Chincoteague Sunset Fishing & Wild Pony Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Twohour sunset fishing charter targeting Redfish, Flounder, and SeatroutAll equipment, bait, and fishing license included with tripOptional pony tour available during calm evening cruise
Picture this: the sun's starting to dip low over Chincoteague Bay, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, while you've got a rod in your hands and the chance to spot wild ponies grazing along the shoreline. This 2-hour sunset charter with Reed And Reel Fishing Company gives you the best of both worlds—quality fishing time and a front-row seat to one of Virginia's most famous wildlife shows. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to wind down after a busy day or a family wanting to mix fishing with sightseeing, this trip hits all the right notes. The small group size keeps things personal, and with only 4 guests max, you'll get plenty of attention from your captain without feeling rushed.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll tailor the evening based on what's biting and what you're hoping to see. Some nights, you might spend the full two hours working the grass flats for redfish, while other evenings call for a mix of fishing and cruising over to Assateague Island to catch sight of the wild ponies. The beauty of this charter is the flexibility—if the fish are cooperating and you're having a blast, you can focus on bending rods. If the ponies are putting on a show near the water's edge, you can soak up that experience too. All your tackle, bait, and fishing licenses are handled, so you just need to bring your enthusiasm and maybe some snacks and drinks for the ride. The boat carries life jackets in all sizes, making it a solid choice for families with kids who want to try their hand at fishing.
Depending on the season and what's moving through the area, your captain will set you up with the right approach for the conditions. Light tackle spinning is the go-to method here, letting you feel every bump and run without overpowering the fish. You might find yourself working topwater poppers over shallow grass beds when the redfish are aggressive, or switching to jigs when you're targeting flounder along channel edges. Bottom fishing comes into play when the black drum are schooled up, and you'll learn to feel the difference between a fish pickup and the current moving your sinker across the sand. The captain reads the water and adjusts tactics on the fly—maybe starting with live bait on the bottom, then switching to artificials if the fish are actively feeding. It's all about matching your presentation to what the fish want that evening, and your guide will walk you through each technique as conditions change.
Southern flounder are the bread and butter of Chincoteague fishing, and these flatfish know how to put up a fight despite their pancake shape. They love hanging around structure and drop-offs, especially during the cooler months of fall when they're fattening up before their offshore migration. What makes flounder exciting is the way they hit—often just a gentle tap that you might mistake for bottom contact, then suddenly your rod loads up as they try to bury back into the sand. Most of the keepers you'll find here run 16 to 20 inches, with the occasional doormat pushing over 24 inches that'll have everyone on the boat scrambling for the net.
Black drum show up in good numbers throughout much of the year, and they're perfect for anglers who like a steady, powerful fight. These fish can range from small puppy drum around 14 inches up to bulls that might hit 30 pounds or more. They're bottom feeders with a preference for crab and shrimp, so you'll often be fishing with cut bait or live offerings near shell beds and channels. The bigger fish have this habit of making long, determined runs that test your drag system, while the smaller ones are ideal for kids who want to feel something substantial on the other end of their line.
Sheepshead fishing around Chincoteague requires a bit more finesse, but these black and white striped fish are worth the effort. They hang around pilings, docks, and any hard structure where they can pick off barnacles and small crabs with their human-like teeth. The key is using small hooks and staying alert—sheepshead are notorious bait stealers who can clean your hook without you feeling much more than a light tap. When you do connect, they fight hard for their size and make excellent table fare with their firm, white meat.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are one of the most fun fish to catch on light tackle. They're aggressive predators that readily hit both live bait and artificials, and they're known for their acrobatic jumps when hooked. The best action usually happens during the warmer months when they're actively feeding in the grass flats and around creek mouths. A good speck will pull drag and make several runs before coming to the boat, and they're beautiful fish with distinctive spotted patterns along their sides.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here, and Chincoteague Bay holds some gorgeous specimens. These copper-colored fish are incredibly strong for their size, known for making blistering runs across the shallows when they feel the hook. You'll often spot them tailing in skinny water or cruising the grass flats in small schools. Red drum hit everything from topwater plugs to live crabs, and the fight is always memorable—they use their broad tails and powerful bodies to pull drag and test your equipment. The slot-size fish here typically run 18 to 27 inches, perfect for a photo and a great meal.
This sunset fishing and pony tour gives you two Virginia experiences in one perfectly timed package. You're getting quality fishing time with a captain who knows exactly where to find the bite, plus the bonus of potentially seeing some of the East Coast's most famous wild horses. The small group size means you're not fighting for
Your evening on the water starts aboard our reliable 21-foot Carolina Skiff, a proven fishing platform that's helped countless anglers connect with Chincoteague's best inshore action. This 2014 boat handles beautifully with its 115HP Mercury outboard, getting you to productive spots quickly while staying stable during those perfect sunset drifts. Built for four anglers max, there's plenty of casting room without bumping elbows. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS keeps us on productive structure and gets you back safely as daylight fades. Whether you're working bottom rigs for flounder, casting topwater for reds, or jigging for seatrout, this skiff puts you in prime position. The icebox keeps your beverages cold during those golden hour moments when the fish are biting and the sky's putting on a show. Kids fish comfortably here too – we've got life vests in all sizes. Your captain knows these waters inside and out, from the best tidal windows to where those famous Chincoteague ponies might be grazing along the shoreline.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights around here, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50+. You'll hear them before you see them - they make that distinct drumming sound that gives them their name. These fish love oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure in 3-15 feet of water. Spring is when they really turn on, especially March through May when they school up for spawning. What guests love is the pure power - once hooked, they bulldoze toward the bottom with serious strength. The smaller ones under 15 pounds eat great, but the big ones are better released. Pro tip: use fresh crab or clam on a fish finder rig, and when you feel that steady pull, don't horse them - let them tire themselves out first or they'll straighten your hooks.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bronze beauties with that distinctive black spot near the tail - our most popular target for good reason. Around here they typically run 18-30 inches, with the slot fish being perfect for dinner. They cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds in 1-4 feet of water, sometimes so shallow their backs show. Fall is prime time when they school up and feed aggressively before winter. What guests love is everything - they eat well, fight hard with long runs, and aren't too finicky about baits. The copper-colored sides are gorgeous too. They'll hit cut bait, live shrimp, or artificial lures equally well. My go-to tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish in the shallows, then cast past them and work your bait back slowly. They spook easily in skinny water, so keep your distance and be quiet.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or "Specks" as we call them, are beautiful spotted fish that average 12-16 inches with some reaching 20+ inches during good years. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water, especially around structure changes. Fall and spring are peak times when they're most active, and they bite well on overcast days or during moving tides. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their delicate, flaky white meat that's outstanding on the table. They're also great fighters for their size with acrobatic jumps. The key is using light tackle and working lures slowly - they can be finicky. Try a popping cork with live shrimp under it, and work it with gentle twitches rather than aggressive pops.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they've got human-like teeth that'll surprise you every time. Most run 2-5 pounds and 12-16 inches, but the big ones can hit 8+ pounds. They live around any structure - docks, pilings, jetties - anywhere barnacles grow. Spring and fall are best, especially when water temps are in the 60s and 70s. Guests love them because they're challenging to hook and fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat that rivals snapper. They're notorious bait thieves though - they'll pick your hook clean if you're not paying attention. The secret is using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keeping tight to structure, and setting the hook hard the instant you feel weight. They've got those crushing teeth, so hesitate and you'll lose them.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish blend perfectly into sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches around here, but we see some pushing 25+ inches during good years. They're both eyes on the left side fish that'll absolutely fool you if you're not looking close. Fall through early winter is prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawn. What makes them special is the challenge - they're sneaky biters and excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's the trick: when drift fishing, feel for that subtle tap and count to three before setting the hook. They like to mouth the bait first, and if you're too quick, you'll pull it right out of their mouth.
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