Fishing Trip in Chesapeake Bay
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Offshore fishing adventure targeting 11 diverse species in Chesapeake BaySmall group experience accommodating up to 10 guests maximumProfessional charter service through Four Winds Chartering company
The Chesapeake Bay is hands down one of Virginia's premier fishing destinations, and this offshore charter with Four Winds Chartering puts you right in the middle of the action. We're talking about waters that hold some of the East Coast's most sought-after species, from hard-fighting stripers to aggressive sharks that'll test your gear and your nerves. With space for up to 10 anglers, this trip lets you bring your crew for what locals call the biggest fishing adventure Virginia has to offer. The Bay's unique mix of fresh and saltwater creates perfect conditions for a variety of fish, meaning you never know what's going to slam your bait next.
When you step aboard with Four Winds Chartering, you're getting on a vessel that knows these waters like the back of their hand. The Chesapeake Bay stretches over 200 miles and offers everything from shallow grass beds to deeper channels where the big fish cruise. Expect to hit multiple spots throughout the day as we chase different species based on tides, weather, and what's biting. The Bay's structure is what makes it special - underwater grass beds, oyster bars, and drop-offs create natural feeding zones that attract baitfish, and where there's bait, there's game fish. You'll be fishing in water that ranges from 15 feet to over 100 feet deep, depending on our target species and the day's conditions. The crew knows exactly where to find the hot spots that produce consistent action for both novice and experienced anglers.
We run a variety of techniques depending on what we're targeting. For stripers and bluefish, expect to troll with umbrella rigs, spoons, and diving plugs - this covers water fast and triggers aggressive strikes from schooling fish. When we're after bottom species like flounder and croaker, we'll anchor up and fish with circle hooks, pyramid sinkers, and fresh bait like bloodworms, squid, and cut fish. The shark fishing gets really interesting - we'll deploy heavy tackle with wire leaders, chunk baits, and sometimes even live bait to draw in those sand tigers and blacktips. Spinning reels in the 4000-6000 size range work great for most Bay fishing, paired with medium-heavy rods that can handle everything from 2-pound croakers to 40-pound cobia. The boat provides all the essential tackle, but experienced anglers often bring their favorite rods and reels. Circle hooks are the standard here for conservation reasons, and they actually hook fish better than J-hooks once you get the hang of not setting the hook hard.
Sea Trout, or spotted seatrout as they're properly called, are some of the Bay's most consistent fighters. These beauties average 14-20 inches and hit soft plastics, live shrimp, and topwater plugs with authority. Spring through fall produces the best action, with fish moving into the shallows to feed on grass shrimp and small baitfish. What makes them special is their willingness to hit lures - they're aggressive predators that'll often strike multiple times if you work them right. The spots along their silver sides make them easy to identify, and they're absolutely delicious on the table.
Blacktip Shark fishing in the Bay has exploded in popularity, and for good reason. These guys range from 3-6 feet and put up a fight that'll make your arms burn. Summer months bring them into the Bay in numbers, especially around structure and deeper channels. They'll hit cut bait, live spot, and even artificial lures when they're feeding aggressively. The runs and jumps from a hooked blacktip are what shark fishing dreams are made of - pure adrenaline on spinning tackle.
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that school up in huge numbers during their summer and fall runs. These 1-3 pound fish might not sound impressive, but when you hook into a school, the action is non-stop. They hit small spoons, gotcha plugs, and sabiki rigs trolled at moderate speeds. The key is finding the diving birds - where there are terns and gulls working, there are Spanish mackerel feeding on bay anchovies and silversides below.
Bluefish are the Bay's bulldogs - aggressive, hard-fighting, and always hungry. They range from snapper-size fish perfect for kids to 10+ pound choppers that'll test your drag. Blues hit everything from topwater plugs to cut bait, and they're not picky about presentation. Fall is prime time when big schools move through the Bay, creating some of the most exciting fishing you'll find anywhere. Just watch your fingers - those teeth are razor sharp.
Sand Tiger Shark encounters are what separate this trip from your average Bay charter. These prehistoric-looking sharks can reach 6-8 feet and are absolute tackle busters when hooked on appropriate gear. They prefer deeper water and structure, making the Bay's channels and drop-offs perfect habitat. Sand tigers are generally docile but become different fish entirely when they feel the hook - long, powerful runs that'll have you questioning your knots and drag settings. Seeing one of these magnificent predators up close is something every angler should experience.
The Chesapeake Bay offers world-class fishing that rivals any destination on the East Coast, and Four Winds Chartering gives you access to all of it on one trip. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to check new species off your list or someone just getting into saltwater fishing, this charter delivers the kind of variety and action that keeps people coming back season after season. With space for 10 anglers, it's perfect for groups, corporate outings, or family trips where everyone can get involved. The Bay's year-round fishing opportunities mean there's never a bad time to book, though spring through fall offers the most species variety. Don't wait - spots
Get ready to chase some serious fish in the Chesapeake Bay aboard this well-equipped 10-person motorboat! This offshore fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need for a productive day on the water - a reliable fish finder to locate schools, GPS navigation to hit the best spots, and both an ice box and onboard refrigerator to keep your catch fresh. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility for spotting surface action and bird activity. With a toilet onboard, you can stay out longer targeting Virginia's abundant Spotted Seatrout, Flounder, Bluefish, Cobia, and Fall Stripers. Whether you're after Spanish Mackerel near the surface or bottom fishing for Croaker and Sea Mullet, this boat handles the Chesapeake's varied fishing conditions perfectly. Bring your crew and get ready to fill the coolers with some of the East Coast's best fishing!
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are exciting fighters that show up in the Bay's deeper waters during warmer months. These sleek predators average 4-5 feet but can reach up to 8 feet, and they're known for their dramatic jumps when hooked - sometimes launching 20+ feet in the air. You'll find them around structure and drop-offs in 30-100 feet of water, often following schools of baitfish. They're surprisingly social and can get worked up into feeding frenzies, making for fast action when you find them. While they look intimidating with those black-tipped fins, they're actually pretty timid until they smell food. The fight is what guests love - pure adrenaline as they try to shake the hook with aerial displays. Here's the key: use heavy braided line and circle hooks, then get a good chum slick going with oily fish like mackerel. Once you get their attention, the action can be non-stop.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that put up a serious scrap and make excellent eating when handled right. These blue-green bruisers typically weigh 3-20 pounds with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. They roam the Bay's open waters and around structure, especially active during summer months when they follow baitfish schools. What guests love is their ferocious strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll bend your rod double and never give up. The smaller "cocktail blues" are perfect table fare with mild, flaky meat, though the bigger fish pack more flavor. They're famous for their feeding frenzies where they'll churn the water like a washing machine, attacking everything in sight. Best times are early morning and evening when they push bait to the surface. Here's my tip: when you see birds diving and water boiling with activity, get there fast with metal spoons or chunk bait - but watch those teeth when landing them.
Carcharias TaurusSand tiger sharks are docile giants that give you a real trophy experience without the aggression of other shark species. These bottom-dwellers typically run 6-9 feet and can weigh over 300 pounds, with that classic shark look - brownish-gray with spots and intimidating needle teeth. Despite their scary appearance, they're actually pretty mellow and cruise sandy bottoms in 20-200 feet looking for rays, small fish, and crabs. Summer months bring them closer to shore around the Bay's deeper channels and drop-offs. What's unique is they gulp air to hover motionless while hunting, making them easier to spot. The fight is more about endurance than speed - they use their size and weight to test your tackle. Most guests are thrilled just to see one up close since they're so prehistoric looking. Pro tip: use fresh, oily bait like bluefish or ray chunks on the bottom with heavy sinkers - these sharks hunt by smell and like their meals on the seafloor where they naturally feed.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are one of the Bay's most popular targets, running 14-24 inches and weighing 1-5 pounds on average. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots love grass flats and shallow waters, especially during warmer months from spring through fall. They're most active at dawn and dusk when they move into the shallows to feed on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they'll absolutely crush a topwater plug on a calm morning. The meat is excellent eating too, with white, flaky flesh that's perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: when you're working grass flats, use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the noise draws them in and keeps your bait in the strike zone without getting hung up in the grass.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and give you some of the best table fare in the Bay. These streamlined fighters typically run 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds, covered in distinctive yellow spots along their silver sides. They school up near the surface around structure, especially during summer and early fall when water temps are warm. What makes them special is their lightning-fast strikes and blistering runs - they're one of the fastest fish in the ocean. The meat is outstanding too, mild and flaky, perfect for grilling or smoking. They travel in massive schools that can stretch for miles, so when you find them, you can usually fill the cooler. The trick is staying mobile and watching for diving birds - that's where the action is. Use small, shiny spoons or live bait like sardines, but keep your drag loose because their initial run will snap you off if you're not ready.
Hampton, VA