Extended Full Day Chesapeake Bay Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Extended full day charter accommodates up to 6 guestsTarget multiple species including Cobia, Red Drum, and MackerelFlexible fishing approach combines anchoring and trolling techniques
When you step aboard with Havoc Charters for this extended full day trip, you're signing up for one of the most diverse fishing experiences the Chesapeake Bay has to offer. We're talking about a captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand and a game plan that adapts to what's biting and what you're itching to catch. With up to 6 anglers on board, there's plenty of room to spread out and work different techniques throughout the day. No meals are provided, so pack your cooler with snacks and drinks – trust me, you'll work up an appetite fighting these Bay fighters.
This isn't your typical "pick one spot and hope for the best" kind of trip. We start the morning by anchoring up on structure where the Cobia, Spadefish, Sheepshead, and Tautog like to hang out. These fish love cover, and our captain knows exactly where to find the wrecks, pilings, and rock piles that hold them. Once we've worked the bottom thoroughly, we switch gears completely and fire up the engines for some serious trolling action. This is where things get really interesting – we're pulling spreads for Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, and the occasional King Mackerel that wanders into the Bay. But here's the kicker: while we're trolling, everyone's keeping their eyes peeled for those surface-hunting Cobia and massive schools of Red Drum that can turn an already great day into something legendary. The beauty of this setup is flexibility – if you've got your heart set on a particular species, our captain will adjust the game plan to put you on them.
We run a two-phase approach that keeps the action hot all day long. Phase one is all about bottom fishing – we're talking heavy sinkers, circle hooks, and fresh bait worked right along the structure where these reef fish live. You'll be dropping baits down 20-40 feet to where the Tautog and Sheepshead are picking around the barnacles and mussels. For the Cobia and Spadefish, we often sight-fish when they come up to check out the boat or work the surface around channel markers. Phase two switches to trolling spreads with a mix of spoons, diving plugs, and live bait rigs. We'll run four to six lines at different depths and speeds to cover the water column where the pelagics cruise. The Spanish Mackerel love flashy spoons, while the Blues will hammer just about anything that moves fast enough. When we spot working birds or surface activity, we can quickly switch to casting mode with topwater plugs and metal jigs to get in on the action.
Spadefish are some of the most underrated fighters in the Bay, and they show up in good numbers from late spring through early fall around the deeper structure. These silver discs pull hard and love to dive back toward the bottom when hooked. They're picky eaters too – often preferring small pieces of clam or sea worm over larger baits. What makes them exciting is their schooling behavior; when you find one, you'll usually find a pile of them.
Cobia are the holy grail for many Chesapeake Bay anglers, and for good reason. These brown sharks (as some folks call them) can push 40+ pounds and fight like freight trains. Peak season runs from May through September, with the biggest fish typically showing up in June and July. They're curious fish that will often approach the boat, giving you shots at sight-casting with bucktails or live eels. When a big Cobia takes off on its first run, you'll understand why people plan their whole season around targeting them.
Tautog, or "blackfish" as the old-timers call them, are the bulldogs of the Bay's bottom structure. These guys are available year-round but fish best during the cooler months when they're more active. They've got teeth that can crush barnacles, so you need to be ready with strong hooks and leaders. A good Tautog will give you that classic thump-thump-thump on the rod tip, then try to wrap you around whatever structure they're living on. They're also excellent table fare, which makes them a customer favorite.
Spanish Mackerel bring the speed and flash that gets everyone's adrenaline pumping. These torpedo-shaped speedsters show up when the water warms up in late spring and stick around through early fall. They travel in schools and feed aggressively on small baitfish, making them perfect targets for our trolling spreads. When you hook into a Spanish, get ready for screaming runs and acrobatic jumps. They're also fantastic on the dinner table when prepared fresh.
Bluefish are the Bay's ultimate opportunists and aggressive predators that will attack lures with reckless abandon. They show up in massive schools during their spring and fall migrations, creating some of the most action-packed fishing you'll find anywhere. Blues range from snapper-size fish perfect for kids to trophy choppers that can exceed 15 pounds. When a school of hungry Blues moves through, every rod on the boat can be bent at once, creating chaos in the best possible way.
This extended full day charter gives you the best shot at experiencing everything the Chesapeake Bay has to offer in a single trip. With Havoc Charters' local knowledge and flexible approach, you're not locked into one technique or target species – you get to sample the full menu of what's available. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some Bay species to your list or a group wanting maximum variety and action, this trip delivers on all fronts. The six-person capacity means you can bring the whole crew or enjoy a more intimate fishing experience with fewer people on board. Don't wait too long to secure your date
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard this restored 38-foot Post 42 Sportfish, a serious angler's dream machine. Twin 380HP Cummins engines push this beauty to 29 knots, getting you to the hotspots fast and covering plenty of water throughout your extended day on Chesapeake Bay. Fresh from a 2022 restoration, she's equipped with everything you need for productive fishing - fish finder to locate schools, GPS and radar for navigation, plus wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when targeting spooky fish. The spacious cockpit handles up to 6 anglers comfortably while you work everything from bottom-dwelling Tautog and Sheepshead to surface-cruising Cobia and schooling Red Drum. Between fishing spots, cool off with AC, grab cold drinks from the fridge, or take a break in the cabin complete with bed, galley, and head. Whether you're anchored up over structure or trolling for Spanish and King Mackerel, this sportfish delivers the stability and fishability needed for a successful day pursuing Chesapeake Bay's diverse species.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are pure aggression with fins. These blue-green predators typically weigh 3-15 pounds and are known for their feeding frenzies that can turn the water into a washing machine. They're summer visitors to the Bay, showing up in June and sticking around through October before heading south. You'll find them anywhere there's baitfish - from shallow flats to deeper channel edges. What makes blues special is their willingness to hit almost anything you throw at them during a feeding blitz. They fight hard and are decent eating when handled properly - ice them down immediately and fillet soon after catching. The smaller "cocktail blues" under 5 pounds taste best. Watch for bird activity on the surface - when you see diving gulls, there's likely a school of blues feeding below. Cast anything shiny into the chaos and hold on. Just be careful handling them - those teeth are razor sharp.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the ultimate sight fishing target in the Chesapeake Bay. These brown, shark-looking fish average around 30-50 pounds and can reach 6 feet long. What makes them special is their curious nature - they'll swim right up to the boat to investigate. You'll find them cruising shallow waters around 30 feet or less, often near structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers. Spring migration from May through June is prime time when they move into the Bay to spawn. They're aggressive predators that fight hard and make excellent table fare - firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening. The key to success is staying alert and watching for their distinctive silhouette just under the surface. When you spot one, drop a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of them. Color doesn't matter much, but presentation does - they like moving baits that look natural.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are one of those fish that really test your patience and skill. These silver beauties with their distinctive black stripes typically run 3-10 pounds and love hanging around structure - think wrecks, reefs, and bridge pilings in 20-60 feet of water. They travel in massive schools, sometimes 500 fish strong, which makes for exciting fishing when you find them. What makes spadefish special is their unique disk-shaped body and the way they school up tight around structure. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. Best fishing is late spring through early fall when water temps warm up. Here's a local trick: use fresh clam on a small circle hook and cast past the school, then slowly drag your bait through them. They're spooky, so keep noise to a minimum and be ready - when they bite, they put up a solid fight for their size.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that show up in good numbers during our warmer months. These sleek, spotted fish typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-8 pounds. They're fast swimmers that travel in schools near the surface, making them perfect for trolling or casting when you spot them working baitfish. Best fishing is late spring through early fall when water temps hit the 70s and they follow bait into the Bay. What guests love about Spanish mackerel is the non-stop action - when you find a school, everyone gets busy. They're also fantastic eating with mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. The key is matching their speed - troll small spoons or jigs at 4-6 knots, or cast ahead of feeding schools and retrieve fast. Watch for diving birds - that's your best sign of Spanish mackerel tearing into baitfish below.
Tautoga OnitisTautog, also called blackfish, are the bulldogs of the Bay's rocky structure. These chunky fish with mottled dark skin typically weigh 1-3 pounds, though some reach trophy size over 10 pounds. They're homebodies that stick tight to rocks, wrecks, and jetties where they crush shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring and fall are your best shots when they're most active and feeding heavily before winter. What makes tautog fishing addictive is the challenge - you're fishing right in the rocks where they live, so expect to lose some tackle. They're excellent eating with sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat. The trick is using green crab bait and crushing up some extra shells to create a scent trail. Drop your rig right into the structure and hold on. When a tog grabs your bait, you've got about two seconds to get them away from the rocks before they cut you off.
Richmond