Swordfish fishing out of Virginia Beach is a Norfolk Canyon deep-water fishery, worked in the offseason and often fished as drifts inside a normal offshore or all-day trip. Norfolk Canyon lies about 62 miles east of Cape Henry, baits go down to about 1,200 ft, and the fleet departs Rudee Inlet. Inlet, ramp and conditions details are on the Virginia Beach port guide. This guide covers when the fish are around, where boats run, how the local fleet fishes and who runs the program.
When Swordfish Are Around Virginia Beach
Knot Tell’n gives October through April as the offseason swordfish window out of Virginia Beach. For the regional picture, see the Atlantic Northeast swordfish guide (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide). For biology and the general deep-drop approach, see the swordfish species guide.
Offseason Window
Fly’n Fish offers fall and early winter half-day sword plus wreck trips, so this fishery runs after much of the summer offshore traffic has thinned.
Night Encounters
Swordfish are encountered at night on AquaMan’s overnight trips. The fleet fishes by day with a deep drift and by night with chunking; both are covered in the methods section below.
The Run to Norfolk Canyon and the Grounds Along the Way
Norfolk Canyon lies about 62 miles east of Cape Henry, and Virginia Beach boats fish it and the adjacent deep water. Read conditions for the run from the NWS Wakefield marine forecast, looking at wind, wave height and period, and check it again before you leave the dock.
Norfolk Canyon and Adjacent Deep Water
Drifts here are part of a normal offshore trip or an all-day trip. The 1,200 ft figure is the depth the fleet fishes its baits; it describes the bait, not the canyon.
Inshore Structure on the Route
These named grounds sit between the inlet and the canyon, or near the route:
| Ground | Distance or bearing | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake Light Tower | Reference point for Triangle Reef | |
| Triangle Reef (Triangle Wrecks) | 16.5 nm on 073 degrees true from Chesapeake Light Tower | 100 ft |
| Tower Reef | Listed by VMRC among offshore sites | |
| Southeast Lumps | 19 to 28 miles off Rudee Inlet | |
| The Cigar | ||
| The Fingers |
The Cigar and The Fingers are grounds the fleet refers to by name. Triangle Reef’s wreck structure is what a half-day sword plus wreck trip pairs with, which is the logic behind Fly’n Fish’s trip type.
To the North
26 Mile Hill and 21 Mile Hill are named for their distance from Wachapreague Inlet. They are northern references and are not measured from Rudee Inlet.
Reading the 1,200 ft Contour
Finding the 1,200 ft contour along the canyon edge is a chart job. The Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint shows where that line runs relative to the canyon edge, and you can read it the night before you go. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How the Virginia Beach Fleet Fishes for Swordfish
The fleet fishes swordfish baits at about 1,200 ft by day. Each method below belongs to the operator that runs it.
Daytime Deep Drift
The Fly’n Fish deep-drop program drifts a single bait very deep, usually 1,200 ft or more, on electric reels.
Second Bait on a Float
Fly’n Fish can also add a second bait on a float at 800 to 900 ft, which makes a two-depth spread: one bait at 1,200 ft or more and one at 800 to 900 ft.
Night Chunking
AquaMan anchors or drifts while chunking at night on overnight trips. By day, a single deep bait goes down on a drift.
Who Fishes for Swordfish Out of Virginia Beach
These Virginia Beach crews list swordfish:
- Fly’n Fish Sportfishing: 54 ft Custom Jim Smith "Fly’n Fish," Capt. Jake Boltz. Fall and early winter half-day sword plus wreck trips. Deep-drop program.
- AquaMan Sportfishing overnight trips: The Flat Line and the 54 ft Game On, Coast Guard certified for up to 18. Overnight trips with night encounters.
- Payback Sport Fishing charters: 35 ft vessel described as the fleet’s fastest 35-footer. Departs Rudee Inlet.
- Playin Hookey Charters: Capt. Bill Pappas, first mate Russ Morrow.
- Knot Tell’n Charters: Capt. Scott Horton, 36 ft Albemarle Express. Gives October through April for offseason swordfish.
Anyone who wants to ride with a crew before running their own boat can book any of these Virginia Beach swordfish charters, since each already runs the program. For pairing swordfish with other offshore species, start with the billfish guides.
FAQ About Swordfish Fishing Out of Virginia Beach
When is swordfish season out of Virginia Beach?
Knot Tell’n gives October through April as the offseason swordfish window. Fly’n Fish offers half-day sword plus wreck trips in fall and early winter, and AquaMan’s overnight trips encounter swordfish at night.
How far is the run to Norfolk Canyon?
Norfolk Canyon lies about 62 miles east of Cape Henry. Rudee Inlet is south of Cape Henry, and the Virginia Beach port guide covers the inlet and the approach.
How deep do Virginia Beach boats fish for swordfish?
Fly’n Fish drifts a single bait at 1,200 ft or more. It can add a second bait on a float at 800 to 900 ft. Both baits fish on electric reels.
Can swordfish drops fit into a tuna trip?
Yes. Drifts are part of a normal offshore trip or an all-day trip, so you can work swordfish drops into a larger day offshore.
Can I learn swordfishing on a charter first?
Yes. Ride with a crew that already runs the program. Fly’n Fish runs a half-day sword plus wreck trip, and AquaMan runs overnight trips where swordfish are encountered at night. Neither promises fish.
Where do I read conditions before running offshore?
Start with the official marine forecast, read as wind, wave height and period, and use the Virginia Beach port guide for the inlet. Check the forecast again before you leave the dock.
