Private Full Day Fishing Trip | PM
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour afternoon inshore fishing charter departing at 12:00 PMTarget Cobia, Striped Bass, Black Drum, and Flounder locallyFamilyfriendly trip accommodating up to four guests with guide
There's something special about heading out on the water at noon when the afternoon sun starts working its magic on Chincoteague's inshore waters. This 8-hour private charter with Reed And Reel Fishing Company gives you the prime time slots when fish are actively feeding and the bite really picks up. You'll have the boat to yourself and up to three other anglers, making it perfect for families, friends, or anyone wanting a personalized fishing experience without the crowd.
Starting at 12:00 PM means you're fishing through the best parts of the day - from the active afternoon bite right into the golden evening hours when many species move shallow to feed. Chincoteague's inshore waters are famous for their diversity, and your captain knows exactly where to find the fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. The shallow bays, grass flats, and channel edges around here hold some of the best fishing on the East Coast. You'll be working areas where the water clarity lets you sight-fish in some spots, while other areas require reading the structure and letting your bait do the talking. The boat stays comfortable for the whole crew, and since it's private, you can fish at your own pace whether you're teaching the kids or trying to land a personal best.
Inshore fishing around Chincoteague means adapting your approach throughout the trip. Your captain will have you working everything from live bait on the flats to artificial lures around structure. When targeting drum and redfish, you'll often be using chunk bait or live crabs fished on the bottom near oyster bars and drop-offs. For striped bass, expect to work the channels with cut bait or live spot, especially as the tide moves. Flounder fishing means bouncing jigs tipped with squid or minnows along sandy bottoms, while trout and redfish on the grass flats call for topwater plugs or soft plastics worked slowly. The captain provides all the gear, but if you have favorite rods or tackle, bring them along. Circle hooks are the standard here for conservation, and your guide will show you the best techniques for each species you're targeting.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate challenge for inshore anglers visiting Chincoteague. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. They typically run 14-20 inches in these waters, with doormat-sized fish over 25 inches always possible. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish moving into shallow areas during higher tides. What makes flounder so exciting is the subtle bite - you need to feel the difference between a pickup and just dragging bottom. Once hooked, they fight with surprising power for a flatfish.
Black Drum around Chincoteague can range from schoolie-sized fish to massive bulls over 40 pounds. The smaller ones in the 5-15 pound range are fantastic table fare and fight hard in shallow water. These fish love structure - oyster bars, bridge pilings, and channel edges are prime spots. They're year-round residents but most active in spring and fall. Black drum have incredible hearing, so they'll often respond to baits that make noise or vibration. The bigger fish are catch-and-release only, but landing a 30+ pound drum in shallow water is a memory that lasts forever.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped tricksters that keep even experienced anglers on their toes. These fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing crustaceans, and they can steal bait faster than you can set the hook. Around Chincoteague's docks, pilings, and rocky structure, sheepshead provide year-round action with peak fishing in cooler months. They typically run 2-8 pounds here, with occasional fish pushing double digits. What makes them special is the technique required - you need small hooks, fresh bait, and lightning-fast reflexes to hook up consistently.
Sea Trout, or spotted seatrout, are the bread-and-butter species that make Chincoteague inshore fishing so productive. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots love grass flats and provide consistent action from spring through fall. Most fish run 14-18 inches, but gator trout over 25 inches cruise these waters. They're aggressive predators that hit topwater plugs with explosive strikes during low-light periods. Trout are also excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for families wanting to take dinner home.
Redfish are the copper-colored bruisers that have made inshore fishing famous throughout the South, and Chincoteague's population is thriving. These fish are built for power, with broad tails that let them make blistering runs in shallow water. Most reds here run 18-27 inches, perfect for the slot limit and excellent eating. They're ambush predators that cruise grass flats and oyster bars, often feeding with their tails up in skinny water. Sight-fishing for redfish when you can see them tailing or cruising is pure adrenaline - it combines the visual excitement of watching the fish with the challenge of making the perfect presentation.
This afternoon-to-evening charter hits all the right notes for a memorable day on Chincoteague's waters. With your fishing license included and an experienced captain reading the conditions, you're set up for success from the start. The private boat means no rushing, no crowds, and fishing tailored to your group's experience level. Whether you're introducing kids to fishing or trying to check new species off your list, these 8 hours on the water deliver the kind of fishing that brings people back year after year. Pack your snacks and drinks, bring your camera, and get ready for some of the best inshore fishing the East Coast has to offer.
Step aboard this reliable 2014 Carolina Skiff and get ready to fish Chincoteague's productive inshore waters. At 21 feet with a 115HP Mercury engine pushing her up to 40 knots, this boat gets you to the fish fast and rides smooth in choppy conditions. Built specifically for up to 4 anglers, she's got everything you need for a successful afternoon on the water. The GPS keeps you on track to the hotspots while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. Keep your drinks ice-cold and bait fresh in the onboard icebox. Whether you're targeting cobia around the channel markers, working the grass flats for redfish and trout, or dropping down for black drum in deeper holes, this setup handles it all. The spacious deck gives everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Perfect for families and seasoned anglers alike looking to make the most of Chincoteague's diverse inshore fishing opportunities.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, and you'll know one when you hear it - they actually make drumming sounds during spawning season. These bruisers typically run 5-30 pounds, but we've seen them hit 50+ pounds around here. They love oyster beds, muddy flats, and bridge pilings where they can crush shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring is your best bet when they school up for spawning in shallow water. What guests love is the solid, steady fight they put up - no jumping, just pure strength. The meat on smaller fish (under 15 pounds) is great eating, but the big ones get tough. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab or peeler crab on a Carolina rig. Weight it heavy enough to stay on bottom, and when you feel that steady pull, don't horse them - let the drag work.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are absolute favorites for good reason - that copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail make them unmistakable. Around here, you'll catch them mostly in the 20-35 inch range, with fish pushing 10-20 pounds not uncommon. They love super shallow water, sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they're feeding heavy before winter. What guests love is the powerful, bulldogging fight and that satisfying thump when they eat topwater lures. The meat is excellent - mild and sweet. My favorite trick is working topwater plugs over shallow flats early morning or late evening. When you see that red back following your bait, don't speed up - keep it steady and get ready for the explosion.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful fish with silver sides covered in distinctive black spots. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, perfect for light tackle fun. You'll find them over grass flats, around creek mouths, and in shallow bays - they love that 2-8 foot range where there's good bottom structure. Spring through fall gives you the best shot, especially during moving tides. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures and their delicate, sweet meat that's outstanding on the table. The fight isn't overpowering but they're scrappy. Evening trips can be magic when they're feeding shallow. Pro tip: don't horse them to the boat - their mouths are soft and they'll throw the hook. Keep steady pressure and let your drag do the work.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, making them perfect for family trips. You'll find them tight to structure - docks, bridge pilings, jetties - anywhere with barnacle growth. They're year-round fish but spring brings the best action when they're more active. Guests love them for two reasons: they're notorious bait thieves that test your reflexes, and they're some of the best eating fish we catch. That white, flaky meat is restaurant quality. Here's the key - get your bait right against the structure and be ready. When you feel that nibbling, don't wait - set the hook hard. They'll steal your bait every time if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are fascinating flatfish that most guests find pretty unique - both eyes on the left side of their head and they can change color to match the bottom. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud waiting for prey. You'll typically catch them between 15-18 inches, though bigger ones around 3-5 pounds are out there. They hang out in shallow bays, around docks, and near creek mouths where the bottom is soft. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water. What makes them special is their mild, sweet taste - excellent table fare. The trick I always share: once your bait hits bottom, lift it slowly in one-foot sections. Flounder suspend at different depths, so you've got to find where they're holding.
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