Chesapeake Bay Fishing with Lucky Strike Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday charter targets Striped Bass, Bluefish, and Black DrumCaptain Shawn provides all fishing gear for six guestsEighthour inshore trip explores prime Chesapeake Bay waters
Looking for a solid day of fishing on one of the East Coast's most productive waters? Captain Shawn's got you covered with an 8-hour full-day charter that puts you right where the fish are biting. The Chesapeake Bay is legendary among anglers for good reason – these waters hold everything from hard-fighting stripers to tasty croakers, and with a small group of just 6 anglers max, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great one.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job. Eight hours gives you real time to work different spots, adjust to changing conditions, and put some serious fish in the cooler. Captain Shawn knows these waters like the back of his hand and comes loaded with all the tackle you'll need – from light spinning gear for the smaller stuff to heavy rods that can handle those big drum when they decide to show up. You just need to bring your drinks, snacks, and maybe a cooler if you're planning to take your catch home. The Bay's got different moods depending on the season, and that's part of what makes it so exciting. Spring brings the stripers up from their winter haunts, summer heats up the Spanish mackerel bite, and fall can be absolutely lights-out for bluefish when they're feeding up before heading south.
Chesapeake Bay fishing means adapting to what the fish want on any given day. Captain Shawn runs the full playbook – live bait fishing with spot and croaker when the big stripers are being picky, chunk baits for the drum, and switching to artificials when the blues are busting bait on the surface. The boat's rigged with quality electronics to mark fish and structure, plus all the terminal tackle from circle hooks to pyramid sinkers that work best in the Bay's current and depths. Depending on conditions, you might be drifting over deeper channels for drum, working the shallower flats for perch and croaker, or even sight-fishing when the Spanish mackerel are schooled up tight. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to try different approaches instead of being locked into just one technique all day.
White perch are the Bay's reliable workhorses – they're almost always willing to bite and make for fantastic table fare. These schooling fish typically run 8-12 inches and once you find them, it's often non-stop action. They love structure like bridge pilings and drop-offs, and they'll hit everything from bloodworms to small jigs. Spanish mackerel bring the speed and excitement to your day. These silver bullets usually show up in summer and early fall, often in big schools that create feeding frenzies on the surface. They're fast, they jump, and they're absolutely delicious when prepared right. Most run 1-3 pounds but don't let the size fool you – they'll test your drag and your reflexes. Bluefish are the Bay's ultimate gamesters, known for their aggressive strikes and never-quit attitude. They can show up anywhere from 2 pounds to over 10, and when they're feeding, the action gets wild fast. They'll hit cut bait, live bait, and lures with equal enthusiasm, making them a favorite for both experienced anglers and kids getting their first taste of serious fishing. Black drum are the Bay's gentle giants, often weighing 20-50 pounds or more. They're bottom dwellers that love crab and clam baits, and once hooked, they'll give you a long, stubborn fight that tests your tackle and your patience. The bigger ones are catch-and-release, but the smaller "puppy" drum make excellent eating. Striped bass are the crown jewel of Chesapeake Bay fishing. These fish can range from schoolie size up to true trophies over 40 inches, and they're what most anglers dream about when they think Bay fishing. They're structure-oriented, current-loving fish that can be found anywhere from shallow flats to deep channels depending on season and conditions.
Eight hours on the Chesapeake Bay with an experienced captain, all gear included, and fishing for some of the East Coast's best species – this is exactly the kind of trip that creates those stories you'll be telling for years. Captain Shawn's track record speaks for itself, and with only 6 spots available, these charters fill up fast during peak season. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to put some quality fish in the box or someone newer to the game who wants to learn from a pro, this is your chance to experience what makes Chesapeake Bay fishing so special. The fish are there, the gear's ready, and all you need to do is show up with your favorite snacks and drinks. Don't wait until the bite cools off – book your spot with Lucky Strike Charter and get ready for a day on the water that'll remind you why you fell in love with fishing in the first place.
Step aboard our sturdy 46' Markley pilothouse for your next Chesapeake Bay fishing adventure. Built in 2007, this reliable workhorse packs a 490HP Cummins engine that'll get you to the hotspots at 23 knots, giving you more time with lines in the water. The spacious deck layout comfortably handles your group of 6 while you target stripers, blues, black drum, and croaker throughout the bay's productive waters. Captain Shawn has you covered with all the tackle and gear, plus the boat's fish finder and GPS ensure we're always on the fish. When nature calls, there's an onboard head, and the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when we're working structure. The pilothouse design means you'll stay comfortable whether it's blazing sun or choppy conditions. Just bring your drinks and snacks – everything else is ready to go for a full day of serious fishing on the Chesapeake.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the Bay's heavyweights, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50-plus. These bottom-hugging bruisers love our oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow structure where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring around spawning season is peak time when they school up and become much easier to target. What anglers love is the bulldogging fight and the challenge of outsmarting these smart fish. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating. The key is getting your bait on bottom - I always tell folks to use fresh crab because it stays put and doesn't get stolen by bait thieves. Fish the tide changes around structure and be patient; when a big drum picks up your crab, you'll know it.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are the Bay's ultimate aggressive feeders, running anywhere from small "snappers" to bruising 15-20 pounders that'll test your drag. These blue-green torpedoes with razor teeth hunt in packs and go into feeding frenzies that'll churn the water white. Summer brings the best action in our waters, especially around bait schools near structure and drop-offs. What makes them special is their raw power and willingness to hit almost anything - they're perfect for getting kids hooked on fishing. The smaller ones are great eating, but watch those teeth when handling. My go-to trick: look for bird activity and use wire leaders with spoons or cut bait. When you find feeding blues, work fast because the bite can turn off quick.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll give you a wild ride on light tackle. These silvery bullets with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds, but they fight way above their weight class. They love our warmer Bay waters and show up in schools near the surface, often around structure and drop-offs. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily on baitfish. What guests love is the lightning-fast strikes and acrobatic runs - plus they're excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat that grills perfectly. Watch for birds working the surface, that's your sign. Pro tip: troll small spoons or jigs at moderate speed, and when you hook one, keep the school around by immediately getting another line in the water.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the Bay's crown jewel - powerful, beautiful fish that can run anywhere from schoolie size to 40-pound trophies. These silver-sided fighters with distinct black stripes love structure like drop-offs, bridge pilings, and channel edges. Spring and fall migration periods offer the hottest action, but we catch them year-round. What makes them special is their combination of size, fight, and incredible table quality - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're smart fish that require different approaches depending on conditions. My best advice: focus on moving water around dawn and dusk, and don't be afraid to fish live bait like eels or menhaden near bottom structure. Match your tackle to the fish you're targeting - light for schoolies, heavy for the big girls.
Morone AmericanaWhite perch are scrappy little fighters that run 7-10 inches and under a pound most days. Don't let the name fool you - they're actually bass family and love our brackish waters here in the Bay. You'll find schools of them around structure and shallow areas, especially during spring spawning runs from April through June when they move into tributaries. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit bloodworms, small minnows, and hair jigs without much fuss. What makes them fun is you can double up easily since they school tight. The meat's decent eating on smaller fish. My tip: use a multi-hook rig with 2-4 hooks and let your bait settle, then jig it up to trigger their chase instinct. Early morning and evening are prime time.
Chesapeake Bay