Chesapeake Bay Inshore Fishing with Captain Andy
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing targets striped bass, redfish, and sea troutCaptain Andy provides all gear and equipment neededAccommodates up to four guests per charter trip
When you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing on the East Coast, Chesapeake Bay delivers every single time. Captain Andy knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish that'll have you talking about this trip for years. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this guided fishing adventure targets striped bass, redfish, sea trout, black drum, Spanish mackerel, and summer flounder. With room for up to four anglers, it's perfect for buddies, family trips, or anyone who wants to experience what makes the Chesapeake legendary among fishing circles.
Captain Andy runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed and fun. You'll meet at the dock early morning when the fish are most active, and he'll have all your tackle, rods, and gear ready to go. The beauty of fishing the Chesapeake is the variety - one minute you might be working live bait around structure for stripers, the next you're casting into grass beds for redfish. The bay's mix of shallow flats, deeper channels, and abundant structure creates perfect habitat for multiple species, which means you're rarely stuck targeting just one type of fish. Captain Andy reads the conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Some days that means hitting the grass lines for sea trout, other days it's working the channel edges for black drum. The guy knows when to move and when to stay put, which is exactly what separates a good guide from a great one.
The fishing here is all about versatility. Captain Andy keeps a full arsenal of techniques ready depending on what the fish want that day. Light tackle spinning gear works great for the smaller species like sea trout and Spanish mackerel, while heavier conventional setups come into play when targeting bigger stripers and drum. Live bait fishing with spot, croakers, and bloodworms produces consistently, especially around the pilings and bridge structures that dot the bay. When fish are aggressive, artificial lures like soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs can absolutely light them up. The key is staying mobile and adapting to the bite. Some days the fish want slow presentations along the bottom, other times they're crushing bait on the surface. Captain Andy carries everything from circle hooks for live bait fishing to an assortment of jigs and swimbaits for when the fish want something with more action.
Spanish mackerel are absolute speed demons that show up in numbers during the warmer months. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and are known for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. They school up around bait balls and structure, making them perfect targets for light tackle fishing. What makes them special is their aggressive nature - they'll hit everything from small spoons to live bait, and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. Striped bass are the crown jewel of Chesapeake Bay fishing, with fish ranging from schoolies up to legitimate cows pushing 40+ inches. These fish are smart, strong, and put up a serious fight. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but resident fish provide year-round opportunities. Black drum are the bulldozers of the bay, with fish commonly weighing 20-50 pounds. They're bottom feeders that love crabs and clams, and when you hook one, you know it immediately. Summer flounder, or fluke, are the chameleons that lie flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. They're excellent table fare and can reach impressive sizes in the Chesapeake's fertile waters. Sea trout are speckled beauties that love grass beds and shallow water structure. They're aggressive feeders that respond well to both live and artificial baits. Redfish, or red drum, are copper-colored fighters that have made a strong comeback in recent years. They're powerful fish that love shallow water and provide some of the most exciting sight fishing opportunities in the bay.
This isn't just another fishing trip - it's your chance to experience some of the most productive and diverse inshore fishing on the Atlantic coast. Captain Andy brings the local knowledge, quality gear, and fishing expertise that turns a good day into a great one. The Chesapeake Bay's year-round fishery means there's always something biting, whether you're looking to fill the cooler or just enjoy the thrill of the fight. With space for four anglers, you can bring the whole crew and split the cost while maximizing the fun. These trips book up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait around thinking about it. Get on Captain Andy's schedule and see why anglers keep coming back to fish these legendary waters with Outta Line Charters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds with some reaching 50+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish have crushing jaws built for eating crabs and oysters. You'll find them on shallow muddy flats, around oyster bars, and near creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll have your best shot at multiple hookups. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab, clams, or cut bait works best. What guests love is the bulldogging fight - they don't jump much but they'll pull drag and test your patience. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with firm, white meat. Here's the key: use enough weight to keep your bait pinned to the bottom, and when you feel that steady thump-thump, let them eat it before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails, averaging 28-33 inches depending on sex. They're shallow water specialists, often found in 1-4 feet cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. You'll sometimes see their backs out of water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Fall is prime time when they school up in deeper channels, but they're catchable year-round. What guests love is watching them crush topwater lures in skinny water - it's visual fishing at its best. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. Live shrimp, cut crab, or spoons work great, but nothing beats the excitement of a topwater strike. Local tip: look for nervous water or "pushes" where redfish are moving just under the surface. Cast ahead of the disturbance and work your lure back through their path.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or "specks," are beautiful spotted fish that average 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They have that classic trout profile with silver sides covered in dark spots. You'll find them over grass flats and sandy bottoms in 3-12 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs. They're most active in warmer months, with dawn and dusk being prime feeding times. What makes them fun to target is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their respectable fight for their size. The meat is delicate and tasty - softer than other inshore fish, so don't overcook it. They'll take live shrimp, soft plastics, or small spoons worked slowly. Night fishing under lights can be deadly when they're feeding on baitfish. Key tip: these fish have soft mouths, so use a light drag setting and let the rod do the work during the fight.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, sleek fish that run in schools and put up a great fight on light tackle. You'll find them averaging 1-2 feet long, weighing 8-11 pounds, with distinctive yellowish spots along their silvery sides. They love structure in open water - look for them around channel edges and drop-offs, usually in the top 20 feet. Best fishing happens late spring through early fall when water temps warm up. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit spoons, jigs, and live bait like sardines or shrimp. What makes them special is that explosive strike and blistering run - plus they're excellent eating with mild, flaky meat that grills perfectly. Pro tip: when you spot diving birds or bait breaking the surface, get there fast and cast into the commotion. These schools move quick, so work efficiently once you find them.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the Bay's signature species - powerful fish with distinctive black stripes running down their silver sides. Most fish we catch run 20-40 pounds, but 50-pounders are always in the mix. These structure-oriented fish love rock piles, channel edges, and bridge pilings where they ambush baitfish. Spring and fall are peak times, especially during the famous migration runs when massive schools move through. What makes them special is that hard pull and long runs, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. They'll hit live eels, cut bunker, or large swimbaits worked near structure. The Chesapeake is striped bass central - we're sitting in their primary nursery area. Here's what works: focus on moving water around structure changes, and don't be afraid to go big with your baits. These fish didn't get large eating small meals.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or "fluke," are masters of camouflage that lie flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-20 inches, though doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds are always possible. They hang out on sand and mud bottoms near structure - channel edges, drop-offs, and around bridge pilings in 10-40 feet of water. September through November is prime time when they're feeding heavily before heading offshore. Guests love the challenge of these picky eaters and the reward - few fish beat flounder for table fare with that sweet, flaky white meat. They respond well to live minnows, squid strips, or bucktails bounced along the bottom. The trick is patience - let them grab the bait and turn it before setting the hook. They bite sideways, so give them time to get it positioned right in their mouth.
Chesapeake Bay