Chesapeake Bay Cobia & Red Drum Sight Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday morning charter targets Cobia and citation Red Drum.Sight fishing with spinning gear using live bait and jigs.Accommodates up to 4 guests on Chesapeake Bay waters.
When you're looking for the ultimate sight fishing experience in Virginia waters, this morning charter puts you right where the action is. We're talking prime time fishing in the Chesapeake Bay, targeting two of the most sought-after species that call these waters home. This isn't your typical cast-and-wait fishing trip – you'll be actively hunting Cobia and citation Red Drum using sight fishing techniques that get your heart pumping. The early morning departure gives us the best shot at crystal-clear water and active fish, plus you'll beat the heat and afternoon boat traffic that can muddy up the bay later in the day.
This half-day morning trip is all about visual hunting. We'll cruise the productive flats and structure areas of the Chesapeake Bay where these fish like to hang out, keeping our eyes peeled for those telltale signs – dark shadows cruising just under the surface, tails breaking the water, or that unmistakable bronze flash of a Cobia's back. The bay's relatively shallow waters and excellent visibility during morning hours make this top-rated sight fishing opportunity possible. You'll be working with quality spinning gear, and we'll have both live bait and jigs ready depending on what the fish are wanting. The boat accommodates up to four anglers, so there's plenty of room to move around and everyone gets their shot at the fish we spot. Don't worry about bringing lunch – we'll have you back to the dock with plenty of time to grab a bite and share your fishing stories.
Sight fishing is a whole different ball game compared to blind casting or bottom fishing. We'll be using polarized sunglasses to cut through the glare and spot fish before they know we're there. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of moving fish – not right on top of them. With spinning gear, you'll have the versatility to throw both live baits like blue crabs or eels for the Cobia, and artificial lures like spoons and jigs that Red Drum can't resist. When we spot a school of Cobia or a big Red Drum cruising the shallows, positioning becomes everything. I'll get the boat in the right spot while you make the presentation. It's hands-on fishing that keeps you engaged the entire time, and even beginners pick up the technique quickly once they see how it works. The visual aspect makes it incredibly rewarding – you'll actually see the fish take your bait or lure.
Cobia are the crown jewel of Chesapeake Bay fishing, and for good reason. These bronze-colored bruisers can stretch over 40 inches and put up a fight that'll test your drag system. They're curious fish, often approaching the boat to check us out, which makes for some of the most exciting sight fishing you'll find anywhere. Late spring through early fall is prime time, when water temperatures climb into the 70s and 80s. Cobia love structure – think channel markers, bridge pilings, and crab pot buoys – but they also cruise the flats looking for an easy meal. What makes them so fun to target is their aggressive nature once they decide to eat. They'll crush a live crab or hammer a bucktail jig with authority.
Red Drum, or Redfish as many anglers call them, are the other star of this show. The Chesapeake Bay is famous for producing citation-size Reds – fish over 26 inches that earn you a spot on Virginia's prestigious citation program. These copper-colored fighters are known for their bulldogging runs and stubborn attitude once hooked. They patrol grass beds, oyster bars, and shallow flats, often in small schools that create heart-stopping sight fishing opportunities. Fall months are particularly productive as Red Drum fatten up for winter, but we see quality fish throughout the warmer months. Their distinctive black spots and bronze coloration make them easy to identify when cruising in clear water, and they're notorious for that head-shaking fight that keeps your rod bent.
This morning sight fishing charter offers something special – the chance to visually hunt two of the Mid-Atlantic's most prized game fish in their natural habitat. The Chesapeake Bay's unique combination of structure, grass beds, and clear morning water creates world-class fishing conditions that serious anglers travel from all over to experience. Whether you're an experienced sight fishing enthusiast or someone looking to try this engaging technique for the first time, this trip delivers the kind of fishing memories that last a lifetime. Bay Bound Charters has the local knowledge and quality equipment to put you on fish, and the early morning timing gives us the best possible conditions for success. Don't miss your chance to target citation Red Drum and trophy Cobia in one of the East Coast's most renowned fisheries.
Your Chesapeake Bay fishing adventure starts aboard a solid 2019 25-foot Privateer center console that's built for serious bay fishing. This reliable boat handles the choppy waters of the Chesapeake with ease, powered by a dependable 225HP Honda that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast, cruising at speeds up to 40 knots when conditions call for it. The center console design gives you plenty of room to move around when sight fishing for those big cobia and citation red drum. With space for up to 4 anglers, everyone gets a good shot at spotting fish in the shallows. The boat's equipped with a quality fish finder to help locate structure and baitfish, plus GPS navigation to mark productive spots for future trips. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and preserves any fish you decide to keep. The multimedia system provides entertainment during the ride out, though once you start sight fishing, the action usually keeps things plenty interesting. The stable platform makes casting with spinning gear comfortable, whether you're working live bait or throwing jigs at cruising fish in the bay's clear waters.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks – that single dorsal fin fools everyone at first glance. These solitary hunters average 3-6 feet and pack serious muscle, making them one of the best fights in the Bay. You'll find them cruising structure like buoys, channel markers, and wrecks in 20-50 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they migrate through on their way north. What guests love is the visual game – spotting that dark shadow just under the surface, then watching it charge your bait. Plus, they're top-shelf eating with firm, white meat. My tip: once you hook up, keep steady pressure but don't horse them. They'll make long runs and try to wrap you around anything nearby.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are built for the shallows – we're talking 1-4 feet where you can see their backs cruising the grass flats. These copper-colored bruisers average 28-33 inches but citation fish over 27 inches are what we're after in the Bay. They love oyster bars, grass beds, and dropoffs around structure. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're feeding heavy. What makes them special is that explosive strike in skinny water – you'll see the whole thing happen. They're also fantastic table fare with that mild, sweet meat. Here's the trick: when you spot one tailing, cast past them and work your bait back slowly. They spook easy in shallow water, so keep noise down and stay low.
Chesapeake Bay