6 Hour Inshore Trip (AM or PM) - Virginia Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore charter targeting Red Drum, Cobia, and MackerelMorning or afternoon departures aboard 32-foot Albemarle vesselAccommodates up to six guests with equipment and mate included
Looking to spend some serious time on the water? This 6-hour inshore charter with Shelton's Charter Fishing gives you plenty of opportunity to dial in on Virginia Beach's best fishing spots. Whether you're an early bird who wants to catch the sunrise bite at 6:00 AM or prefer the afternoon action starting at 1:00 PM, you'll have double the fishing time compared to shorter trips. Captain Shelton runs a clean 32' Albemarle that's built for comfort and performance, with room for up to 6 anglers and all the amenities you need for a top-rated day on the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic waters.
Your captain knows these Virginia Beach waters like the back of his hand, and with 6 hours to work with, he's got time to hit multiple spots and adjust tactics based on what's biting. The boat comes equipped with everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and a cooler full of ice to keep your catch fresh. There's a private head on board, which is always appreciated on longer trips, plus a skilled first mate who'll help with everything from rigging baits to landing fish. The 32' Albemarle rides smooth in typical Virginia Beach conditions, so you can focus on fishing instead of fighting seasickness. Just bring your own food and drinks, sun protection, and don't forget to tip your mate 20% – these guys work hard to put fish in the boat.
Captain Shelton uses a mix of trolling and bottom fishing techniques depending on conditions and what species are most active. Trolling lets you cover water efficiently, perfect for locating schools of Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, or cruising cobia. You'll pull a spread of spoons, diving plugs, and rigged baits at varying depths to find where fish are holding. When it's time to bottom fish, you'll anchor up over structure, wrecks, or drop-offs where red drum and black drum like to feed. The boat's fish finder helps locate productive bottom, and the mate will have you rigged with circle hooks, sinkers, and fresh bait faster than you can say "fish on." With 6 hours on the clock, there's time to try different approaches and really dial in what's working best that day.
Red drum are the bread and butter of Virginia Beach inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers put up one heck of a fight. You'll find them around structure, oyster bars, and grass beds from spring through fall. Bulls can push 40+ inches and will test your drag system, while smaller slot fish in the 18-26 inch range are perfect for the dinner table. What makes reds so exciting is their aggressive strike and the way they bulldoze toward cover once hooked.
Cobia are like the golden ticket of Virginia Beach fishing – when you hook into a brown shark (as locals call them), you know you're in for something special. These fish show up in late spring and stick around through early fall, often found around buoys, structure, or just cruising the surface. Cobia are curious fish that will follow the boat, and sight-fishing for them is about as exciting as it gets. They're also fantastic table fare and can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 40 pounds caught regularly in these waters.
Spanish mackerel are speed demons that provide non-stop action when they're schooled up. These silver bullets hit trolled spoons and small lures with authority, and when you find a school, it's common to have multiple rods bent at once. They're most active from late spring through early fall, and while they're not huge fish, their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps make them a customer favorite, especially for kids and newer anglers.
Bluefish are Virginia Beach's ultimate opportunists – they'll eat just about anything and fight way above their weight class. These toothy predators school up in massive numbers, creating feeding frenzies that are world-class fishing at its finest. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, with fish ranging from snapper blues perfect for light tackle fun to chopper blues that will put a serious bend in your rod.
King mackerel, or "smoker kings" as they're known locally, are the speed kings of the inshore waters. These fish make blistering runs that will have your reel screaming, and landing one is always a team effort. They're most active during warmer months, typically found trolling along temperature breaks or structure. Kings are prized for their fighting ability and make excellent eating when prepared fresh.
This 6-hour trip gives you the best of both worlds – enough time to really get dialed in on the bite without committing to a full-day charter. Captain Shelton's reputation speaks for itself, and his first mate knows how to put you on fish. The 32' Albemarle is maintained to the highest standards, and with Virginia Beach's year-round fishing opportunities, there's never a bad time to get out there. Free cancellation with 7 days' notice takes the pressure off if weather doesn't cooperate. Whether you choose the early morning departure to beat the crowds or the afternoon trip when fish are actively feeding, you're looking at some of the best inshore fishing the East Coast has to offer.
Step aboard this well-equipped 32' Albemarle convertible for serious inshore fishing off Virginia Beach. Built to handle both calm waters and choppy conditions, this boat gives you 6 hours to target Red Drum, Cobia, Spanish Mackerel, and King Mackerel in productive local waters. The spacious deck accommodates up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to move around while fighting fish. Outriggers and a fighting chair are ready for the bigger catches, while the onboard fish finder helps locate schools and structure. When you need a break from the action, grab a cold drink from the refrigerator or icebox. The flybridge offers great visibility for spotting birds and baitfish, and there's even a private toilet onboard for convenience. GPS and radar keep you on course and safe, while the experienced First Mate handles tackle and helps land your fish. Whether you choose the morning departure at 6 AM or afternoon trip starting at 1 PM, this reliable fishing machine delivers a solid day on the water with all the amenities you need.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some real monsters pushing 50-plus. These dark, powerful fish love shallow water oyster beds, muddy flats, and around bridge pilings where they crush crabs and shellfish with their pharyngeal teeth. Spring brings the best fishing when they school up for spawning in 10-30 feet. They're bulldogs on the rod - not fast but they'll pull steady and hard, testing your patience and gear. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. Bigger fish are better released as the meat gets tough. Fresh blue crab is hands-down the best bait - cut it in half and fish it right on the bottom with enough weight to stay put. Listen for their drumming sounds underwater during spawning season.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that show up in Virginia Beach waters from spring through fall, typically running 3-15 pounds with occasional larger ones. These blue-green fighters have razor-sharp teeth and hunt in schools, making them exciting targets when they're feeding. You'll find them in 20-60 feet of water around structure, baitfish schools, and temperature breaks. They hit hard and fight dirty - strong runs and head shakes that'll test your drag. Spring and fall migrations offer the best action when they're actively feeding on menhaden and anchovies. The meat's excellent if you bleed them right away and keep them cold. Pro tip: use a wire leader and don't lip them - those teeth will slice right through mono and fingers. When you see birds diving, get your lures in there fast because the bite won't last long.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking bruisers that average 30-50 pounds and fight like freight trains. These solitary hunters cruise around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 30-70 feet, though they'll come surprisingly shallow during spring migration. May through September is prime time when they're moving through Virginia Beach waters. What makes cobia special is the sight-fishing - you'll spot them cruising just under the surface and get to make that perfect cast. When hooked, they go deep and pull steady with occasional powerful runs. The meat's absolutely top-shelf - firm, white, and some of the best eating in the ocean. Bucktail jigs work great, but live eels or large soft plastics are deadly. Pro tip: when you see one cobia, look around - sometimes there's a second one nearby, and they're curious enough to follow hooked fish to the boat.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and drag system. These silver bullets typically run 10-30 pounds but can push 50-plus, with females growing much larger than males. They patrol the 40-150 foot range around structure, temperature breaks, and bait schools from late spring through fall. When kings hit, they absolutely scream line off the reel - long, blistering runs that separate the good tackle from the junk. Their razor-sharp teeth and acrobatic jumps make every hookup memorable. The meat's rich and flaky when fresh, though larger fish can be a bit strong. Best fishing happens when water temps hit 68-84 degrees and bait's active. My go-to setup is slow-trolling live bait on a wire leader with two hooks - one through the nose, one free-swinging near the tail since kings often hit from behind.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in our shallow waters, averaging 18-30 inches with those signature black spots near the tail. These copper-colored fighters cruise 1-4 foot flats, oyster bars, and grass beds where they're often tailing or showing their backs. Spring through fall offers consistent action, but fall is prime time when they school up for spawning. They'll eat almost anything - shrimp, crabs, cut bait, or artificials. What makes them special is the visual game: watching them cruise, getting a perfect cast, and seeing that eat happen. The fight's strong and bulldogging with occasional jumps. Smaller fish are excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. My local trick is targeting first light when they're pushing onto the flats to feed. Use a popping cork with live shrimp or throw topwater plugs for explosive strikes.
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