling ballyhoo, don't set the hook immediately when they hit - let them eat it for a few seconds, then come tight and hang on.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are built like torpedoes and can hit 50 mph - they're serious gamefish that'll test your tackle and endurance. Most of what we catch runs 60-80 pounds, but they can push over 400. These warm-blooded speedsters roam the upper 300 feet of blue water, often around temperature breaks and current edges. Late spring through fall is our best window when they follow baitfish north. What makes them special is their relentless fight - no big jumps, just pure power and endurance that can last an hour. The meat is fantastic too, especially for sushi-grade steaks. They're smart fish that can be finicky, so we'll switch between trolling, chunking, and jigging depending on conditions. Pro tip: when we mark fish deep but they won't bite on the troll, switching to vertical jigs often does the trick.
Norfolk