Private 3 Hour Morning Fishing Trip
Private Trip
River Fishing
Only fully licensed fishing charter service based in Washington, DCFleet includes three premium vessels with heated pilothouses availableTarget blue catfish and local species using multiple fishing methods
When you're looking for serious fishing action in the heart of Washington, DC, you've found the only fully licensed and insured charter service operating right from the nation's capital. Fish The Potomac runs three top-notch boats—Geronimo (33' Grady-White Express 330), King Louie (Parker 2320 SL with heated pilothouse), and Betty (Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless)—each one built for comfort and rigged to put fish in the boat. Your USCG-licensed captain knows these waters like the back of their hand and will customize every trip to match what you're after, whether you're a first-timer wanting to feel that initial tug or a seasoned angler chasing your next personal best.
Your morning starts early when the bite is typically hottest and the Potomac shows its best fishing face. We'll head straight to our carefully scouted honey holes—those sweet spots that produce fish season after season. The beauty of fishing DC's waters is the variety you'll encounter in just three hours. One moment you might be working structure with light tackle, feeling the thump of a bass hitting your jig, and the next you could be bottom fishing for monster blue catfish that'll test your drag and your patience. Weather isn't going to shut us down either—rain or shine, our fleet handles whatever Mother Nature throws at us. The heated pilothouse on King Louie makes those chilly mornings comfortable, while all our boats are equipped for safety and serious fishing. Your captain reads the water conditions daily and adjusts techniques accordingly. If the topwater bite is firing up, we'll chase that explosive action. If the fish are holding deep on structure, we'll drop down and work them methodically. It's all about adapting to what the Potomac is giving us that day.
The Potomac offers some of the most diverse fishing opportunities on the East Coast, and we fish it every way possible. For largemouth bass, we'll work everything from shallow cover with spinnerbaits and topwater plugs to deep structure with football jigs and drop shots. The river's abundant wood cover, rock piles, and grass beds create perfect ambush points where bass stack up. When we're targeting blue catfish, it's a completely different game—we're talking heavy tackle, cut bait, and the patience to let these bruisers find your offering. These cats love the deeper channels and current breaks where they can ambush prey. All tackle and bait are included, though you're welcome to bring your favorite rod if you've got one that's brought you luck before. Our boats are rigged with quality fish finders and GPS, so we can mark productive spots and return to them throughout the trip. The key to success on the Potomac is staying mobile—if one spot isn't producing, we'll move to the next honey hole until we find where the fish are feeding. Your captain will teach you the nuances of reading this river, from understanding current breaks to recognizing the subtle signs that indicate feeding fish.
Largemouth bass are the bread and butter of Potomac fishing, and these aren't your typical pond bass. The river produces chunky, aggressive fish that average 2-4 pounds, with plenty of 5+ pounders mixed in to keep things interesting. Spring and fall are prime time when bass are most active, but summer mornings can produce explosive topwater action that'll get your heart racing. These bass are smart and structure-oriented—they use the river's abundant cover to stage ambushes on passing baitfish. What makes Potomac largemouth special is their fighting ability in current. Even a 3-pounder will give you a memorable battle when it's got moving water to use against you. The variety of techniques that work here keeps every cast interesting, from flipping jigs into heavy cover to working crankbaits over submerged points.
Blue catfish are the true giants of the Potomac, and targeting them is like hunting freshwater monsters. These fish can push 20, 30, even 40+ pounds, and when you hook into a big blue, you'll know immediately you're connected to something special. They're most active during warmer months but can be caught year-round by anglers who know where to look. Blues are structure-oriented and love deep water with current, particularly around bridge pilings, channel ledges, and submerged timber. What makes them such a rush to catch is their initial power—when a big blue decides to run, it's going to take line despite your best efforts. They're also excellent eating if you decide to keep a few smaller ones for the table. The Potomac's blue cat population is incredibly healthy, making it one of the East Coast's premier destinations for trophy catfish angling.
This three-hour morning trip hits the sweet spot for serious fishing without eating up your entire day. You'll experience the best of what DC's hidden fishing gem has to offer, guided by professionals who live and breathe these waters. With only four anglers maximum per trip, you'll get personal attention and plenty of room to fish comfortably. Whether you're a local who's never realized what's swimming right in your backyard or a visitor looking to add some fishing to your DC experience, this charter delivers the goods. The Potomac's fishing opportunities are world-class, and having the only fully licensed charter service based right in Washington means you're getting access to spots and techniques that most anglers never discover. Book your morning on the water and see why Fish The Potomac has become the top-rated choice for anglers who want to fish DC's best-kept secret.
The Geronimo is your ride for serious fishing on the Potomac River. This 33-foot Grady-White walkaround packs twin 300HP Suzuki engines that'll get you to the hottest fishing spots fast, cruising up to 40 knots when you need to chase the bite. Built for DC waters, she's loaded with everything anglers need: fish finder to locate schools, GPS and radar for navigation, plus an icebox and full galley to keep your catch fresh and crew fed. The spacious deck gives all 4 anglers room to work, whether you're dropping lines for trophy blue cats or working structure with light tackle. Captain keeps it comfortable with onboard facilities and climate control, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat. From the monuments to the honey holes, this boat handles it all.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are the giants of the Potomac system - we're talking fish that can push 20-50 pounds and fight like freight trains. These slate-blue bruisers love deep holes with muddy bottoms and tidal flow, especially around channel bends and structure. They're opportunistic feeders that'll eat anything, but fresh-cut bait like herring or shad works best. Spring through fall they're most active, though we catch them year-round. What guests love? The raw power and that deep, head-shaking fight that'll test your gear. Pro tip: let your bait sit on bottom near current breaks - blue cats are scavengers and they'll find it. Just bring heavy tackle and be ready for a workout.
Micropterus SalmoidesThe Potomac's largemouth bass are built for ambush hunting, hiding around downed trees, grass beds, and structure before striking hard. These green-backed fighters average 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds, but we regularly see bigger ones in our deeper holes. They love shallow, weedy areas during spring and fall, then move to deeper water when it heats up. What makes them special? That explosive strike and the aerial show they put on when hooked. Plus, they're great eating when handled right. Here's a local tip: when fishing our grass-heavy spots, try wacky-rigged worms right at the edge where weeds meet open water. That transition zone is pure gold for Potomac bass.
Washington, DC, United States