Premium Chesapeake Bay Inshore Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day Chesapeake Bay fishing for Cobia, Trout, and Striped BassEight-hour inshore charter accommodates up to five guests comfortablyProfessional guide service operates from Oxford, MD and Exmore, VA
Looking for a serious day on the water? Max Fly Charters delivers an 8-hour fishing adventure that'll have you working some of the Chesapeake Bay's most productive waters around Oxford, MD, and Exmore, VA. This isn't your weekend warrior trip – we're talking about a full-day commitment to chasing trophy Striped Bass, Cobia, and everything else that calls these waters home. We keep groups small, maxing out at 5 anglers but recommending 4 for the best fishing experience. Trust me, when the action gets hot, you'll appreciate having that extra elbow room at the rail.
You're looking at an 8-hour charter that starts early and keeps you busy until the coolers are full. The Chesapeake Bay around Oxford and Exmore offers some of the most diverse inshore fishing on the East Coast, and we fish it hard. Expect to move around – we're not the type of operation that anchors up in one spot and hopes for the best. The boat's rigged for serious fishing, with plenty of rod holders, a solid fish box, and all the gear you need to handle whatever we hook into. We'll provide lunch to keep your energy up, because when the Cobia are schooling or the Stripers are pushing bait, you don't want to be thinking about your stomach. The day flows with the tide and the fish, so come ready to adapt and fish multiple techniques depending on what's working.
We run a variety of approaches depending on conditions and target species. Light tackle spinning gear gets the workout when we're sight-fishing Cobia or working shallow structure for Redfish. The heavier conventional setups come out when we're trolling for Stripers or working deeper water. Live bait's always in the mix – nothing beats a fresh spot or croaker when the big fish are feeding. We'll also throw artificials when the situation calls for it, especially when fish are busting bait on the surface. The boat's equipped with quality Penn and Shimano reels, and we keep the tackle boxes stocked with everything from bucktails to soft plastics. If you've got your own lucky rod, bring it along – just make sure it can handle a 30-pound Striper making a run for deep water.
Striped Bass: The bread and butter of Chesapeake Bay fishing, these rockfish are what built this fishery's reputation. Spring and fall see the best action when big schools move through our waters chasing bunker and bay anchovies. You'll find them anywhere from 18 to 40-plus inches, with the real trophies pushing 30 pounds or better. They fight like freight trains and taste even better on the dinner table. The thrill comes from never knowing if that next fish is going to be a keeper or a monster that'll test your drag system.
Cobia: Brown sharks, as the locals call them, are the prize catch that gets every angler's heart pumping. These curious, prehistoric-looking fish cruise the shallows from late spring through early fall, often following rays and checking out the boat. They're sight-fishing at its finest – you'll literally watch them swim up to your bait before crushing it. Cobia fight dirty, diving deep and using their broad sides to pull hard against the rod. Most fish run between 30-50 pounds, with bigger specimens not uncommon in these waters.
Sea Trout (Speckled Trout): These beautifully marked fish are a light tackle angler's dream. They love grass beds and shallow structure, making them perfect targets for our inshore approach. Peak season runs from spring through fall, with the bigger "gator trout" showing up in cooler months. They're not the strongest fighters, but they make up for it with their willingness to eat and their excellent table fare. Plus, when you find one, you'll usually find more.
Redfish: Bull reds are the power hitters of the inshore slam. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water, oyster bars, and grass beds. They're year-round residents but really turn on during the fall months. What makes them special is their fighting ability – they'll strip line off your reel in long, powerful runs. The bigger fish, often called "bulls," can push 40 inches and will give you an arm workout you won't forget.
Bluefish: Don't underestimate the choppers. These toothy predators are aggressive feeders and excellent fighters, especially on lighter tackle. They show up in massive schools during their spring and fall migrations, creating some of the most exciting action you'll find. Blues hit hard, jump high, and keep fighting right to the boat. They're also one of the best bait fish for targeting bigger predators later in the day.
The Chesapeake Bay fishing season is in full swing, and dates are filling up fast for this top-rated charter experience. Max Fly Charters has built a solid reputation by putting clients on fish consistently, and that word-of-mouth keeps the calendar busy. Whether you're after a personal best Striper, want to sight-cast to Cobia, or just need a day away from the dock with some serious fishing, this 8-hour adventure delivers. The combination of productive waters, experienced guidance, and quality equipment makes this a customer favorite for both local anglers and visitors. Don't wait – the best fishing days book up quick, and you don't want to miss your shot at some world-class Chesapeake Bay action.
Meet our reliable 1985 28' Mako center console, powered by a robust 300HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fishing grounds at a solid 28 knots. This classic workhorse has been chasing Chesapeake Bay stripers, cobia, and trout for decades and knows these waters like the back of her hand. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to fight fish, while the flybridge puts you above the action for better sight fishing opportunities. We've got you covered with an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus GPS and fish finder to locate those productive bottom structures and bait schools. Built to handle up to 5 anglers, though 4 gives everyone more elbow room when the bite gets hot. Whether we're running the shallows around Oxford or heading deeper off Exmore, this boat delivers the stability and performance you need for a productive day on the Chesapeake.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive feeders that'll give you a real fight on light tackle. These silvery-blue predators typically run 3-15 pounds in the Bay, though we occasionally see bigger ones. They're voracious hunters with razor-sharp teeth, so bring a wire leader. You'll find them chasing baitfish in open water and around structure from late spring through fall. Summer evenings are prime time when they push menhaden and anchovies to the surface - look for diving birds. Bluefish are excellent eating when fresh, especially the smaller "snappers." Local tip: when you hook into a school, work fast - they move quickly and the action can shut off just as fast as it started.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the Bay's brown sharks that aren't sharks - powerful, curious fish averaging 30-60 pounds. They cruise alone near the surface around buoys, channel markers, and structure in 20-50 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time during their spawning migration. These fish are incredibly strong and will test every knot - they make long, powerful runs and don't give up easily. The white meat rivals any premium fish for taste and texture. Cobia are naturally curious and often approach the boat, making them perfect for sight fishing. Here's my favorite technique: when you spot one cruising, cast a bucktail jig or live eel well ahead of it and work it slowly - they'll usually follow before striking.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are copper-colored powerhouses that'll test your drag system. Most run 20-35 inches in our waters, but we see plenty of bigger "bull" reds offshore. They love super shallow water - oyster bars, grass flats, and creek edges in 1-4 feet. Look for their backs and tails breaking the surface while they feed. Fall brings the best action as they school up for migration. These fish are pure muscle and will make blistering runs into structure. The meat has a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. Reds aren't picky eaters but they're spooky in shallow water. Here's the key: when sight fishing, cast well ahead of cruising fish and let your bait settle - they hate commotion but can't resist a well-placed crab or cut bait.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a Bay favorite, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow waters, especially around creek mouths and oyster bars. Spring through fall fishing is best, with early morning and evening producing top action. They're scrappy fighters that jump and make quick runs. The white, flaky meat is delicate and tasty - just don't overcook it. Specks are ambush predators that hide in grass beds waiting for shrimp and small baitfish. During colder months, they school up in deeper channels. My go-to technique: work a soft plastic shrimp slowly over grass beds during moving water - the strike zone is small but deadly effective.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the Bay's signature gamefish, and for good reason. These silver-sided bruisers average 20-40 pounds but can push much bigger. Look for them around structure - bridge pilings, channel edges, and oyster bars from 10-50 feet deep. Spring and fall migrations bring the best fishing, though we catch them year-round. They're strong fighters that make long runs and love to jump. The meat is firm and sweet, perfect for grilling. Stripers are structure-oriented, so we focus on drop-offs and current breaks where they ambush baitfish. Here's a local secret: during slack tide, try live eels near deep structure - big stripers can't resist them, especially at night.
Chesapeake Bay