Virginia Beach Fishing

Virginia Beach is the known for having the longest pleasure beach in the world, but also for world class fishing. Each year the Chesapeake Bay brings huge schools of Atlantic Croaker to the inlet during the summer and a favorite target among many fishermen. The world record Atlantic Croaker, 8 pounds and 11 ounces, was caught in the bay in 2007, and there have many other horse sized croaker caught in the area. With great fishing in the Chesapeake Bay and easy access to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, Virginia Beach offers a variety of different species of fish year round.

Inshore fishing is also excellent during the winter for Striped Bass, or Rockfish as the locals call them. Fishing around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT) is a favorite spot to soak and eel or troll a mojo for these hard fighting stripers. As it gets colder, the fish move out to the ocean and many are caught along the beaches.

More frequent in recent years, large schools of Bluefin Tuna have been found off of Cape Henry in late January or early February. With many anglers fishing for rockfish with smaller gear, several have complained about being spooled by these larger fish. Other inshore and nearshore species that can be found in these waters include Bluefish, Flounder, King Mackerel, Red Drum, Spanish Mackerel, Speckled Trout, and Tautog.

Offshore fishing Virginia Beach can produce a variety of different sharks, including the tasty Mako Shark. There are also many Blue and White Marlin that move through during the summer months, along with the Mahi-mahi (Dolphifish). Out deep in the canyons, good catches of Bigeye and Yellowfin Tuna can be found. Deep dropping for Tilefish and Grouper are also a popular pastime.

Virginia Beach Fishing Prediction

Optimal fishing activity will be between 2 - 6 PM on Friday.

Target Species of Fish

Based on historical data in Virginia Beach, you should target one of the following top 6 species for this time of year:

Recommedations above based on 61 local reports and 13 species of fish for January in Virginia Beach.

View full Virginia Beach Fishing Prediction to see all species and best lures and colors to use.

Latest Virginia Beach Fishing Reports

12.27.18
1/3/2019 11:31:10 PM - Striper fishing in the bay has been very good with some very nice fish being caught! The Top Notch returned to the docks with 6 citation sized Striper! The bay season for Str

12.23.18
12/29/2018 1:43:06 AM - Yesterday the Top Notch headed up the bay to Cape Charles and it seemed Christmas came early as they returned home with 3 really nice fish! They spent their day up at Cape Ch

STRIPED BASS REPORT
12/15/2018 11:52:19 PM - Fishing has picked up quite of bit as of lately. School sized fish in the 16 to 30 inch size have been caught by bouy 38a and bouy 40. Bucktails metal jigs and casting lures h

View more Virginia Beach Fishing Reports

Top Virginia Beach Fishing Charters & Guides

AquaMan Sportfishing Charters
Offering affordable sport fishing out of Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach, VA.

Matador Sport Fishing Charters
Matador Sportfishing Charters operates year-round from Rudee Inlet in Va Beach and Hatteras, NC. We offer inshore & offshore charters aboard the 42' Ray Davis Sportfish "MATADOR"

Rudee Tours
ake advantage of some of the best Fishing on the East Coast! With several trips running daily, Virginia's finest fleet of Head Boats is sure to have a trip to exceed your and your party's needs!

View more Virginia Beach Charters & Guides

Top Virginia Beach Bait & Tackle Stores

Lynnhaven Fishing Pier
Lynnhaven Inlet Fishing Pier has been Family Owned and Operated since 1956 and is considered by long-time residents to be a local landmark. We are a completely wooden sport fishing pier located on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. At full length, the P

Long Bay Point Bait & Tackle
A great selection of live and frozen baits for fishing the lower Chesapeake Bay and Offshore of Va Beach. We also carry an excellent selection of terminal tackle and Lures for fishing these waters. If drinks and sandwiches and a cold beer is what you

Princess Anne Distributing Co
Princess Anne Distributing has been selling quality fishing tackle since 1958. Offering its customers excellent products at affordable prices. The store employs a knowledgeable staff with over 80 years of experience and fishing knowledge.

View more Virginia Beach Bait & Tackle Stores

Top Virginia Beach Marinas

Virginia Beach Fishing Center
Full service marina that offers sportfishing, headboats, cruising, parasailing, fuel, dockage and more!

Fisherman's Wharf Marina
The largest marina inside scenic Rudee Inlet. We take pride in providing excellent customer service and maintaining a top notch facility. Whether you are traveling up and down the east coast or coming to Virginia Beach for a vacation to relax; dock w

Marina Shores Marina
The Marina is located in gorgeous Virginia Beach, Virginia on Long Creek just off the Lynnhaven Inlet and optimized for transient boaters with two on-site restaurants, large saltwater pool with poolside bar, banquet facilities, book swap library, sho

View more Virginia Beach Marinas