Norfolk VA Inshore Half Day Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore trips target flounder, cobia, drum, and tautog.Fourhour charters accommodate up to five anglers with licenses included.Morning and afternoon departures available March through December seasons.
Looking for a solid half-day fishing trip that won't break the bank? This Norfolk inshore charter with Remedy Sport Fishing delivers exactly what you're after. We're talking 4+ hours on productive waters targeting some of the Chesapeake Bay region's most reliable species. Whether you choose the 7am morning departure or the 1pm afternoon slot, you'll be fishing prime inshore structure where these fish love to hang out. At $500 for up to four anglers (plus $100 for a fifth), it's a customer favorite for families and small groups who want to get on fish without the full-day commitment.
This trip runs March through December, timing perfectly with tautog season and the peak months for our other target species. You'll be fishing Norfolk's best inshore spots - think structure-rich areas where flounder lay in ambush, sheepshead pick at barnacles, and cobia cruise the shallows during their seasonal runs. The morning trips often produce better action for bottom species like tautog and sheepshead, while afternoon departures can be money for mackerel and drum when they're feeding actively. Captain and crew handle all the heavy lifting, from rigging tackle to cleaning your catch. Fishing licenses are included, so just show up ready to wet a line. The relaxed pace makes this perfect for kids learning the ropes or experienced anglers who want to unwind without the pressure of a marathon fishing session.
We mix it up based on what's biting and where we find them. Bottom fishing dominates much of the trip - you'll be dropping rigs to productive structure where tautog, sheepshead, and drum hold tight. Think heavy sinkers, circle hooks, and baits that get down fast in moving water. When conditions are right, we'll switch gears to trolling for Spanish mackerel and cobia. These fish love travel lanes and current breaks where baitfish get pushed around. The boat's rigged with quality tackle that can handle everything from 2-pound mackerel to 40-pound drum. Live bait, cut bait, and artificials all have their place depending on the target species and daily conditions. The crew reads the water and adjusts techniques throughout the trip, so you're always fishing the most productive method for whatever's swimming below.
Tautog are the bread and butter of this fishery, especially during their peak season from fall through early winter. These hard-fighting bottom dwellers love structure - think pilings, rocks, and artificial reefs where they can hide and feed. They're notorious bait stealers with crushing jaws, making every hookup a small victory. Most Norfolk tautog run 2-8 pounds, with occasional doormat-sized fish pushing double digits. What makes them special is the fight - they use every bit of structure to try breaking you off, and their white, flaky meat is outstanding on the dinner table.
Spanish mackerel show up strong during their spring and fall migrations, turning the inshore waters into a feeding frenzy. These speedsters hit trolled lures and live bait with incredible aggression, often jumping clear of the water when hooked. They typically run 1-3 pounds in our waters, perfect for light tackle action that gets everyone excited. Kids love them because they bite readily and fight hard for their size. The key is finding the schools - when you locate feeding mackerel, you can load the boat in short order.
Black drum are the heavyweight champions of this trip, with fish ranging from 20-50+ pounds cruising Norfolk's inshore waters. Spring brings the spawning run when these bruisers move into shallower water and feed aggressively. They're bottom feeders that love crab and cut bait, and when a big drum grabs your offering, you know it immediately. The fight is all about power and endurance - no fancy jumps, just steady, crushing runs that test your tackle and patience. Many anglers consider drum the best eating fish in our waters when prepared correctly.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group, known for their ability to steal bait without getting hooked. These black-and-white striped fish love structure where they can pick at barnacles and crustaceans. They require finesse fishing with light leaders and small hooks, making every landed sheepshead feel like an accomplishment. Most run 2-5 pounds, but their strong jaws and quick reflexes make them pound-for-pound fighters. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat that rivals any restaurant fish.
Cobia are the wild cards that can make any trip memorable. These brown sharks (they're actually not sharks) cruise Norfolk's inshore waters during their spring and fall migrations, often following rays and other bottom feeders. When cobia are around, sight fishing becomes part of the game - watching for their distinctive brown backs near the surface. They're aggressive feeders that hit live bait, cut bait, and large lures with authority. Most cobia in our area run 20-40 pounds, though larger fish are always possible. They're incredible table fare and provide some of the strongest fights you'll experience on this type of trip.
This top-rated Norfolk charter fills up fast, especially during peak tautog season and the spring cobia run. With all licenses included and tackle provided, it's as turnkey as fishing gets. The 4-hour minimum gives you real fishing time without the full-day commitment, perfect for testing the waters with Remedy Sport Fishing or squeezing in some action during a busy schedule. Whether you're local anglers looking for a quick fix or visitors wanting to sample Norfolk's renowned inshore fishing, this trip delivers consistent action and good value. Book early to secure your preferred departure time - those prime spring and fall dates go fast when the fishing reports start heating up.
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard this well-equipped 28-foot Century boat, designed specifically for Norfolk's productive inshore waters. Powered by a reliable Yamaha 250hp engine, this vessel cuts through the Chesapeake Bay at speeds up to 35 knots, getting you to the fish faster and maximizing your time on the water. The stable platform and clean deck layout make it perfect for working bottom rigs around structure or trolling the travel lanes where cobia and drum cruise. With comfortable seating for up to four anglers, there's plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up. The boat's shallow draft allows access to those prime flounder holes and sheepshead spots that bigger boats can't reach. Whether you're dropping lines on productive tautog structure or working the channels for spade fish and mackerel, this fishing machine delivers the performance and comfort you need for a successful half-day on Norfolk's waters.
Pogonias CromisThese bottom-dwelling bruisers are Norfolk's heavyweight champions, commonly running 10-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50+. Black drum love our shallow oyster bars, creek mouths, and muddy flats where they root around for crabs and shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring spawning season brings the best fishing when they school up in groups - you can actually hear them drumming underwater. What makes them special is the steady, bulldogging fight and their unique croaking sounds. Smaller fish under 15 pounds eat great, but the big ones are better released. The secret is fresh crab bait fished right on bottom around structure. Use enough weight to hold in current, and don't set the hook too early - let them run with it a bit before coming tight on them.
Rachycentron CanadumThese brown sharks look-alikes are premium targets around Norfolk, averaging 20-40 pounds with some reaching 60+. Cobia cruise solo around buoys, channel markers, and structure in 20-50 feet of water, often visible just under the surface. Late spring through summer offers the best shots during their migration and spawning periods. What makes them special is the incredible table fare - firm, white meat that rivals any fish we catch. They fight strong and steady, making long runs when hooked. The challenge is finding them since they don't school like other species. Sight fishing works best - look for that dark shadow cruising structure. When you spot one, cast a bucktail jig or live bait ahead of their path and work it slowly. Stay patient and quiet - they spook easily but are worth the wait.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusNorfolk's "convict fish" with those black and white stripes are some of the smartest fish we target. Running 2-8 pounds typically, they hang tight to bridge pilings, dock structure, and oyster bars feeding on barnacles and small crabs. Spring spawning brings the best action, but they bite year-round when conditions are right. What frustrates and excites anglers is their notorious bait-stealing ability - they'll clean your hook without you feeling a thing. But catch one and you've got excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. The fight is strong and steady as they head straight for cover. My tip: use small hooks with fiddler crab or shrimp, get as close to structure as possible, and set the hook hard the instant you feel weight. They'll test your patience but reward persistence.
Scomberomorus MaculatusFast, aggressive, and great eating - Spanish mackerel are summer favorites around Norfolk waters. These silver bullets with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet and 2-4 pounds, schooling near the surface where you can often see them chasing bait. They show up when water warms in late spring through fall, feeding heavily on small fish and shrimp. What guests love is the non-stop action when you find a school, plus they're some of the best table fare we target - mild, flaky meat perfect for grilling. They hit hard and make short, fast runs that keep kids and adults engaged. The key is staying mobile - once you locate a school feeding on the surface, work the edges with small spoons or live bait. If the action dies, don't wait around - these fish move constantly.
Tautoga OnitisThese stocky fighters, also called blackfish, are worth the effort around Norfolk's rocky structure. Running 1-3 pounds typically, with some pushing 10+ pounds, they pack serious strength in that thick body. You'll find them hugging jetties, bridge pilings, and oyster bars where they crush mussels and crabs with powerful jaws. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're actively feeding during daylight hours. What makes tautog special is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with a light bite, but once hooked, they pull hard for cover. The meat is excellent, white and firm. Here's the trick: use fresh green crab, crush some shell pieces around your spot to get them feeding, and fish tight to structure. Change baits every few minutes if they're picking at it.
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