Virginia Beach Offshore

by Captain Randy Butler

For many reasons Virginia Beach is considered one of the best places in the world to fish. With offshore towers, wrecks, nearby inlets and a short run to the Gulf Stream, there is no question that Virginia Beach has all of the right ingredients to claim its place as a premier offshore fishing destination.

Offshore fishing offers saltwater anglers a wide variety of exciting species to target that promises to satisfy even the most adventurous angler. These deep blue waters are abundant with sea life, from the lowest members of the ocean food chain, such as plankton and invertebrates that frequent the drifting sargassum weed, to spectacular blue marlin at the top of the ocean food chain.

The sea floor in the area of the 100 Fathom Curve provides the best natural structure in waters off the Virginia coast. Here the water depths drop dramatically and the Continental Shelf ends. The area is filled with extraordinary structural features, including ridges, rock walls, rock outcroppings and mounds. In a short distance, water depths plummet from 100 fathoms to over 2000 fathoms. The Norfolk and Washington Canyons are two areas where deep waters intrude westward into the Continental Shelf.

A Virginia Beach offshore adventure will afford the opportunity for big game sportfish like tuna, sailfish and marlin. No fish in the ocean can match the power, beauty and speed of the blue marlin, which can reach weights in excess of 1000 pounds and is considered the ultimate angling test.

The white marlin, a smaller cousin of the blue marlin, is the most acrobatic of the billfish and can be quite difficult to hook. Both marlin species are plentiful off the Virginia coast, and some of the best fishing for white marlin in the world occurs off Virginia in the late summer and early fall.

Three other billfish species are regularly encountered off the coast, though are not as abundant as the marlin. Sailfish and spearfish often surprise trolling anglers, and those fishing in the offshore canyons at night during the late summer might just hook a swordfish. In addition to these species, the wahoo, possibly the fastest game fish in the ocean, and the dolphin, with its beautiful blue, green and yellow coloration, are abundant off the Virginia coast, particularly around floating structures and concentrations of sargassum weed. Wahoo are most plentiful in September and early October, and tuna “show in force” in the Gulf Stream waters, with yellowfin and albacore the most abundant and sought after by local charters. Schools of albacore, blackfin and skipjack tuna are occasionally encountered in these waters as well.

Teeming with marine life, Virginia’s offshore waters that fringe the Gulf Stream are a prime location for the ocean’s top predator – the shark. Large hammerhead sharks are often seen near the surface in the ocean canyons, though they rarely attack trolled bait. Though blue sharks are the most numerous in offshore waters, the mako shark is the predator recreational fishermen prize most. Noted for its incredible speed, twisting jumps and appeal on the dinner table, the mako is usually found in the cooler waters of the spring and early summer as it follows bluefish and tuna schools on their northern migrations.

No matter which offshore species you are interested in targeting, Virginia Beach is an ideal destination. Refer to our many marinas and charter captains for more information on how to best plan your trip.