Does Virginia Beach Have Good Fishing? (A Complete Guide)
Virginia Beach is one of the most popular fishing locations on the east coast. Many anglers want to know how Virginia Beach compares to other eastern fishing destinations.
Virginia Beach offers great fishing for black seabass, bluefish, cobia, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, Spanish mackerel, tuna, redfish, and spadefish. It is one of the best fisheries on the east coast.
Virginia Beach provides anglers with easy access to numerous fishing spots including the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. This guide will break down how good fishing can be near Virginia Beach.
Click here to learn the top seasons to fish in Virginia in this helpful guide.
Virginia Beach: Is Fishing Good?
Mahi-Mahi
Mahi-mahi is one of the top targeted species in Virginia Beach. It’s possible to fish for mahi-mahi in the region throughout the year. A high season to target mahi-mahi in the area starts in the late spring and ends in the early fall. The best months to catch mahi-mahi in Virginia Beach are July – September.
On the other hand, mahi-mahi fishing is not very productive between January and April and between November and December. It would be better to go more than 40 miles out if you are interested in catching mahi-mahi during your Virginia Beach fishing adventures.
Cobia
Cobia fishing is excellent in Virginia Beach. Anglers often catch big-sized cobia during their fishing trips. The best time of the year to fish for cobia in the region is between June and September. Cobia doesn’t bite in the region between January and May and between October and December.
Anglers should go further and fish on the wrecks to catch cobia during their Virginia Beach fishing trips. Oftentimes, fishermen catch cobia from fishing piers such as Virginia Beach Fishing Pier and Sandbridge Pier. Cobia can be found near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
King Mackerel
King mackerel is also one of the main targets in Virginia Beach. A peak king mackerel fishing season in Virginia Beach starts in April and ends in November.
King mackerel is inactive during the cold months. So, anglers shouldn’t target king mackerel between December and March.
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish mackerel fishing in Virginia Beach is also very productive. The season to fish for Spanish mackerel starts in June and ends in October. The best months to target Spanish mackerel in the waters of Virginia Beach are July – September.
Spanish mackerel don’t bite well in the area between January and May and between November and December.
It’s recommended to fish for Spanish mackerel in the lower parts of the Chesapeake Bay. Also, it makes a lot of sense to target Spanish mackerel in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Cape Henry is a good place to target Spanish mackerel in the region. Fishing piers are an ideal place to fish for Spanish mackerel in the area.
Redfish
Anglers can also target redfish during their trips to Virginia Beach. Redfish fishing in Virginia Beach is possible all year-round. A peak redfish fishing season in the region starts in April and ends in October. The best months to fish for redfish in the area are May – June and August – October.
However, redfish may not bite well between January and March and between November and December.
There are many spots where anglers can go fishing for redfish in Virginia. These include the Lesner Bridge areas in Lynnhaven, Mobjack Bay, Rudee Inlet, the Poquoson River, Piankatank River, and Gwynn Island.
Amberjack
When fishing in Virginia Beach, anglers have a chance to catch amberjack. June is the best time of the year to target amberjack in the region.
Amberjack fishing in Virginia Beach is not successful between January and April and between October and December. Amberjack can be found near Chesapeake Light Tower.
Bluefish
Bluefish fishing is very successful in Virginia Beach as well. The season to catch bluefish in Virginia Beach begins in the late spring and comes to an end in the late fall. Bluefish is the most active in the area between June and October.
Bluefish fishing is not good in the region between January and April and in December. It’s a great idea to target bluefish near the Triangle Wrecks and around Chesapeake Light Tower.
Marlin
Virginia Beach is a good place to experience marlin fishing. It’s possible to fish for blue marlin and white marlin in the area.
August is the best time of the year to fish for marlin in the region. A season to target marlin in Virginia Beach begins in June and ends in October.
Fishermen, who want to target marlin during their Virginia Beach fishing trips, usually choose to visit Norfolk Canyon.
Tuna
Virginia Beach offers good tuna fishing. It’s possible to target bigeye tuna, bluefin tuna, and yellowfin tuna during fishing trips.
The best time of the year to fish for tuna in Virginia Beach is between June and December. Tuna is inactive in the waters of Virginia Beach between January and May. Norfolk Canyon is one of the best fishing spots where anglers can target tuna in the region.
Spadefish
Spadefish can be caught in the waters near Virginia Beach as well. Virginia Beach spadefish fishing season starts in May and ends in October. Fishing for spadefish is the most productive between July and August.
Fishing for spadefish is not productive between January and April and between November and December. It’s recommended to target spadefish near Chesapeake Bay Bridge. It also makes sense to fish for spadefish around Chesapeake Light Tower.
Click here to learn about the cost to book a Virginia Beach fishing charter.
Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in Virginia Beach
These Virginia Beach-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a great service. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| E-Fishinsea Sport Fishing Charters | Virginia Beach, VA |
| Sea Teaser Sportfishing | Virginia Beach, VA |
| Four Reel Charters | Virginia Beach, VA |
| Reel Release Sport Fishing | Virginia Beach, VA |
| Marcia B Sportfishing | Virginia Beach, VA |
| AquaMan Sportfishing – Game On | Virginia Beach, VA |
| Knot Wish’n Custom Charters | Virginia Beach, VA |
| Anchor Up Fishing | Virginia Beach, VA |
| Southern Belle Sportfishing | Virginia Beach, VA |
| Knot Tell’n Charters | Virginia Beach, VA |
| First Landing Charters | Virginia Beach, VA |
| Top Notch Charters | Virginia Beach, VA |
| Prowler Fishing Charter | Norfolk, VA |
Does Virginia Beach Offer Good Fishing?
Inshore
Those anglers, who want to experience inshore fishing, should visit the Chesapeake Bay near Virginia Beach. The bay gives anglers an opportunity to fish in the calm waters. The mouth of the Chesapeake Bay is known as one of the largest inshore fisheries in the country.
Also, anglers can experience fishing in inshore rivers. Short trips provide anglers with enough time to experience fishing in inshore waters. When fishing in inshore waters anglers can fish for such species as cobia, croaker, flounder, red drum, sheepshead, striped bass, spot, spadefish, and sharks.
Nearshore
Many Virginia Beach charters also offer nearshore fishing trips. There are good fishing spots between the Bay Bridge-Tunnel and the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. It also makes a lot of sense to fish near the Chesapeake Light Tower and the Rudee Inlet.
Among the species that anglers can target in nearshore waters are black sea bass, cobia, flounder, sheepshead, spadefish, triggerfish, tautog, sharks, and others.
Offshore
Offshore fishing is excellent in Virginia Beach. The further anglers go fishing in the area – the better results they can achieve during their trips. It’s also important to note that anglers have a better chance of catching trophy fish during offshore trips.
Anglers prefer to book long trips and travel more than 40 miles out to experience offshore fishing in the region. Offshore canyons create amazing fishing opportunities. During offshore fishing trips, anglers catch amberjack, cobia, groupers, mahi-mahi, marlin, tilefish, tuna as well as wahoo.
Hot Fishing Spots in Virginia Beach
As we have already said, there are many great fishing spots in Virginia Beach. There are several fishing areas near the town. The town has something to offer to every angler. While fishing in the region, anglers can visit shore fishing spots, kayak fishing spots, and boat fishing spots.
The best shore fishing spots in Virginia Beach include Rudee Inlet and Chic’s Beach as well as fishing piers such as Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, Sandbridge Pier, Gloucester Point Park Fishing Pier, Yorktown Fishing Pier, James River Fishing Pier, Ocean View Fishing Pier, Westmoreland State Park Fishing Pier, Sandbridge Fishing Pier, James T. Wilson Pier and so on.
There are also many places where anglers can enjoy kayak fishing in the region. The top kayak fishing in Virginia Beach includes Lynnhaven Bay, Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
And of course, anglers can visit many good boat fishing spots during their Virginia Beach fishing trips. These include Chesapeake Light Tower, the Triangle Wrecks, and Norfolk Canyon.
Virginia Beach Fishing vs. Rest of US East Coast
Virginia Beach makes a difference as a unique fishing destination on the East Coast. It’s a place where people can enjoy fishing and vacationing. The destination impresses anglers with a wide variety of fishing spots.
Obviously, the town offers a lot of good options for anglers. Here, it’s possible to fish in the bay, inshore rivers, or experience offshore fishing in the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Virginia Beach is known for its underwater canyons where anglers can target many fish species. There are also many fishing piers in the region. All of this makes Virginia Beach one of the best fishing destinations on the East Coast.
Best Season & Times to Fish Virginia Beach
Many fish species get active in Virginia Beach in summer. The water warms up and the activity of fish increases.
A peak fishing season in the region starts between the late spring and early summer and ends in the early fall. So, the vast majority of fish species are active in Virginia Beach between May and September.
Anglers also have to select the best time of a day to go fishing in Virginia Beach. It’s possible to fish in Virginia Beach in the early morning, afternoon, evening, and night. Angler’s choice depends a lot on such factors as the time of the year, targeted fish species, and weather conditions.
When getting ready for a Virginia Beach fishing trip, anglers should always study the bite times of their favorite fish species carefully. They should go fishing when their targeted fish species are the most active.
If you visit the region in summer, go fishing either in the early morning or in the evening. By doing so, you’ll manage to avoid the summer heat. It would be better to go fishing in the afternoon during colder months. The water heats up and the activity of fish increases during the afternoon hours.
Is Nightfishing Good in Virginia Beach?
Night fishing is incredibly popular in Virginia Beach. Booking a fishing trip for nighttime is a great way to avoid the heat during the hot summer months. During night fishing trips in Virginia Beach, anglers can target such species as sharks and red drum.
Red drum is one of the main targets in Virginia Beach. It’s worth noting that the red drum feeds actively at night. Night fishing trips give anglers a chance to fight a big red drum. Red drum begin to migrate to Virginia Beach at the end of April. A red drum fishing season in Virginia Beach comes to an end in the early fall. If you would like to target red drum in Virginia Beach at night, then plan fishing adventures for May – June.
Anglers can also consider booking a nighttime shark fishing charter trip in Virginia Beach. It’s possible to target various shark species in the area. So, anglers can catch sandbar sharks, bull sharks, sand tiger sharks, smooth dogfish, and spiny dogfish during night fishing trips in Virginia Beach.
Is Beach Fishing Good in Virginia Beach?
Beach fishing is very good in Virginia Beach. There are piers on beaches in the area. The piers attract anglers of all ages and skill levels.
Fishermen can try different fishing techniques on a pier. Pier fishing allows anglers to use such techniques as bottom fishing, casting, live-bait fishing, jigging, and others. Pier fishing season in Virginia Beach starts in the early spring and comes to an end in the fall. Beach fishing is very productive in Virginia Beach. When fishing from piers on beaches, anglers can target a wide range of fish species.
Virginia Beach & Fishing Charters
– Is it a good idea?
It goes without saying that it makes a lot of sense to book a fishing charter in Virginia Beach. There are many places where anglers can experience fishing in the region. It’s also important to note that Virginia Beach fishing trips are very productive. A lot of fishing charters are available in the region. That’s why anglers find it easy to book a trip that meets their preferences and budget.
– Is it a good place for charters?
Virginia Beach is a good place for charters. The fishing town has something to offer for every angler. Fishing trips for beginners, families, and professional anglers are available in the region. Anglers can consider short and long fishing trips. Here, fishermen can book a trip that lasts a few hours as well as a trip that lasts more than 10 hours.
