5.0(2 Reviews)Charter Fishing Chesapeake Bay | 8 Hour Trip
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing charters targeting multiple Chesapeake Bay speciesCaptain Mike provides expert guidance for all skill levelsAvailable April through December with 4-person maximum capacity
When you're looking for a fishing charter that's all about putting fish in the boat, Captain Mike's 8-hour trips on the Chesapeake Bay deliver exactly that. This isn't some touristy cruise where you'll spend half the day taking photos—Mike's focused on one thing: getting you hooked up with quality fish. Running from April through December, these charters give you serious time on the water to target everything from trophy striped bass to hard-fighting cobia. With room for up to four anglers, you'll get personalized attention and learn techniques that'll make you a better angler.
Captain Mike runs a tight ship and knows the Chesapeake Bay like the back of his hand. You'll start early to beat the crowds and hit the productive spots before other boats show up. Mike's got his finger on the pulse of fish movement, water temperatures, and seasonal patterns that make or break a fishing trip. His mate Brandon works the tower, spotting fish and keeping tackle ready so you're not missing opportunities. This is hands-on fishing—no sitting around waiting for something to happen. Mike adjusts tactics throughout the day based on conditions, whether that means switching from live bait to artificials or moving from shallow flats to deeper structure. The captain's honest about conditions too, so you know exactly what you're getting into before you leave the dock.
Depending on what's biting, you'll use a mix of techniques that work best in Chesapeake Bay waters. For striped bass, expect to work with live spot, eels, or chunks around structure and drop-offs. Cobia fishing means sight casting and working the surface with bucktails or live bait when these bronze torpedoes show up near the boat. Spanish mackerel action is fast and light tackle, perfect for testing your reflexes with small spoons and jigs. Mike provides all the gear you need, from medium-heavy spinning rods for general fishing to specialized setups for targeting specific species. The boat's rigged with quality electronics to mark fish and bottom structure, plus live wells to keep bait fresh. You'll learn to read the water, watch for bird activity, and recognize the signs that fish are feeding nearby.
"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 Brandon 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
Striped bass are the bread and butter of Chesapeake Bay fishing, and these fish fight hard from the moment they hit your line. Spring and fall see the biggest runs, with fish ranging from schoolies around 18 inches up to trophy fish pushing 40+ inches. They're structure-oriented, so you'll find them around bridge pilings, rock piles, and channel edges. What makes stripers so addictive is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight—they'll test your drag and your skills. The Bay's healthy population means consistent action when you're fishing the right spots at the right times.
Cobia are the Bay's most sought-after trophy fish, and for good reason. These bronze bruisers average 30-50 inches but can stretch over 60 inches and weigh 50+ pounds. They show up in late spring and stick around through fall, often swimming near the surface where you can sight cast to them. Cobia are curious fish that'll follow boats and investigate lures, making for heart-pounding visual fishing. When hooked, they make strong runs and use their broad tails to put serious pressure on tackle. Landing a legal cobia is a real accomplishment and provides excellent table fare.
Spanish mackerel bring fast action and excellent eating to your cooler. These smaller speedsters rarely exceed 3 pounds, but they make
Your fishing platform for the day is a 2015 25-foot C-Hawk center console that cuts through Chesapeake Bay waters with authority. The 250HP Yamaha outboard gets you to the fishing grounds fast, hitting 34 knots when conditions call for it. This boat's layout gives all four anglers room to work without stepping on each other's lines. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS navigation keeps you on productive spots Captain Mike has marked over the years. When nature calls, there's an onboard head so you don't miss prime fishing time. The flybridge gives you elevated views of the water, perfect for spotting surface activity or diving birds that signal feeding fish below. Built for serious bay fishing, this C-Hawk handles everything from targeting striped bass along structure to chasing Spanish mackerel in open water. The center console design means easy access to all sides of the boat whether you're casting to shallow grass beds or working deeper channels.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that can reach 40+ pounds and fight like freight trains. They cruise near the surface around buoys, channel markers, and structure in 20-70 feet of water. Spring migration from May through July is peak season when they move through the Bay to spawn. Guests love them because they're sight fishing targets - you actually see the fish before you cast - and they make blistering runs when hooked. The meat is top-notch too, firm and white like mahi. When you spot one, cast a bucktail jig or eel imitation well ahead of the fish and work it slowly. Cobia are curious and will often follow your lure, so don't give up if they don't hit immediately.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are bronze-colored fighters with distinctive black spots near their tails, typically running 20-35 inches in our waters. They love shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds where they can tail and cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Spring through fall gives you the best shots at them when they're actively feeding. What makes reds special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll use that broad tail to pull hard. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with sweet, flaky meat. When you're sight fishing for them in shallow water, cast well ahead of where they're headed and let your bait sit still. Movement often spooks them, so patience pays off.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are unique disk-shaped fish that average 3-8 pounds and put up a surprising fight for their size. They school around wrecks, bridge pilings, and artificial reefs in 20-60 feet of water. Summer months are prime time when they're feeding heavily on small crabs and jellyfish. Anglers love targeting them because they're challenging - spadefish can be picky eaters but once hooked, they pull hard with that flat body acting like a sail underwater. They make good table fare too. Best approach is to find the structure, then look for the school. Use small circle hooks with fresh clam or jellyfish. Cast past them and drag your bait right through the middle of the school.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that usually run 1-3 pounds in the Bay, though bigger ones show up regularly. You'll spot their silvery sides with yellow spots as they chase baitfish near the surface. They love structure - bridges, pilings, and channel edges where current brings food. Best action happens May through October when water warms up. These fish hit hard and make screaming runs that'll test your drag. They're also fantastic eating - firm, white meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. Here's a local trick: when you see them schooled up, cast a small spoon or gotcha plug just past the school and retrieve it fast through the edge. They can't resist that flash.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the Bay's premier gamefish, running anywhere from schoolie size up to 40+ pound bulls. Look for them around structure - rock piles, channel edges, and bridge pilings in 15-40 feet of water. They're here year-round but spring and fall migrations bring the best action. These fish fight hard with powerful runs and headshakes that'll wear you out. The meat is excellent - flaky white fillets that taste great any way you cook them. During cooler months, try working live eels or large swimbaits slow along the bottom near structure. The bigger fish are often hugging bottom while smaller ones chase bait up top.
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