White marlin season out of Wachapreague
White marlin fishing out of Wachapreague runs July through October, according to Teaser, with boats leaving through Wachapreague Inlet. This briefing is for owner-operators and covers the season, the run, the named grounds and the rules. The season is a range of months, and it says nothing about any particular day.
For how the fish behave and what they eat, see our white marlin fishing guide.
The run from Wachapreague Inlet
The canyons are about 50 miles from Wachapreague Inlet, so work out fuel and range from that figure first. Boats fish either the lumps or the canyons, and the 50-mile distance largely decides which.
The lumps and hills
21 Mile Hill and 26 Mile Hill sit off Wachapreague, per Salt Water Sportsman. Lumpy Bottom, The Crotch and Sam’s Hill are other named grounds off the port. A white marlin was released at 26 Mile Hill in July 2009, though a named lump only tells you where to look.
Out to Washington Canyon
Washington Canyon is the named canyon destination, about 50 miles from the inlet. Tournament boats in 2009 fished from 20 fathoms (120 ft) out to the canyons, which makes the 20-fathom line the inshore edge of that range.
For the wider canyon picture, see white marlin in the Atlantic Northeast (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide).
Before the channel
Check water level at NOAA CO-OPS tide station 8631044, Wachapreague Channel, before you run the channel. The same station reports through NDBC station WAHV2 at Wachapreague, at 37.608N 75.686W.
Check the official NWS marine forecast for wind and wave height before you leave the dock.
Grounds and structure to mark
The table lists the named grounds off Wachapreague, ordered from the inlet outward, to mark as waypoints.
| Name | Depth | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wachapreague Reef | 45 ft | Named nearshore structure |
| Parramore Reef | 55 ft | Named nearshore structure |
| 21 Mile Hill | not listed | Off Wachapreague, per Salt Water Sportsman |
| 26 Mile Hill | not listed | Off Wachapreague, per Salt Water Sportsman. White marlin released, July 2009 |
| Lumpy Bottom | not listed | Named ground |
| The Crotch | not listed | Named ground |
| Sam’s Hill | not listed | Named ground |
| 20-fathom line | 20 fathoms (120 ft) | Inshore edge of 2009 tournament range |
| Washington Canyon | not listed | About 50 miles from Wachapreague Inlet |
Chart layers are not for navigation.
How white marlin are fished here
The local fishery centers on trolling and a catch-and-release tournament tradition.
Trolling
Trolling is the local method. Spread details are left to the captain.
Catch and release in the club tournament
The Eastern Shore club tournament fishes catch and release. In 2009, tournament boats fished from 20 fathoms (120 ft) out to the canyons, as laid out in the 2009 Eastern Shore tournament report.
For the broader method reference, see our billfish fishing guides.
Who fishes for them from this port
Teaser Sportfishing LLC is a local charter that lists white marlin. Private boats run their own trips from the inlet, and the club tournament fleet fished from 20 fathoms to the canyons in 2009.
FAQ: white marlin out of Wachapreague
When is white marlin season out of Wachapreague?
White marlin fishing out of Wachapreague runs July through October, per Teaser. That is a window of months and does not forecast any one day.
How far is the run to the canyons?
The canyons are about 50 miles from Wachapreague Inlet, with Washington Canyon as the named canyon. Plan fuel and range from that figure.
Where did boats fish in the 2009 tournament?
Tournament boats fished from 20 fathoms (120 ft) out to the canyons. A white marlin was released at 26 Mile Hill in July 2009.
Where do I check water level before running out?
Use NOAA CO-OPS station 8631044, Wachapreague Channel, also reported as NDBC station WAHV2.
What named grounds should I mark?
Mark Wachapreague Reef (45 ft), Parramore Reef (55 ft), 21 Mile Hill, 26 Mile Hill, Lumpy Bottom, The Crotch, Sam’s Hill and Washington Canyon. A named spot tells you where to look and nothing more.
