Full Day Rockfish Hunt on Chesapeake Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday private charter targeting Striped Bass and seasonal speciesAccommodates up to 9 guests with complete gear and licensing includedSpacious 45foot vessel features toilet and wheelchair accessibility
Captain Mason and the Bay Hunter II crew know exactly where to find the fish in Maryland's legendary Chesapeake Bay. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking a full 8 hours of serious fishing time on some of the most productive inshore waters on the East Coast. With space for up to 9 anglers, this private charter gives you and your crew complete freedom to fish at your own pace while targeting the bay's most sought-after species. The 45-foot Bay Hunter II comes equipped with everything you need, plus a few comfort features that make those long days on the water way more enjoyable.
You'll meet Captain Mason and his First Mate at the dock ready for a full day of fishing the bay's hottest spots. The Bay Hunter II is a spacious 45-footer that's built for comfort and serious fishing – we're talking plenty of deck space to move around, a clean head onboard, and even wheelchair accessibility so everyone can get in on the action. The boat's size means you won't be crowded, even with a full group of 9 anglers. Captain Mason brings decades of local knowledge to every trip, reading the tides, weather, and seasonal patterns to put you on fish consistently. The crew handles all the technical stuff – rigging lines, baiting hooks, and netting your catches – so you can focus on what matters most: catching fish. Pack your favorite snacks and drinks because we'll be out there from sunrise to sunset, making the most of every fishing hour.
Captain Mason runs a versatile operation, switching techniques based on what the fish are doing and where they're holding. You'll experience light tackle fishing when the action calls for finesse, trolling spreads when we're covering water to locate schools, jigging over structure when bottom fish are biting, and straight bottom fishing when targeting specific species. All rods, reels, tackle, bait, and fishing licenses are included – no need to bring anything except yourself and maybe a lucky hat. The boat carries quality gear that's properly maintained and matched to Chesapeake Bay conditions. We'll adjust our approach throughout the day based on tides, weather, and fish activity. Early morning might find us trolling for stripers, midday jigging for blues, and afternoon bottom fishing for sea bass. The First Mate stays busy keeping lines in the water, helping with tangles, and making sure everyone's set up for success.
Striped Bass remain the crown jewel of Chesapeake Bay fishing, and for good reason. These silver-sided fighters range from schoolie size up to trophy proportions, with the bigger fish showing incredible power when they make their runs. Spring and fall offer the best rockfish action, when cooler water temperatures bring them shallow to feed aggressively. What makes stripers special is their unpredictability – one minute you're catching 20-inchers on light tackle, the next you're fighting a 35-pound cow that's testing your drag system. They hit everything from live bait to lures, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Bluefish bring pure excitement to every trip with their aggressive strikes and non-stop fighting style. These choppers travel in schools and when you find them, the action gets wild fast. They'll hit topwater lures with explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping, and once hooked, they fight right to the boat. Summer months are prime time for blues, especially when baitfish are thick in the bay. Their razor-sharp teeth and aggressive nature make them a favorite among anglers who want constant action.
Spanish Mackerel show up during the warmer months and provide some of the most fun light-tackle fishing in the bay. These speedsters make blistering runs and acrobatic jumps that keep things interesting. They're perfect for kids and new anglers because they bite readily and put up a great fight on lighter gear. When the Spanish are running, you can catch them back-to-back on small jigs and spoons.
White Perch might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolutely delicious and bite consistently throughout the season. These underrated fighters are perfect for filling the cooler when other species are being finicky. They respond well to bottom rigs with bloodworms or small jigs, and once you locate a school, you can catch them steadily. Many local anglers specifically target white perch for the dinner table.
Black Sea Bass round out the mixed bag with their unique personality and excellent table fare. These bottom dwellers hang around structure and put up a solid fight for their size. They're curious fish that often follow hooked fish to the surface, giving everyone on the boat a good look. Fall fishing brings the best sea bass action when they're feeding heavily before winter. Their distinctive appearance and willingness to bite make them a crew favorite, especially for younger anglers who enjoy their consistent action.
Captain Mason and the Bay Hunter II deliver exactly what serious anglers want – a full day on productive water with experienced crew, quality gear, and the local knowledge that puts fish in the boat. This private charter format means your group sets the pace and fishing style, whether you're introducing kids to fishing or seasoned anglers chasing personal bests. The 8-hour timeframe gives you real opportunity to experience different techniques and target multiple species as conditions change throughout the day. With all gear, bait, and licenses included, plus the comfort features that make long days enjoyable, this trip represents serious value for groups wanting a top-rated Chesapeake Bay fishing experience. The Bay Hunter II books up quickly during peak seasons, so secure your date early and get ready for some of the best inshore fishing the East Coast has to offer.
The Bay Hunter II is your floating fishing headquarters for exploring Chesapeake Bay's productive waters. This spacious 45' Glass Marine Custom boat gives your crew of up to 9 anglers plenty of room to spread out while chasing Maryland's prized Striped Bass and seasonal favorites. Captain Mason's ride comes equipped with everything you need to locate fish and land them - GPS navigation keeps you on the hottest spots, while the fish finder helps mark schools of Rockfish, Bluefish, and Spanish Mackerel. The 450 HP Cummins engine gets you to the action quickly, whether you're trolling the main channels or working structure for Black Seabass. With a comfortable flybridge for spotting birds and bait, plus a toilet onboard, you can focus on fishing without worrying about comfort. The boat's wheelchair accessibility means everyone can join the action. Pack your cooler with snacks and drinks - you'll have 8 full hours to work different techniques from light tackle to bottom fishing across the Bay's diverse fishing grounds.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are our favorite structure fish - chunky, hard-fighting bottom dwellers with serious attitude. Most run 2-4 pounds with dark, mottled coloring and big mouths. They love hard bottom around wrecks, rocks, and pilings in 20-60 feet of water. Late spring through summer is peak season when they move inshore to feed and spawn. What guests love is that solid thump when they hit, then the bulldogging fight as they try to get back to cover. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating in the Bay - sweet and firm. They're also curious fish that'll often follow your bait up from the bottom. My secret: drop a squid strip or clam on a jig head right to the bottom, then work it slow. Keep tension - these guys will steal bait faster than you can blink.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are pure aggression on fins - toothy predators that'll hit anything that moves. They typically run 3-10 pounds in the Bay, with their steel-gray backs and razor-sharp teeth. These guys are seasonal visitors, showing up in late spring and staying through fall when water temps are right. You'll find them chasing baitfish in open water, often creating feeding frenzies that look like washing machines. What makes them exciting is that explosive strike and strong fight - they don't give up easy. The meat's rich and oily, great smoked or grilled fresh. Summer evenings are prime when they're actively feeding near the surface. Pro tip: use wire leaders - those teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. When you see birds diving, get there fast - that's blues tearing into a bait school.
Morone SaxatilisRockfish are what make the Chesapeake famous. These silver beauties with their signature black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds here, though we've seen some push 50+. They're strong swimmers that love structure - bridge pilings, drop-offs, and channel edges where they ambush baitfish. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavily during migration. What makes them special? That initial run when they feel the hook - pure power. Plus they're excellent table fare with firm, sweet meat. The Bay's shallow waters make them accessible year-round, unlike ocean fishing. Pro tip: when the water's moving on tide changes, work the current breaks near the Bay Bridge. That's where they set up to feed, and you'll often find schools stacked up waiting for an easy meal.
Ameiurus CatusWhite catfish are the Bay's hidden gem - small but scrappy bottom dwellers that most folks overlook. They typically run 1-2 pounds, though we occasionally see 4-5 pounders that'll surprise you. These guys prefer the muddy shallows and tidal creeks where the water's got some current. Unlike their bigger cousins, white cats aren't strictly nocturnal - you can catch them all day. They're great for kids and beginners since they bite readily and fight harder than you'd expect. The meat is sweet and mild, perfect for frying up. Best fishing is during warmer months when they're active in 10-20 feet of water. My go-to trick: use chicken liver or nightcrawlers on a simple bottom rig near structure. Let it sit still - these cats hunt by smell and will find your bait.
Morone AmericanaWhite perch are our bread-and-butter fish - small but fun to catch and they travel in big schools. Most run 7-10 inches and under a pound, but they make up for size with numbers. Despite the name, they're actually in the bass family and hang around brackish water where fresh meets salt. Spring is prime time when they spawn in the tributaries, but we catch them year-round. What guests love is the action - when you find a school, you can fill the cooler fast. They're also great eating, mild and sweet when fried whole. Light tackle makes them fun, and kids love the constant bites. Pro tip: use small jigs or bloodworms and work them vertically near bottom structure. When you catch one, drop right back down - where there's one white perch, there's usually fifty more.
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