Cape Charles Full Day Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing adventure in Chesapeake Bay watersAll gear, snacks, and drinks provided for small groupsExpert Captain Dave guides intimate 2guest fishing experience
When you're looking for a fishing trip that delivers both variety and quality, Captain Dave's got you covered on the pristine waters around Cape Charles. This isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience – with just 2 guests max, you'll get personalized attention and prime fishing spots without the chaos. The Chesapeake Bay's southern tip offers some of the most productive inshore waters on the East Coast, and you'll be targeting everything from hard-fighting cobia to tasty Spanish mackerel. All your tackle, bait, and refreshments are handled, so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the boat.
Your day kicks off early from Cape Charles, where Captain Dave will brief you on the game plan based on current conditions and what's been biting lately. The beauty of fishing these waters is the diversity – one minute you're working structure for black drum, the next you're sight-casting to cruising cobia. The boat stays comfortable throughout the trip with plenty of shade and seating, plus Captain Dave keeps the cooler stocked with cold drinks and snacks to fuel your day. Expect to move around to different spots as conditions change, which is exactly how you maximize your chances of getting into fish. The relaxed atmosphere means you can take your time with each fish, get some photos, and really enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
Captain Dave runs a variety of techniques depending on what's working best. You'll likely do some bottom fishing with circle hooks and fresh bait for drum and flounder, plus some light tackle action for speckled trout around grass beds and drop-offs. When cobia are around, it's all about sight fishing – watching for those dark shadows cruising near the surface and making accurate casts with live bait or jigs. Spanish mackerel call for faster presentations, often trolling small spoons or casting lightweight jigs around bait schools. The gear is perfectly matched to each species, from medium-heavy rods for the bigger drum to ultralight setups that make those sea trout feel like monsters. Cape Charles sits right where the Bay meets the Atlantic, giving you access to both shallow grass flats and deeper channel edges where different species hang out.
Cobia are the crown jewel of Chesapeake Bay fishing, and Cape Charles puts you right in their migration path. These brown sharks (as locals call them) can push 40+ pounds and fight like nothing else in these waters. They're most active from late spring through early fall, often found cruising near the surface around structure or following rays. What makes them special is the sight fishing aspect – you'll actually see these fish before you cast, which gets your heart pumping every time.
Bluefish around Cape Charles are aggressive feeders that'll hit just about anything you throw at them. Spring and fall bring the best action when schools of blues move through chasing baitfish. They're not huge here – typically 2-8 pounds – but they make up for size with attitude. Perfect for beginners who want to feel that solid hookup and steady fight.
Spanish mackerel are speed demons that provide non-stop action when you find them. These silver bullets rarely exceed 3 pounds, but they school up in big numbers and hit fast-moving lures with authority. Summer months are prime time, especially when you locate diving birds working bait schools.
Southern flounder are the table fare favorites, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing prey. Cape Charles offers excellent flounder habitat in 8-20 feet of water. They're not flashy fighters, but that distinctive head shake tells you immediately when you've got one hooked. Fall migration brings the biggest fish as they head toward deeper water.
Black drum are the muscle of the group, with big fish commonly weighing 20-50 pounds around Cape Charles. They're bottom huggers that feed on crabs and clams, requiring patience and strong tackle. The fight is all about power – they don't jump or run far, just dig deep and make you work for every inch.
Sea trout (speckled trout) are the bread and butter of Chesapeake Bay fishing. These spotted beauties love grass beds and shallow structure, hitting soft plastics and live bait with subtle taps that require concentration to detect. They're most active in moderate temperatures, making spring and fall peak seasons.
Redfish (red drum) are the newest success story in the Bay, with populations recovering nicely in recent years. Cape Charles offers good shots at school-sized reds in shallow water, plus occasional bulls that'll test your drag system. They're bronze-colored fighters with serious stamina, often making multiple runs before coming to the net.
This Cape Charles fishing experience hits all the right notes – top-notch captain, quality gear, productive waters, and enough variety to keep things interesting all day long. With only 2 spots available, you're getting a semi-private charter experience at a reasonable price point. Captain Dave's local knowledge and laid-back approach make this perfect for serious anglers and casual fishermen alike. The Chesapeake Bay around Cape Charles is fishing at its finest, and there's no better way to experience it than with Local Honey Chesapeake Bay Charters. Don't wait too long to secure your date – good guides book up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are bronze-colored powerhouses with distinctive black spots near their tails, averaging 20-35 inches in our shallow waters. These copper-sided fighters love oyster bars, grass flats, and marshes in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but fall is exceptional when they school up for their spawn. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight and excellent table fare from smaller fish. They're sight-fishing targets that will crush topwater plugs, soft plastics, or live shrimp. The real thrill is watching them blow up on surface lures in skinny water. Pro tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats during moving tides - cast ahead of cruising fish and work your bait slowly back toward them.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are powerful bottom feeders known for their crushing jaws and distinctive croaking sounds. They range from 5-30 pounds typically, but can reach 90+ pounds in our waters. These gray-black fish love oyster beds, shallow muddy flats, and brackish areas where they crunch through shellfish and crabs. Spring is prime time during spawning season when they school up and are easier to target. What makes them special is their incredible pulling power - they're bulldogs that will test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's the trick: use fresh crab or clam on a fish-finder rig and keep your bait right on the bottom. When you feel that steady pull, don't horse them - let them run and tire themselves out first.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots that typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. These popular inshore gamefish love grass flats, shallow bays, and around structure in 2-10 feet of water. Spring through fall are peak seasons, with excellent night fishing during summer months. What guests enjoy is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're not the hardest fighters, but they're plentiful and great for families. Best technique is working soft plastics or topwater lures over grass beds at dawn and dusk. Local tip: fish the deeper channels and drop-offs adjacent to shallow flats - that's where they stage before moving up to feed.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are unique flatfish with both eyes on their left side, perfectly designed for ambushing prey from sandy or muddy bottoms. They typically run 15-18 inches but can reach over 30 inches and several pounds. These masters of camouflage bury themselves in shallow bays, estuaries, and around structure where they feed on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are best when they're moving toward deeper water to spawn. What guests love is the challenge of targeting these sneaky bottom-dwellers and their excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Drift fishing or still fishing with live bait works best. Local secret: use a slip sinker rig with live bull minnows or shrimp, and fish the edges of channels where they wait to ambush passing prey.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are lightning-fast fish with distinctive yellow spots along their silvery sides, typically running 1-2 feet long and weighing 2-8 pounds. These speedsters travel in large schools near the surface, making them perfect for trolling or casting from piers and boats during warmer months. They're fantastic fighters that make screaming runs, and the meat is excellent - mild and flaky, perfect for grilling or smoking. You'll find them around structure in open water, but they often push close to shore when water temps rise. Spring through early fall is prime time when they're chasing bait schools. Here's the key: use light tackle with small, shiny lures or live bait, and keep moving until you find the school - once you do, you can often catch several quickly.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that show up in our waters from spring through fall, typically weighing 5-20 pounds. You'll find them in schools attacking baitfish in shallow bays, around structure, or in open water - they're famous for their "blitz" feeding frenzies that churn the water white. These blue-green fighters with sharp teeth put up a solid battle and make decent table fare when prepared fresh. They migrate through our area following bait schools, so timing matters. The smaller "snappers" are perfect for kids to catch in late summer around harbors and tidal rivers. Pro tip: when you see birds diving and water boiling with activity, get there fast but approach quietly - bluefish spook easily once the feeding frenzy ends.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are impressive fish that average around 6 feet and 100 pounds - often mistaken for sharks due to their dark brown color and single dorsal fin. These solitary predators love hanging around wrecks, buoys, and structure in 30-70 feet of water. Spring through summer is prime time when they're spawning and migrating through our area. What makes them special is their incredible fight and top-notch table fare - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. Most folks sight-fish for them since they cruise near the surface, but here's a local tip: when you spot one, throw your bucktail jig ahead of where it's swimming, not right at it. Let it sink and work it slow - cobia are curious and will usually come investigate if you don't spook them.
Richmond