Chesapeake Bay Walk-On Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore charter targets six fish species including Cobia and RockfishAll equipment and fishing licenses included aboard 27foot center console boatWalkon trip accommodates two guests with all skill levels welcome
Looking for a solid day on the water without the hassle of organizing your own group? This walk-on charter is exactly what you need. Fish Taxi runs a top-rated 8-hour inshore fishing adventure that puts you right in the heart of Chesapeake Bay's best action. Whether you're a weekend warrior or haven't held a rod in years, this trip delivers consistent results with species that actually fight back. The 27-foot center console gives you plenty of room to work, and since everything's included – rods, reels, tackle, even your fishing license – you just show up ready to fish.
Your day starts early, but trust me, it's worth the wake-up call. The Bay comes alive in those first few hours, and that's when the fish are most active. With only two spots available, you're getting personalized attention from the captain – no crowded rails or tangled lines with a dozen other anglers. The boat's set up perfectly for inshore work, with plenty of rod holders, a good fishfinder, and all the tackle you'll need for whatever's biting. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, hitting structure, grass beds, and drop-offs where the fish congregate. You'll cover serious ground during those 8 hours, moving from spot to spot as conditions and fish activity dictate. The Bay's shallow nature means you're always close to productive water, and the variety of structure keeps things interesting all day long.
The beauty of Chesapeake Bay fishing is the variety of techniques that work here. You'll likely start with live bait – spot, bloodworms, or soft crabs depending on what's available and what the fish are eating. The captain will rig you up with circle hooks for the stripers and drum, switching to smaller tackle when the seatrout are schooled up. Don't be surprised if you're throwing soft plastics on jigheads one minute and soaking cut bait the next – that's just how Bay fishing works. The water's relatively shallow, so you're usually fishing 10-25 feet, which means you feel every bite and fight every fish from start to finish. The provided gear is well-maintained and matched to the species you're targeting. Medium-heavy spinning rods handle the bigger stripers and drum, while lighter setups come out when the trout and blues are cooperative. Baitcasting gear might make an appearance if the cobia show up – those fish require serious tackle and drag pressure.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Chesapeake Bay, and for good reason. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches but can push 24+ inches when you find the right school. They love grass beds and drop-offs, especially during moving water. Spring through fall is prime time, with the biggest fish showing up in late fall before they head to deeper water. What makes them special is their willingness to eat just about anything – live spot, soft plastics, even topwater when conditions are right. They've got a soft mouth, so circle hooks are your friend, and they make excellent table fare.
Vermilion Rockfish – that's striped bass for you out-of-towners – are the crown jewel of Bay fishing. These fish can range from schoolie size around 18 inches up to genuine cows pushing 30+ inches and 15+ pounds. They're structure-oriented, hanging around bridge pilings, channel edges, and rock piles. Peak season runs from April through December, with the trophy fish showing up during the fall run. They'll eat live bait, cut bait, and artificials with equal enthusiasm. The fight is what hooks most anglers – they make long runs and use their broad sides to fight in the current.
Bluefish bring pure aggression to your day. These toothy predators travel in schools and when you find them, it's game on. They'll hit anything that moves and fight like they're twice their size. Most Bay blues run 2-8 pounds, perfect for putting a bend in your rod without requiring heavy tackle. They're seasonal visitors, showing up when the baitfish are thick. Fair warning – keep your fingers away from those teeth, and bring a wire leader if they're around in numbers.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the Bay. These bottom-dwellers can surprise you with their size – 20-40 pounders aren't uncommon, and they'll test your drag system for sure. They're suckers for fresh crab and bloodworms fished on the bottom near structure. What's cool about drum fishing is the subtlety – they don't slam the bait like a striper, they just make it heavy. Then the fun starts as they use their bulk and the current to their advantage. They're year-round residents but fish best during warmer months.
This walk-on charter fills up fast, especially during peak season when the fish are most cooperative. With only two spots available, you're getting a premium experience at a reasonable price point. The fact that everything's included – gear, tackle, and license – means you're looking at the total cost upfront with no surprises. The captain's local knowledge and the boat's setup for Bay fishing make this a world-class day on the water. Whether you're looking to put dinner on the table, introduce someone to saltwater fishing, or just need a break from the daily grind, this trip delivers. The Chesapeake Bay is renowned for its fishing, and this charter puts you right in the middle of the action with a guide who knows how to find fish consistently.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our freshly restored 27-foot Judge center console, a real workhorse built for Chesapeake Bay's diverse waters. This reliable boat handles the bay's chop with ease while her 250HP Honda motor gets you to the fish fast, cruising at 35 knots when conditions allow. The spacious center console layout gives everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Whether you're working the shallow grass beds for redfish and spotted seatrout or heading to deeper structure for cobia and black drum, this boat's shallow draft and stable platform make it perfect for light tackle fishing. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools of bluefish and stripers, while GPS navigation ensures we hit all the productive spots around the bay. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during the full 8-hour day on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the Bay, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 50+ pounds. These powerful bottom-feeders love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - you can actually hear them drumming underwater. They're great for all skill levels since they fight hard but steady. The smaller fish under 15 pounds are excellent eating, but the big ones get tough and stringy. Fresh soft crab or clam is your best bet for bait. Keep it on the bottom and be patient - when a drum picks up your bait, you'll know it.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are some of the most aggressive fighters you'll find in the Bay, typically running 5-15 pounds with razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through leaders. These blue-green predators show up mid-June through October, feeding in massive schools that create what we call "bluefish blitzes" - water churning like a washing machine. They'll hit just about anything when feeding: spoons, plugs, or chunks of oily baitfish work great. Smaller "snappers" are perfect for kids to target in shallow bays during late summer. The meat's excellent when fresh, especially fish under 10 pounds. Pro tip: bring wire leaders and watch your fingers - these guys will bite anything that moves, including you.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout are one of the Bay's most popular targets, running 14-24 inches and putting up a solid fight on light tackle. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at dawn and dusk. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding on shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. What makes them special is their tender, flaky white meat - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. During winter, they school up in deeper channels, making them easier to find. My tip: use soft plastics that mimic shrimp and work them slowly along the bottom near grass beds. The bite is often subtle, so stay sharp.
Sebastes MiniatusVermilion rockfish aren't native to Chesapeake Bay waters - they're a Pacific coast species found from Baja California to Alaska. These bright red fish with black mottling average 14-22 inches and can reach 15 pounds. They live around rocky bottoms and reefs in 100-500 foot depths, spending most of their time near the bottom feeding on small fish, squid, and krill. What's cool about rockfish is they can live over 100 years and often stay in the same territory for years. Light tackle with small hooks works best, and a strip of squid makes great bait. In deeper water, a two-hook rig with squid or cut fish is your best bet for success.
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