Can I Fish On Va Beach Surf After Dark?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Locals are already aware that Virginia Beach is considered the Striper fishing capital of the world. But that isn’t all. We have a bay and an ocean full of other fish that are just as temperamental as the striper and

can provide year-round fishing opportunities for anyone itching to angle

.

When can you fish in Virginia Beach?

The best time to fish in Virginia Beach is

during the summer months

. Many species will migrate north as the waters warm up. Start looking for the action to start getting hot in late May and early June. Luckily, the action continues throughout the summer and into early fall.

Can you catch fish in the surf at night?


Surf fishing during nighttime can be more successful than during daylight hours

. Many fish have night-feeding habits. Besides avoiding the hot sun, there are more reasons why it’s better to surf fish at night.

How far should you cast When surf fishing?

When surf fishing, the best action is further out. You’ll often need to cast

60-100 yards

when fishing from the beach. This is because you typically want to cast beyond the breaking waves, where hungry fish often congregate and feed.

Is surf fishing better on incoming or outgoing tide?

Fishing the

incoming tide through high tide is a good idea

because, at low tide (especially during the summertime), sand crabs and other bait-critters might be out of reach from fish as they’re burrowed under dry sand above the water-line. This might cause fish to stop feeding and wait for high tide.

When can you surf in Virginia Beach?


Fall tends to be the best season for surfing

. Tourists are gone and, so long as late-season hurricanes stay away, the water is warm and the Virginia Beach surf offers solid swells. We also recommend you try Paddleboarding!

Do you need a license to surf fish in Virginia?

Recreational Saltwater Fishing License Fees *** Tidal Boat Sport Fishing, Nonresident $201.00 **** Individual Lifetime SW (Under 45), Resident $276.00

Can you fish without a license in Virginia?


Virginia residents age 16 and older are required to obtain a fishing license before fishing on the inland waters of this state

.

Is night surf fishing good?


Surf fishing at night is a great way to up your game and catch more fish

. It is often much more productive than fishing in the same areas during the day, and much predatory fish found in the surf feed and are most active during the nighttime hours.

Is saltwater fishing better at night?


Clear and calm nights are better for night time fishing compared to windy rough seas

. This is predominantly because fish are able to feed closer shore when the seas are rougher, so there’s a less of a need to do so in twilight hours as well.

How do you fish on the beach at night?

If you plan to fish from the shore in estuaries, creeks or freshwater lakes at night

approach the area with finesse

. Pull up well back from the water in your car or 4WD and don’t go stomping down too close to water as you will spook the fish that feed right in close in the shallows at night.

What fish are biting in Virginia Beach now?

The Virginia Beach Fishing Pier is reporting small spot,

roundhead and an occasional ribbon fish or spanish mackerel

. Offshore trollers are finding yellowfin tuna, mahi, marlin and swordfish. Deep droppers are catching tilefish. Inshore ocean wrecks are holding seabass and flounder.

Is fishing good at Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach is a haven for anglers.

In fact,

it provides the best saltwater fishing of all the mid-Atlantic fishing spots

. Anglers can choose to fish in the Chesapeake Bay, around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Complex, in tidal creeks and rivers, over shallow flats, or in deep channels.

Is Virginia Beach good for fishing?

With our location abutting both the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean,

Virginia Beach fishing offers abundant returns year-round

.

Can I surf fish with a 7 foot rod?

The best rod to surf fish with is the one you have. While you might not be able to throw as heavy of a lure or throw your bait as far,

a 6 to 7 foot rod can catch fish from the surf

.

How do you catch big fish in surf fishing?

What is the best bait for surf fishing?


Sand Fleas

are by far the best bait for surf fishing. You have heard the phrase, “Match the hatch” well, sand fleas are the most common food for fish in the surf. Other things that make good bait are live shrimp, fiddler crabs, and fresh peeled shrimp.

What is the best time to go fishing?

  • One hour before and one hour after high tides, and one hour before and one hour after low tides. …
  • During the “morning rise” (after sunup for a spell) and the “evening rise” (just before sundown and the hour or so after).
  • During the rise and set of the Moon.
  • When the barometer is steady or on the rise.

What tides are best for surfing?

In general, the best tide for surfing is anywhere from

an hour after low tide to an hour before high

. This gives you 4 hours, plenty of time for most surfers. This is because rip currents going out to sea are much more likely on an outgoing tide, so surfing after low on an incoming tide is best.

How do you read surf fishing beaches?

Is surfing good in Virginia Beach?

Surfing in Virginia Beach is the foundation of the resort city. In fact

it is the home to the longest-running surf contest in the world

. The East Coast Surfing Championships held in August every year. Sure they have bigger waves in Hawaii, but you’ll have just as much fun here and we’re a LOT closer!

Is surfing good at Virginia Beach?

In the century that has followed since James’s first ride, Virginia Beach has become the home of the esteemed East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC), the longest continuously-running surf contest in the world, and produced a host of well-known wave riders.

Can you surf anywhere in VA Beach?

The rock jetty traps sand and forms what is usually the best, or only, setup in town.

Everywhere else can be a lake and the jetty will usually muster a surfable wave

. Make one mistake on a crowded day, and the scrutinizing locals will make you wish you’d never paddled out.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.