Skilled Angler Trip In Chesapeake Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Advanced techniques target Cobia, Red Drum, and Striped BassProfessional guide shares local hot spots and structure fishingMaximum 5 guests ensures personalized coaching and prime positioning
If you've been fishing long enough to know the difference between a good day and a great day, this charter's built for you. King Tide Charters runs one of the most respected advanced fishing trips in Chesapeake Bay, where serious anglers come to test their skills against some of Virginia's toughest inshore fighters. We're talking about fish that'll make you work for every inch of line, in waters where local knowledge separates the pros from the weekend warriors. This isn't a beginner's trip—it's designed for anglers who understand that the best catches come from patience, technique, and knowing exactly where to put your bait when the conditions are right.
Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish that most charter boats never even see. You'll be targeting Summer Flounder, Striped Bass, Sea Trout, and Redfish using every trick in the book—from precision bottom fishing around submerged structure to sight casting in the shallows when the big reds are cruising. The boat accommodates up to 5 anglers, which means you're not fighting for rail space or competing with a crowd for the captain's attention. Every spot we hit has been proven over years of guiding, from hidden drop-offs where the stripers stack up during tide changes to grass beds where the trout ambush baitfish. The crew expects you to know your way around tackle, so they can focus on putting you in the right position at exactly the right time. No hand-holding here—just pure fishing strategy executed by people who live and breathe Chesapeake Bay.
This charter runs the full spectrum of inshore techniques, and the captain chooses methods based on what the fish are doing that day. Bottom fishing around bridge pilings and channel edges produces consistent action on flounder and stripers, especially when the current's moving bait through the structure. Jigging gets deadly effective when fish are holding tight to bottom, and the crew knows exactly which jigs work best in Chesapeake Bay's unique conditions. When visibility's good and fish are shallow, sight casting becomes the game—nothing beats watching a redfish eat your bait in three feet of water. Trolling covers water fast when fish are scattered, and the captain's got GPS marks for productive areas that most anglers will never find on their own. The boat's rigged with quality gear, but experienced anglers often bring their own setups dialed in for specific techniques. You'll fish grass beds, oyster bars, channel drops, and structure that only shows up on the best electronics. Every location gets chosen based on tide, wind, water temperature, and what the baitfish are doing.
Summer Flounder in Chesapeake Bay are some of the most challenging flatfish you'll encounter on the East Coast. These doormat-sized fish relate heavily to structure and current, often holding in spots where most anglers would never think to drop a line. The best flounder here run 18 to 25 inches, with trophy fish pushing 6 to 8 pounds during peak summer months. They're ambush predators that require precise presentations—too fast and they won't commit, too slow and they lose interest. What makes Chesapeake flounder special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials when presented correctly, and the captain knows exactly which technique to use based on water clarity and fish behavior.
Striped Bass are the backbone of Chesapeake Bay fishing, and for good reason—these fish fight harder and grow bigger here than almost anywhere else. Spring and fall runs produce the most consistent action, but summer fish around structure can surprise you with their size and aggression. Chesapeake stripers are smart, often requiring subtle presentations and perfect timing with the tides. The 20 to 30-inch fish provide steady action, while the real trophies—fish pushing 40 inches and 20-plus pounds—separate the skilled anglers from everyone else. These bass respond to everything from live eels to bucktails, but knowing when and where to use each technique makes all the difference.
Sea Trout in these waters are spookier than their southern cousins, but they reward patient anglers with explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. The best trout fishing happens over grass beds and around creek mouths, where they ambush schools of silversides and juvenile crabs. Chesapeake sea trout average 14 to 18 inches, with occasional fish reaching 4 to 5 pounds that'll test your drag settings. They're extremely sensitive to water temperature and barometric pressure, which is why local knowledge becomes so valuable—the captain knows exactly when conditions line up for a red-hot trout bite.
Redfish represent the newest exciting opportunity in Chesapeake Bay, as the population has exploded over the past decade. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water structure and provide some of the most visual fishing you'll find in Virginia waters. Bull reds in the 27 to 40-inch range are pure muscle, capable of stripping line off reels and testing even experienced anglers' skills. The best redfish action happens around oyster bars and grass beds during moving tides, and sight fishing for these fish when they're tailing in skinny water creates memories that last a lifetime. What makes Chesapeake reds special is their year-round availability and willingness to eat both cut bait and artificials.
This charter fills up fast because word travels quickly among serious anglers about where to find consistent action with professional guidance. King Tide Charters has built a reputation for putting experienced fishermen on quality fish, and that doesn't happen by accident—it comes from years of studying these waters and understanding what makes Chesapeake Bay one of the top-rated inshore fisheries on the East Coast. Whether you're looking to add new species to your life list or chase personal bests in proven waters, this
Hit the prime fishing grounds of Chesapeake Bay aboard this rock-solid 25' C Hawk center console. This 2014 beauty packs a 225HP Suzuki that'll cruise you to the hot spots at 35 knots, getting you on the fish fast. Built tough for serious anglers chasing Cobia, Red Drum, and monster Stripers around structure and open water. The center console layout gives everyone room to work their lines without getting tangled up. GPS and fish finder help locate the schools, while radar keeps you safe when visibility drops. The icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh for the ride back to the dock. Perfect setup for up to 5 anglers who know how to handle serious fish and want to target species that'll put up a real fight in these Virginia waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails that make them unmistakable. We typically see them from 28-35 inches, though big bulls can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. They cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 1-6 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Fall is prime time when they're fattening up, but they bite year-round in the Bay's warmer waters. What makes them special is their dogged fighting style and willingness to eat almost anything - from topwater plugs to live crabs. They're also fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. Here's an insider tip: look for nervous water or wakes in the shallows, then cast ahead of their path with a weedless spoon or soft plastic crab.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout as we call them locally, are beautiful fish with spotted sides and a silvery finish. They typically run 14-24 inches and fight above their weight class. These fish love grass flats and shallow structure in 3-8 feet of water, especially around oyster bars and drop-offs. Night fishing and dawn are prime times, though they'll bite all day during cooler months. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action when water temps are in their comfort zone. Anglers enjoy them because they're aggressive biters that hit everything from topwater plugs to soft plastics, plus they're excellent eating with tender, mild flesh. Local secret: work your lures slow around grass beds at first light. They ambush baitfish from cover, so keep your presentation natural and be ready for that sudden strike.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the bread and butter of Chesapeake Bay fishing. These silver-sided fighters average 20-40 pounds but can push 50+ inches. They're structure-oriented fish that love bridge pilings, drop-offs, and channel edges where baitfish get pushed around by current. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're actively feeding on menhaden and anchovies. What guests love most is their raw power - once hooked, they make long runs and fight hard right to the boat. Plus, they're prime table fare with firm, flaky white meat. The Chesapeake is their nursery, so we see everything from schoolies to trophy fish year-round. Pro tip: match your bait to what they're feeding on. When you see birds working, get your live eels or large swimbaits down to where the action is happening.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms using their chameleon-like color changing ability. Most run 15-20 inches, but we've seen some pushing 26 pounds. They're ambush predators that lie buried in sand waiting to strike at crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. You'll find them on structure around bridges, drop-offs, and channel edges in 10-40 feet of water. Fall through early winter is prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes them special is that explosive strike when they hammer your bait - plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local trick: hook your baitfish through the eye socket and let it drift naturally near bottom structure. The movement triggers their predatory instincts every time.
Chesapeake Bay