Half Day Catfish And Perch Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore charter targeting striped bass and red drumAccommodates up to 4 anglers with experienced local guidesMultiple species available including catfish, perch, and speckled trout
If you're looking for a solid half-day fishing trip that puts you on some of Chesapeake Bay's best inshore action, this charter with Fishpit Charters is your ticket. We're talking about a top-rated fishing experience that targets everything from the Bay's famous striped bass to hefty blue catfish, red drum, and more. With space for up to 4 anglers, it's perfect whether you're bringing the family, a few buddies, or flying solo. Our experienced captains know these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on fish regardless of your skill level. The Bay's got something biting year-round, and we'll make sure you're fishing when the action's hot.
This isn't your typical "throw a line and hope" kind of trip. Our guides are dialed in on seasonal patterns and know exactly where to find feeding fish based on water temperature, tidal movement, and bait activity. You'll be fishing prime inshore spots where striped bass, red drum, white perch, croaker, blue catfish, speckled trout, and black drum hang out. The beauty of Chesapeake Bay fishing is the diversity – one cast you might hook into a schoolie striper, the next could be a bull red drum that'll test your drag. We keep group sizes small at 4 anglers max, so everyone gets personalized attention and plenty of rod time. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a fishing rod, our captains will adjust techniques and spots to match your experience level. The Bay's stunning scenery is just a bonus while you're focused on bending rods.
We fish a variety of methods depending on what's biting and where we find the fish. Bottom fishing with fresh bait is deadly for catfish and drum, while we'll switch to casting lures or live bait for stripers and red drum. Our boats are rigged with quality gear – medium to heavy action rods paired with spinning or conventional reels that can handle everything from 2-pound white perch to 20-pound striped bass. We provide all tackle, but feel free to bring your favorite rod if you've got one. Bait selection varies by season and target species – we might be using cut bait for catfish, live minnows for perch, or artificial lures when the stripers are schooled up and feeding aggressively. The guides will handle all the rigging and bait prep, so you can focus on fishing. We'll move spots throughout the trip to stay on active fish, using our fish finder and local knowledge to locate structure, drop-offs, and current breaks where fish congregate.
Black drum are absolute bruisers that'll give you a workout once hooked. These bottom-dwellers can push 30+ pounds in the Bay and are most active during spring and fall when they're feeding heavily on crabs and clams. They're not flashy fighters like a striper, but they've got serious pulling power that'll make your arms burn. What makes them special is their size potential and the fact that they're often overlooked by anglers focused on stripers. Striped bass are the Bay's signature species and for good reason – they're aggressive, fight hard, and taste great on the dinner table. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're schooled up and feeding on baitfish. Summer fishing can be productive early morning or evening. These fish are smart and can be picky, making each hookup satisfying. Redfish, or red drum, are becoming more common in the Bay and they're absolute tanks once hooked. They'll make blistering runs and test your drag system. Fall is prime time when they're fattened up and feeding aggressively in shallow water. Blue catfish are the Bay's sleeper species – they grow massive here, with 20-30 pounders common and 40+ pounders possible. They're most active in warmer months and will hit cut bait hard. Don't let anyone tell you catfish don't fight – these blues will surprise you with their power. White perch might be smaller, but they're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare. They school up heavily during spring spawning runs, and you can catch dozens once you locate a active school.
This half-day charter offers world-class inshore fishing without eating up your entire day. Whether you're visiting the Chesapeake Bay area or you're a local looking to get on some consistent fish, Fishpit Charters delivers the goods. Our customer favorite trip accommodates different skill levels and fishing styles, so everyone from kids to seasoned anglers will have a blast. The Bay's year-round fishery means there's always something biting, and our guides know exactly when and where to find them. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so check your schedule before booking. With only 4 spots available per trip, these charters fill up fast during peak season. Don't miss out on some of the best inshore fishing the East Coast has to offer – book your trip today and get ready to bend some rods in one of America's most productive fishing destinations.
Your fishing platform for the day is a solid 1999 MayCraft 2300 Pilot House that's built to handle Chesapeake Bay waters with confidence. This 24-footer runs on a well-maintained 200 HP Evinrude that cruises comfortably at 28 mph, getting you to the catfish and perch spots without burning through your fishing time. The pilot house design means you've got protection from wind and spray while still having easy access to all sides for casting and fighting fish. Modern SIMRAD navigation and fish finder electronics help locate schools, while the NEMA2000 system keeps everything integrated and reliable. VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats and marine traffic. When nature calls or you need a quick break from the action, there's an onboard head, plus a bed if anyone needs to rest between bites. At 4 anglers max, there's plenty of room to spread out along the rails and work your lines without crowding. The sound system adds a nice touch for the ride out, though you'll probably want it off when the catfish start hitting your bait.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the Chesapeake, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These powerful fish love hanging around oyster bars and muddy flats in 3-15 feet of water, using their crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What makes them special is the pure bulldogging fight they put up, plus the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. The key trick here is using fresh crab bait on the bottom and being patient - these fish take their time inspecting a meal before committing.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are the monsters of Chesapeake Bay's freshwater tributaries, regularly hitting 20-50 pounds with some real giants pushing 80+ pounds. These slate-blue bruisers live in deep holes and channels of tidal rivers, especially where fresh water meets salt. They're year-round targets, but summer nights and cooler months produce the biggest fish. What makes them addictive is the sheer size potential and their willingness to eat - they're also surprisingly good table fare when cleaned properly. These opportunistic feeders will hit everything from cut bait to live eels. The secret is fresh-cut herring or blue crab on the bottom in 15-25 feet of water near channel edges - let it sit still and wait for that telltale tap-tap before they commit to the bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are becoming a real treat in the upper Chesapeake, typically running 28-35 inches with that signature black spot near their tail. These copper-colored fighters love shallow grass flats and oyster beds in 2-8 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and coves. Late summer through fall brings the best shots at them as they move up from southern waters. What gets people excited is their explosive topwater strikes and that distinctive red coloration - plus they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Here's the trick: look for "tailing" fish in shallow water where you can see their tails sticking up while they root around for crabs - that's a sure sign they're feeding hard.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of Chesapeake Bay fishing, averaging 20-40 pounds with some trophy fish pushing 50+ pounds. They're structure lovers, cruising around bridge pilings, oyster bars, and channel edges in 10-30 feet of water. Spring and fall migrations bring the hottest action, especially when water temps hit that 55-68 degree sweet spot. What hooks anglers is their aggressive strikes and powerful runs - plus they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. These fish are picky about their bait, so matching the hatch is crucial. Pro tip: watch for diving birds and bait schools on your fish finder - when stripers are feeding, they push baitfish to the surface and create a feeding frenzy you can spot from a mile away.
Morone AmericanaWhite perch are the perfect starter fish for families and kids, running 7-10 inches and weighing under a pound. Despite their name, they're actually in the bass family and love brackish water around docks, grass beds, and shallow coves. Spring spawning runs from April through June bring schools of hungry fish into tributaries when water hits 50-60 degrees. What makes them popular is how willing they are to bite and how easy they are to catch in numbers - plus they fry up nice for a fish dinner. They'll hit small jigs, bloodworms, and tiny minnows with enthusiasm. The trick is using light tackle with multiple small hooks - once you find a school, you can often catch doubles and triples since they feed aggressively in groups.
Chesapeake Bay