2-Hour Fishing Charter in Cape Charles
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
2hour inshore fishing charter on Chesapeake Bay watersCaptain Dave provides all gear, snacks and refreshments includedSmall group experience with maximum 2 guests per trip
Captain Dave knows these waters like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard his boat for this 2-hour charter, you're getting access to some of the best inshore fishing the Chesapeake Bay has to offer. Cape Charles sits right where the bay meets the Atlantic, creating a unique ecosystem that draws in a serious variety of fish year-round. This isn't your typical tourist trip – it's a real fishing experience designed for anglers who want to get on the fish without spending all day on the water. With gear, snacks, and drinks all included, you just need to show up ready to fish.
This 2-hour window is perfectly timed to hit the prime feeding periods when fish are most active. Captain Dave runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed – he knows that good fishing happens when everyone's comfortable and confident. The boat is equipped for serious inshore work, with quality rods and reels matched to the species you'll be targeting. Since it's just you and one other angler, you get personalized attention and instruction that's hard to find on larger charter boats. The captain adjusts tactics based on conditions, tides, and what's been biting lately. Some days that means working shallow flats for redfish, other times you'll be bouncing bottom rigs for black drum. The beauty of Cape Charles is the variety – you're never locked into just one approach.
Captain Dave comes prepared with medium to heavy action spinning rods paired with reels that can handle anything from 3-pound sea trout to 40-pound cobia. Depending on the target species and conditions, you might be throwing soft plastics on jig heads, drifting with cut bait, or working live minnows under popping corks. The tackle box includes everything from circle hooks for bottom fishing to gold spoons for schooling bluefish. Bait varies seasonally but often includes bloodworms, squid, and live or cut menhaden. The captain handles all the rigging and re-baiting – your job is to feel for that bite and set the hook. If you're new to saltwater fishing, he'll teach you how to read your rod tip and recognize different types of strikes. Experienced anglers appreciate that he stocks quality gear and isn't cutting corners on terminal tackle.
Southern flounder are the bread and butter of Cape Charles fishing, especially from late spring through fall. These flatfish lay buried in sandy bottoms, waiting to ambush baitfish, and they put up a surprisingly strong fight for their size. Most run 14 to 18 inches, with keepers at 16 inches or better providing excellent table fare. They're structure-oriented fish, so Captain Dave knows exactly where to find the drop-offs, oyster bars, and channel edges they love. What makes flounder special here is their predictability – when you find one, there are usually more nearby.
Bluefish show up in massive schools during their spring and fall migrations, creating some of the most action-packed fishing you'll find in Virginia waters. These aggressive predators will hit just about anything that moves, from spoons to soft plastics to cut bait. They range from small snappers perfect for kids to hefty 5-pound choppers that'll test your drag. The key with blues is timing – when they're feeding, the action is non-stop. When they're not, you won't see one. Captain Dave monitors the bite reports and adjusts trips accordingly.
Black drum are the heavyweights of this fishery, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized 2-pounders to bull drum pushing 30 pounds or more. They're bottom feeders with a preference for crabs and worms, making them perfect targets for traditional bottom rigs. What's exciting about drum fishing is the variety – you might catch three different sizes in one trip. The bigger fish are catch-and-release, but the 14 to 20-inch fish are outstanding eating. They're also great for beginners since they typically give you time to set the hook properly.
Sea trout, or weakfish as locals call them, are beautiful silver fish with prominent canine teeth and a reputation for being finicky biters. They prefer slightly deeper water with good current flow and are often found around structure. Most fish run 12 to 16 inches, though bigger specimens over 20 inches show up regularly. They're soft-mouthed fish, so the fight is more about finesse than power. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live and artificial baits, giving anglers multiple ways to target them.
Redfish are the trophy species that get anglers' hearts pumping. These copper-colored bruisers are built for power, with broad tails and shoulders that can strip line in a hurry. Cape Charles reds typically run 18 to 30 inches, with the slot-sized fish being perfect for dinner and the oversized bulls providing catch-and-release thrills. They're often found in shallow water around grass beds and oyster bars, where they root around for crabs and shrimp. The sight fishing opportunities for reds in skinny water are world-class.
Cobia are the wildcards – big, curious brown fish that can show up anywhere from shallow flats to deep channels. They're aggressive feeders that will eat just about anything, from live eels to chicken on a hook. Most cobia in these waters run 20 to 40 pounds, making them serious gamefish that require heavy tackle and strong drags. They're also excellent eating, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling. What makes cobia fishing exciting is their unpredictability – you never know when one might appear.
This top-rated charter fills up fast, especially during peak season when the fish are most active. Captain Dave's local knowledge and attention to detail have made this trip a customer favorite among both visiting anglers
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, known for the drumming sounds they make underwater during spawning season. These powerhouse fish typically run 5-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds in deeper water. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure where they crush shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning in shallow water, making them much easier to target. What guests love is the strong, steady fight they put up - no fancy jumps, just pure muscle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with firm, white meat. These fish are built for crushing crabs and oysters, so expect a battle. My go-to technique is fresh blue crab on a fish-finder rig right on the bottom. When you feel that slow, heavy pull, don't strike hard - just start reeling and let the hook set itself.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that travel in schools and put up a serious fight once hooked. These torpedo-shaped fish typically run 5-15 pounds around the Chesapeake, with their blue-green backs and razor-sharp teeth. They love feeding in open water and along structure where baitfish congregate. Spring through fall is prime time when they're chasing schools of menhaden and anchovies near the surface. What guests love about blues is their aggressive strikes and strong runs - they'll test your drag for sure. They're also great eating when prepared fresh, though the smaller ones taste better than the big bruisers. Fair warning: those teeth will slice through leaders and fingers alike. Here's a local trick - when you see birds diving and water churning, head straight for it. That's a bluefish blitz, and the action can be non-stop for 20-30 minutes.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are dark brown, shark-looking fish that grow big and fight even bigger - averaging 30-50 pounds with some pushing 80+ pounds. These solitary hunters cruise near the surface around buoys, channel markers, and structure where you can often spot them before casting. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move into our waters to spawn. What makes cobia special is their size, strength, and curiosity - they'll actually approach the boat to investigate. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with firm, white meat that tastes almost like chicken. They're not schooling fish, so it's typically one at a time, but what a fish it is. My best tip for cobia is sight fishing with heavy bucktail jigs in brown or white. When you see one cruising, cast well ahead and work the jig slowly. They're curious fish, so sometimes they'll follow the boat - keep a rod ready for that second chance.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are bronze-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails that make for great sight fishing targets. Around here they typically run 20-35 inches and are known for their powerful runs and head-shaking fights. You'll find them in shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface - around grass beds, oyster bars, and creek mouths. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding. What guests love is watching these fish cruise the shallows and the explosive strikes when they take your bait. They're also fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. These fish will eat almost anything, from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Here's my favorite approach: look for nervous water or fish tailing in skinny water, then cast a gold spoon just ahead of them and work it slowly. The key is being quiet and staying back - they're spooky in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout as most folks call them, are beautiful fish with distinctive spots covering their silvery sides. These popular targets typically run 14-20 inches and fight harder than their size suggests. You'll find them over grass flats, around docks, and near drop-offs in 3-15 feet of water. They prefer cooler water, so early morning, evening, and overcast days are your best bet. Spring and fall provide the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the bay - mild, flaky, and sweet. The trick with specks is they have soft mouths, so don't horse them or you'll pull the hook. Try a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below, or throw soft plastics on light jigheads over the grass beds at dawn.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are unique flatfish that'll fool you with their camouflage skills - both eyes sit on their left side and they change colors to match the bottom. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Most run 15-18 inches around here, but we've seen some beauties hit 25+ inches. You'll find them in shallow bays and around structure during warmer months, especially spring and fall when they're most active. What makes them fun is the surprise factor - one second your bait's sitting still, next you've got a nice fight on your hands. They're excellent table fare too, sweet and flaky. My tip: drift slowly over sandy bottoms with live minnows or shrimp on a Carolina rig. Keep your bait moving just off the bottom - they won't chase far.
Richmond