Best Times & Seasons to Catch Fish in Virginia Beach (Guide)
Virginia Beach is one of the most popular and best fishing spots on the eastern coastline. Knowing the best seasons and times of day to fish in Virginia Beach can make a huge difference for your fishing success.
The best time to fish in Virginia Beach is during the summer months. Many species will migrate north as the waters warm up. Start looking for the action to start getting hot in late May and early June. Luckily, the action continues throughout the summer and into early fall.
| Species | Peak Fishing Seasons in Virginia Beach |
| Striped Bass | Peak season is August through September |
| Wahoo | Best season is June through October with August being the peak time. |
| Cobia | June through September are best. |
| Tuna | July through September for bluefin tuna; big-eyed tuna peak September to October. |
| Marlin | Best months are August and September. |
| Mahi Mahi | July through September are the best months. |
| King Mackerel | June through October are the best months. |
What makes Virginia Beach such a popular fishing destination is its great mix of inshore and offshore fishing opportunities. In this article, we are going to look at the best times and species to fish for in Virginia Beach.
Click here to learn the best times to fish in Virginia in this helpful guide.
Best Time to Fish Virginia Beach
Though there are some species that hang out around the area all year round, Virginia Beach doesn’t boast of being a year-round fishing destination like some other locales we’ve looked at. The best time to fish in Virginia Beach is from late spring into early fall, with the peak times being during the summer months.
Inshore, things start to heat up in mid to late May as the shallow waters heat up faster. Offshore, though, where the bigger fish come sees most of its action from July to September.
That being said, striped bass peak in the wintertime, along with a few other species which thrive in the cooler waters. You’ll want to keep an eye on storm systems and rainstorms, too, as they will play a large role in the success or failure of your fishing trip.
Click here to learn about the best times to fish in Norfolk.
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 |
Virginia Beach Species Breakdown: Best Times
Virginia Beach is home to hundreds of amazing species, each with its unique time and peak season. In this section of the article, we are going to look at some of the most popular.
Striped Bass
Surprisingly, the waters around Virginia Beach are home to roughly 90% of the world’s striped bass population. Also known as rockfish, striped bass stay in the area all year round and are a great way to spend a winter fishing trip.
Though the population has dwindled some in recent years, they are still a staple of the Virginia Beach fishing scene.
If you do land a trophy, though, be sure to just take a picture and release it as new regulations have been implemented to help build the population back.
Wahoo
Many anglers are excited to find wahoo popular in the waters off Virginia Beach. Though you’ll need to go to the deep waters, you won’t be disappointed.
Wahoo peak from June to October, and are extra hot in August. Look for wahoo around underwater structures such as the artificial reefs and wrecks, as well as on the edge of canyon drop-offs.
Cobia
Cobia are another staple in Virginia Beach. They peak in June and stay around till the end of September. This is also when their season normally is, as they are regulated fish.
They are so popular for the fight they put up just to get them in the boat. They do like following rays around, so if you catch a ray, you’re likely to catch a cobia.
Tuna
Tuna start showing up in the deeper waters off Virginia beach between July and September. This includes bluefin, and yellowfin.
Big eye tuna are also prominent, though they peak later, in September and October. They do love to be in the deep waters of the Norfolk Canyon or around the many wrecks and reefs around the area.
Marlin
Though you’re not likely to catch a world-record blue or white marlin, they are still great to be had around Virginia Beach. Both blue and white marlin come in about the same time as the waters begin to heat up.
They peak in August and into September. To get these you’ll definitely need to head to the canyons and wrecks of the deeper waters and out to the Gulf Stream.
Mahi Mahi
Dolphin fish are on the list of any deep-sea angler, regardless of where you like to fish. Mahi mahi, though not a year-round fish, do make an appearance in the waters around Virginia Beach as the heat of summer comes in.
Mahi mahi start showing up in late May. Peak mahi mahi season in Virginia Beach is between July and September. They start to migrate south in late September and October.
King Mackerel
The wrecks and reefs are a sure place to find the mackerel. They peak in the waters here from June to October.
The seamounts are also a great place to find mackerel, especially in August and September. As the waters cool back down, they will head towards deeper, warmer waters.
Best Time of Day to Fish Virginia Beach
For many, the morning hours are the best time to fish the waters around Virginia Beach. Many species will use the tidal change between high and low tide to begin feeding as it churns up baitfish and send them into a frenzy of activity.
The is also an excellent time to fish from the shore or one of the many piers along Virginia Beach. Though you won’t see a monster marlin or tuna, there are still some amazing species to be caught in the shallower waters.
Virginia Beach Fishing and Tidal impacts
Speaking of the tides, they do play a large role in the fishing ecosystem around Virginia Beach. Water movement causes the baitfish to be more active. This, in turn, causes the sport fish to go into a feeding free for all. The greatest period of water movement is as the tides are changing.
Though they are active during high tide as well, especially in some of the shallow areas that hold little to no water during low tide, the change between the two is actually the best time to fish.
Better, still, is the one time each month when the tides are at their highest; this occurs during the full moon. If you time your trip with the full moon cycle, you are sure to have a great time.
Top VA Beach Fishing Spots: Best Times & Seasons
Chesapeake Bay
No list of Virginia Beach hot spots would be complete without mentioning the Chesapeake Bay. It’s home to over 300 species of finfish alone, including rockfish, flounder, and red drum.
The summer is the best season to fish the Chesapeake Bay, though the winter holds the annual rockfish shootout, as rockfish peak during the winter months.
Norfolk Canyon
Norfolk Canyon is a deep-water canyon roughly 70 miles into the Atlantic. Though this seems like a long journey, your time is greatly rewarded by some of the best big-species fishing in the country.
The tuna fishing here is great during the winter season while billfish can be caught during the peak summer season. What makes the Norfolk Canyon is the fact that it’s 115 fathoms deep, making it perfect for big fish.
Chic’s Beach
Chic’s beach offers some incredible surf fishing during the spring and summer months. The best time to fish Chic’s Beach is during the summer, between July and August, as this brings the most species in close to the shore. You can expect to catch drum fish, trout, and even sharks from the shore.
Rudee Inlet
This is one of the most popular shore fishing spots in the country. It’s a great spot for flounder, drum, and croaker, as well as other species.
Sent it’s a short walk from many popular hotels, it’s not uncommon to see hundreds of anglers crowded into the inlet on a given day. The peak season for the inlet is the late spring to summer months.
The Triangle Wrecks
This is a series of artificial reefs created around a 500-foot ship. Though it’s 30 miles from the shore, you are sure to find some monsters out in the deep Atlantic. The best time to fish here is during the summer months, though the nearby Gulf Stream brings several fish all year round.
Chesapeake Light Tower
Spadefish love to be around this lighthouse. Only 13 miles offshore, the Chesapeake Light Tower is right on the edge of the deep water, meaning fish will come here when feeding.
The best season is spring to summer for fishing here. The best time of day is the early morning hours as the baitfish activity is at its highest, sending the bigger fish into a feeding frenzy.
Storms & Virginia Beach Fishing
Storms can definitely play a role in making or breaking your fishing trip, depending on which species you go after. Most fish can sense the change in pressure and head to the deeper waters.
This is only furthered as the waters are clouded from the rain waters. However, some species, such as the flounder, seem to go towards the inlets and ride the storm out.
When storms are coming in, the best time to fish is the day before, as the fish also tend to go into a full-on feeding frenzy in preparation for the change in water. Just remember, be safe, and use wise judgment when storms are coming in.
Is winter Fishing bad or good in Virginia Beach?
Though the winters here can be somewhat cooler than those down south, there are still some great fishing days throughout the sinter.
One of the species you are likely to catch during the winter is the famed striped bass, or rockfish. Even in the winter, these can reach 40+ pounds. It’s not the only species, though.
Tautog are also a prominent winter species in Virginia Beach. Though charters may be few and far between during the winter, there’s still some excellent fishing to be had inshore.
Night Fishing in Virginia Beach
Nighttime fishing from one of the many piers in Virginia Beach can be a welcome change of pace to many anglers. The fish seem to like it, too, especially when the moon is full. There’s a ton of fishing pressure during the summer days, and the fish know when the pressure lets up.
When you add artificial lights, which provide enough light in the water for hunting and seeing predators, the fish love it. When you add the fact that it’s cooler at night during the summer, you might find night fishing is your new favorite time.
Shore/Surf Fishing in Virginia Beach
One of the most popular ways of fishing in Virginia Beach is from the shore. There are so many inlets and bays around the area where fish come during high tide. This brings many of the species a stone’s throw away from the shoreline.
This can also include pier fishing, which allows for a little deeper water to fish in. You’d better get there early, though, as the pots tend to fill up every morning during the peak times.
Booking Charters in Virginia Beach
Fishing charters are one of the most popular ways to enjoy the fishing to be had in Virginia Beach. Whether you’re going inshore or offshore, a fishing charter is a great way to fish without the hassle of your own boat and gear.
In this section, we are going to break down the best season for fishing charters and the length of a charter you should get, as well as what time of the day is best for a fishing charter.
Best Season to Book Charter
By any standard, the summer is the best season to book a fishing charter in Virginia Beach as this is when the fish are at their highest level of activity. The downside is the summer is also the busiest time, meaning you’ll want to book well in advance.
If you’re interested in a striped bass trip, the wintertime is a great time to go. Also, there are great charters to be had for inshore fishing during the spring and fall months as the shallow waters tend to see heavy action first.
Morning Vs. Afternoon
Deciding when to start your fishing trip is an important factor to consider. Pros to starting in the morning include the fact that fish tend to be more actively feeding in the morning hours when compared to the afternoon.
A con, however, is the number of anglers vying for fishing spots is incredibly higher in the mornings, especially when fishing from the shore.
Afternoon start times, on the other hand, are likely to have less competition on the water, but also a chance at less activity in the water. This isn’t always the case, though, as many deep-sea species tend to feed all day.
The problem with an afternoon start time for an offshore trip, though, is the travel time to the offshore spots is long, depending on the species, so an afternoon trip might not give much time on the water before dark.
Trip Length for VA Beach Charters
Virginia Beach fishing charters offer two main lengths to consider when booking, a half-day and full day. Multi-day trips aren’t as common here as they are in other locales simply because there aren’t many sites to see offshore.
Half-Day
Half-day fishing charters can be a great way to experience the amazing inshore fishing species. As many of these inshore locations are accessible with just a small boat, it means the travel time to the fishing spots is short.
If you’re looking to get on the fish quick but not spend all day fishing, a half-day trip is great for you. For deep sea trips, though, a half-day trip will only leave you wanting more.
Full-Day
Full-day trips are almost necessary if you’re wanting to land some of the larger fish around Virginia Beach simply because the distance away from shore is so long. Some of the best fishing spots are 70+ miles offshore, meaning a travel time of at least an hour or more.
When you factor in the fight time for some of the larger fish being an hour also, a full day is necessary to find, hook, and land many species.
