High Hopes Sportfishing is the longest continuously running charter business in Virginia Beach, owned and operated by Captain David Wright, who has run charters out of Rudee Inlet since 1978. Growing up in Virginia Beach, Captain Wright worked as a mate throughout his teenage years before officially beginning his charter captain career at age 21, and now holds a Master’s License from the U.S. Coast Guard allowing him to fish in all U.S. waters.
The High Hopes is a 58-foot custom sport fishing boat built by Gary Davis, widely regarded as the finest in the Virginia Beach fleet, powered by twin 735 HP turbo diesels for a fast, safe, and comfortable ride in all sea conditions. She’s Coast Guard inspected yearly and licensed to carry up to 15-18 passengers, equipped with the finest offshore rods and reels from Shimano, along with VHF and sideband radios, radar, a tall tower, stereo system, bottom machine, autopilot, air conditioning, heat, color TV, and a full galley with special meals available on request.
The business offers both offshore and inshore fishing trips. Offshore trips run May through October targeting the season’s best deep sea species, while inshore trips also run May through October, primarily targeting Taylor Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel with the potential for Cobia, Flounder, and Drum, making for a great introduction to fishing or a shorter outing. With room for up to 15 people, the High Hopes is also a popular choice for special events, including bachelor and bachelorette parties, company trips, family gatherings, and burials at sea.
Trips are booked first-come, first-served, with a credit card required to hold a reservation; cancellations made more than two weeks out incur no penalty, while later cancellations or no-shows are charged 50% of the total trip cost. Weather cancellation decisions rest solely with Captain Dave, with passenger and boat safety as the top priority.
Guest reviews consistently highlight Captain Dave and mate Andrew’s warmth, professionalism, and ability to put guests on fish, with several families specifically praising the crew’s compassionate handling of at-sea memorial services.
For anglers and groups in Virginia Beach looking for offshore or inshore fishing, or a special event charter, Charter Boat-High Hopes offers the area’s most experienced and longest-running operation with Captain David Wright.
