What Species Can I Catch In Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach is a fantastic destination for fishing enthusiasts looking to catch a variety of species. Located in the seven cities area in southeast Virginia, this beautiful beach town offers a plethora of fishing opportunities throughout the year. Whether you're looking to catch inshore or offshore species, Virginia Beach has something for everyone. In this post, we'll discuss some of the most popular species to catch in Virginia Beach, including when and where to catch them. We'll also share some tips on how to catch them.

Inshore Species

Redfish

Redfish are a popular species to catch in Virginia Beach. They can be found in the inshore waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries from May to November. The best time to catch them is during the summer months. Redfish are typically caught using live bait, such as mullet or shrimp, or by casting lures. The best places to catch them are around oyster beds, marshes, and channels.

Striped Bass

Striped Bass, also known as rockfish, are another popular inshore species to catch in Virginia Beach. They can be found in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries from May to December. The best time to catch them is during the fall months. Striped Bass can be caught using live bait or by casting lures. The best places to catch them are around structures such as jetties, bridges, and piers.

Bluefish

Bluefish are a common inshore species that can be caught year-round in Virginia Beach. They can be caught using live bait, such as menhaden or mullet, or by casting lures. The best places to catch them are around structures such as jetties, bridges, and piers.

Flounder

Flounder are another popular inshore species to catch in Virginia Beach. They can be caught from April to October using live bait, such as minnows or squid, or by casting lures. The best places to catch them are around the ocean inlet, inlets, and channels.

Speckled Trout

Speckled Trout are a sought-after inshore species that can be caught from May to December. They can be caught using live bait, such as shrimp or minnows, or by casting lures. The best places to catch them are around marshes, oyster beds, and channels.

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel are a popular inshore species that can be caught from May to October. They can be caught using live bait, such as small fish or shrimp, or by casting lures. The best places to catch them are around structures such as jetties, bridges, and piers.

Tautog

Tautog, also known as blackfish, are a challenging inshore species to catch in Virginia Beach. They can be caught from October to May using crabs or clams as bait. The best places to catch them are around structures such as wrecks, jetties, and piers.

Offshore Species

Cobia

Cobia are a popular offshore species to catch in Virginia Beach. They can be caught from May to October using live bait, such as eels or crabs, or by casting lures. The best places to catch them are around buoys, wrecks, and structure.

Mahi Mahi

Mahi Mahi, also known as dolphin fish, are a prized offshore species that can be caught from May to September. They can be caught using live bait, such as squid or ballyhoo, or by casting lures. The best places to catch them are around floating debris or weed lines.

King Mackerel

King Mackerel are a popular offshore species to catch in Virginia Beach. They can be caught from May to November using live bait, such as sardines or mullet, or by trolling lures. The best places to catch them are around wrecks, artificial reefs, and offshore structures.

Marlin

Marlin are a challenging and exciting offshore species to catch in Virginia Beach. They can be caught from June to September using live bait, such as ballyhoo or squid, or by trolling lures. The best places to catch them are in the deep offshore waters around the Gulf Stream.

Seabass

Seabass, also known as black sea bass, are a popular offshore species to catch in Virginia Beach. They can be caught year-round using live bait, such as squid or crabs, or by casting jigs. The best places to catch them are around offshore structures such as wrecks, reefs, and rocks.

Spadefish

Spadefish are a unique and challenging offshore species to catch in Virginia Beach. They can be caught from June to September using live bait, such as clams or crabs, or by casting lures. The best places to catch them are around offshore structures such as buoys, wrecks, and reefs.

Tilefish

Tilefish are a prized offshore species that can be caught from May to October. They can be caught using live bait, such as squid or cut fish, or by dropping deep-dropping rigs. The best places to catch them are in deep offshore waters around the canyons and offshore structures.

Tuna

Tuna, such as bluefin, yellowfin, and blackfin, are a highly prized offshore species to catch in Virginia Beach. They can be caught from May to November using live bait, such as squid or mackerel, or by trolling lures. The best places to catch them are in the deep offshore waters around the canyons and offshore structures.

Wahoo

Wahoo are a fast and exciting offshore species to catch in Virginia Beach. They can be caught from May to October using live bait, such as ballyhoo or mackerel, or by trolling lures. The best places to catch them are in the deep offshore waters around the canyons and offshore structures.

In conclusion, Virginia Beach offers a wide variety of species for both inshore and offshore fishing enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a challenging catch or a prized trophy fish, Virginia Beach has it all. Before heading out to fish, make sure to either check local regulations and licensing requirements or confirm applicable rules and regulations with one our Virginia Beach charter guides. Happy fishing!