Chesapeake Beach Charter Fishing | 8HR Trip
Looking for a solid day of fishing on the Chesapeake? Mary Lou Too Charters runs full-day 8-hour trips out of Chesapeake Beach that consistently put anglers on fish. We keep our groups small at just 6 guests max, so you'll get plenty of elbow room and personal attention from our experienced captain. The waters around Chesapeake Beach hold some of the best mixed-bag fishing on the mid-Atlantic coast, with four different species that'll keep your rod bent and the action steady all day long.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts early at the Chesapeake Beach marina, where you'll meet Captain and get the rundown on the day's game plan. We'll head out into the productive waters of the Chesapeake Bay, targeting structure and current breaks where the fish like to hang. The beauty of fishing these waters is the variety – you might start the morning working over a school of breaking stripers, then switch gears midday to pick apart some deeper structure for white perch. Our captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and adjusts tactics based on what the fish are telling us. You'll spend most of your time actively fishing, with moves between spots when the action slows. The 8-hour format gives us plenty of time to work different areas and techniques, so even if one bite is slow, we've got options.
Tackle and Techniques
All your fishing gear is included, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. We run a mix of techniques depending on conditions and what we're targeting. For stripers, we'll often troll umbrella rigs or work live bait around structure. When the bluefish are fired up, we might switch to casting metals or running smaller spoons. White perch fishing usually means working bottom rigs with cut bait around deeper structure, while Spanish mackerel respond well to small jigs and spoons worked through the water column. Our tackle is maintained and matched to the species we're after – medium-heavy spinning gear for most situations, with lighter setups when finesse is needed. We keep a good selection of lures and fresh bait on board, and our captain will get you rigged up and show you the techniques that work best in these waters.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Striped Bass are the bread and butter of Chesapeake Bay fishing, and for good reason. These hard-fighting fish average 18-28 inches in our waters, with bigger ones always possible. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're feeding heavily during their migrations, but summer fish can be found around deeper structure and current lines. What makes stripers special is their aggressive strikes and strong runs – they'll test your drag and give you a real battle on the way to the boat. The meat is excellent too, making them a favorite for the dinner table.
Bluefish bring pure excitement to any fishing trip with their razor-sharp teeth and aggressive attitudes. These voracious predators travel in schools and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. They average 2-6 pounds in the Chesapeake, with larger choppers showing up in late summer and early fall. Bluefish hit hard and fight dirty, making screaming runs and trying every trick to throw the hook. They're most active during moving water, especially around dawn and dusk when they push baitfish to the surface in spectacular feeding frenzies.
White Perch might be smaller than the other species we target, but they make up for size with numbers and eating quality. These silvery fighters average 8-12 inches and are found around deeper structure throughout the warmer months. They're perfect for kids and light-tackle enthusiasts, offering steady action when other species are finicky. White perch are excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for a fish fry. They often school up in good numbers, so when you find them, you can usually count on filling the cooler.
Spanish Mackerel are the speed demons of the Chesapeake, with lightning-fast runs and acrobatic jumps that'll keep you on your toes. These beautiful fish show up in summer months, typically running 12-18 inches with distinctive yellow spots along their sides. They're found in open water and around channel edges, often feeding near the surface on small baitfish. Spanish mackerel are prized for their excellent eating quality – their meat is rich and flavorful, perfect for grilling or smoking. When they're biting, the action can be fast and furious.
Time to Book Your Spot
An 8-hour charter with Mary Lou Too Charters gives you the full Chesapeake Bay fishing experience, with enough time to work multiple species and techniques. Our small group size means you'll get personalized instruction and plenty of chances to get on the fish. The variety of species keeps things interesting all day, whether you're after a trophy striper for the wall or a mess of white perch for the table. With all gear included and an experienced captain who knows how to find fish, you just need to show up ready to have a great day on the water. Book your trip today and see why anglers keep coming back to fish the productive waters around Chesapeake Beach.