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Virginia Beach Fishing Guide

Virginia

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and nearby inlets with stripers, flounder, and sheepshead.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Virginia Beach for striped bass, redfish, flounder and sheepshead. The best months overall are Mar to May, Sep to Nov. In October, striped bass, redfish and flounder are in season, and Clouser Minnow, Lefty's Deceiver and EP Baitfish are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles; the closest is Chic's Beach Fishing and Rental in Virginia Beach, 4 mi away.

Best Months

Mar to May, Sep to Nov

In October

Striped Bass, Redfish, Flounder

Methods

Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

What You'll Catch

Virginia Beach Species

Striped Bass

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Redfish

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Mar to May, Sep to Nov

Flounder

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to May, Sep to Nov

Sheepshead

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Dec to Apr

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

13 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Clouser Minnow #1/0-8

    Fly

    Streamer · Redfish, Striped Bass

    Shop This Fly

  • Lefty's Deceiver #3/0-2

    Fly

    Streamer · Striped Bass

    Shop This Fly

  • EP Baitfish #2/0-2

    Fly

    Streamer · Redfish

    Shop This Fly

  • Spoon Fly #1/0-2

    Fly

    Flats Fly · Redfish

    Shop This Fly

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Flounder, Redfish, Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Redfish, Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Bucktail Jig 1/4 to 2 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Flounder, Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Weedless Gold Spoon 1/4 to 1/2 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Popping Cork Rig 18 to 30 in leader

    Lure

    Rig · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Live Shrimp 2 to 4 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Sheepshead, Redfish

  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Flounder · Mud minnows or finger mullet.

  • Sand Fleas Small

    Bait

    Live Bait · Redfish · Surf.

  • Cut Mullet Chunk or strip

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Redfish · Surf and passes.

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Striped Bass

Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.

Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.

Redfish

Fly 9 ft 8 wt rod, floating redfish line, 16 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid with a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Flounder

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-light spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid, Carolina rig or bucktail.

Sheepshead

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod with a sensitive tip, 3000 reel, 20 lb braid, fiddler crabs on a small strong hook.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Virginia Beach

Jigs

Spro Bucktail Jigs

Durable hair jigs for stripers, fluke, and anything that eats baitfish.

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Fly Lines

RIO Redfish Fly Line

A heavy front taper for quick shots at tailing fish in warm, humid conditions.

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Reels

Penn Battle III Spinning Reel

A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.

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Rods

Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod

A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.

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Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

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Soft Plastics

Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ

A tough, stretchy paddle tail that survives toothy fish.

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Topwater

Heddon Zara Spook

The walk-the-dog topwater that works in fresh and salt.

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Terminal Tackle

Egg Sinkers and Swivels

Egg sinkers, swivels, and beads for slip-sinker and Carolina rigs.

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Virginia Beach