Chesapeake Bay Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 2hour inshore charter targeting six speciesAll equipment and fishing license included onboardAccommodates up to five guests on center console
Want to get on some quality fish without burning a whole day? This 2-hour private inshore charter in Chesapeake Bay delivers exactly what you're looking for. We're talking about a focused trip where you'll target some of the Bay's top-rated species – Cobia, Bluefish, Black Drum, Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, and the legendary Rockfish. Fish Taxi keeps it simple: they provide everything you need including rods, reels, tackle, and your fishing license. All you bring is yourself and up to 4 friends aboard their 27-foot center console.
This isn't your typical half-day grind. Two hours gives you enough time to hit multiple spots without wearing yourself out, especially if you're bringing kids or first-time anglers along. The Chesapeake Bay's inshore waters are perfect for this kind of trip – protected from ocean swells but packed with structure and baitfish that draw in the predators you want to catch. You'll be fishing in 8 to 25 feet of water around grass beds, channel edges, and drop-offs where these fish like to hang out. The captain knows exactly where to find them based on tide, season, and recent patterns. Don't worry if you've never held a rod before – this trip welcomes all skill levels, and the crew will get you dialed in fast.
The 27-foot center console gives you plenty of room to move around and fight fish without getting tangled up with other anglers. You'll be using medium to heavy spinning gear loaded with braided line – perfect for the structure fishing and current you'll encounter in the Bay. Depending on what's biting, you might be throwing soft plastics around grass beds for Seatrout, dropping cut bait for Black Drum, or casting topwater plugs when the Bluefish are schooling up. The boat comes rigged with quality rods and reels, so you won't be stuck with beat-up rental gear. Fresh bait and a solid selection of lures means you're ready for whatever these fish want to eat. The captain will adjust techniques based on conditions – some days call for drifting with the current, other days you'll be anchored up and waiting for the bite.
Bluefish are the Bay's most aggressive predators and absolute customer favorites for good reason. These silver bullets hit hard and fight dirty, often jumping and making screaming runs that'll test your drag. Spring and fall see the biggest schools, but you can find them all season long around baitfish. They're not picky eaters – they'll crush everything from topwater plugs to cut bunker. Most fish run 2 to 8 pounds, perfect for light tackle action.
Black Drum are the Bay's heavyweights, with fish over 40 pounds common in deeper channels and around structure. These bruisers are bottom dwellers that love blue crabs and clams, making them a blast to target with cut bait on the bottom. Spring brings the big spawning fish into shallower water where you can really get into them. They're not fast, but they're incredibly strong – like trying to turn a truck around.
Spotted Seatrout, or "Specks" as locals call them, are the Bay's most beautiful gamefish with their silver sides and distinctive black spots. They love grass beds and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Most fish run 14 to 20 inches, and they're fantastic on light tackle. Spring through fall is prime time, especially around dawn and dusk when they move shallow to feed.
Redfish are the newest stars in the Chesapeake Bay fishing scene. These copper-colored bulldogs weren't common here years ago, but warming waters have brought them north in big numbers. They're sight fishing legends – you can often see their bronze backs and black-spotted tails in shallow water. They fight like freight trains and are renowned for their strength and endurance.
Cobia are the Bay's most prized catch and every angler's dream fish. These brown sharks (they're actually not sharks at all) can top 40 pounds and are world-class fighters. Summer is prime time when they cruise the shallows looking for crabs and baitfish. They're curious fish that will often follow your lure right to the boat, giving you multiple chances to hook up. When you do connect, hold on tight – they're famous for long, powerful runs.
A 2-hour private charter gives you the perfect taste of what Chesapeake Bay inshore fishing is all about. You're getting quality time on proven waters with experienced guides who know where the fish are biting. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for a quick fix or introducing someone new to the sport, this trip delivers the goods without the commitment of a full day. With everything included and a maximum of 5 anglers, you're guaranteed personal attention and plenty of room to fish comfortably. The Bay's inshore waters produce year-round, so there's never a bad time to get out there and bend some rods.
This freshly restored 27' Judge center console is built for serious bay fishing. The reliable 250HP Honda pushes her up to 35 knots, getting you to the hotspots fast while delivering a rock-solid ride through Chesapeake's choppy waters. With room for up to 5 anglers, she's perfectly sized for targeting everything from schooling rockfish to bottom-dwelling black drum. The onboard fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish, while GPS keeps you on productive spots. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot summer fishing sessions. The center console design gives everyone plenty of casting room and easy access to all sides of the boat - essential when cobia are cruising the surface or bluefish are busting bait. Whether you're working light tackle around grass beds for spotted seatrout or dropping baits for hefty red drum, this Judge handles it all with the stability and speed that makes Chesapeake Bay fishing so productive.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, commonly running 15-40 pounds in our waters. These powerful bottom-feeders love oyster bars, muddy flats, and structure where they crush crabs and mollusks with their pharyngeal teeth. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target in shallow water. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight - they'll use every ounce to stay glued to the bottom. The smaller fish under 15 pounds are fantastic eating with firm, white meat. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spawning season, which is pretty cool. My go-to tip: use fresh crab bait on a fish finder rig and keep it right on the bottom - these fish rarely look up.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that put up a serious fight once hooked. These silvery-blue fish typically run 3-15 pounds in the Bay, with their sharp triangular teeth and muscular build making them formidable opponents. You'll find them in schools around structure, breaking water, and following baitfish in depths from 10-50 feet. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding on menhaden and anchovies. What guests love most is the explosive strike and sustained runs - these fish don't give up easy. They're also excellent table fare when prepared fresh, though the smaller ones taste best. Pro tip: bring a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon - those razor teeth will cut through regular line in seconds.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the Bay's brown sharks that aren't actually sharks - they're premium gamefish averaging 30-60 pounds. These solitary hunters cruise around buoys, channel markers, and structure in 15-40 feet of water. Late spring through summer is peak season when they're migrating and spawning. What makes them special is the incredible fight they put up and their world-class table fare - firm, white meat that's restaurant quality. They're curious fish that'll often follow your boat, making for exciting sight fishing opportunities. The challenge is finding them since they don't school up like other species. My best advice: look for them around any vertical structure on calm days, and have a bucktail jig ready to drop down fast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are copper-colored fighters that average 20-30 inches in the Bay. Look for that distinctive black spot near the tail - it's their calling card. These fish love shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges in 1-6 feet of water where their backs sometimes show above the surface. Fall brings the best action as they fatten up before winter. What guests love is the powerful runs and their willingness to eat everything from cut bait to topwater plugs. They're excellent table fare too, with firm white meat. Being sight fishing targets makes them exciting to hunt. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing in shallow water, cast well ahead of where it's moving and work your bait slowly back toward them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout are one of the Bay's most popular inshore targets, averaging 12-18 inches with decent fish pushing 3-4 pounds. These speckled beauties love grass flats, creek mouths, and shallow structure in 2-8 feet of water. Spring and fall fishing is outstanding when water temps are in the 60s-70s, though summer dawn and dusk bites can be hot. Anglers love their delicate fight and willingness to hit both live bait and artificials. The meat is mild and flaky - perfect for the dinner table. They're also great for beginners since they're pretty forgiving. Here's a local trick: work soft plastics or live shrimp slowly over grass beds at first light, and watch for those telltale dimples on the surface.
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