Chesapeake Bay Charter Fishing for Family
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 6hour charter targets striped bass and redfish inshoreCaptain Benjamin Lane provides all gear and fishing licensesAccommodates up to 4 guests with flexible morning start times
Captain Benjamin Lane knows these Chesapeake Bay waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put your family on fish. This private 6-hour charter accommodates up to 4 guests, making it perfect for parents wanting to introduce kids to the sport or grandparents looking to share their love of fishing with the next generation. You'll target some of the bay's most prized species - striped bass, redfish, bluefish, speckled trout, and Spanish mackerel - in productive inshore waters that consistently produce results. Whether you're dealing with first-timers who've never held a rod or experienced anglers ready for some serious action, Captain Ben tailors the day to match your crew's skill level.
You'll meet Captain Ben at the dock with flexible start times that work around your family's schedule - choose an early morning departure to beat the heat or opt for an extended day trip if you want to maximize your time on the water. The boat comes fully rigged with quality rods, reels, tackle, and all the gear you'll need, plus fishing licenses are covered so you can focus on what matters most - having fun and catching fish. Captain Ben runs a clean, well-maintained vessel that's spacious enough for a family of four to fish comfortably without getting tangled up in each other's lines. The Chesapeake Bay's protected inshore waters offer a smooth ride most days, making this trip ideal for kids or anyone who gets a bit queasy in rough seas. You'll spend your day moving between productive spots, and Captain Ben reads the water conditions, tides, and fish activity to put you where the action is happening.
Captain Ben employs a variety of proven techniques depending on what's biting and where the fish are holding. Light tackle fishing with live bait like spot, croaker, and bloodworms produces consistent results for striped bass and speckled trout, especially around structure like bridge pilings, oyster bars, and drop-offs. When the bluefish are schooled up and feeding aggressively, you'll switch to casting spoons and soft plastics to get in on the action. For redfish, expect to work shallow grass flats and marsh edges with jigs tipped with paddle tails or live bait presentations. Spanish mackerel often show up when you're targeting other species, hitting fast-moving lures and providing exciting fights on light gear. Captain Ben keeps multiple rod setups ready so you can quickly adapt to changing conditions - one minute you might be bottom fishing for trout in deeper water, the next you're sight casting to redfish cruising the shallows.
Striped bass remain the Chesapeake Bay's signature species and the fish most anglers dream about when they think about fishing these waters. These hard-fighting gamefish can range from schoolie-sized 18-inchers that are perfect for kids to learn on, all the way up to cow stripers pushing 30+ pounds that'll test your drag and stamina. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action as stripers move through the bay during their seasonal migrations, but summer fishing can be red-hot when you find them feeding on baitfish around structure. Speckled trout provide steady action throughout the warmer months and are particularly rewarding for light tackle enthusiasts who appreciate their subtle strikes and acrobatic fights. These beautiful fish typically run 1-3 pounds but occasionally surprise you with a 4+ pound gator trout that'll make your day. Redfish have become increasingly popular targets in recent years, and for good reason - they're aggressive feeders that inhale baits with authority and provide bulldogging fights that get everyone excited. The bay's redfish typically range from slot-sized fish in the 18-27 inch range to oversized bulls that can exceed 40 inches. Bluefish offer non-stop action when they're feeding, often traveling in large schools that create feeding frenzies you can spot from a distance. These toothy predators hit lures hard and fight with incredible determination, making them absolute favorites with kids who love fast action. Spanish mackerel round out your target list with their lightning-fast strikes and aerial displays - they're smaller fish but pound-for-pound fighters that provide excellent light tackle sport.
Captain Ben's approach to family charters focuses on making sure everyone has a great time, regardless of their experience level. He's patient with kids who are still learning to cast and experienced enough to put seasoned anglers on quality fish. The 6-hour trip length hits the sweet spot - long enough to explore different areas and techniques, but not so long that younger crew members get restless or tired. Many families book this trip as an annual tradition because the Chesapeake Bay consistently produces fish, and Captain Ben's local knowledge means you're fishing the right spots at the right times with the right techniques. The variety of species keeps things interesting throughout the day, and there's always the possibility of hooking into something unexpected. Parents appreciate that all the gear and licenses are included, eliminating the hassle and expense of outfitting the whole family. The private charter format means you're not competing with other parties for the captain's attention or the best fishing spots on the boat.
River Wing Guide Services has built a reputation for delivering top-rated fishing experiences on the Chesapeake Bay, and Captain Ben's family charters book up quickly during peak season. The flexible scheduling and all-inclusive approach make this trip a customer favorite among families looking to create lasting memories on the water. With all gear, tackle, and licenses provided, you just need to show up ready to fish and have fun. Don't wait too long to secure your date - the best fishing windows fill up fast, and you don't want to miss out on what could be your family's best day on the water this year.
Meet River Wing, your ticket to prime Chesapeake Bay fishing action. This 2018 18-foot Parker packs serious punch with its Yamaha 115 engine, getting you to the hotspots fast and keeping you there all day. Built for the serious angler, she's rigged with a trolling motor and power pole for those perfect silent approaches when the stripers are finicky. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS keeps you locked onto productive structure. Whether you're working the grass beds for specks or drifting for blues, River Wing handles like a dream in Chesapeake's varied conditions. Captain Benjamin knows exactly where to position this nimble craft for the best bites, and with room for 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work without bumping elbows. From shallow water redfish haunts to deeper channel edges where the big stripers cruise, this boat gets you there in comfort and brings you back with a cooler full of fish.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are the Bay's ultimate aggressive feeders - these toothy predators will hit just about anything that moves. They typically run 2-10 pounds with broad shoulders and serious attitudes. You'll find them in schools throughout the Bay, from shallow flats to deeper channels, especially where there's current and baitfish. Summer into fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their winter migration south. What guests love is their vicious strikes and strong fights, plus they're great eating when handled properly - bleed them right away for best taste. Just watch those razor-sharp teeth when handling them. My best advice: when you find feeding birds diving on baitfish, get there fast. Blues will be underneath causing all the commotion, and they'll hit anything you throw at them during these feeding frenzies.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are built like copper-colored bulldogs with those distinctive black spots near their tails. Most of what we catch run 20-35 inches, perfect for the dinner table. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water. They're year-round residents but really turn on during fall when they school up heavily. What guests love about reds is their bulldogging fight and willingness to eat just about anything. They're also fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. The key to consistently catching them is sight fishing - polarized glasses are a must. When you spot one tailing in the shallows, cast your bait about three feet ahead of where they're heading and let it settle to the bottom.
Ambloplites RupestrisRock bass might not be our main target species in the Bay, but they're scrappy little fighters that kids absolutely love catching. These chunky fish with big red eyes usually run 6-10 inches and rarely top a pound, but they make up for size with attitude. You'll find them around rocky structure, fallen trees, and dock pilings in shallow, clear water. Spring through early summer is when they're most active and aggressive. What makes them fun is they hit hard for their size and are easy enough for beginners to catch consistently. They're also decent eating despite being small. The trick with rock bass is using tiny baits - a small nightcrawler or cricket on a light jig works perfect. Fish right tight to cover and don't be surprised when they grab your bait before it even hits bottom.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of the Bay's most popular targets, and for good reason. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches and fight harder than their size suggests. You'll find them in grass flats and shallow areas, especially around structure like oyster bars and drop-offs. They love to feed in low light - early morning and evening are prime times. Water temps between 60-75°F get them most active, making spring through fall our best seasons. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're excellent eating with mild, flaky white meat. My go-to trick: work soft plastics slow along the bottom near grass beds. When you feel that subtle tap, give it a second before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that show up in the Bay during warmer months, typically May through October. These streamlined fish with yellow spots average 1-2 feet and 2-4 pounds, but they fight like they're twice that size. You'll find schools of them near the surface around structure, channel edges, and wherever baitfish are thick. They're most active during moving water and love to feed during tide changes. What makes them exciting is their blazing fast runs and acrobatic jumps - they'll test your drag for sure. Plus they're outstanding on the table with firm, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. The secret to catching them consistently is speed - troll small spoons or cast tiny jigs and retrieve them fast. When you hook one, get ready because where there's one spanish, there's usually a whole school nearby.
Chesapeake Bay