The Virginia Beach Fishing Pier Basics

The Virginia Beach Fishing Pier is a public, pay-to-fish structure that extends 625 feet into the Atlantic Ocean at the north end of the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. You can fish from it year-round without a license—the pier operator's fee covers saltwater licensing. The pier opens at sunrise and closes at midnight most days, though hours shift seasonally. Parking is available in the adjacent lot, and the boardwalk itself is free to walk.

The pier charges a daily fishing fee (rates vary by season and day of week) and rents basic tackle if you arrive without your own. The structure is concrete, well-maintained, and crowded on weekends and summer evenings. It's a solid choice if you want to fish without driving far from the Virginia Beach resort area, but expect company and plan accordingly.

Key Takeaways

  • The Virginia Beach Fishing Pier requires a daily fee but no saltwater license, and it's open year-round from sunrise to midnight.
  • Spanish mackerel and bluefish dominate spring and fall; flounder and croaker are most reliable in summer; black drum and sheepshead appear in winter.
  • Early morning and late evening produce better fishing than midday, and incoming tide generally outfishes slack or outgoing water.
  • Bring your own tackle if possible—rental equipment is basic and often crowded piers mean limited availability on busy days.

Spring and Fall: Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish

March through May and September through November are the pier's most productive seasons. Spanish mackerel move through in schools, hitting small silver spoons and live mullet. Bluefish follow the same pattern and will strike almost anything that moves. Both species feed aggressively during these months, and you can expect multiple hookups in a single session if you're fishing the right tide.

Early morning—the first two hours after sunrise—is when most anglers connect. The water is calmer, baitfish are active, and the pier hasn't filled with recreational crowds yet. Incoming tide is your best bet; fish feed harder when water is moving in. Bring 1/0 to 3/0 spoons, small plugs, or live mullet if you can get them from a local bait shop. Expect fish in the 2- to 5-pound range for Spanish mackerel and 3- to 8-pound blues.

Summer: Flounder and Croaker

June through August shifts the bite toward bottom-feeding species. Flounder hold along the pier pilings and in deeper channels nearby. Croaker are abundant and willing, making them a reliable option if you want consistent action rather than trophy fish. Both respond to live shrimp and squid, and both are good eating.

Midday fishing is actually reasonable in summer because the water warms and fish move deeper. Fish the incoming tide and the hour or two after it peaks; flounder and croaker feed steadily during these windows. Bring a basic bottom rig with a sinker and two or three hooks, and stock live shrimp from a nearby bait shop. Croaker run 8 to 12 inches; flounder average 12 to 16 inches but larger fish are possible.

Winter: Black Drum and Sheepshead

December through February brings a different crowd of fish. Black drum and sheepshead move into the area, and both are strong fighters. Sheepshead are notoriously finicky and require patience and small baits—fiddler crabs and small shrimp work best. Black drum are less picky but still demand live bait and a solid hook set.

Winter fishing is slower overall, but the pier is less crowded and the air is clearer. Fish early morning and late afternoon; midday is often dead. Incoming tide remains your best bet. Bring small hooks (1/0 to 2/0), live fiddler crabs if you can find them, and patience. Sheepshead average 1 to 3 pounds; black drum can reach 5 to 10 pounds.

Tackle and Bait You'll Need

Bring your own rod and reel if you have them. The pier rents tackle, but availability is limited on busy days and the equipment is basic. A medium-action spinning rod (6 to 7 feet) and a 2500 to 3000 series reel work for most pier fishing here. Spool with 15- to 20-pound braided line; it casts farther and holds up better in the salt.

Stock these lures and rigs before you arrive: 1/0 to 3/0 silver spoons, small plugs (2 to 3 inches), basic bottom rigs with sinkers, and a few extra hooks in sizes 1/0 to 3/0. Live bait—mullet, shrimp, and fiddler crabs—is your most reliable option, and you can buy it fresh from local shops near the pier. Bring a small cooler with ice if you plan to keep fish; the pier has no cleaning station, but the boardwalk has fish-cleaning services nearby.

Tides, Time of Day, and Crowds

The Virginia Beach Fishing Pier fishes best on incoming tide, roughly two hours before high tide through the first hour after. Outgoing tide is slower. Slack water (the brief window between tides) is often dead. Check a tide chart before you go; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) publishes free tide tables for Virginia Beach.

Early morning (sunrise to 9 a.m.) and late evening (7 p.m. to close) are your best windows for both fish and elbow room. Midday is crowded and fishing is slower, except in summer when heat pushes fish deeper and feeding becomes steadier. Weekdays are quieter than weekends. If you're new to the pier, go on a weekday morning in spring or fall—you'll have room to cast and fish will be active.

Parking, Facilities, and What to Bring

Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the pier entrance. Rates vary by season and day of week; expect to pay more on summer weekends. The boardwalk has restrooms, food vendors, and shops within walking distance. The pier itself has benches, shade structures, and a small tackle shop, but bring sunscreen and water regardless.

Bring a small cooler with ice if you plan to keep fish. Bring a headlamp or flashlight if you're fishing early morning or evening. Bring a small net or gaff if you own one—landing larger fish from the pier is easier with one. The pier allows coolers and tackle boxes but prohibits glass containers and live baitwell aerators. Leave the glass at home and use a simple bucket or cooler for live bait.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Virginia saltwater fishing license to fish the pier?

No. The daily pier fee covers saltwater licensing. You do not need a separate license to fish from the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier. If you fish elsewhere in Virginia—from a private boat, wade, or another pier—you will need a license, but the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier fee takes care of it for you.

What's the best time of year to fish this pier?

Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are most productive. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are abundant, aggressive, and easy to catch. Summer is reliable for flounder and croaker but slower overall. Winter is slowest but less crowded, and sheepshead and black drum offer a different challenge.

Can I keep the fish I catch?

Yes, within Virginia's size and bag limits. Check the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website for current regulations before you go. Most species caught here—Spanish mackerel, bluefish, flounder, croaker, and black drum—have daily limits and minimum sizes. The pier has no cleaning station, but fish-cleaning services operate nearby on the boardwalk.

Is the pier crowded, and can I fish if I'm a beginner?

The pier is crowded on summer weekends and evenings but quieter on weekday mornings. Beginners do well here because fish are abundant during peak seasons and other anglers are usually willing to help. Go on a weekday morning in spring or fall, bring basic tackle or rent from the pier, and fish the incoming tide. You'll have room and a good chance at fish.

What if I don't have tackle or bait?

The pier rents basic rods and reels and sells tackle and live bait on-site. Rental equipment is functional but simple. A local bait shop near the pier entrance sells fresh mullet, shrimp, and fiddler crabs. If you plan to fish regularly, buying your own rod and reel is cheaper than renting, but the pier is set up for walk-up anglers with nothing but a wallet.