Smith Island Inlet Fishing
This inlet lies in Northampton County, on the Atlantic side.
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First notes on Smith Island Inlet
In Northampton County, Smith Island Inlet is a inlet on the Atlantic side. The closest Census place is Cape Charles, roughly 11 miles off.
A boat can reach 8 artificial reefs within 25 miles. It is covered by 3 water-level stations within 25 miles. It falls under the saltwater rules of the Marine Resources Commission.
USGS GNIS named feature 1474761; Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations; NOAA CO-OPS; read November 6, 2026.
Launches near Smith Island Inlet
Smith Island Inlet has no DWR launch within 10 miles.
Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations layer (attributes as recorded; lanes, fees and hours are not in the layer), read November 6, 2026.
Keep rules on Smith Island Inlet
| Species | Area | Size | Bag | Season | VAC section |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black drum | Virginia tidal waters | 16 in minimum | 1 | not stated | 4VAC20-320-40 |
| Bluefish | Virginia tidal waters | not stated | 5 | not stated | 4VAC20-450-20 |
| Cobia | Virginia tidal waters | 43 in minimum | 1 | June 15 through September 20 | 4VAC20-510-20 |
| Grey trout (weakfish) | Virginia tidal waters | 12 in minimum | 1 | not stated | 4VAC20-380-60 |
| Spanish mackerel | Virginia tidal waters | 14 in minimum | 15 | not stated | 4VAC20-540-30 |
| Speckled trout | Virginia tidal waters | 14 in minimum | 5 | Closed April 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026 | 4VAC20-280-30 |
| Striped bass | Coastal area | 28 in minimum, 31 in maximum | 1 | January 1 through March 31 and May 16 through December 31 | 4VAC20-252-110 |
| Striped bass | All Virginia waters | not stated | not stated | not stated | 4VAC20-252-50 |
VMRC code sections set these limits on Smith Island Inlet, current to November 6, 2026.
Virginia Administrative Code, Title 4 Agency 20 (Marine Resources Commission) on law.lis.virginia.gov, as of November 6, 2026 (VMRC rules change by emergency order; check the VMRC regulations page before keeping fish).
A Virginia saltwater license is $17.50 for residents and $25 for nonresidents 16 and older.
Virginia license fees in the 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (licenses run one year from purchase unless noted), read November 6, 2026. Virginia Marine Resources Commission license fees, read November 6, 2026.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Tide tables for Smith Island Inlet
| NOAA water-level station | ID | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Kiptopeke | 8632200 | 5 miles |
| CBBT, Chesapeake Channel | 8638901 | 10 miles |
| Sewells Point | 8638610 | 25 miles |
Tide tables close to Smith Island Inlet
| Prediction station | Distance |
|---|---|
| Smith Island (Coast Guard Station) | 2 miles |
| Fishermans Island | 3 miles |
| Kiptopeke Beach | 5 miles |
| CBBT, CHESAPEAKE CHANNEL | 10 miles |
| Old Plantation Light | 11 miles |
| Cape Charles Harbor | 12 miles |
NOAA pages carry the live data for Smith Island Inlet; this band only links them.
NOAA CO-OPS Tides & Currents station list, read November 6, 2026.
Wrecks and reef sites around Smith Island Inlet
| Reef | Area | Distance | Clearance (ft, MLW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabbage Patch Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 8 miles | 15 |
| Bluefish Rock Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 15 miles | 15 |
| Cherrystone Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 16 miles | 15 |
| Back River Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 17 miles | 15 |
| Tower Artificial Reef | Atlantic Ocean | 18 miles | 30 |
| East Oceanview Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 19 miles | |
| York Spit Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 19 miles | |
| Poquoson Artificial Reef | Chesapeake Bay | 24 miles | 12 |
The reef distances from Smith Island Inlet use VMRC chart grids.
Virginia Marine Resources Commission saltwater angler guide reef charts, read November 7, 2026.
Waterfront towns close to Smith Island Inlet
Shore towns near Smith Island Inlet
- Cape CharlesNorthampton County, 12 miles
- OysterNorthampton County, 12 miles
Virginia Marine Resources Commission saltwater angler guide (c. 2008, names only); USGS GNIS populated places.
Around Smith Island Inlet, within a Virginia drive
Other coastal pages near Smith Island Inlet
- Fishermans Inletinlet, 2 miles
- Fishermans Islandcape or island, 2 miles
- Cape Charlescape or island, 3 miles
- Smith Islandcape or island, 4 miles
- Magothy Baybay, 5 miles
Upstream options near Smith Island Inlet
- Lake Whitehurst20 miles
- Trashmore Lake22 miles
- Sandy Bottom Park Pond28 miles
Where to buy bait before Smith Island Inlet
- Bailey's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cape Charles, 12 miles
- Bbr Marina Shoresmarina, Virginia Beach, 15 miles
- Sentara Therapy Center – Marina Shoresmarina, Virginia Beach, 16 miles
- Blue Marlin Marinemarina, Virginia Beach, 16 miles
- Marina Shores Marina, 2100 Marina Shores Drmarina, Virginia Beach, 16 miles
- Great Mariner Management Comarina, Virginia Beach, 16 miles
Paid trips that cover Smith Island Inlet
- Cape Charles Fishing Adventurecharter, Cape Charles, (717) 572-7589
Virginia towns close to Smith Island Inlet
The localities Smith Island Inlet runs through
- Northampton Countycounty seat Eastville
Piscifun spinning gear for a day out on Smith Island Inlet
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Shorelines around Smith Island Inlet through a camera
Photo: Doug Lewis, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Nicolas Henderson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, CC BY 2.0
Smith Island Inlet: what Old Dominion anglers keep asking
Where is Smith Island Inlet?
Head for Northampton County, on the Atlantic side, about 11 miles from Cape Charles.
Where do Tidewater boaters put in for Smith Island Inlet?
DWR maps no launch close by.
Can I fish Smith Island Inlet with a freshwater license?
A Virginia saltwater license is $17.50 for residents and $25 for nonresidents 16 and older. Anglers under 16 need none.
Which puppy drum sizes may leave Smith Island Inlet?
Red drum: 3 a day, 18-inch minimum, 26-inch maximum (4VAC20-1400-30), as of November 6, 2026.
Is speckled trout season open on Smith Island Inlet?
Speckled trout: 5 a day, 14-inch minimum (4VAC20-280-30); the code closes the season April 1 through June 30, 2026, as of November 6, 2026.
How many flounder can I keep from Smith Island Inlet?
Summer flounder: 4 a day, 16-inch minimum (4VAC20-620-50); the minimum rises June 1 per the code section, as of November 6, 2026.
Where can I check the tide for Smith Island Inlet?
NOAA predicts the tide at Smith Island (Coast Guard Station), some 2 miles away.
Which shop is on the way to Smith Island Inlet?
Stop at Bailey's Bait & Tackle (about 12 miles away).
Which VMRC reef is near Smith Island Inlet?
Cabbage Patch Artificial Reef is the closest VMRC guide reef, about 8 miles away (chart-grid midpoint, not a structure position).
Bring the cast net to Smith Island Inlet
Every 2026 saltwater fee is one click away.