Half Day Inshore Norfolk VA Fishing Charter

Looking for a solid morning or afternoon on the water without breaking the bank? This half-day inshore charter out of Norfolk is exactly what you need. Whether you're rolling out of bed for our 7am departure or prefer the 1pm afternoon slot, you'll spend four quality hours targeting some of the Chesapeake Bay's most reliable fighters. From January through mid-May, we're dialed in on tautog season, but depending on what's moving and where the fish are holding, you might find yourself hooked up with flounder, mackerel, sheepshead, spadefish, cobia, or drum. At $500 for up to four anglers (plus $100 for a fifth), this trip gives families and small groups a real taste of Virginia's inshore action without the full-day commitment.

What to Expect on the Water

We keep things straightforward on these half-day runs. You'll meet us at the dock ready to fish – no need to worry about licenses since we've got you covered there. The beauty of Norfolk's inshore waters is the variety of structure and habitat we can hit in just four hours. One minute we're working around bridge pilings where sheepshead love to hide, the next we're drifting over oyster beds that hold tautog and black drum. The boat handles beautifully in these protected waters, making it perfect for kids or anyone who gets a little green around the gills in rough seas. We're not racing out to the deep blue here – this is about working smart, staying comfortable, and putting fish in the box. Morning trips often start a bit slower but heat up as the sun gets higher, while afternoon charters can be red hot right from the start, especially during cooler months when baitfish are active in the shallows.

Techniques & Tackle

We run two main game plans depending on conditions and what's biting. Bottom fishing is bread and butter for most of our targeted species – we'll anchor up on productive structure like rock piles, artificial reefs, and channel edges where tautog, drum, and sheepshead like to hang out. You'll be dropping baited rigs with enough weight to stay put in the current, feeling for that telltale tap-tap-tap of a curious fish. When conditions allow and fish are moving, we'll switch gears to trolling. This covers more water and gets aggressive species like Spanish mackerel and small cobia fired up. We provide all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you'll need – just bring yourself and maybe some snacks since meals aren't included. The gear is sized right for inshore work: strong enough to handle a surprise cobia or oversized drum, but light enough that a 10-year-old can work a fish without getting worn out. We'll show you the ropes if you're new to bottom fishing, and experienced anglers will appreciate the quality tackle and our knowledge of local hot spots.

Top Catches This Season

Tautog are the stars of the show during our January through May season, and for good reason. These chunky, hard-fighting fish live around structure and have an attitude that makes every hookup a battle. They're not the prettiest fish in the sea, but pound-for-pound, few species fight harder in shallow water. Tog typically run 2-5 pounds in our area, with the occasional bruiser pushing 8-10 pounds. They're notorious bait stealers with their strong jaws and small mouths, so don't be surprised if you feel like you're feeding crabs all morning – that's just part of the tautog game.

Spanish mackerel bring speed and aggression to the mix when they're around. These silver bullets hit trolled lures like freight trains and make screaming runs that'll test your drag. They're smaller fish – most run 1-3 pounds – but what they lack in size they make up for in pure energy. Spanish mackerel are also excellent eating, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill. They're temperature sensitive, so we typically see them best during warmer periods within our season.

Black drum are the gentle giants of our inshore waters. These copper-colored bruisers can range from schoolie-sized fish around 5 pounds to legitimate trophies pushing 40-50 pounds. They're bottom feeders that love crab and shrimp baits, and they fight with a steady, bulldogging power that'll make your arms burn. Drum have excellent table fare when they're in the slot size, and the bigger breeder fish make for great photos before release.

Sheepshead are the convicts of the sea with their distinctive black and white stripes, and they're hands-down the most finicky biters we target. They have human-like front teeth for crushing shellfish, which makes them incredibly efficient bait thieves. Landing a nice sheepshead requires patience and quick reflexes, but they're worth the effort – both for the challenge and the dinner table. Most of our sheepshead run 2-6 pounds, and they love to hang around any kind of hard structure.

Cobia are the wild cards that can turn any ordinary trip into something special. These brown sharks of the inshore world are curious, aggressive, and can show up anywhere from 10 to 50+ pounds. They're strong swimmers that love to test your tackle, and they're absolutely delicious. Cobia sightings aren't guaranteed, but when they show up, they often travel in small groups, which can lead to multiple hookups and some serious excitement on deck.

Time to Book Your Spot

This half-day Norfolk charter hits the sweet spot for most anglers – enough time to get into fish without the full-day commitment. The January through May 15 season puts you right in the heart of some of the best inshore fishing Virginia has to offer, with cooler water temperatures that keep fish active and comfortable. Whether you're introducing kids to fishing, planning a guys' morning out, or just