5.0(3 Reviews)Chesapeake Charter Fishing | 8 Hour Full Day Trip
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Shore Fishing
Eight-hour full day charter targeting Chesapeake Bay striped bassAll fishing equipment and tackle provided by experienced crewSmall group experience with maximum six guests capacity
Looking for a full-day fishing adventure that'll give you a real taste of what makes Chesapeake Bay legendary? This 8-hour charter with Elligail Charters Woodfield puts you right in the heart of Maryland's premier fishing waters. We're talking about one of the East Coast's most productive fisheries, where striped bass rule the roost and every cast holds promise. With room for up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of elbow room to work the water without feeling crowded. No need to stress about gear either – we've got you covered with everything you need to make the most of your day on the Bay.
Your full-day charter starts early, giving you the best chance to capitalize on prime feeding times when the fish are most active. The Chesapeake Bay's unique mix of fresh and salt water creates an ecosystem that's absolutely loaded with baitfish, which means predators like striped bass are never far behind. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hands, reading the tides, structure, and seasonal patterns that put you on fish consistently. You'll cover serious ground during your 8 hours, hitting multiple spots from shallow grass flats to deeper channel edges where big stripers like to ambush prey. The boat's equipped with quality fish finders and GPS, so we're not just randomly throwing lines in the water – every move is calculated to maximize your chances. Weather permitting, you might find yourself working everything from bridge pilings to submerged humps, each spot offering its own unique fishing opportunities.
Striped bass fishing in the Chesapeake requires a mix of techniques depending on the season and conditions. During your charter, expect to use live bait like spot, menhaden, or eels when the fish are finicky, or switch to artificial lures when they're feeding aggressively. Trolling is a go-to method here, pulling umbrella rigs or large spoons through likely areas to cover water and locate schools. When we mark fish, we'll often switch to casting or bottom fishing with cut bait to really dial in on the action. The rods are typically medium-heavy spinning or conventional setups that can handle the Bay's strong current and the powerful runs these bass are famous for. Circle hooks are standard for live and cut bait to ensure good hooksets and fish survival, while the crew will have you rigged with the right leader material to handle the stripers' sandpaper-like gill plates that can cut through light line in seconds.
"The Capt is very responsive with communications prior to the trip and crew worked hard to put us on fish. Fishing was slow, but it was Sep. We will book again next year in Jun or Oct- Nov time frame. We caught several catfish and a couple keeper striper. We had 10 family members and friends, so it was like a mini reunion and we had a great day on the bay. Weather was perfect. Nice boat, which had plenty of room for our ten and plenty of shade, so you were not in the sun all afternoon. Overall we had a great trip" - Lily
"Rented the boat to spend some fun time with family and we had an absolute blast! And caught a ton of fish!" - Sugar
"My daughter and I had so much fun on our half day fishing charter. The crew, Chuck and Scott, were professional, friendly and quite knowledgeable. They patiently taught us the fishing ropes, and we had so much fun catching catfish. From start to finish it was a fun adventure we will never forget!" - Patrick
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Chesapeake Bay fishing, and for good reason. These silver-sided bruisers can range anywhere from schoolie-sized fish around 18 inches up to true trophy specimens pushing 40+ inches and 30+ pounds. Spring and fall represent peak times for targeting stripers, when they're actively feeding and putting on weight before spawning runs or winter migrations. What makes catching stripers so addictive is their fighting ability – they'll make powerful runs, jump, and use every bit of available structure to try and break you off. The Bay's striped bass are incredibly healthy thanks to strong conservation efforts, with plenty of keeper-sized fish mixed in with the smaller schoolies that provide non-stop action. These fish are ambush predators that relate heavily to structure, so you'll often find them around bridge pilings, channel edges, grass lines, and underwater humps where baitfish concentrate. Their feeding behavior changes throughout the day, with early morning and late afternoon typically producing the hottest action, though midday fishing can be productive when working deeper water or shaded areas.
While striped bass steal the spotlight, the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem supports an impressive variety of other species that'll keep your rod bent throughout the day. Blue catfish have become increasingly common in the upper Bay, and these whiskered fighters can reach impressive sizes while providing steady action when the stripers are being stubborn. Channel catfish are also abundant and particularly fun for younger anglers since they're aggressive and relatively easy to catch. White perch show up in good numbers, especially in the spring, and while they're smaller than stripers, they make up for it with their willingness to bite and excellent table fare. Depending on the time of year and specific areas fished, you might also encounter species like bluefish, Spanish mackerel, or even red drum, each bringing their own unique fighting characteristics to keep things interesting during your full-day adventure.
An 8-hour charter on the Chesapeake Bay gives you the time you need to really experience what this world-class fishery has to offer. While shorter trips can be great, having a full day allows the crew to adjust tactics, move between multiple spots, and work through different techniques until you find what the fish want. The Bay's
Meet the Elligail, your 52-foot custom deadrise built specifically for Chesapeake Bay fishing adventures. This spacious motorboat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers while you chase striped bass across Maryland's legendary waters. The boat comes equipped with everything serious fishermen need - fish finder to locate your targets, GPS and radar for safe navigation, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. When you need a break from the action, retreat to the air-conditioned cabin featuring a full kitchen, bathroom, and even a bed for those who want to rest between fishing spots. The Elligail's traditional deadrise design cuts through Bay waters smoothly, giving you stable fishing platform whether you're working the shallows or heading to deeper channels. With 8 full hours on the water, you'll have plenty of time to explore different fishing grounds and put that fish finder to work. All tackle and gear provided, so just bring yourself and get ready to experience why Chesapeake Bay fishing has such a devoted following among East Coast anglers.
5.0 out of 5.0The Capt is very responsive with communications prior to the trip and crew worked hard to put us on fish. Fishing was slow, but it...
Rented the boat to spend some fun time with family and we had an absolute blast! And caught a ton of fish!
My daughter and I had so much fun on our half day fishing charter. The crew, Chuck and Scott, were professional, friendly and quit...
Rock Hall, MD 