World Class Virginia Beach Fishing, Inshore or Offshore

By Robin Magrisi

The timeless cycle of the tide has appealed to Virginia Beach visitors for decades, but fishermen see beyond the scenic shoreline to the bounty of the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. These two historic bodies of water converge alongside the popular resort city, beckoning with a bevy of fish throughout the year. Modern marinas, piers and public boat ramps, easy access to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, numerous charter boats available foroffshore excursions and a series of world-class sportfishing events make Virginia Beach a great fishing destination in any season.

Tow your boat to any of Virginia Beach’s many boat ramps and put-in close to the action. The resort city’s newest facility is at Lynnhaven Inlet, just off Route 13 and just minutes from the famed Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The ramp area offers complimentary vehicle and trailer parking with each launch, public restrooms with shower facilities and a fish cleaning station.

If you’d prefer, step aboard a half- or full-day charter vessel with one of the area’s seasoned captains at the helm. Ideal for those craving a day of deep-sea fishing in groups of six or as part of a make-up charter, smaller groups also can join a party boat to meet and set out to sea with other fishermen. Anglers of all ages enjoy casting off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier on 15th street (in the heart of the resort area), the Lynnhaven Fishing Pier that stretches into the Chesapeake Bay, the Seagull Pier connected to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and the Little Island Fishing Pier in Sandbridge. If you forget your gear, tackle is available to rent at all locations. For a different experience, try fly-fishing from a sea kayak to reach prime inshore waters while enjoying beautiful and unique wildlife-viewing opportunities.

“The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is hard to beat for game fish,” says Steve Wray, charter captain and owner of Long Bay Pointe Bait & Tackle. “Its 17 miles of man-made reef attract a variety of species all year long. The charter captains also know Virginia Beach waters well – from the inlets to the reefs to the shoals - and can help anglers identify the best spots to drop a line and reel in a good catch for sport or supper.”

For more competitive anglers, Virginia Beach features a variety of tournament options. The ongoing Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament awards citations to anglers catching fish that meet established criteria, and Virginia Beach also holds several catch and release tournaments each year. Anglers eager to test new gear unwrapped from the holidays head to the biggest rockfish tournament in the country –the Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout-- in early January. With more than 750 anglers fishing from 150+ boats, the three-day event has solidified Virginia Beach’s reputation as a top fishing destination.

Summer heats up with the annual Virginia Beach Invitational in June and the Virginia Beach Tuna Tournament in July. A ladies-only charity tournament is a highlight of the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament in August, and Lynnhaven Inlet’s Annual Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Tournament is held in early October. The popular Striped Bass World Championship runs each year during November and December, inclusive of the Rock Around the Clock Pier Fishing Tournament at the Bridge-Tunnel.

Whether you choose to drop a line from the surf, pier or boat, Virginia Beach is home to a bevy of species. The city’s position just off the Gulf Stream marks the northern terminus for many subtropical species and southern terminus for numerous cold water species. Additionally, the Chesapeake Bay is North America’s largest and most productive estuary. Each season provides its own diverse selection of game fish to test anglers’ skills, equipment and patience.

Yellowfin tuna is the most sought-after and bountiful summer fish in Virginia Beach. King fish (roundhead and whiting), Spanish mackerel and small gray trout frequent the city’s coastal waters while dolphin, blue marlin, wahoo and sailfish all can be landed offshore. The Chesapeake Bay teems with black drum, red drum, croaker and cobia. Flounder and large gray trout (a.k.a. weakfish) are known to congregate around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, and coastal wrecks and reefs harbor amberjack, spadefish, triggerfish, mackerel and crevalle jacks, especially around the Chesapeake Light Tower. Large and small bluefish and sharks also are pulled from offshore waters. Many of these fish peak during summer but continue their season into autumn.

Reel in tuna, white marlin, swordfish and wahoo offshore when the weather begins to cool in the fall. King and Spanish mackerel and little tunny frequent both types of water and often can be found in the Chesapeake Bay. Flounder and spot migrate out of the Chesapeake Bay in the fall and are easily landed from piers. Light tackle aficionados find speckled trout and puppy drum in Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets. Most notably, fall opens the striped bass season in Virginia Beach, and they’re bountiful through the spring.

Come November, stripers take center stage in Virginia Beach. As much as 80% of East Coast striped bass (a.k.a. rockfish) are spawned in the Chesapeake Bay, and their resulting abundance has earned Virginia Beach the title “Striped Bass Capital of the World.” The prized gamefish are sought after for their plenitude, fighting skills and ability to grow to monstrous proportions. In fact, a new state striper record of 68 pounds, 1 ounce was set in Virginia Beach in 2006. Whether casting from the surf, pier or boat, it’s hard to put in a line without reeling one in during the season from November through February. Set your table with a school-sized fish pulled from the Bay or mount one over the fireplace landed from the mammoth-size migrating groups in the Atlantic. It’s that very confluence of oceanic and Bay waters found in Virginia Beach which supports a bountiful and steady striped bass fishery unrivaled by other fishing destinations.

Tautog begins to peak in December and can be spotted near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and around wrecks and reefs off the coast. Winter also has seen a renaissance for black sea bass which tempt offshore anglers during the cooler months, while bigeye and bluefin tuna fill anglers’ livewells from December through February.

From February to April, fill your live well with Atlantic mackerel as they migrate in schools in coastal and offshore ocean waters. Bluefish also are popular here, emerging from mid-April through July. Spring begins seasons for tautog, croaker, black drum, red drum, flounder, kingfish and trout.

“With more than 60 miles of fish-filled waters stretching seaward from the Virginia Beach shoreline, this is one of the best and most diverse fishing destinations in the world,” says Mary Norton, Virginia Beach Fishing Center assistant manager. “From trophy fish and big game to meat fish and recreational outings, Virginia Beach offers all levels of play: dangle a worm from the pier, wire-line troll the Bridge-Tunnel or put on your fighting belt and head offshore.”

A cooler full of sandwiches and drinks is great for the boat, but let Virginia Beach’s talented chefs tempt you with a memorable meal during your visit. Step ashore from your boat deck to one of the many waterfront restaurants along Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets, each featuring private docks or floating anchorage for patrons. Venture inland and tantalize your tastebuds with a variety of cuisine. Fresh-caught seafood tops the bill of fare at many local establishments and complements tasty preparations of Asian, Caribbean, Japanese, Greek, Indian, Irish, Mexican, Italian and American cuisine.

Regardless of the season, even the most dedicated anglers hang up their rods occasionally in search of other activities, if only for a distraction from the hunt. The resort city’s wide selection of indoor and outdoor amenities and activities ensures fun for the entire family of fishermen. Stay close to the water aboard a seasonal dolphin- or whale-watching boat trip, sign up for a summer surf camp, splash around at Ocean Breeze Water Park or scuba dive around a coastal shipwreck. Immerse yourself in the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, brimming with more than 700,000 gallons of aquariums, a towering 3D IMAX theater, and more than 300 interactive and educational exhibits.

Explore the great outdoors on a kayak tour, hike or bike along meandering interpretive trails, camp under the stars, and blade down the famous Virginia Beach Boardwalk. Practice your putt-putt or tee up a round of championship golf on any of the city’s nine courses boasting designs by some of the world’s leading architects including Arnold Palmer, Rees Jones, Fred Couples, George Cobb and more.

Nature enthusiasts can get in the thick of things with more than 18,600 acres of state parks and wildlife refuges offering a variety of landscapes --Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, False Cape State Park or First Landing State Park are rich with wildlife viewing opportunities at all times. Bring your binoculars, and add to your birding life list along the Seashore-to-Cypress loop of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail.

History comes alive at each of Virginia Beach’s three restored 17th and 18th-century homes, and at the site of the Cape Henry Cross, where America began, erected by the Jamestown settlers in 1607. Learn legends of the sea at the Old Coast Guard Station and the skills of a carver at the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum. Peruse the changing exhibits of the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia and explore the teachings of famed psychic and holistic pioneer Edgar Cayce at the Association for Research and Enlightenment.
And when planning a Virginia Beach fishing trip, consider adding one of the city’s exciting, annual outdoor events and festivals to the itinerary. From the Patriotic Festival and Beach Music Weekend in May, through the sizzling summer Boardwalk Art Show and East Coast Surfing Championship, to the popular American Music Festival and Neptune Festival in September, fun always fills the bill.

Located in the southeastern corner of the state where warm ocean breezes and sandy beaches mingle, Virginia Beach’s reputation as a premier, year-round fishing destination is second only to its southern hospitality and easy access. A four-hour drive southeast from Washington, D.C, the resort city welcomes anglers to explore its waters and shores any season of the year.