World Class 6 Hour Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore charter targeting Red Drum, Cobia, and Mackerel species.32foot Albemarle vessel accommodates up to six guests with equipment included.Morning or afternoon departure options with trolling and bottom fishing.
Looking for more time to get into the fish? This extended 6-hour inshore charter gives you twice the opportunity to find the bite and put some serious fish in the boat. Captain Shelton runs these trips aboard his 32' Albemarle, a proven fish-catching machine that's built for comfort and performance in Virginia Beach's inshore waters. You'll have your choice of morning departures at 6:00 AM to catch the early bite, or afternoon trips starting at 1:00 PM when the fish are actively feeding. With room for up to 6 anglers and a skilled first mate to keep you on the fish, this is the perfect setup for serious anglers who want to maximize their time on the water.
Six hours gives us real flexibility to work different spots and adapt to what the fish are doing. We'll start by reading the conditions – water temperature, current, bait activity – then make our moves accordingly. The 32' Albemarle handles Virginia Beach's inshore waters beautifully, giving you a stable platform whether we're trolling the nearshore structure or anchored up on productive bottom. Your first mate knows these waters inside and out and will be rigging baits, netting fish, and keeping you in the action all day. The boat's equipped with a private head, so you can stay comfortable during the longer trip. Just bring your own food and drinks – we'll handle everything else. Remember to take care of your mate with a 20% tip at the end of the day.
We'll mix up our approach based on what's biting and where we find them. Trolling lets us cover water efficiently, pulling spoons, diving plugs, and rigged baits through areas holding cobia, king mackerel, and spanish mackerel. When we mark fish or find structure, we'll switch to bottom fishing with cut bait, live bait, or jigs to target red drum, black drum, and bluefish. The extra time means we can really dial in what's working – if the trolling bite is hot, we'll stay on it. If the bottom fishing is producing, we'll anchor up and work that spot thoroughly. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, so you don't need to worry about rigging or what to bring. The mate will get you set up with the right gear for each technique and help you get the most out of every opportunity.
Red drum are the bread and butter of Virginia Beach inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers will test your drag system. They're most active during moving tides around structure, oyster bars, and shallow flats. Reds hit cut bait, live spot, and soft plastics hard, making powerful runs that'll get your heart pumping. Fall and spring offer the best action, with fish ranging from slot-sized keepers to oversized bulls that'll take you into your backing.
Cobia are the prize catch that every angler hopes to see cruising the surface. These brown sharks (as they're often mistaken for) are curious fish that will follow the boat and readily take a well-presented crab or eel. They show up in Virginia Beach waters from late spring through fall, often found around structure, buoys, and even following rays. A 30-50 pound cobia is a fish of a lifetime, and they're absolutely delicious on the table.
King mackerel bring the speed and the fight that makes your arms burn. These torpedo-shaped predators patrol the nearshore waters, hitting trolled baits with authority. Spring and fall migrations bring the best king fishing to Virginia Beach, with fish ranging from schoolies to smoker kings over 20 pounds. They're fast, they jump, and they make screaming runs that'll test your tackle.
Spanish mackerel are the perfect action fish when you want consistent bites and great table fare. These smaller members of the mackerel family are aggressive feeders that will hit small spoons, jigs, and cut bait with enthusiasm. They're most active during the warmer months and provide steady action when other species are being finicky.
Bluefish are the cleanup hitters that will often save the day when other species are tough to find. These voracious predators travel in schools and will attack anything that moves when they're feeding. They hit hard, fight strong, and are excellent smoked or grilled. Virginia Beach sees good bluefish action from spring through fall, with fish ranging from snapper blues to chopper blues over 10 pounds.
This 6-hour trip gives you the best shot at experiencing Virginia Beach's top-rated inshore fishing action. The extended time on the water means more opportunities to find the bite, try different techniques, and put a variety of species in the cooler. Captain Shelton's got the local knowledge and the right boat to make it happen, while the experienced mate ensures you'll make the most of every bite. With free cancellation up to 7 days out, there's no risk in securing your dates. Virginia Beach's inshore waters are calling – book your 6-hour charter and get ready for some serious fish-catching action.
Step aboard this solid 32' Albemarle convertible and get ready to fish the productive inshore waters off Virginia Beach. Built for serious anglers, this boat handles up to 6 guests comfortably while you target Red Drum, Cobia, Spanish Mackerel, and more during your 6-hour charter. The boat comes loaded with outriggers, a fighting chair, and quality tackle - everything you need for both trolling and bottom fishing. Your experienced First Mate will help you locate fish using the onboard fish finder and GPS, while the radar keeps you safe in any conditions. When you need a break from the action, grab a cold drink from the refrigerator or icebox, use the private toilet, or head up to the flybridge for a better view. The kitchen and onboard bed add extra comfort for longer trips. Choose morning or afternoon departure times and enjoy having plenty of space to move around while fighting fish. This well-maintained Albemarle delivers a smooth, reliable ride so you can focus on what matters - landing your catch in Virginia Beach's rich inshore fishing grounds.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are bottom-dwellers that can surprise you with their size - we catch them anywhere from 5 pounds up to 40+ pounders in our local waters. They love oyster beds, muddy flats, and around structure in 10-50 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. These fish have powerful jaws built for crushing crabs and shellfish, so they put up a solid fight on the bottom. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with mild, flaky meat. Bigger fish are better released since the meat gets tough. Best bait is fresh blue crab - cut it in half and use both pieces. The key is keeping your bait right on the bottom with enough weight to stay put in the current.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive feeders that'll hit just about anything you put in front of them, making them perfect for anglers who want consistent action. These blue-green backed fighters typically run 3-8 pounds around Virginia Beach, though we see some pushing 15+ pounds. They travel in schools and go into feeding frenzies, so when you find one, you'll usually find many. Best fishing is late spring through fall when they're migrating through our waters. They'll take trolled spoons, cut bait, or live eels. The meat is excellent when fresh - just bleed them right away and keep them cold. Pro tip: use a wire leader because those razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. When they're blitzing baitfish on the surface, it's some of the most exciting fishing you'll see.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are sight-fishing favorites that cruise near the surface looking like brown sharks until you see that flat head. These solitary fish average 20-50 pounds and can reach 6 feet long, making them serious tackle-testing adversaries. We find them around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 20-80 feet of water from late spring through early fall. They're curious fish that'll often approach the boat for a closer look. The fight is powerful with long runs and head-shaking bulldogging. Excellent eating with firm, white meat that rivals any fish in the ocean. They'll hit bucktail jigs, live eels, or large soft plastics. Local secret: when you spot one, don't cast right at it. Lead them by 10-15 feet and work your lure slowly past their nose - they can't resist investigating.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are pure speed demons that'll test your drag and make long runs when hooked. These silvery torpedoes average 15-30 pounds around here, but we regularly see fish over 40 pounds during peak season. They cruise in 40-150 feet of water, usually following baitfish along temperature breaks and current edges. Summer through early fall is prime time when the water temps are right. They're fantastic eating with firm, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling. We target them by trolling large spoons, live bait rigs, or diving plugs. Here's a local trick: rig live bait with two hooks - one through the nose and a stinger hook near the tail, because kings often hit from behind. Their razor teeth will slice through anything but wire, so heavy leaders are a must.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, cruising shallow flats and oyster bars in 1-6 feet of water. These copper-backed beauties average 18-27 inches locally, with that distinctive black spot near the tail. They're curious fish that'll investigate just about any bait or lure, making them great for all skill levels. Peak season runs spring through fall, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding. The fight is strong and steady - they'll make good runs and use their broad sides to pull. Excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. They'll eat live shrimp, cut bait, or artificial lures. My go-to tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish on shallow flats during incoming tides. Cast ahead of cruising fish and let your bait settle naturally.
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