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Virginia Beach Summer Fishing: 6-8 Hour Adventure
- Published Date: July 17, 2025
- Fishing
- The Back Deck, Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
- $250 - $1,200 price range
- Updated Date: October 11, 2025
Summary
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Inshore Fishing Action
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!
Partly cloudy skies set the stage for an epic day of deep sea jigging!
Partly cloudy skies set the stage for an epic day of deep sea fishing in Virginia Beach!
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!
Partly cloudy skies set the stage for an epic day of deep sea jigging!
Partly cloudy skies set the stage for an epic day of deep sea fishing in Virginia Beach!
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!
Virginia Beach's Inshore Bounty Awaits
Ready to reel in some of Virginia Beach's prized inshore gamefish? Hop aboard with Nauti Dog Sportfishing for a day of non-stop action targeting cobia, black drum, sheepshead, and more. This 6 to 8-hour private charter puts you right in the thick of the summer bite, combining sight fishing, bottom fishing, and trolling to maximize your chances of hooking up. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, Captain Mike tailors the trip to your skill level, ensuring everyone has a blast on the water.
What's Biting Inshore
Virginia Beach's inshore waters come alive in the summer months, with a diverse lineup of hard-fighting fish to target. We'll be on the hunt for cobia cruising the surface, hefty black drum hanging near structure, tasty sheepshead picking around pilings, and schools of Spanish mackerel busting bait. The action can be fast and furious, with redfish and spadefish rounding out the potential catch list. Our local knowledge puts you on the fish, whether we're sight casting to cobia, dropping baits for drum, or trolling for mackerel.
Rigs, Baits, and Tactics
We'll employ a mix of techniques to put fish in the boat. For cobia, we'll use heavy spinning gear with large bucktails or live eels, sight casting to these bruisers as they swim near the surface. When targeting drum and sheepshead, we'll switch to bottom rigs baited with crab or clams, fishing near bridge pilings, reefs, and wrecks. For Spanish mackerel, expect to troll small spoons or Drone spoons behind planers. The variety keeps things interesting, and you'll pick up new skills throughout the day. We provide all the gear, from rods and reels to terminal tackle, so you can focus on the fishing.
Target Species Breakdown
Cobia: These "brown bombers" are the prize of Virginia Beach summers. Cobia can grow to over 100 pounds, and even average fish in the 30-50 pound range will test your arms and drag. They're curious fish, often swimming right up to the boat, giving us a shot at sight casting. Cobia put up a powerful fight and make excellent table fare.
Black Drum: These cousins of the redfish can reach massive sizes, with fish over 80 pounds possible. We typically target "puppy drum" in the 5-30 pound range, which offer great action on light tackle and are perfect for the dinner table. Black drum love crustaceans, so we'll use crab baits to tempt them.
Sheepshead: Don't let their goofy teeth fool you – sheepshead are clever and hard-fighting fish. They're masters at stealing bait, so hooking one takes finesse. We'll target them around structure using light tackle and small hooks baited with fiddler crabs or clams. The reward is some of the best-eating fish in the sea.
Spanish Mackerel: These speedsters arrive in big schools during the summer months. We'll troll for them, and when we find a school, the action can be non-stop. Spanish mackerel hit lures hard and make blistering runs. They're also excellent on the grill or in fish tacos.
Redfish: Also known as red drum, these copper-colored beauties are a year-round target in Virginia Beach. In the summer, we catch them mixed in with other species around structure or cruising the flats. Redfish put up a great fight on light tackle and are a favorite among anglers.
Spadefish: These distinctive-looking fish with black and white vertical stripes gather around structure in the summer months. They may look gentle, but spadefish can really pull when hooked. We'll use small hooks and pieces of clam to target them near buoys and wrecks.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
Our inshore trips offer something for everyone. Beginners love the variety and the chance to catch their first big fish, while experienced anglers appreciate the challenge of sight casting to cobia or finessing a sheepshead bite. The protected waters inside the Chesapeake Bay mean a smoother ride than offshore trips, making this a great option for families or those prone to seasickness. Plus, the diverse catch means you're almost guaranteed to have fresh fish for dinner. Many of our regulars book multiple trips each season to target different species as they peak.
A Day on the Water
We'll meet up early at the marina, usually around 6 AM to catch the morning bite. After a quick safety briefing, we'll head out to the fishing grounds. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – we might start by trolling for Spanish mackerel, then move to sight casting for cobia, and finish up bottom fishing for drum and sheepshead. Throughout the day, Captain Mike will share tips and tricks to improve your technique. We'll keep you in the action, moving spots as needed to find the fish. Don't forget to bring a camera – between the fishing action and the beautiful coastal scenery, you'll want to capture the memories.
What to Bring
While we provide all the fishing gear, there are a few things you'll want to bring along: - Sunscreen (and plenty of it) - Hat and polarized sunglasses - Weather-appropriate clothing (layers are good) - Non-slip, non-marking shoes - Food and drinks (we recommend a small cooler) - Camera or smartphone for photos - Virginia saltwater fishing license (available online)
Remember, summer days on the water can be hot, so stay hydrated and protected from the sun. We'll have some shade on the boat, but it's always good to be prepared.
Booking Your Inshore Adventure
Ready to get in on Virginia Beach's inshore action? Our summer calendar fills up fast, especially on weekends, so it's best to book early. This 6 to 8-hour trip is perfect for groups of up to 4 anglers, making it ideal for families, friends, or even a corporate outing. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler with tasty fish or just want to experience the thrill of battling a big cobia, we've got you covered. Don't miss out on some of the best inshore fishing the East Coast has to offer – book your trip with Nauti Dog Sportfishing today and get ready for a day of rod-bending action!
Learn more about the animals
Black Drum
Black Drum are hefty bottom-dwellers, usually 5-30 pounds but can top 80. Look for them around oyster beds, pilings, and inlets in 3-30 feet of water. They use their powerful jaws and teeth to crush shellfish. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they move inshore. Anglers enjoy the Black Drum's strong, steady fight and good table fare, especially smaller fish under 15 pounds. To target them, use fresh crab, clams, or shrimp on a fish-finder rig. Here's a local tip: when you feel the telltale tapping of a Drum nibbling your bait, wait until you feel weight on the line before setting the hook. They often play with the bait before fully committing. Be patient and you'll hook up more often.
Cobia
Cobia are bruisers, often 20-50 pounds with a shark-like appearance. They show up in Virginia Beach from late May through September, cruising near the surface around buoys, channel markers, and other structure. Anglers prize Cobia for their hard-fighting nature and excellent meat. Sight-fishing for them is a rush - scan the water for their dark shapes. To catch one, try live eels, croakers, or large bucktail jigs. Here's a local trick: when you spot a Cobia, don't cast directly at it. Place your bait a few feet in front and let the fish find it. Cobia can be finicky, so a more natural presentation often works best. Once hooked, be ready for a long, dogged fight. It's an experience you won't forget.
Redfish
Redfish, also called Red Drum, are bronze-colored brutes that can reach 50 pounds, though most are 5-15 pounds in the bay. Look for them in shallow flats, marsh edges, and around structure in 1-6 feet of water. They're here year-round but really active in fall. Anglers love Redfish for their powerful runs and excellent table fare. To catch them, try live bait like mullet or crabs, or artificial lures like gold spoons. Here's a tip: on calm days, cruise the flats and look for their copper-colored backs or tails breaking the surface. Once spotted, make a long cast ahead of the fish and slowly retrieve your lure. The ensuing strike and fight is something you won't soon forget.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are odd-looking fish with human-like teeth, usually 2-8 pounds. You'll find them around barnacle-covered structures like pilings, bridges, and reefs in 5-20 feet of water. They're here year-round but bite best in spring and fall. Anglers love targeting Sheepshead for the challenge - they're experts at stealing bait. Their white, flaky meat is also excellent eating. Use fiddler crabs or pieces of shrimp on a small hook. Here's a local trick: when you feel a bite, wait a second before setting the hook. Sheepshead often need to adjust the bait in their mouths. That pause lets them take it fully, improving your hook-up ratio. It takes practice, but you'll start landing more of these crafty fish.
Spadefish
Spadefish are odd-looking but fun to catch, usually 2-5 pounds with a deep, flat body. You'll find them around structure like wrecks, reefs, and pilings, often in big schools. They show up in Virginia Beach waters from late spring through early fall. Anglers enjoy sight-casting to Spadefish schools - it's a unique, visual experience. While not known as great eating, they put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. To catch them, use small hooks with pieces of clam or jellyball. Here's a tip: Spadefish are notoriously picky eaters. Try chumming with bits of clam to get them fired up. Once you see them actively feeding, cast your bait right into the school. Be ready for a quick, subtle bite and set the hook fast.
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel are fast-swimming predators that typically run 1-3 feet long and 2-6 pounds. You'll find them in schools near the surface, often around structures like reefs or wrecks. They migrate seasonally, showing up in Virginia Beach waters from late spring through fall. Anglers love targeting Spanish Mackerel for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. Their flesh is also delicious when eaten fresh. To catch them, try trolling small spoons or jigs behind the boat. A local trick is to look for diving birds - that often means Spanish Mackerel are feeding on baitfish below. These fish have sharp teeth, so using a wire leader is a good idea. When you hook one, be ready for some hard runs and jumps before you get it in the boat.
About the 24' Key West Boats
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 45
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
