6 Hour Inshore Trip (AM or PM) - Virginia Beach
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.
What to Expect 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.
Techniques & Tactics
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.
Species You'll Want to Hook
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.
Time to Book Your Spot
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.