Frequently Asked Questions - knot tell'n charters

*Why should I choose you?

Captain Scott Horton has many years of fishing experience.
Fishing is our passion. We will go above & beyond to put you on fish.
You want to give yourself the best possible opportunity at filling the box with meat or catching a trophy fish! Our 36 ft Albemarle Express Sportfisher is one of the best built & reliable fishing vessels on the planet. We take pride in keeping a clean, comfortable & well maintained vessel

*How many fishermen are allowed to come for the posted price?

SIX MAXIMUM ALLOWED PER CHARTER. You are not required to bring six but the price does not change for smaller groups. We take smaller groups than six all the time...but, Please do not ask to bring more than six people as it is illegal by law of the U.S.C.G.

*Do I need a fishing license?

No. The Boat has a license that covers everyone onboard.

* Is there a bathroom on the boat?

Yes. There is a private enclosed full bathroom with sink & shower on the boat.

*What is your bad weather policy?

Safety is our primary concern. During inclement weather. Fishing trips may be rescheduled or even canceled if the captain deems it necessary. Inclement weather would be...High Winds, Rough Seas, or Heavy Rain / Lightning or Fog for the entire day. **FULL REFUND OF DEPOSIT WILL BE GIVEN - ONLY IF CAPTAIN DECIDES IT'S UNSAFE TO FISH**

* Is there a first mate to help us?

Yes, The mate will help as much OR as little as you want. He'll show you how to use the tackle, bait the hooks and bring the fish into the boat.

* What's the standard and customary tip for the mate?

The mate works hard for your fishing pleasure. Please keep in mind that the mate works for tips only. They are at the boat hours before your trip begins preparing all rods & reels, rigging baits, cleaning the boat, doing engine safety checks etc...they are also there for hours after the trip cleaning up as well. 20% of the charter fee is customary & is highly appreciated.

* Do you have a "NO FISH-NO PAY" policy?

No. It's a simple fact of life that all fishing places, no matter how good or how many stories have been written about them, sometimes just don't produce fish on a given day. Some people feel there should be a guarantee when chartering a boat. However, what you're paying for is to be on a boat with the opportunity to catch a large fish and the story of a lifetime. While we have a long history of successful fishing, There are NO GUARANTEES when it comes to catching fish.

*Can I choose which fish species I want to target?

ABSOLUTELY! But keep in mind, the time of year, location, water conditions, water temperature, barometric pressure, underwater currents, the stars and the moon dictate what bites and what doesn't. We'll let you know what's biting the best the day of your charter because we want you to catch fish! But the bottom line is, we'll make every effort to fulfill your request.

* What should I bring

Whatever is needed to be comfortable. Hats, Sunglasses Sunscreen, Small cooler for drinks & food, Weather appropriate clothing, Raingear if necessary. Extra cash for mate tip & fish cleaning fees. We provide all fishing gear, Bait, Ice & Tackle

* What NOT to bring on the boat!

Tanning oils & spray on sunscreens on a boat can be very dangerous and should be saved for the beach. Nobody wants to try to hold onto something and find themselves in the ocean because there was oil left on that part of the boat from another passenger. Wipe on sunblock is fine. NO GLASS BOTTLES! Please bring cans, as broken glass on a boat can be very dangerous. No large coolers for fish. Please leave them in your vehicle until the end of the trip. We have plenty of storage for fish on the boat.

* Do you clean our fish?

All inshore fishing trips include fish cleaning. Nearshore/Middleground wreck fishing & Offshore trips require an extra fee as there is typically many more & larger fish to clean & package. Either way there is also fish cleaners at the marina that are reasonable & there are fish cleaning stations at the marina if you prefer to do it yourself & avoid the fees.

* Is fish cleaning included in the price?

Yes....But Only for the inshore fishing trips. All other trips require a small fee per fish.

When Is the Best time to go fishing in Virginia beach

Please reach us at knottellncharters@yahoo.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

When Is The Prime Fishing Season In Va. Beach?

From May 15th through the end of September is the best time to fish for multiple different species in Va. Beach. This is when the water temps are between 60 & 80 degrees when fish are actively feeding & inshore & offshore fishing is usually producing multiple species. When the water temps are cooler or warmer than 60-80 degrees fish can still be caught....but the bite is usually not as productive.

Do You Fish Other Times Of The Year?

Yes. There are fish that prefer colder water temperatures. Striper, Seabass, Tautog, Swordfish & even Bluefin Tuna can be caught during the offseason months of October through April.

When Does Cobia Season Open?

While we can catch & release Cobia anytime they are available. We can not keep them until the season opens on June 15th.

When Does Tilefish Season Open?

Tilefish season opens on May 15th this year & closes November 15th. Along with Seabass which opens the same date.

When Does Tuna Season Open?

While there is no set season for Tuna, The best time to catch Yellowfin & Bigeye Tuna in Va. Beach is typically from May 15th through October 31st.

When Is The Best Time To Go Shark Fishing?

Most Sharks like very warm water. The best time to go is when water temps get above 72 degrees which is usually around July 1st & after. But...Sharks can be caught other times & if you would like to fish for Sharks, Just let the captain know in advance so he can be prepared.

Can We Catch Only Big Fish?

Catching large fish will depend on the type of trip that you have booked. Keep in mind that the best chance to catch a large "fish of a lifetime" will be on the offshore "deep sea" fishing trips where the large pelagic fish like Tuna, Mahi Mahi & Wahoo roam near the warm Gulf Stream waters & the Continental Shelf which is around 60 miles from the Va. Beach shore. The inshore "closer to land" waters only have a few species of larger fish which make them a bit more rare to catch & sometimes takes a bit more time to find them. These larger fish are Cobia, Bull Red Drum & King Mackerel. In the winter months larger fish like Bluefin Tuna & Striper can be caught inshore as well. Large Sharks can be targeted inshore as well but keep in mind that Sharks can NOT be killed or kept for meat & must be released. We will alway be trying to find these large fish, But unless large fish only is requested, we will be targeting all fish "even smaller ones" as we want to put fish in the boat for you.

What Is Biting The Month That We Booked?

Below is a month by month list of what is typically biting in Virginia Beach. Please read carefully.

What is biting & when?

Virginia Beach Fishing Seasons

January - Bluefin Tuna & Striped Bass fever is in full swing during January in Virginia Beach. This is peak season for catching a massive Bluefin Tuna or Striper 'Rockfish,' the local name for the Chesapeake Bay's favorite fish. Don't forget about Tautog on the nearshore wrecks! Also... Look for migrating Humpback Whales & Dolphins during your trip!
February - Wreck Fishing for Black Seabass is a great option when the season is open. Tautog & Striped Bass fishing continues to light up the Chesapeake Bay & wrecks. Bluefin Tuna is still a possibility as well. Bring in these delicious fish until your arms hurt. This will warm you up regardless of what the grim February weather throws at you.
March - Temperatures finally start to rise into the mid 60s by the end of the month. This is not the peak season for fishing & we don't typically run trips ourselves due to most species season being closed... but you can catch yourself a good deal at a hotel, We will run a wreck fishing trip for Tautog as long as you know this is the only legal species to keep on the wrecks until May 15th. You can also target puppy Drum and Speckled Trout in the shallows of the creeks & Inlets.
April - This is still a very slow month for fishing in Va beach but As temperatures start to get serious about transitioning to spring, so does the fishing. Yellowfin Tuna start to appear offshore, with Bigeye Tuna, Wahoo, Marlin & Mahi Mahi hot on their heels. Inshore, Black/Red Drum are starting to bite in the surf, Tautog on the wrecks and Speckled Trout & Puppy Drum in the shallow creeks & inlets.
May - Spring is definitely here, and peak fishing season starts. Everything is biting from mid May through October. Look out for Spadefish, Cobia, Red & Black Drum in the Chesapeake Bay. Spadefish, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish inshore & Flounder & Black Seabass on nearshore wrecks. Large schools of Yellowfin Tuna & Mahi Mahi in the offshore waters of Virginia Beach.
June - Cobia start to invade the Inshore coastal waters & Chesapeake Bay, making for excellent sight fishing through September. Along with Red & Black Drum, Spadefish, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish inshore & Black Seabass & Flounder on the wrecks. This is peak season for offshore trips to target Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo and White/Blue Marlin.
July - Summer fishing continues to bring in big pelagics offshore like White & Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo & Tuna and Virginia Beach charter fishing is the perfect way to have fun and escape the crowds in peak season. Don't miss the Virginia Beach Invitational Marlin Tournament. Inshore there is Cobia, Red Drum, Spanish or King Mackerel, Bluefish, Ribbonfish, Spadefish & More!
August - White Marlin, Mahi Mahi & Wahoo fishing gets even better than ever, while Blue Marlin remains excellent. The Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament makes the most of the bite. Closer to shore, catch Red Drum, Cobia, Spanish or King Mackerel.
September - Temperatures start to cool and the crowds disperse. And while hotel prices might drop, the fishing doesn't. This is peak season for Bigeye and Yellowfin Tuna, Swordfish & Tilefish Offshore. Inshore the Big Red Drum, Cobia, King Mackerel and Speckled Trout are still the talk of the town.
October - October is most certainly fall, and you will find the cooler temperatures agree. But if fall means one thing in Virginia Beach, it is Swordfishing in the offshore waters. Yellowfin Tuna are passing back through heading south & Wahoo are still hanging around. The best thing is, some of the summer species are still around inshore too.
November - Along with Stripers, November means fishing for Sea Bass & Triggerfish on the wrecks & the Bluefin Tuna start to appear along the coastal nearshore waters. Offshore, Yellowfin Tuna, Swordfish & Wahoo is still a good possibility.
December - Only the hardiest of fish remain in Virginia Beach in the winter. But hey, what does that matter when Bluefin Tuna, Rockfish, Tautog & Seabass is as hardy as they come? A festive meal of Bluefin Tuna or Striped Bass never hurt anyone.