Full Day Fishing Trip in Cape Charles
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing adventure in Chesapeake Bay watersAll fishing gear, snacks and drinks included with tripSmall group experience with maximum 2 guests per charter
When you're craving a serious day on the water, Captain Dave's full day fishing charter out of Cape Charles delivers exactly what you're looking for. The Chesapeake Bay here is loaded with structure and baitfish, making it one of Virginia's top-rated inshore fishing destinations. You'll spend your day working productive waters where multiple species stack up, and with just two anglers max, you get personalized attention that makes all the difference. Everything's handled for you - quality tackle, fresh bait, snacks, and drinks - so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat.
Your day kicks off early from Cape Charles, where Captain Dave will have the boat rigged and ready. The beauty of fishing these Chesapeake Bay waters is the variety - you're not locked into one technique or one species all day. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might start working shallow grass beds for redfish at sunrise, then move to deeper structure for cobia as the day heats up. The intimate 2-person capacity means you're not fighting for rod time or competing with a crowd. Captain Dave knows these waters like the back of his hand, from the best tide windows to hit specific spots to where the bait schools are holding. You'll cover ground efficiently, hitting multiple productive areas throughout your full day adventure.
This charter runs the full spectrum of inshore techniques to match what the fish want. You'll likely do some live bait fishing with spot, croaker, or eels when targeting larger species like cobia and black drum. Artificial lures come into play for Spanish mackerel and bluefish - expect to throw spoons, jigs, and topwater plugs when the bite is hot. For redfish and sea trout, you'll work soft plastics along grass edges and oyster bars. Captain Dave provides all the gear, from spinning tackle for the smaller species to heavier rods when you need backbone for big cobia or drum. The boat's rigged with quality electronics to locate structure and baitfish, plus a good selection of fresh and live bait. Circle hooks are standard for catch and release, though you're welcome to keep your dinner within regulations.
Cobia are the crown jewel of Cape Charles fishing, and these brown sharks (as locals call them) show up in good numbers from late spring through fall. They cruise shallow water looking for crabs and can reach 40-50 pounds, putting up a fight that'll test your shoulders. The best action happens May through September when they're actively feeding near structure and following rays. What makes cobia special is their curiosity - they'll often swim right up to the boat, giving you a clear shot with live bait or a bucktail jig.
Bluefish are your reliable action fish, especially during summer and fall runs when schools move through the bay. These aggressive feeders hit hard and fight dirty, making multiple runs and trying every trick to throw the hook. You'll find them from 2-8 pounds typically, perfect for light tackle fun. They're excellent table fare when iced immediately, with firm white meat that's perfect grilled or blackened.
Spanish mackerel provide fast-paced action from late spring through early fall, with the best bite usually happening on moving water. These speed demons hit spoons and small jigs with authority, and their acrobatic jumps keep things exciting. They're perfect for anglers who like continuous action, as schools often produce multiple hookups. The 1-3 pound range is typical, making them ideal on lighter spinning gear.
Southern flounder are the bay's premier table fare, lying in ambush around structure, channel edges, and grass lines. These flatfish require patience and technique - you'll often feel just a subtle tap before setting the hook. Summer through early fall produces the best action, with fish running 16-24 inches commonly. Their camouflage abilities are remarkable, and watching Captain Dave spot their outline on the bottom is part of the experience.
Black drum are the bay's bulldogs, using their powerful shoulders and stubborn nature to test your drag system. The Cape Charles area produces excellent drum fishing, especially around oyster bars and bridge pilings where they root for crabs and shellfish. These fish can reach 20-40 pounds, providing serious pulling power. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, with fish moving shallow to feed during optimal tide conditions.
Sea trout (speckled trout) are beautiful fish that love grass beds and shallow structure throughout the warmer months. They're sight feeders with excellent eyesight, making them fun targets on artificial lures. The distinctive spots and coloration make them one of the prettiest inshore species. Most run 14-20 inches, perfect for the dinner table with sweet, flaky white meat.
Redfish have been making a strong comeback in Virginia waters, and Cape Charles offers some of the state's best red drum action. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water, often feeding in just 2-3 feet around oyster bars and grass edges. Their powerful runs and dogged fighting style make them a customer favorite. You'll typically encounter fish in the 18-27 inch slot, though oversized bull reds over 40 inches show up regularly during fall runs.
Captain Dave's Cape Charles charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want - productive fishing, expert guidance, and a personalized experience you won't get on crowded head boats. The Chesapeake Bay's incredible biodiversity means every trip offers something different, whether it's sight-casting to cruising cobia or working structure for keeper flounder. With everything provided and just two spots available, this world-class fishing experience books up fast during peak season. Don't wait until the last minute - the best fishing days of the year fill up months in advance, and you'll kick yourself for missing out on some of Virginia's finest inshore action.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the Bay's copper-colored bulldogs, easily recognized by their bronze backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most run 20-30 inches, but we catch some real brutes over 40 inches. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around grass beds, oyster bars, and marshy shorelines. Spring through fall are best, especially when water temps are in the 70s. What guests love is the sight fishing aspect and their incredible fighting power in shallow water. They're also excellent eating in the slot size range. The trick is to stay quiet and make long casts ahead of cruising fish with gold spoons or soft plastics. When they eat in skinny water, hold on tight - they'll make blistering runs.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some real giants pushing 50+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love our oyster beds and shallow flats, especially during spring spawning when they make those distinctive drumming sounds. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for shellfish, so you'll find them in 5-20 feet around structure. What makes them special is their raw power - even a 15-pounder will test your drag and your arms. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning. The meat on smaller ones is excellent, but release the big breeders. Fresh blue crab is the ultimate bait - rig it on a circle hook and fish it right on bottom where they're rooting around for food.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are gorgeous fish with silver sides covered in distinctive black spots, averaging 14-18 inches in our waters. They're actually not trout at all, but members of the drum family. You'll find them over grass flats and around structure in 3-15 feet, especially during warmer months when they're most active. Early morning and evening are prime times, and they love to feed in moving water. Guests enjoy them because they're willing biters, fight well for their size, and they're absolutely delicious with tender, flaky meat. They're also great for light tackle fishing. Best approach is to work soft plastics or topwater lures over the grass beds at dawn - they'll often blow up on surface baits in spectacular fashion.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, lying on sandy and muddy bottoms throughout the Bay system. Most run 15-20 inches, though we catch some doormat-sized ones over 5 pounds. They're ambush predators with both eyes on their left side, perfectly designed for bottom life. Fall is prime time when they're moving toward deeper water, but we catch them year-round in 10-30 feet around structure and drop-offs. Guests enjoy the challenge of targeting them since it's all about precise bottom presentations, plus they're some of the best eating fish we catch - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. My secret: drift with live minnows or bucktails right on bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap, give them a second before setting the hook.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, beautiful fish with yellow spots along their silver sides, typically running 1-3 pounds in the Bay. These speed demons show up from late spring through early fall, schooling near the surface and around structure. They're some of the fastest swimmers out here, so when they hit your lure, you'll know it instantly. Guests love them because they fight hard for their size, they're numerous when we find them, and they make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill. The key to success is light tackle and small, shiny lures - a 1/4 oz spoon or small jig works great. Keep your lures moving fast since these fish are built for speed and won't chase slow-moving baits.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive fighters that show up in schools from spring through fall, typically running 2-10 pounds in our waters. These silver-sided speedsters have razor-sharp teeth and will hit almost anything that moves. You'll find them in the shallows chasing baitfish, around structure, or working the deeper channels. What guests love is the non-stop action when we hit a feeding school - they'll attack lures even when they're full, creating that famous "bluefish blitz." They're also great eating when fresh, with flaky white meat that's perfect grilled or fried. Pro tip: use a wire leader and keep your fingers clear when unhooking - those teeth are no joke and they'll bite right through mono.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are those dark brown, shark-looking fish you'll spot cruising solo around our waters. They average 4-6 feet and can hit 100+ pounds, making them serious fighters. You'll find them around structure like wrecks, buoys, and channel markers, usually in 30-70 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime times when they're moving through the Bay. What makes them special is they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat, plus they give you that heart-pounding sight fishing experience since we often spot them on the surface first. My tip: when you see one, cast ahead of where it's swimming and let your bucktail jig sink - they're curious fish and will often circle back to investigate.
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