Virginia · Hampton Roads
BLUE MARLIN FISHING
IN VIRGINIA BEACH
Virginia Beach is a solid destination for blue marlin fishing, with good fishing in August. Book a charter and target blue marlin with local experts.
About Blue Marlin Fishing in Virginia Beach
The ultimate big game fish. Spectacular fighters that can exceed 1,000 pounds.
Blue Marlin are the ultimate big game fish — the apex predator of the open ocean. These magnificent billfish can exceed 1,000 lbs and are found in warm, blue water worldwide. Their cobalt-blue back, silver-white belly, and prominent bill (upper jaw extension used for slashing through bait schools) make them unmistakable. When hooked, blue marlin are spectacularly acrobatic — greyhounding across the surface and launching themselves fully airborne, sometimes multiple times. Catching a blue marlin on rod and reel is considered one of fishing's ultimate achievements.
Scientific name: Makaira nigricans
Blue Marlin Seasonal Calendar — Virginia Beach
Month-by-month availability for blue marlin in Virginia Beach, VA.
How to Catch Blue Marlin in Virginia Beach
Techniques & Bait
Trolling large skirted lures (Moldcraft, Black Bart, Marlin Magic) in a spread behind the boat at 8-10 knots is the standard technique. Live bait trolling with large skipjack tuna, bonito, or blue runners under a bridge-mounted bait and switch setup targets the largest fish. Dredges (underwater teasers with hookless bait) are used to attract marlin to the spread. Pitch baiting — pulling a teaser close to the boat to draw in a marlin, then pitching a live bait — is the most exciting technique for experienced crews.
Recommended Tackle
80-130 lb class conventional trolling gear, roller guides, 80-130 lb monofilament, heavy cable leaders, size 10/0-12/0 hooks. Stand-up gear for experienced anglers. Fighting chair for fish over 500 lbs.
Best Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Spots in Virginia Beach
Top spots where local captains target blue marlin and other deep sea fishing species.
Norfolk Canyon
Norfolk Canyon is a massive submarine canyon approximately 60 miles east of Virginia Beach where the continental shelf plunges from 300 feet to over 6,000 feet. The canyon's walls create powerful upwelling currents that concentrate baitfish and attract yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, blue marlin, and white marlin. It is the premier offshore destination for Virginia Beach charter boats targeting bluewater pelagics during summer and fall.
26-Mile Hill
The 26-Mile Hill is a prominent underwater ridge on the continental shelf roughly 26 miles southeast of Virginia Beach that rises from the surrounding bottom. The hill concentrates king mackerel, cobia, amberjack, and mahi-mahi along its contours where currents push bait upward into the water column. It serves as a productive way-station for boats heading to or returning from the deeper canyon grounds.
Cigar (Triangle Wrecks)
The Triangle Wrecks are a cluster of sunken vessels lying in 60 to 130 feet of water approximately 15 to 25 miles offshore of Virginia Beach on the continental shelf. These wrecks hold amberjack, black sea bass, tautog, and triggerfish on the bottom, while king mackerel and cobia cruise above. The wrecks serve as both a dedicated bottom-fishing destination and a trolling waypoint for boats working toward the shelf edge.
Washington Canyon
Washington Canyon lies northeast of Norfolk Canyon along the continental shelf break, accessible on extended offshore trips from Virginia Beach. The canyon targets yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, swordfish, and longfin albacore along its deep walls and temperature breaks. Overnight canyon trips out of Virginia Beach regularly produce mixed bags of tuna species during the peak summer and early fall season.
Other Species in Virginia Beach
More fish you can target while visiting Virginia Beach.
Blue Marlin Fishing in Virginia Beach — FAQ
Blue Marlin fishing in Virginia Beach is productive during August.
Blue Marlin fishing charters in Virginia Beach are typically deep sea fishing trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Trolling large skirted lures (Moldcraft, Black Bart, Marlin Magic) in a spread behind the boat at 8-10 knots is the standard technique. Live bait trolling with large skipjack tuna, bonito, or blue runners under a bridge-mounted bait and switch setup targets the largest fish. Dredges (underwater teasers with hookless bait) are used to attract marlin to the spread. Pitch baiting — pulling a teaser close to the boat to draw in a marlin, then pitching a live bait — is the most exciting technique for experienced crews.
No — when you book a charter in Virginia Beach, your captain provides all required Virginia fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Blue Marlin regulations in Virginia include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Blue Marlin in Virginia Beach, you may also catch Striped Bass, Cobia, Fluke, Redfish, Yellowfin Tuna. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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