Bigeye tuna fishing out of Virginia Beach comes down to a long run east to Norfolk Canyon and a short window that peaks in September. This guide covers the timing, the distances, the depth, the local spread and who fishes these grounds. Use it to decide where to look, not to expect fish.
When bigeye are off Virginia Beach
Boats chasing bigeye leave from Rudee Inlet, the jetty-protected channel at the south end of the Virginia Beach oceanfront. The life history of bigeye tuna is covered on its own page, so this guide sticks to this port.
| Window | What to know |
|---|---|
| September | Peak for bigeye out of Virginia Beach |
| June | Bigeye trips also run |
September peak
September is the peak, and it’s the month to plan around.
June trips
Bigeye trips also run in June.
Where boats run for bigeye tuna fishing out of Virginia Beach
Distances in this port come from different reference points: Cape Henry, Rudee Inlet and Wachapreague Inlet. Check which one each number uses before you plan fuel.
| Ground | Depth | Distance | Measured from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Canyon | 690 ft | About 62 miles east | Cape Henry |
| Southeast Lumps | 19 to 28 miles | Rudee Inlet | |
| 26 Mile Hill and 21 Mile Hill | Named for distance | Wachapreague Inlet | |
| Triangle Reef | 100 ft | 16.5 nm on 073° true | Chesapeake Light Tower |
Norfolk Canyon
Norfolk Canyon is the main run. The fleet’s bigeye bites at 115 fathoms come in about 690 ft of water. It is one part of the regional canyon picture (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide) along the mid-Atlantic shelf edge.
The Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint helps you read the canyon edge near 690 ft. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Southeast Lumps
Southeast Lumps sit 19 to 28 miles off Rudee Inlet.
The Cigar and The Fingers
The Cigar and The Fingers are named structure off Virginia Beach.
26 Mile Hill and 21 Mile Hill
These two hills are named for their distance off Wachapreague Inlet, not Virginia Beach, so the name doesn’t give the run from Rudee Inlet.
Chesapeake Light Tower, Triangle Reef and Tower Reef
Chesapeake Light Tower is the landmark for this stretch of water. Triangle Reef, also called the Triangle Wrecks, lies in 100 ft, 16.5 nm on 073° true from the Light Tower. VMRC lists Tower Reef among its offshore sites.
How bigeye are fished out of Virginia Beach
Local boats fish bigeye two ways. For spread fundamentals, see our tuna guides.
- Trolled spread: ballyhoo, bluefish and Spanish mackerel
- Deep drift: baits dropped very deep on swordfish-style rigs
Trolled spread
Boats troll ballyhoo, bluefish and Spanish mackerel behind jets, bullets and chuggers.
Deep drift baits
Baits go down very deep on swordfish-style rigs. Fly’n Fish catches bigeye this way, with fish of 80 to well over 200 lb. Their deep drift for swordfish trips are the model for it.
Who fishes for bigeye out of Virginia Beach
Four local charters list bigeye tuna:
- Fly’n Fish Sportfishing: Capt. Jake Boltz, on the 54 ft Custom Jim Smith Fly’n Fish.
- E-Fishinsea Sport Fishing Charters: Capt. Greg Weaver.
- AquaMan Sportfishing: The Flat Line and the 54 ft Game On, Coast Guard certified for up to 18. See AquaMan Sportfishing offshore trips.
- Knot Tell’n Charters: Capt. Scott Horton, on a 36 ft Albemarle Express. See the Knot Tell’n Charters boat.
FAQ: bigeye tuna out of Virginia Beach
When is the peak for bigeye out of Virginia Beach?
September is the peak, and bigeye trips also run in June.
How far is Norfolk Canyon from Virginia Beach?
About 62 miles east of Cape Henry. Check the reference point, because other grounds are measured from Rudee Inlet or Wachapreague Inlet.
What depth do Virginia Beach bigeye come from?
Most come from Norfolk Canyon, around 115 fathoms (about 690 ft).
What baits do local boats use for bigeye?
- Trolled ballyhoo, bluefish and Spanish mackerel behind jets, bullets and chuggers.
- Deep drift baits on swordfish rigs.
Which charters fish for bigeye out of Virginia Beach?
Fly’n Fish Sportfishing, E-Fishinsea Sport Fishing Charters, AquaMan Sportfishing and Knot Tell’n Charters.
