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Outdoors

There’s Always a Good Time to Go Fishing in Virginia Beach

A family walks on a sandy path toward a beach, carrying fishing rods and a cooler. A sign with safety rules is visible in the background.

Wether you are fishing for flounder in Rudee Inlet or going for big game out in the Atlantic Ocean or Chesapeake Bay, there is always a bite in Virginia Beach. Put your angling abilities to the test and check out what Virginia Beach has to offer below in our seasonal guide to saltwater game.

Two people on a boat are fishing with rods in a coastal area. One person assists the other as they reel in the line, with buildings visible in the background.
Two people on a boat are fishing with rods in a coastal area. One person assists the other as they reel in the line, with buildings visible in the background.

Amberjack

Location

Atlantic ocean waters over and around wrecks & underwater obstructions; Chesapeake Light Tower

Season

June – October

Black Sea Bass

Location

Atlantic ocean waters and within the lower Chesapeake Bay

Season

April – December

Bluefish

Location

Offshore and coastal waters; Chesapeake Bay; Eastern shore barrier island surf

Season

Middle April – July; October – December

Blueline Tilefish

Location

Offshore ocean waters

Season

January – December

Cobia

Location

Lower Chesapeake Bay, along coastal beaches; Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel; Chesapeake Light Tower

Season

May – September

Croaker

Location

Chesapeake Bay, tributary rivers of the Bay, coastal ocean waters, inlets

Season

March – November

Dolphin

Location

Found in offshore ocean waters

Season

May – Oct but

Peak Season: July – Sept.

Drum,  Black

Location

Chesapeake Bay; 2nd & 3rd islands of Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

Season

May – September

Drum, Red

Location

Found in the Chesapeake Bay

Season

March.- Nov

Peak Season

May – June, Aug. – Oct

Flounder

Location

Found in the Chesapeake Bay and Rudee Inlet

Season

March – Nov

Peak Season

April – Oct.

Kingfish

Location

Surf zone of coastal waters from Sandbridge to Assateague Island; ocean piers; lower portion of the Chesapeake Bay, including bay piers

Season

May – October

Mackerel, Atlantic

Location

Coastal and offshore ocean waters, from 5-35 miles offshore

Season

Mid-February – Mid-April

Mackerel, King

Location

Coastal and offshore ocean waters, particularly around wrecks and other “structures”; mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and off ocean inlets

Season

June – October

Mackerel, Spanish

Location

Coastal Ocean Waters, particularly off inlets, along tidelines, and over coastal wrecks; lower Chesapeake Bay

Season

June – October

Marlin, Blue

Location

Offshore ocean waters

Season

June – October

Marlin, White

Location

Offshore ocean waters

Season

June – October

Sailfish

Location

Offshore ocean waters

Season

June – October

Sharks

Location

Offshore and coastal ocean waters, particularly around and over obstructions; Easter spree seaside coastal waters and inlets

Season

June – October

Sheepshead

Location

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel; wrecks in nearshore coastal waters and lower Chesapeake Bay

Season

May – October

Spadefish

Location

Coastal ocean waters and the lower Chesapeake Bay; Fish consistently found the Cell, Plantation Light, York Spit Light, Tiger wreck, 4A-buoy, Chesapeake Light Tower, and Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

Season

May – September

Spot

Location

Chesapeake Bay and Bay tributary rivers, coastal ocean waters, inlets – all inshore coastal waters

Season

June – October

Striped Bass (Rockfish)

Location

Found in all coastal inshore and Chesapeake Bay waters

Season

Jan. – Dec.

Peak Season

May – June & Sept. – Jan.

Swordfish

Location

Offshore ocean waters

Season

April – October

Tautog

Location

Wrecks and reefs in ocean waters off the coast and in lower Chesapeake Bay; along Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

Season

January – December

Trout, Speckled

Location

Spring: Rudee Inlet with Lures Fall: Lynnhaven Inlet, Rudee Inlet

Season

April – Mid December

Tuna, Bigeye

Location

Offshore ocean waters

Season

June – October

Peak Season

Late June – July

Tuna, Bluefin

Location

Offshore ocean waters, especially the Southeast Lumps, the fingers, 26 Mile Hill, 20 Fathom Finger, off Chicoteague

Season

June – September

Tuna, Yellowfin

Location

Found in offshore ocean waters

Season

May – Nov.

Peak Season

June – Oct.

Tunny, Little

Location

Offshore and coastal ocean waters; Occasionally in lower Chesapeake Bay

Season

May – November

Wahoo

Location

Offshore ocean waters

Season

June – October

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