White marlin fishing out of Virginia Beach runs on a summer window
White marlin fishing out of Virginia Beach is a summer fishery, and the sources disagree on exactly when it starts and ends. If you can pick only one stretch, pick August to September. Biology and range are covered in our white marlin guide; this page stays on this port.
Peak months
According to Sport Fishing, numbers are high from August to September, with decent numbers from June to October. For a short trip, plan around August to September.
Early and late fish
The sources give three different windows:
| Source | Window |
|---|---|
| Sport Fishing | Decent numbers June to October |
| Fly’n Fish | Mid-July onward |
| The 1994 list | Mid-June to early September at Norfolk Canyon |
For how fish move along the coast, see our guide to Mid-Atlantic and Northeast white marlin (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide).
Where Virginia Beach boats run
Distances below are measured from Cape Henry or Rudee Inlet, as each source gave them. They are range-planning numbers from printed sources and say nothing about where the fish are on a given day. Check which reference point a number uses before you set your fuel plan.
Norfolk Canyon
The Roanoke Times (1994) put the south rim of Norfolk Canyon about 62 miles east of Cape Henry, not Rudee Inlet. The canyon is 690 ft deep.
Neill ran a September overnight trip to Norfolk Canyon that produced eight whites in a day. Those fish were tagged for VIMS.
The Cigar
The Roanoke Times (1994) described the south end of the Cigar, 55 miles from Rudee, as the alternate during late-summer northeasters. That is a historical note from one source, not a weather call. Read the NWS Wakefield marine forecast for the numbers on the day you go.
Grounds and structure between the inlet and the canyon
The table lists every named ground near Virginia Beach, with the figures that exist, in descending distance:
| Ground | Depth | Distance or bearing |
|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Canyon | 690 ft | About 62 miles east of Cape Henry (1994 list) |
| The Cigar | South end 55 miles from Rudee (Roanoke Times, 1994) | |
| The Fingers | ||
| Southeast Lumps | 19 to 28 miles off Rudee Inlet (1994 list) | |
| Triangle Reef (Triangle Wrecks) | 100 ft | 16.5 nm on 073 degrees true from Chesapeake Light Tower |
| Chesapeake Light Tower | ||
| Tower Reef | ||
| 26 Mile Hill and 21 Mile Hill | Named for distance from Wachapreague Inlet |
A few notes on the table:
- The Mile Hills names count from Wachapreague Inlet, not Rudee, so they are not run distances from this port.
- VMRC lists Tower Reef among its offshore sites.
- Triangle Reef is located by bearing and distance from Chesapeake Light Tower, so the tower is the reference point for it.
Plot these grounds against Chart Contours in the app to see how the depths line up before you run. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How whites are fished locally, and who fishes them
The naked ballyhoo spread
Fly’n Fish trolls 4 to 6 naked ballyhoo on lighter tackle, with squid chain teasers and dredges. That is the local spread as described by an operator that fishes it. For broader technique, see our billfish guides.
Charters that target whites
These local charters list white marlin:
- Fly’n Fish Sportfishing: the 54 ft Custom Jim Smith ‘Fly’n Fish’; Capt. Jake Boltz.
- 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).
- Knot Tell’n Charters: Capt. Scott Horton; 36 ft Albemarle Express.
The Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament
The Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament (VBBT) is usually held in August and scores whites as release only.
FAQ: white marlin fishing out of Virginia Beach
When is white marlin season in Virginia Beach?
Sport Fishing reports high numbers from August to September, with decent numbers from June to October.
How far is Norfolk Canyon from Virginia Beach?
The Roanoke Times (1994) put the south rim about 62 miles east of Cape Henry. The canyon is 690 ft deep.
What spread do local boats troll for whites?
Fly’n Fish runs 4 to 6 naked ballyhoo on lighter tackle, with squid chain teasers and dredges.
When is the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament?
Usually August. The VBBT scores whites as release only.
Do the Mile Hills distances start at Rudee?
No. 26 Mile Hill and 21 Mile Hill are named for their distance from Wachapreague Inlet.
Where do boats go during a late-summer northeaster?
The Roanoke Times (1994) described the south end of the Cigar, 55 miles from Rudee.
