5.0(2 Reviews)8-Hour Chesapeake Bay Charter Fishing
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8hour inshore charter targets multiple Chesapeake Bay fish speciesCaptain Mike provides expert guidance for all skill levelsAvailable April through December with 4person maximum capacity
Captain Mike's 8-hour Chesapeake Bay charter puts you right in the heart of one of the East Coast's most productive fishing waters. This isn't your typical tourist boat ride – you're getting a full day with a captain who lives and breathes these waters. With room for up to four anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work without bumping elbows, and Captain Mike's local knowledge means you're hitting the spots where fish are actually feeding, not just where the crowds are heading.
Your 8-hour trip starts early, when the fish are most active and before the weekend warriors flood the bay. Captain Mike runs these waters from April through December, so he knows exactly where different species set up throughout the seasons. You'll be targeting everything from hard-fighting cobia to tasty Spanish mackerel, depending on what's running hot. The beauty of an 8-hour charter is that you're not rushed – if the fish are biting in one spot, you can stay put and fill the cooler. If they're not cooperating, you've got time to move and find the action. Captain Mike's honest approach means he'll tell you straight up what's happening out there, whether it's tournament pressure, weather patterns, or just one of those days when fish have lockjaw.
Captain Mike runs a tower boat, which gives you a huge advantage when targeting species like cobia that cruise near the surface. You'll spend time sight fishing, where Mike and his mate Brandon are up top scanning the water for those dark shadows that get your heart pumping. When they spot fish, it's game on – but these aren't easy catches. Cobia are smart, especially the big ones, and they'll test your skills. For bottom fishing, you'll be dropping down for spadefish and other structure-loving species. The technique switches throughout the day based on tides, structure, and what's showing on the fish finder. Mike provides all the gear, but if you've got lucky rods or preferred tackle, bring them along.
"This guy is the man! He is completely honest with you, he doesn't just want to take you on a boat ride. Mike called me earlier in the week to let me know that there was a tournament going on and fishing was going to be hard. I still told him that was OK and we still decided to go. There were over a hundred boats in the area and everything Capt Mike said, was true. The bay was full with boats. Mike still found the fish even though they were really pressured. Also it seemed like everywhere Mike went to, the boats seemed to follow and would be at the spot we were fishing 30 minutes later. We were cobia fishing and this guy worked his butt off for me and and my buddy. We caught 2 but they were under sized and Capt Mike, I could see it was bothering him we hadn't got a keeper in the boat yet but that's fishing. We saw cobia but their mouths were sowed shut, probably from the tournament. Him and his mate spent all day on the tower of the boat looking for us. We had a few fish get hooked but they just seemed to spit it out. Mike and his mate Brandon are hardworking for you, and will do everything they can to get fish in the boat for you. This guy showed me everything I needed to see that he was a great captain because he worked so freaking hard to find fish. I will definitely be going later this summer to go after cobia again. This guy isn't just wanting to give you a boat ride, he's solely focused on you going home with fish. Go with him and you won't regret it." - Andrew
"This was an amazing day! We went with Captain Mike back in June and we caught cobia, but they were all undersized. We started fishing for sheepshead, bluefish, and then hit for the cobia. When we went after cobia, I thought we were gonna have the same bad luck of undersized as last time but that changed. First 2 fish were undersized, but then 3rd times the charm. 3rd fish was a nice 57 inch cobia. It didn't end there though, we caught 5 more after that but they were just an inch or two undersized. If you wanna catch fish, especially cobia, check this guy out. He knows what he's doing. Check out Captain Mike!" - Andrew
Spanish Mackerel are some of the most fun fish you'll hook in the Chesapeake. These speedsters typically run 1-3 pounds and hit lures like freight trains. They show up in good numbers from late spring through fall, and they're perfect for lighter tackle. What makes them special is their aggressive feeding – when you find a school, you can catch them back-to-back until your arms hurt. They're also excellent table fare with white, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill.
Striped Bass are the bread and butter of Chesapeake Bay fishing, and Captain Mike knows where they stage throughout the seasons. These fish can range from schoolie size up to trophy cows pushing 30+ pounds. The beauty of stripers is their willingness to eat – they'll hit everything from live bait to topwater lures. Spring and fall are prime times when big schools move through the bay, but summer fishing around structure can produce some real giants.
Spadefish are often overlooked, but they're some of the best eating fish in the bay. These silver beauties hang around structure and bridges, typically weighing 2-4 pounds. They're not the hardest fighters, but they make up for it on the dinner plate. Spadefish require a bit more finesse – light leaders and small baits work best, and they can be picky about presentation.
Redfish, or red drum, are the southern visitors that make Chesapeake Bay fishing special. These copper-colored fighters can range from
Meet the 25-foot C-Hawk, your fishing platform for targeting Chesapeake Bay's abundant waters. This 2015 center console runs on a reliable 250HP Yamaha engine, cruising at speeds up to 34 knots to get you to the productive fishing spots quickly. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to 4 anglers, giving everyone room to cast and fight fish without crowding. GPS navigation keeps you on course to the best fishing grounds, while the fish finder helps locate schools of stripers, blues, and other Bay favorites hiding below. The onboard toilet means longer days on the water without cutting trips short, and the flybridge gives Captain Mike an elevated view to spot birds working or surface activity. Built for serious fishing, this boat gets you where the fish are biting and back to the dock with your catch.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that average around 50-60 pounds and 4-5 feet long here in the bay. They're loners, not schooling fish, and you'll find them around structure like channel markers, wrecks, and floating debris in 15-50 feet of water. Late spring through early fall is when they migrate through our area following the warming water. What guests love is the powerful fight and the fact they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. They're aggressive predators that'll eat just about anything. My go-to method: sight fishing with bucktail jigs in the 4-6 ounce range. When you spot one cruising near the surface, lead them by about 10 feet and work that jig with steady retrieves.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are bronze-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails, averaging 28-33 inches depending on the fish. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. Spring through fall is prime time, especially on warming tides when they're actively feeding on crabs and shrimp. What makes them special is that explosive topwater strike in skinny water, plus they're phenomenal eating with mild, sweet meat. These fish are sight-fishing opportunities at their best, cruising the shallows looking for food. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing or cruising, cast your topwater plug or shrimp imitation well ahead of them and work it slowly across their path.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are unique disk-shaped fighters that run 3-10 pounds and about 18 inches on average. Their silver bodies with dark vertical stripes make them easy to spot, and they school up in groups of hundreds around wrecks, reefs, and bridge pilings. Summer into early fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily in 20-50 feet of water. What makes them fun is the surprising fight they put up - they'll dive and run using that flat body like a sail. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. These fish can be finicky, but here's the secret: use small circle hooks with fresh clam or cut squid, and fish right in the structure. When you see the school, cast past them and drag your bait through the group slowly.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that average 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds in our waters. You'll spot their silver bodies with yellowish spots as they cruise near the surface in schools. They're speed demons - hitting at around 18 mph - so when they strike your lure, you'll know it. We find them around structure and drop-offs, typically in 15-40 feet of water from late spring through fall when water temps warm up. What makes them special is the fight they give for their size, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the bay with that mild, sweet flavor. My tip: use light tackle with shiny spoons or small jigs and keep your boat moving. These fish follow baitfish schools, so if you see diving birds, head that direction.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the kings of our waters, averaging 20-40 pounds with those distinctive black stripes running down their silver sides. These powerful swimmers love structure - bridge pilings, drop-offs, and channel edges where they ambush baitfish. They're here year-round but fishing really picks up during spring and fall migrations when they're actively feeding. What guests love most is the strong fight they put up and how good they taste - firm, sweet meat that's perfect for grilling. You'll find them from shallow flats to 60-foot depths, often following schools of menhaden or spot. Here's what works: when you locate a school, drift with live eels or large soft plastics near the bottom. Don't anchor right on them - you'll spook the whole school.
5.0 out of 5.0This guy is the man! He is completely honest with you, he doesn't just want to take you on a boat ride. Mike called me earlier in ...
This was an amazing day! We went with Captain Mike back in June and we caught cobia, but they were all undersized. We started fish...
Chesapeake Bay