One of the reasons anglers love Rudee Inlet so much is the access to open water, as well as the ability to go chasing rockfish into the Chesapeake Bay. The options are endless, making Fisherman’s Wharf perhaps the premier fishing marina in Virginia.

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Blue Marlin

Blue Marlin are caught trolling offshore in ocean waters. Sportfishermen use whole dead fish, live fish and artificials to target them. They’re around June-October, with the peak season being June-September. The typical Blue Marlin weighs 150-400 pounds. The Virginia state record is 1093 lbs, 12 oz. and was caught off Virginia Beach in 1978 by Edward A. Givens. Our good friends and annual slip holders, “Reelin N Dealin” caught this massive 944 lb blue marlin in September of 2022. If this doesn’t make you want to book a trip with Taylor Christian and his R&D team, I don’t know what will!

Bluefin Tuna

Bluefin Tuna are caught trolling, chunking and chumming offshore in ocean waters. Sportfishermen target this species with artificial lures, squid or small fish. They’re found off the coast of Virginia June-September and the peak season is June-August. The average Bluefin Tuna is 30-70 pounds. The Virginia state record is 573 lbs and was set in 2007 by Frederick “Bo” Haycox.

Cobia

Cobia make their way to Chesapeake Bay in the early summer. If you’re targeting Cobia, many anglers recommend fishing structures such as a buoys or shipwrecks. Common baits include live/dead eels, spot, menhaden and mullet, but some anglers choose to target them with artificial lures such as large spoons, white buck tails, plastic eels and swimming plugs. The average weight for a Cobia is 20-50 pounds. The Virginia state record is 109 lbs, 8 oz, and was set in 2006 by Joseph F. Berberich.

Dolphin

Dolphin or “Mahi-Mahi” are found off the shores of Virginia May-October. Sportfishermen troll ocean waters using artificial lures, balao, squid and cut bait to catch this species. If you’re able to come up on a school of mahi, it is a lot of fun to cast into the schools with lures. The average mahi weighs anywhere from 2-20 pounds. The Virginia state record is 71lbs, 8 oz. and was set in 1991 by Don Dorey.

Flounder

Flounder are usually found in Virginia from March-November and can be caught in a variety of ways. Many anglers use live or dead bait such as minnows, finger mullet, shrimp, etc. If using bait, anglers fish on the bottom. Those that choose to use artificials tend to troll or reel slowly bumping the lure on the bottom. The typical flounder caught in Virginia ranges from 1-3 pounds. The state record is 17 lbs, 8 oz. and was caught in 1973 by Betty Hall.

Red Drum

Red Drum are present in Virginia March-November and are at their peak during May/June and again in the fall. Targeting large or “bull” Red Drum around the shoals is a very common practice for anglers during the early summer. On the flip side, some anglers prefer to target smaller Red Drum inshore along banks, oyster beds and structures such as docks. Smaller Red Drum can be caught with live or dead minnows and shrimp, the bull reds prefer crabs or larger baitfish such as mullet/menhaden. In the event you’d like to triple up on bull reds with your friends/family, book a trip with our good friends and annual slip holders at “Knot Tell’n!

Sea Bass

Black Sea Bass are typically caught bottomfishing, particularly around structure such as wrecks, reefs, rocks and rough bottom areas. Anglers use a variety of live and dead bait including squid, crab, fish, clam, and shrimp. The average weight for a Black Sea Bass is 1-3 pounds. The Virginia state record is 10 lbs, 4 oz. and was set in 2000 by Al Paschall.

Speckled Trout

Speckled Trout are often found near the shore, particularly at mouths of creeks and by oyster beds. Anglers use artificials such as topwater plugs and plastic grubs/shrimp or live bait, primarily shrimp or small baitfish. The average weight for a Speckled Trout is 2-4 pounds. The Virginia state record is 16lbs and was set in 1977 by William Katko.

Striped Bass

Striped Bass or “Rockfish” are around year-round in Virginia waters, but the season is November/December for the large fish and May/June and September/October for the large schools. Many anglers prefer to target this species with artificial lures (spoons, plastics, bucktails, topwater plugs, etc.) while others prefer to target them with live bait. The average weight for a Striped Bass ranges from 5-24 pounds. The Virginia state record is 73 lbs and was set in 2008 by Frederick Barnes.

Tautog

Tautog or “Blackfish” are a commonly targeted species for bottomfishing in the waters of Virginia. Anglers look for structure like wrecks, reefs and rocks to find Tautog. As they feed off the bottom, the ideal baits for this species are crabs (blue, fiddler, green, etc.) and clams. While this species is found in Virginia waters year-round, the peak seasons are March-June and October-December. The average weight is 3-6 pounds and the state record is 24 lbs and was set in 1987 by Gregory R. Bell. 

Wahoo

Wahoo are caught trolling offshore in ocean waters. Sportfishermen use artificial lures and/or small dead fish to target them. They’re around June-October and the typical Wahoo weighs 20-40 pounds. The Virginia state record is 109 lbs and was set in 1994 by Delmo Dawson. 

White Marlin

White Marlin are caught trolling offshore in ocean waters. Occasionally can be caught casting live baits to marlin “balling” bait or swimming on surface. Sportfishermen use whole dead fish, live fish or artificials to target them while trolling. They’re around June-October, with the peak season being August/September. The typical White Marlin weighs far less than a Blue Marlin, between 40-60 pounds. The Virginia state record is 131 lbs, 10 oz. and was caught off Virginia Beach in 1978 by Rudolph D. Van’t Riet.

Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin Tuna are caught trolling, chunking and chumming offshore in ocean waters. Sportfishermen target this species with whole dead fish (balao), squid and artificial lures. They’re found off the coast of Virginia May-October and the peak season is June-September. The average Bluefin Tuna is 30-70 pounds. The Virginia state record is 203 lbs, 12 oz. and was set in 1981 by Bruce Gottwald, Jr..