Family-Friendly Fishing Trip In Chesapeake Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour family fishing adventure in scenic Chesapeake Bay watersTarget Striped Bass, Redfish, and Flounder with provided equipmentCaptain Andy guides up to four guests with relaxed teaching approach
Captain Andy knows how to make fishing fun for the whole crew, and his 6-hour family trips on Chesapeake Bay prove it every time out. This isn't your typical charter where kids get bored after an hour – Andy's built his reputation around keeping everyone engaged, from first-time anglers to seasoned parents who want their kids to fall in love with fishing. The Bay's calm inshore waters make it perfect for families, and with species like Striped Bass, Redfish, and Spanish Mackerel biting regularly, there's always action to keep the excitement going. You'll fish productive spots without the rough seas, and Andy provides all the gear so you can focus on making memories instead of worrying about tackle.
Your day starts early when you meet Captain Andy at the dock, where he'll get everyone fitted with life jackets and give a quick safety rundown that even the youngest anglers can understand. The boat's set up with comfortable seating and plenty of rod holders, so there's room for everyone to fish without getting tangled up. Andy's approach is all about patience and teaching – he'll show your kids how to feel for bites, set the hook properly, and fight fish without losing them at the boat. The 6-hour trip gives you time to hit multiple spots around the Bay, from grass flats where Redfish cruise to deeper channels where Striped Bass school up. Expect to move around based on what's biting, and don't be surprised when Andy pulls out different baits and techniques throughout the day to keep the fish coming.
Andy runs a mix of light tackle fishing that's perfect for families – spinning reels that are easy for kids to handle, but with enough backbone to land quality fish. You'll work with live bait like spot and croaker when the fish are finicky, plus cut baits and soft plastics when they're feeding aggressively. The captain switches between drift fishing over structure and anchoring on productive spots, depending on tides and fish behavior. Kids love the instant gratification of bottom fishing for Black Drum and Sea Trout, while parents often get hooked on the light tackle challenge of sight fishing for Redfish in shallow water. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are included, though Andy encourages families to bring any lucky lures or gear they want to try. He's got a cooler full of ice to keep your catch fresh, plus a cleaning station if you want to take fish home for dinner.
Spanish Mackerel show up in good numbers during the warmer months, typically from late spring through early fall when water temperatures climb above 70 degrees. These fish are absolute rockets – they'll smoke drag and put on an aerial show that gets kids shouting with excitement. Most run 1-3 pounds, perfect size for young anglers to handle, and they're excellent eating with firm, flaky meat. Andy often finds them schooled up around structure or chasing baitfish on the surface, where they'll hit small jigs and spoons with aggressive strikes.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the Bay, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 16-inchers up to massive 40+ pound bulls that'll test your patience. They're bottom feeders that love crabs and clams, so expect a steady, heavy pull rather than blazing runs. Kids get a kick out of the drumming sound these fish make, and the bigger ones provide a tug-of-war that the whole family can get involved with. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, with the biggest fish often caught during incoming tides around oyster bars and bridge pilings.
Striped Bass remain the Bay's most famous resident, and for good reason – they're aggressive, fight hard, and grow to impressive sizes. School fish in the 18-28 inch range provide non-stop action when you find them, while trophy fish over 30 inches offer the fight of a lifetime. These fish are structure-oriented, so Andy knows the best drop-offs, channel edges, and underwater humps where they school up. Spring and fall offer the hottest action, but summer fishing around deeper channels and the Bay Bridge can be phenomenal when conditions align.
Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as locals call them, are beautiful fish with distinctive spots and sharp teeth that give light tackle a real workout. They prefer grass flats and deeper channels, feeding heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. Most fish run 14-20 inches, with occasional doormat-sized trout pushing 24+ inches that become the highlight of any trip. They're sight feeders that respond well to live bait and soft plastics, making them perfect targets for teaching kids how to work lures properly. Best fishing typically occurs during moving tides in spring and fall.
Redfish have become increasingly popular in the Bay, and it's easy to see why when you hook into a 25-inch red that peels drag like a freight train. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow flats and marsh edges, where they cruise looking for crabs and baitfish. Andy's got a keen eye for spotting their wakes and tails in skinny water, creating sight-fishing opportunities that'll have your family scanning the surface like pros. They fight dirty with powerful runs toward structure, and their distinctive black spots make for great photos before release.
Captain Andy's family trips fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing's hot and families are planning their Bay adventures. This top-rated charter gives you everything needed for a successful day on the water – expert guidance, quality equipment, and access to the Bay's best fishing spots that only local captains know. Your group of up to 4 will have plenty of room to fish comfortably while Andy shares decades of knowledge about reading water, understanding fish behavior, and making the most of every bite. Whether you're introducing kids to fishing or just want a relaxed day catching quality
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, easily recognized by their dark coloring and powerful build. Most fish we catch run 5-15 pounds, but these bruisers can push 30+ pounds and really test your arms. They love shallow oyster bars, muddy flats, and around bridge pilings where they crush crabs and shellfish with those strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll have your best shot at multiple hookups. What guests love is the steady, determined fight and that distinctive drumming sound they make. The smaller ones are great eating with sweet, flaky meat. Here's my local tip: use fresh peeler crab on a circle hook and let it sit on the bottom near oyster structure. Be patient - when a drum picks it up, you'll know it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are bronze-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tail that make them easy to identify. In the Bay, they typically run 20-32 inches and are known for their powerful, sustained runs that really test your drag. Look for them in shallow water around oyster bars, grass flats, and marshy shorelines in 2-8 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before winter, but we catch them consistently through the warmer months. What makes reds special is their aggressive strikes and never-give-up attitude - they'll fight right to the boat. The meat is excellent with a mild, slightly sweet flavor that's perfect for blackening or grilling. My local trick is to sight-fish them in skinny water with gold spoons or topwater plugs. When you see their backs cruising the flats, it's game on.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots. They typically run 12-18 inches in our waters and are known for their delicate bite and quick runs. You'll find them over grass beds and sandy bottoms in 3-12 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and shallow flats. Late spring through early fall is best when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What guests love is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their excellent table fare - the meat is tender and flaky with a mild, sweet taste. They're also great for teaching kids proper technique since they require a gentle touch. My tip is to fish early morning or evening with small jigs tipped with soft plastics, working them slowly over grass beds.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast-moving silver bullets with distinctive yellow spots along their sides. These speedsters typically run 14-20 inches in the Bay and put up a scrappy fight that's perfect for kids and adults alike. You'll find them cruising near the surface around structure - bridge pilings, channel edges, and drop-offs in 10-25 feet of water. They show up best from late spring through early fall when the water warms up. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps once hooked. The meat is excellent eating too - mild and flaky when grilled fresh. My go-to trick is to look for diving birds working baitfish schools. When you see that action, get your small spoons and jigs ready because the Spanish macs are usually feeding right underneath.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the Bay's signature species and for good reason. These silver fighters with dark horizontal stripes typically run 18-28 inches here, though we see some real slobs pushing 40+ inches. They love structure - channel edges, bridge pilings, and rocky points in 15-40 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime time when they're actively feeding on migrating baitfish. What makes stripers special is their hard initial run and bulldogging fight that gets everyone's adrenaline pumping. They're also some of the best eating fish in the Bay with firm, sweet meat that's perfect for the grill. My local secret is to fish the tide changes around structure with live spot or white perch. When the current starts moving, that's when these fish turn on and feed aggressively.
Chesapeake Bay