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Russ Kostinas
Captain

Russ Kostinas

Virginia Beach, United States
50+ reviews
Russ Kostinas has been a fisherman for the past 35 years. Before becoming a captain, he used to work as a mate for 3 decades, honing his fishing skills and acquiring knowledge. He now runs fishing trips that suit both pro anglers and families.

Charter

Rating

4.9
50 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
4.9
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

100%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
95%
Caught fish

All reviews (50)

Showing 1 – 5 of 50 reviews
  • Philip Magin
    Philip Magin
    Repeat angler
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2022
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Got our Marlin!

    Extended Full Day Trip – Offshore • 3 adults • 1 child

    Bumpy trip weather wise but the boat handled it really well. Capt and mate 1st class people and they worked hard to get us our Marlin. Went 1/2 on the day. I would highly recommend.

    Reported catch:
    White Marlin
    Response from Captain

    Philip thank you for fishing with us! Glad we got your white marlin! On a regular charter we would have looked for some meat to bring home, but we focus on what our group would like to catch when sf all possible.

  • Bradley Herzog
    Bradley Herzog
    us
    Virginia, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Russ

    Extended Full Day Trip – Offshore • 6 adults

    Great captain, crew, and boat. Perfect weather 40+ miles off the Virginia coast. Caught the limit. Plan on making it an annual event 👍

  • Greg Fitzgerald
    Greg Fitzgerald
    us
    Virginia, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    spectacular trip

    Extended Full Day Trip – Offshore • 4 adults

    Caught 2 Marlin, limit of tilefish, and 20+ mahi. incredible memory for my son and nephew. Captain and mate were absolutey fantastic and the boat is immaculate.

  • James Truxell
    James Truxell
    us
    Virginia, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Early Season Trip

    Extended Full Day Trip – Offshore • 6 adults

    Wish we would have got into some Tuna but Russ and Bobby kept us in the fish and made sure we still had a great day. cought several dolphin, sea bass and tile. one of which was a citation! We will definitely book with Top Notch again!

    Reported catch:
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Paul Bracken
    Paul Bracken
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2024
    5.0
    Verified

    Fantastic trip with Russ and gene

    Half Day Trip (AM) • 4 adults • 2 children

    Took a inshore/nearshore trip with my son, 8 years old, with my buddy and his son, also 8 years old. We didn’t have lines in the water for 5 minutes and we were into the fish. The kids kept a total of 28 fish ( mixed species) and probably threw back just as many. We caught Spanish mackerel, blues, and 4 hound fish. These guys were amazing with the kids. I can’t recommend them enough. Already planning an all day tuna trip this fall. Highly recommend. I’m gunna end it there because I can’t say enough good about these guys

    Reported catch:
    Bluefish (Tailor)
    Spanish Mackerel

Real catches shared by our community

  • Top Notch Charters
    Top Notch ChartersVirginia Beach, VA
    A leaping billfish breaks the surface in open ocean during an offshore fishing trip.
    Philip M.
    Philip M.
    Bumpy trip weather wise but the boat handled it really well. Capt and mate 1st class people and they worked hard to get us our Marlin. Went 1/2 on the day. I would highly recommend.
  • Top Notch Charters
    Top Notch ChartersVirginia Beach, VA
    A group of anglers proudly displaying a large catch of Mahi Mahi on the dock after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Bradley H.
    Bradley H.
    Great captain, crew, and boat. Perfect weather 40+ miles off the Virginia coast. Caught the limit. Plan on making it an annual event 👍
  • Top Notch Charters
    Top Notch ChartersVirginia Beach, VA
    A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of Mahi Mahi on a dock after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Greg F.
    Greg F.
    Caught 2 Marlin, limit of tilefish, and 20+ mahi. incredible memory for my son and nephew. Captain and mate were absolutey fantastic and the boat is immaculate.
  • Top Notch Charters
    Top Notch ChartersVirginia Beach, VA
    A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch, featuring a variety of fish including Mahi Mahi, on a dock after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    James T.
    James T.
    Wish we would have got into some Tuna but Russ and Bobby kept us in the fish and made sure we still had a great day. cought several dolphin, sea bass and tile. one of which was a citation! We will definitely book with Top Notch again!
  • Top Notch Charters
    Top Notch ChartersVirginia Beach, VA
    A young angler and her friend proudly display their catch on a fishing charter, surrounded by fishing rods on a sunny day.
    Amanda H.
    Amanda H.
    We caught so many fish and had a great experience. Hope to go again!
  • Top Notch Charters
    Top Notch ChartersVirginia Beach, VA
    Two anglers proudly displaying a catch of several Spanish Mackerel on the dock after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Spanish Mackerel
    Ira L.
    Ira L.
    We wanted to enjoy an activity with my brother in law and his new wife, so my husband charted a fishing trip. It was AWESOME! Russ and Gene were very personable. They worked hard to ensure we had a great experience. We really appreciated their efforts. As Captains they did all the heavy lifting. Thank you bunches! We will certainly book again.
  • Top Notch Charters
    Top Notch ChartersVirginia Beach, VA
    A young boy joyfully holds a large fish, likely a Mackerel, with the help of an adult on a fishing boat, showcasing a memorable moment on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Jack Crevalle
    Paul B.
    Paul B.
    Took a inshore/nearshore trip with my son, 8 years old, with my buddy and his son, also 8 years old. We didn’t have lines in the water for 5 minutes and we were into the fish. The kids kept a total of 28 fish ( mixed species) and probably threw back just as many. We caught Spanish mackerel, blues, and 4 hound fish. These guys were amazing with the kids. I can’t recommend them enough. Already planning an all day tuna trip this fall. Highly recommend. I’m gunna end it there because I can’t say enough good about these guys
  • Top Notch Charters
    Top Notch ChartersVirginia Beach, VA
    A family poses with their catch of multiple fish on the dock after a successful fishing trip, showcasing a variety of species.
    Jack E.
    Jack E.
    These guys knew where all the fish were. We caught 60 fish!
  • Top Notch Charters
    Top Notch ChartersVirginia Beach, VA
    Young angler proudly holding a large fish on a boat during a sunny fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Brown Trout
    Vaughan J.
    Vaughan J.
    Cannot have a better review for this crew and experience. The crew was knowledgeable personal and accommodating of all levels of prior fishing acumen. On the drive home my sons begged me to reschedule another trip.
  • Top Notch Charters
    Top Notch ChartersVirginia Beach, VA
    Two anglers display a large red drum on the deck of a fishing boat during an inshore fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +4
    Redfish
    Tava I.
    Tava I.
    We randomly picked Top Notch to take our kids shark finish to celebrate one of the boy's 14th birthday. Little did we know that 41 INCHES would be our smallest catch but we also snagged a 9' 350+ pound SHARK... This is the stuff DREAMS are made of! The boat was WAY more than we expected, fully appointed and beautiful. The crew was kind, patient with the kids (10, 13, 14 and 16) and super informative. I would have preferred a little more communication on the front end but that's just a personal preference. I would DEFINITELY book with Top Notch again and HIGHLY recommend them!

What's biting with Top Notch Charters in Virginia Beach

Along with Stripers, November means fishing for Speckled Trout, Tautog, Flounder, and Seabass. Offshore, Yellowfin Tuna is still going strong, and the occasional Bluefin may even come close to shore.

Top catches for November