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8 Hour Inshore Virginia Fishing Charter
Looking for a serious day on Virginia's inshore waters? This 8-hour fishing charter with Remedy Sport Fishing puts you right in the action from July through December, targeting some of the best species our coastal waters have to offer. You'll fish productive reefs, bridges, and structure that hold everything from hard-fighting tautog to fat flounder. With room for up to four anglers (plus one more if you need it), this trip gives your crew the whole boat and a captain who knows exactly where to find fish. All licenses are covered, so you just need to show up ready to fish.
What to Expect on the Water
This full-day charter runs a minimum of 8 hours, giving you plenty of time to work different spots and techniques. Your captain will mix things up between trolling and bottom fishing, depending on what's biting and where the fish are moving. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is you're not rushed – if the bite's hot at one spot, you can stay and capitalize. If things slow down, there's time to move and find active fish. Virginia's inshore waters offer incredible variety, from shallow grass flats to deeper structure around the CBBT and coastal reefs. The season runs July through December, perfectly timed for when species like tautog, cobia, and drum are most active in our area. This is a top-rated charter option for groups who want to maximize their time on the water without the expense and travel time of offshore fishing.
Techniques & Productive Waters
You'll be fishing around some of Virginia's most productive inshore structure – think bridge pilings, artificial reefs, and natural bottom that holds baitfish and attracts predators. Trolling comes into play when targeting species like cobia and Spanish mackerel that cruise the water column. Your captain will run umbrella rigs, spoons, or bucktails to cover water and locate schools. When it's time for bottom fishing, you'll drop down to structure where tautog, sheepshead, and black drum hang out. This means using heavier tackle, chunk baits, and staying tight to cover. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel area is world-class for this type of fishing, with miles of structure that creates perfect habitat. Don't worry about gear – everything's provided, and your captain will rig you up with the right setup for each technique. The key is being flexible and letting the fish tell you what they want on any given day.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Tautog are the stars of Virginia's inshore scene from fall through winter. These chunky, powerful fish live around hard structure and fight like bulldogs once hooked. They're notorious bait stealers, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and clams. What makes tautog fishing so addictive is the technique – you need to feel the subtle pickup and set the hook before they spit the bait. Virginia's got some of the best tog fishing on the East Coast, with fish running from keeper size up to real trophy class. The meat is excellent, firm and white, making them a customer favorite for the dinner table.
Spanish mackerel show up in huge numbers during summer and early fall, providing fast action on light tackle. These silver bullets hit trolled baits with authority and make screaming runs that'll test your drag. They school heavily around bait pods, so when you find them, the action can be non-stop. Spanish macs are perfect for groups with mixed experience levels since they bite aggressively and fight hard for their size. They're also excellent table fare when kept fresh, with a mild flavor that even non-fish-eaters enjoy.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore game, with big fish pushing 40-50 pounds or more. These bottom dwellers cruise shallow flats and deeper channels, using their sensitive barbels to locate crabs and clams. When a big drum picks up your bait, you'll know it – they make powerful, sustained runs that'll have you questioning your tackle. Virginia's lower bay and seaside waters produce some monster drum, especially during their spring and fall migrations. The bigger fish are usually released, but keeper-sized drum provide excellent eating.
Sheepshead are the pickiest eaters in the bunch, but that's what makes them so rewarding to catch. These convict-striped fish hang tight to structure, using their human-like teeth to pick barnacles and crabs off pilings. They require finesse – light leaders, small hooks, and a gentle touch to detect their subtle bites. Virginia's bridge and pier structure holds good populations of sheepshead, with fish ranging from small scrappy fighters to genuine slabs. They're considered premium table fare by those who know, with firm white meat that's hard to beat.
Cobia are the wildcards of Virginia inshore fishing – when they show up, everything else takes a backseat. These brown sharks cruise shallow water during summer, often following rays and sharks while hunting. They're curious fish that'll swim right up to the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities that are rare in our waters. When hooked, cobia make powerful runs and fight dirty, trying to wrap you up or dive for structure. They're also fantastic on the table, with thick fillets that grill perfectly. Finding cobia requires covering water and keeping your eyes open – they might be anywhere from 5 to 50 feet of water.
Time to Book Your Spot
This 8-hour inshore charter offers serious value for groups wanting a full day of guided fishing without the premium prices of offshore trips. At $900 for up to four anglers (with an option to add a fifth for $150), you're getting professional guidance, all tackle and licenses, and access to the most productive inshore waters Virginia has to offer. The July through December season covers prime time for multiple species, giving you flexibility to book when it works for your schedule. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler, try new techniques, or just spend a quality day on the water with friends
Learn more about the animals
Black Drum
These bottom-dwelling bruisers are the heavyweights of the drum family, commonly hitting 10-30 pounds around Virginia waters. They love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and around bridge pilings where they crunch crabs and shellfish all day. Spring is your best shot when they school up for spawning, though we catch them all season long. What guests love about black drum is the power - once hooked, they use that broad tail and heavy body to make strong, steady runs. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with firm, white meat. Bigger fish make better photos than dinner. My advice: use fresh crab or clam bait, keep it on the bottom, and when you feel that steady weight, set the hook hard. These fish have tough mouths.
Cobia
These brown, shark-looking fish are loners that cruise structure looking for an easy meal. They average 20-40 pounds and can hit 6 feet long, making them serious tackle-testers. You'll spot them around reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-70 feet of water during our summer season. Cobia fight like bulldogs - long, powerful runs that'll make your arms burn. The meat is phenomenal, firm and mild like a really good steak. What makes them special is they're often curious enough to come check out the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities. When you see one, drop a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of them. They're not spooky but they're picky, so make that first cast count. Once hooked, hold on tight.
Sheepshead
The "convict fish" with their black and white stripes are some of the smartest fish you'll target. They have human-like teeth that they use to pick barnacles and crabs off pilings, making them notorious bait thieves. Most run 2-5 pounds around docks, bridges, and any structure with good growth on it. Early spring when they spawn is peak season, but we catch them year-round. Guests love the challenge - sheepshead require finesse and quick reflexes since they'll steal your bait in seconds. The payoff is sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Here's what works: get your bait tight to structure, use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, and the moment you feel weight, set that hook fast. Hesitate and they're gone with your bait.
Spanish Mackerel
These silver speedsters with their distinctive yellow spots are some of the most fun fish to catch on light tackle. They typically run 1-3 pounds and travel in schools near the surface, often jumping clear out of the water when hooked. You'll find them around structure during our summer and fall trips, especially when baitfish are thick. They hit fast and fight hard for their size, making long runs that'll test your drag. The meat is excellent - mild flavor that grills up perfect. Spanish mackerel are also great for kids since they bite readily and put on a show. Pro tip: when you see diving birds working baitfish, get over there quick with small spoons or jigs. Keep your retrieve fast - these fish like their meals moving.
Tautog
Also called blackfish, these chunky fighters hang around rocky structure like bridges, reefs, and jetties. They're built tough with powerful jaws that crush crabs and mussels all day. Most run 1-3 pounds, but we see some pushing 10+ pounds around the deeper structure. Fall through early winter is prime time when they're feeding heavy before cold weather hits. What makes tautog special is their fight - they don't run far but they'll try to wrap you around every rock and piling they can find. The meat is firm and sweet, perfect for the table. Here's the key: use fresh green crab for bait, crush up some shells around your spot to get them fired up, and keep that bait tight to structure. They're picky eaters so stay patient.
About the Remedy Sport Fishing
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 5
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 35
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 200
