Virginia · Hampton Roads
FLUKE FISHING
IN VIRGINIA BEACH
Virginia Beach is a solid destination for fluke fishing, with peak season in July and good catches in May, June, August. Book a charter and target fluke with local experts.
About Fluke Fishing in Virginia Beach
Also called Summer Flounder, fluke are prized flatfish found from the Carolinas to Massachusetts. Distinguished from Gulf flounder by their larger size and left-facing orientation, fluke are ambush predators that lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms near structure.
Fluke — properly called Summer Flounder — are the premier flatfish of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Distinguished from Gulf/Southern Flounder by their larger size, left-facing orientation (both eyes on the left side), and distinct spot patterns with 5 large ocelli (eye spots) on the upper body. Fluke are ambush predators that lie buried in sand with only their eyes exposed, launching upward to grab prey. Their camouflage ability is remarkable — they can change color to match the bottom within minutes. Excellent table fare with sweet, firm white flesh.
Scientific name: Paralichthys dentatus
Fluke Seasonal Calendar — Virginia Beach
Month-by-month availability for fluke in Virginia Beach, VA.
How to Catch Fluke in Virginia Beach
Techniques & Bait
Drifting with bucktails (white, chartreuse, or pink) tipped with a strip of squid, fluke belly, or Gulp! Swimming Mullet along sandy bottom in 20-80 feet of water is the standard technique. "Fluke rigs" (a sliding sinker rig with a long fluorocarbon leader and wide-gap hook) baited with a live minnow and strip bait combination is deadly. Drifting over structure transitions — where sand meets rocks, mud, or wrecks — concentrates fish. Slow your drift with a drift sock for better bottom contact.
Recommended Tackle
Medium spinning rod (6'6"-7 ft), 3000-4000 reel, 15-20 lb braid, 20-30 lb fluorocarbon leader, bucktail jigs (1/2-2 oz depending on depth/current), wide-gap hooks (3/0-5/0).
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Virginia Beach
Top spots where local captains target fluke and other inshore species.
Lynnhaven Inlet
Lynnhaven Inlet connects the Chesapeake Bay to the Lynnhaven River system and is one of Virginia Beach's most productive inshore fisheries. Red drum, speckled trout, and flounder stack up along the inlet's channel edges and oyster bars during tidal changes. The inlet's strong current funnels baitfish through a narrow passage, creating consistent feeding opportunities for gamefish throughout the warm season.
Rudee Inlet Jetties
Rudee Inlet is the only oceanfront inlet in Virginia Beach, providing direct Atlantic access and a natural fish-concentrating bottleneck. Flounder, speckled trout, striped bass, and sheepshead hold around the rock jetties and along the inlet's channel edges on every tide. The inlet's sheltered basin also serves as the primary departure point for Virginia Beach's charter fleet heading offshore.
Broad Bay
Broad Bay is a large tidal estuary within the Lynnhaven River watershed, featuring extensive grass flats, marsh shorelines, and oyster reefs that support a thriving inshore ecosystem. Red drum, speckled trout, and flounder cruise the shallow flats on rising tides, offering excellent sight-fishing from kayaks and flats skiffs. The bay's protected waters remain fishable even when Chesapeake Bay conditions turn rough.
Linkhorn Bay
Linkhorn Bay is a shallow tidal bay tucked behind the Virginia Beach oceanfront, connected to Broad Bay and the Lynnhaven River system. The bay's grass beds and dock pilings hold flounder, speckled trout, and puppy drum in warm months, providing surprisingly productive fishing in a residential setting. Light-tackle anglers work the grass edges and oyster bars during incoming tides for consistent catches.
Other Species in Virginia Beach
More fish you can target while visiting Virginia Beach.
Fluke Fishing in Virginia Beach — FAQ
The peak months for Fluke fishing in Virginia Beach are July. During these months, Fluke are most active and abundant in the Virginia Beach area.
Fluke fishing charters in Virginia Beach are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Drifting with bucktails (white, chartreuse, or pink) tipped with a strip of squid, fluke belly, or Gulp! Swimming Mullet along sandy bottom in 20-80 feet of water is the standard technique. "Fluke rigs" (a sliding sinker rig with a long fluorocarbon leader and wide-gap hook) baited with a live minnow and strip bait combination is deadly. Drifting over structure transitions — where sand meets rocks, mud, or wrecks — concentrates fish. Slow your drift with a drift sock for better bottom contact.
No — when you book a charter in Virginia Beach, your captain provides all required Virginia fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Fluke 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 Fluke in Virginia Beach, you may also catch Striped Bass, Cobia, Yellowfin Tuna, Redfish, Black Drum. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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