Virginia Beach Inshore Fishing: 6-8 Hour Adventure

Published Date: July 16, 2025
Fishing

The Back Deck, Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
$250 - $1,200 price range

Summary

Ready for a full day of fishing in Virginia Beach? Join our shared 6 to 8-hour summer trip, perfect whether you're flying solo or bringing friends and family. We'll use live bait and lures to try different techniques like sight fishing, bottom fishing, and trolling with light tackle. You might hook Cobia, Drum, Sheepshead, Mackerel, Redfish, or Spadefish – there's plenty of variety out there! Our captain knows all the best spots, so you're in for a good chance at some great catches. It's not just about the fish, though. You'll get to enjoy Virginia Beach's beautiful coastline and meet other fishing fans on board. We keep the group small, so there's plenty of room to cast and reel. Whether you're a seasoned angler or trying it for the first time, this trip offers a real taste of Virginia Beach fishing. Grab your spot and let's see what's biting!

Virginia Beach Inshore Fishing: 6-8 Hour Adventure

Reels and Rods

Tackling the Back Deck with an array of techniques under partly cloudy skies.

A day of epic fishing adventures on The Back Deck!

Reeled in a feisty Cobia with some expert deep sea tactics!

Reeling in the best catch on the back deck under partly cloudy skies!

Summer Fishing Frenzy: Shared VA Beach Adventure

Get ready to soak up the sun and reel in some memories on this shared summer fishing trip off Virginia Beach! Whether you're flying solo or bringing the crew, this 6 to 8-hour adventure is the perfect way to experience the thrill of inshore fishing without breaking the bank. We'll be targeting a mixed bag of hard-fighting species using a variety of techniques, so you're in for an action-packed day on the water. Trust me, there's nothing quite like the rush of hooking into a chunky cobia or battling a bull red in the Chesapeake Bay!

What to Expect on the Water

As we push off from the dock, you'll feel the excitement building. Our seasoned captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll be putting you right on the fish. We'll start by loading up on live bait - nothing beats a frisky spot or menhaden for enticing the big boys. Then it's time to hit our honey holes! We'll mix it up between sight fishing, bottom fishing, and trolling, always keeping an eye out for bird activity or breaking fish. The beauty of a shared trip is you get to learn from your fellow anglers and swap fish stories between bites. Don't worry if you're new to fishing - our crew will show you the ropes and have you casting like a pro in no time. And hey, even if the fish aren't cooperating (which rarely happens), the views of the Virginia Beach coastline are worth the trip alone!

Techniques & Tackle Talk

On this trip, we're all about light tackle fishing. You'll be armed with spinning rods spooled with 20-30lb braid - perfect for feeling those subtle bites and putting the heat on bigger fish. For sight fishing, we'll be chunking live bait or tossing artificials like bucktails and soft plastics. When we're bottom fishing, it's all about finding structure and dropping baits right in the strike zone. And let's not forget trolling - we'll pull a spread of Clark spoons and surgical tube lures that Spanish mackerel and other pelagics just can't resist. The key is staying versatile and adapting to what the fish want on any given day. Our captain will read the conditions and put you in the best position to load the cooler. Just remember, sometimes finesse catches more fish than brute force, so listen up and you might learn a trick or two!

Top Catches This Season

Virginia Beach is a year-round fishing destination, but summer is when things really heat up. Right now, we're seeing some stellar action on cobia - these bruisers are cruising the surface and putting up epic fights. The red drum bite has been on fire too, with plenty of slot-sized fish and some over-slot bulls mixed in. Sheepshead have been stacked up on the pilings, giving anglers a chance at some tasty fillets. And don't sleep on the spadefish - these quirky-looking critters may not be the biggest, but pound-for-pound they're some of the hardest fighting fish in the bay. Of course, there's always a chance of hooking into something unexpected - that's the beauty of fishing these rich waters!

Species You'll Want to Hook

Cobia: Also known as "Man in the Brown Suit," cobia are the heavyweight champs of Chesapeake Bay. These bruisers can top 100 pounds and are known for their powerful runs and acrobatic jumps. Summer is prime time for cobia, as they migrate into the bay to spawn. Look for them cruising near the surface, often following rays or turtles. Sight-casting to a big cobia is an adrenaline rush like no other!

Red Drum: From "puppy drum" to full-grown bulls, redfish are a staple of Virginia Beach fishing. These copper-colored beauties put up a stubborn fight, especially when hooked in shallow water. We target them year-round, but summer sees big schools pushing into the bay. Nothing beats the thump of a redfish inhaling a topwater lure at dawn!

Sheepshead: Don't let their goofy teeth fool you - sheepshead are clever adversaries. These striped battlers hang around structure and have a knack for stealing bait. But hook into one, and you're in for a treat. They're experts at using current and structure to their advantage, making for a challenging and rewarding catch. Plus, they're downright delicious on the dinner table.

Spadefish: Small but mighty, spadefish are the dark horses of inshore fishing. These disc-shaped fighters school up around buoys and wrecks in the summer months. They may look docile, but hook one on light tackle, and you're in for a surprise. Their sideways fighting style and quick bursts make them a blast to catch. And when they're really fired up, you can sight-cast to entire schools - talk about non-stop action!

Spanish Mackerel: When the water warms up, Spanish mackerel invade the Virginia Beach coast. These speedsters are a blast on light tackle, known for their blistering runs and acrobatic leaps. We often target them by trolling small spoons or casting to breaking schools. The best part? They're excellent eating, whether grilled, smoked, or made into ceviche.

Black Drum: The often-overlooked cousins of red drum, black drum can grow to massive sizes in the Chesapeake Bay. While the bigger ones are better for photos than fillets, slot-sized black drum make for some fantastic table fare. We usually target them around bridge pilings and oyster beds, where they use their sensitive barbels to root out crabs and mollusks.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

There's something special about fishing these Virginia Beach waters that keeps folks coming back year after year. Maybe it's the diversity of species - where else can you target cobia, drum, and mackerel all in the same day? Or perhaps it's the thrill of never knowing what might grab your line next. For many, it's the camaraderie of a shared trip, swapping stories and high-fives with new friends as the fish hit the deck. And let's not forget the breathtaking sunrises over the Atlantic or the chance to spot dolphins playing in our wake. Whatever draws you in, I can promise you this: once you've experienced the magic of a Virginia Beach fishing trip, you'll be hooked for life.

Time to Book Your Spot

Listen, I could go on all day about the incredible fishing we've got here in Virginia Beach, but there's only one way to truly appreciate it - by getting out there yourself! This shared summer trip is the perfect way to dip your toes into the world of inshore fishing without breaking the bank. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to fill the freezer or a complete newbie just wanting to bend a rod, we've got you covered. Our experienced captain will put you on the fish, share some local knowledge, and make sure you have a blast doing it. So what are you waiting for? Spots on these shared trips fill up fast, especially during peak season. Grab your hat, slap on some sunscreen, and let's go chase some summer slobs! Book your spot now and get ready for a day of fishing you won't soon forget. Trust me, the only thing you'll regret is not doing it sooner!

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black Drum are bottom-dwelling brutes, usually 5-30 pounds but can top 90. You'll find them near structure in brackish waters - oyster beds, pier pilings, and bridge supports are prime spots. These fish make a distinctive drumming sound, which is cool to hear underwater. Spring is spawning time, when big schools gather. Black Drum put up a stubborn, powerful fight. They've got strong pharyngeal teeth perfect for crushing shellfish, so crab and shrimp are top baits. For a real challenge, try sight-fishing for them in the shallows. One local tip: if you're after bigger drum, use a larger hook and bait. The big ones have learned to suck small baits off hooks. And hey, don't overlook those smaller "puppy drum" - they're actually better eating.

Cobia

Cobia are powerhouses, often mistaken for sharks with their sleek brown bodies. They average 20-40 pounds but can top 100. You'll find them near any structure - buoys, wrecks, even manta rays. They're migratory, showing up in our waters late spring through fall. Cobia are prized for their fight and their excellent meat. They're curious fish, often coming right up to the boat. Sight-fishing for them is a blast. Live eels or big bucktail jigs are top baits. Here's a local trick: when you spot one, don't cast right at it. Drop your bait a few feet away and let the cobia's curiosity bring it in. And be ready - when they decide to eat, they hit hard and run fast. It's an epic battle you won't forget!

Redfish

Redfish, also called red drum, are copper-colored brutes with a distinctive black spot near the tail. Most "slot" fish run 18-27 inches, but they can grow over 40 inches and 50 pounds. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, often tailing in just a foot or two of water. They love structure - oyster bars, dock pilings, grass flats. Fall is prime time as they school up to spawn. Reds put up a strong, dogged fight and are excellent table fare. Sight-fishing for tailing reds in the shallows is a huge thrill. Live bait like mullet or crab works great, but they'll hit artificial lures too. Local tip: On calm days, cruise the flats and look for their copper backs or tails breaking the surface. Cast well ahead of them and slowly work your bait into their path.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are the convicts of the sea, with distinctive black and white stripes. Most run 2-5 pounds, but can top 15. You'll find them around any hard structure - pilings, rocks, reefs. They've got human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs. Spring's spawning time brings big schools together. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers, which makes them a fun challenge. They're also excellent eating. Fiddler crabs are the top bait, but shrimp works too. Here's a local tip: use a small, sharp hook and keep your line tight - when you feel the lightest tap, set the hook hard. These guys have tough mouths, so don't be shy about it. Patience is key with sheepshead, but the reward is worth it.

Spadefish

Spadefish are odd-looking critters, disc-shaped with black stripes. Most run 3-5 pounds, but can hit 10+. You'll find them around any structure in the water column, from shallow wrecks to deep offshore rigs. They school up, sometimes by the hundreds. Summer's the best time to target them. Spades are a blast on light tackle - they fight hard for their size and can be finicky biters. Anglers love the challenge of enticing a bite from a visible school. Fresh clam is the go-to bait, but they'll hit small jigs too. Here's a local trick: chum with bits of clam to keep a school interested, then float a small piece on a light wire hook. When they start hitting, it can be non-stop action!

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel are speedsters of the sea, typically weighing 2-4 pounds but capable of hitting 20+ pounds. You'll find them cruising near the surface in large schools, often around structures like reefs or wrecks. These fish are a blast to catch - they put up an acrobatic fight and make for great eating too. Late spring through fall is prime time, when they migrate to our warmer coastal waters. Look for birds diving or bait fish jumping to locate a school. A fast retrieve with small shiny lures like spoons works well. My favorite local trick is to use a light wire leader - Spanish Mackerel have razor-sharp teeth that'll slice through mono in a heartbeat. Cast just beyond the school and rip that lure back through - hold on tight when they hit!

About the 24' Key West Boats

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 45

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 300

Get ready for an action-packed day of fishing off Virginia Beach! This 6-8 hour shared trip is perfect whether you're flying solo or bringing along friends and family. We'll use live bait and lures to try different techniques like sight fishing, bottom fishing, and trolling with light tackle. You'll have a shot at landing some awesome catches - think Cobia, Drum, Sheepshead, Mackerel, Redfish and Spadefish. Our captain knows all the local hotspots and will make sure you're in prime position to hook into something big. It's a great chance to swap fishing stories and pick up new tips from other anglers on board too. Soak in the beautiful Virginia Beach scenery as you cast your line and wait for that telltale tug. Book your spot and get ready for an epic day of fishing you won't soon forget!

Sitemap