Full-Day Bay Fishing Charter in Virginia Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day 8-hour inshore fishing charter targeting Cobia and RedfishAccommodates up to 6 guests with expert local guidance includedLaunches 8:00 AM from Shore Drive with top-quality gear provided
When you're serious about fishing Virginia Beach's inshore waters, you need more than just a quick half-day trip. This full-day bay fishing charter gives you 8 solid hours to work the prime spots, adjust with the tides, and really dial in on where the fish are holding. Starting at 8:00 AM from 3323 Shore Dr, you'll have plenty of time to cover multiple zones and chase whatever's biting best that day. With Puttin'n Sportsfishing, you're getting local knowledge that comes from years of reading these waters, plus the flexibility to move around when conditions change.
This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – it's designed for anglers who want to maximize their time and really get into some fish. Eight hours gives us the luxury of being selective about our spots and techniques. If the bite's slow in one area, we've got time to relocate and try different presentations. The Chesapeake Bay system around Virginia Beach is incredibly diverse, from shallow grass flats perfect for sight fishing to deeper channel edges where big cobia cruise. You'll be targeting redfish and cobia primarily, but depending on the season, we might also get into flounder and speckled trout. The boat holds up to 6 anglers comfortably, so bring your crew or join a group of like-minded fishing enthusiasts.
We fish these inshore waters using a variety of proven techniques that match the conditions and target species. For redfish, we'll work artificial lures like spoons and soft plastics around structure, grass beds, and oyster bars. When cobia are running, we switch to live bait presentations or cast heavier jigs and bucktails. The captain provides all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear for finesse work to heavier conventional setups for the big cobia. Depending on tides and weather, we might spend time sight fishing in skinny water or working deeper channels where fish stack up during moving water. The beauty of having 8 hours is we can adapt our approach throughout the day – starting shallow in the morning, moving to deeper water during the heat of midday, then back to the flats as evening approaches.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Virginia Beach inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs fight harder than fish twice their size and are incredibly fun on light tackle. Most of our reds run between 20-35 inches, with some real bruisers pushing the slot limit. They're year-round residents but fish best during spring and fall when they're actively feeding in shallow water. You'll find them around oyster beds, grass lines, and creek mouths where baitfish congregate. What makes redfish so exciting is their aggressive strikes and the way they'll absolutely torch your drag on that first run.
Cobia are the prize catch that gets everyone's adrenaline pumping. These brown sharks look-alikes can exceed 40 pounds and fight like freight trains once hooked. Virginia Beach sees excellent cobia runs from late spring through early fall, with peak action typically in May and June. They're often found around structure, following rays, or just cruising the flats looking for an easy meal. Cobia fishing requires patience and good eyes – spotting them before they see you is half the battle. When you do connect with one, be ready for multiple long runs and some serious arm-burning action. Many anglers consider cobia the ultimate inshore gamefish, and once you tangle with one, you'll understand why.
A full-day charter is an investment in serious fishing time, and this trip delivers exactly that. You're getting 8 hours of prime fishing with experienced local guides who know where to find the fish and how to catch them. The flexibility to move spots, try different techniques, and really work the water gives you the best shot at consistent action and maybe that fish of a lifetime. Virginia Beach's inshore waters are some of the most productive on the East Coast, and this charter puts you right in the heart of it all. Don't settle for a rushed half-day trip when you could have the full experience. Book your spot with Puttin'n Sportsfishing and get ready for a day of world-class inshore fishing that'll have you planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock.
Our Carolina Skiff is built for serious fishing in Virginia Beach's inshore waters. This versatile motorboat handles everything from stalking Cobia in shallow flats to battling Bull Reds around structure. With room for up to 6 anglers, she's got plenty of deck space for casting and fighting fish without getting tangled up. The shallow draft lets us slip into spots bigger boats can't reach, while the reliable engine gets us between productive areas quickly when the bite changes. Whether we're sight fishing crystal clear water or working the grass beds for Speckled Trout, this boat puts you right where the action is. Perfect for those full 8-hour adventures when you want to cover serious water and chase whatever's biting.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bruisers of Virginia Beach inshore fishing, averaging 30-50 pounds with some reaching 6 feet long. These dark brown fish often get mistaken for sharks with their single dorsal fin. You'll typically find them around structure - buoys, channel markers, and wrecks in 20-60 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they migrate through our area. What draws anglers to cobia is their raw power and excellent eating quality - firm white meat that rivals any premium fish. They're usually solitary, so spotting one swimming near the surface is pure gold. Here's my local tip: watch for rays and turtles - cobia love following them for stirred-up crabs and baitfish. A bucktail jig pitched ahead of a cruising fish works magic, but be ready for a serious fight.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of my favorite species to target in Virginia Beach's shallow bays and flats. These copper-colored beauties average 20-30 inches and are famous for that distinctive black eyespot near their tail. You'll find them cruising in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass beds, and dock pilings - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes redfish special is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight once hooked. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, mild flesh. My go-to local trick? Look for "nervous water" - those subtle surface ripples that give away a school of reds working baitfish below. Topwater plugs and live shrimp work best, but keep your casts quiet in skinny water.
Virginia Beach