Half Day Striped Bass And Perch Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore trip targets striped bass and perchExpert guides customize trips for up to 4 anglersMultiple species available including red drum and speckled trout
Looking for some serious action on the Chesapeake Bay? This half-day fishing adventure with Fishpit Charters puts you right in the middle of some of the best striped bass fishing on the East Coast. We're talking about world-class waters that have been producing trophy rockfish for generations, and our experienced guides know exactly where to find them. You'll be targeting striped bass as your main prize, but don't be surprised when white perch, black drum, red drum, croaker, blue catfish, and speckled trout show up to crash the party. With space for up to 4 anglers, this top-rated trip gives everyone plenty of room to work and personalized attention from our crew.
The Chesapeake Bay is a striped bass factory, and we know how to work it. Your day starts early when the fish are most active, and our guides will have you rigged up and ready before the sun gets too high. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip - we're talking about real fishing where technique matters and the rewards are worth it. The bay's structure is perfect for holding bass, with deep channels, grass beds, and drop-offs that create the kind of ambush points these fish love. You'll be fishing in waters that range from 15 to 40 feet deep, depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. Our guides read the water like a book, watching for birds, bait schools, and temperature breaks that signal where the action's happening. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who lives for the bite, this customer favorite trip delivers the kind of fishing that keeps people coming back season after season.
We run a variety of techniques depending on what's working best, but live bait is often king out here. Fresh eels, spot, and bunker are striped bass candy, and we'll have you fishing them near structure where the big ones hunt. When the fish are suspended or chasing bait on top, we'll switch to trolling with umbrella rigs, spoons, or swimbaits that cover water fast and trigger aggressive strikes. Bottom fishing with cut bait works great for the drum species, while light tackle with small jigs or live minnows is perfect when the white perch are schooled up. Our tackle is sized right for the fish we're after - medium to heavy spinning and conventional gear that can handle a 20-pound striper without being overkill for the smaller species. The guides will match your technique to your skill level, so beginners get plenty of coaching while experienced anglers can fine-tune their approach. Circle hooks are the standard for live bait to ensure solid hookups and easy releases, and we'll adjust leader length and weight based on current, depth, and fish behavior.
Striped bass are the stars of this show, and for good reason. These fish are built for power, with broad shoulders and a fighting style that combines bulldogging runs with head-shaking jumps. In the Chesapeake, you're looking at fish that typically run 18 to 28 inches, with plenty of keepers in the slot and the real possibility of a trophy over 30 inches. Spring and fall are prime time when the fish are feeding heavily during their migrations, but summer fishing can be outstanding when you know where to look. What makes stripers so special is their intelligence - they're not just going to eat anything you throw at them. They can be picky, they follow bait schools, and when you finally connect, the fight is worth every minute of the setup.
White perch might not have the size of a striper, but pound-for-pound, these fish are pure fight. They school up in big numbers, especially around structure and drop-offs, and when you find them, it's game on. These fish hit hard, fight dirty, and taste fantastic on the dinner table. They're perfect for kids and beginning anglers because they're aggressive and relatively easy to hook, but they're also fun for experienced fishermen when they're really biting. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and they're often mixed in with the stripers, so you never know what's going to grab your bait.
Black drum are the bruisers of this trip. These fish can push 20 to 40 pounds in the bay, and when one decides to take your bait, you'll know it immediately. They're bottom feeders that love crabs, clams, and cut fish, and they fight with a slow, powerful style that tests your tackle and your patience. What's really cool about black drum is their drumming ability - they actually make noise underwater by contracting muscles around their swim bladder. You'll often hear them before you see them, especially when there's a school feeding on the bottom. They're most active during warmer months and around the full moon phases when they spawn in shallow water.
This renowned half-day trip gives you everything you need for a successful day on the Chesapeake Bay without taking up your entire weekend. Our experienced guides know these waters inside and out, the tackle is tournament-quality, and the fishing speaks for itself. Whether you're looking to put some dinner on the table, teach the kids how to fish, or just get out there and bend some rods, this trip delivers. The 4-angler limit means you're not fighting for space or attention, and our guides are there to help you succeed. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before you book. The Chesapeake Bay is waiting, and the stripers aren't going to catch themselves. Give Fishpit Charters a call and let's get you on the water where the real action happens.
This well-maintained 1999 MayCraft 2300 Pilot House cuts through Chesapeake Bay waters at a comfortable 28 mph, getting you to the hottest striped bass spots quickly. The 200 HP Evinrude H.O motor runs smooth and reliable, while SIMRAD navigation and fish finder technology help locate schools of bass, perch, and other Bay favorites. Inside the pilot house, you'll find protection from wind and spray, plus conveniences like a bed and toilet for longer days on the water. NEMA2000 electronics keep everything connected, and VHF radio ensures safe communication. With room for 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work your lines without crowding. The integrated sound system adds to the experience as you cruise between fishing spots targeting red drum, croaker, speckled trout, and whatever else the Bay has to offer.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the bay, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. You'll find them cruising oyster beds and muddy flats in brackish water, using those powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're incredible fighters that'll test your drag, but stick to fish under 15 pounds if you plan to eat them since the big ones get tough. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab on a circle hook and keep it right on the bottom. They won't chase bait up in the water column, so weight matters more than most anglers think.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the crown jewel of Chesapeake Bay, averaging 20-40 pounds with those iconic dark stripes running down their silver sides. These fish love structure - bridge pilings, drop-offs, and channel edges where they ambush schools of baitfish. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but we catch them year-round. They're strong fighters with serious stamina and make excellent table fare with that sweet, flaky white meat. What guests love most is their unpredictability - one minute you're casting to breaking fish, next you're working the bottom. Pro tip: match your bait to what they're eating that day. When menhaden are around, nothing beats a fresh chunk, but don't overlook bloodworms during slower periods.
Morone AmericanaWhite perch might be small - usually 7-10 inches and under a pound - but they make up for size with numbers and fun. Despite the name, they're actually in the bass family and fight harder than you'd expect. These silver-sided fish hang in brackish tributaries and shallow areas near structure during spring spawning runs from April through June. They're perfect for kids or anyone wanting steady action since they school up tight and bite aggressively. The meat is sweet and mild, great for a fish fry. My favorite technique is running multiple small hooks with bloodworms or grass shrimp, then jigging just enough to get their attention. Once you find a school, you can fill the cooler fast.
Chesapeake Bay