Private Atlantic Ocean Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private fishing trips targeting flounder, sea bass, and pelagic speciesAll equipment, bait, and tackle provided for maximum convenienceFlexible 4-8 hour options accommodate up to 6 guests
Picture this: you and up to five friends on a private charter boat, lines in the water, cooler stocked with your favorite drinks, and the Atlantic Ocean stretching endlessly ahead. Running Tide Charters takes the hassle out of offshore fishing by providing all the essentials—quality tackle, fresh bait, and ice-cold water—while you focus on what matters most: reeling in some serious fish. Whether you're targeting bottom-dwellers around wrecks and reefs or trolling the blue water for fast-moving pelagics, this customizable 4 to 8-hour adventure puts you right where the action is hottest.
Your captain knows these Atlantic waters like the back of their hand, and they'll tailor the trip based on what's biting and what gets your crew fired up. Feel like bouncing jigs off the bottom for some hefty tautog and sea bass? No problem. Want to cover ground trolling for Spanish mackerel and bluefish that'll put up a serious fight? They've got you covered. The beauty of a private charter is flexibility—if the bite's slow in one spot, you're moving to the next productive area without waiting for other anglers to agree. These boats are rigged with quality electronics to locate structure and baitfish, plus all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle you need. Just bring sunscreen, snacks, and that competitive spirit that makes fishing with friends so addictive. The 4-hour option gives you a solid taste of what these waters offer, while the 8-hour trip lets you really dial in patterns and maximize your catch.
Running Tide's boats come equipped with everything from light spinning gear for finicky bottom fish to heavier trolling setups that can handle whatever decides to crush your spread. For reef and wreck fishing, you'll be working with conventional reels loaded with braided line, allowing you to feel every tap and maintain contact with your bait in 40 to 80 feet of water. The crew rigs up with circle hooks, squid, clams, and cut bait that local species can't resist. When trolling, expect to see umbrella rigs, spoons, and diving plugs designed to mimic the baitfish these pelagics hammer throughout the season. The captain reads the water conditions, current breaks, and temperature changes to put you on fish—whether that means working structure with the fish finder or running and gunning until you mark schools of active feeders. Don't worry if you're new to offshore techniques; the crew breaks it down so everyone from beginners to seasoned salts can contribute to the cooler count.
Summer flounder are the crown jewel of this fishery, and for good reason. These flatfish can stretch over 20 inches and provide some of the best table fare you'll find in the Atlantic. They're most active during warmer months when they're feeding heavily on sand eels, spearing, and crabs around sandy bottoms near structure. What makes fluke fishing so engaging is their finicky nature—one day they want a slow drift with minimal weight, the next they're crushing bucktails bounced aggressively off the bottom. When you hook into a doormat flounder, that initial head shake and bulldogging run toward the bottom gets your heart pumping every single time.
Tautog, or "blackfish" as locals call them, are the heavyweight champions of the wreck scene. These bruisers use their powerful jaws to crush crabs, mussels, and sea worms, making them incredibly strong fighters that'll test your drag system. Fall and early winter offer prime tog fishing when they're feeding up before moving offshore. A 5-pound tautog might not sound massive, but when it's wrapped around structure 60 feet down, pulling with the power of a fish twice its size, you'll understand why dedicated tog hunters become obsessed with targeting them.
Black sea bass round out the bottom fishing trifecta with their aggressive strikes and cooperative nature. These spiky customers rarely disappoint, often traveling in schools around productive wrecks and rocky areas. While they might not grow as large as fluke or fight as hard as tautog, sea bass make up for it with consistency and attitude. They'll hit everything from squid strips to soft plastics, and when you find a good school, it's not uncommon to box your limit while working a single piece of structure. Plus, their firm white meat makes them a favorite for the dinner table.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience—it's a top-rated private charter where every detail is handled so you can focus on fishing and making memories with your crew. The combination of knowledgeable captains, quality equipment, and productive Atlantic waters creates the kind of day that has groups booking their return trip before they even reach the dock. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, introducing someone to offshore fishing, or just need to get away from the daily grind, Running Tide Charters delivers the goods. Book your 4 or 8-hour adventure now and see why anglers keep coming back to these renowned Atlantic fishing grounds season after season.
Step aboard our reliable 25-foot World Cat catamaran for your Atlantic Ocean fishing adventure. This 2001 twin-hull design cuts through swells with ease, powered by dual 150HP Yamaha engines that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast and smooth. The spacious deck gives your group of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to work the rods without bumping elbows. When the sun gets intense, duck into the air-conditioned cabin to cool off between fish. Our onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS keeps us on the productive spots. The wireless trolling motor lets us drift quietly over structure without spooking bottom dwellers. Keep your catch fresh in the large icebox, plus there's room for your drinks and snacks. Whether you're dropping lines on wrecks for sea bass and tautog or trolling for bluefish and Spanish mackerel, this cat handles both inshore reefs and offshore waters with confidence. The stable platform makes fighting fish easier, and the twin engines mean reliable power when you need it most.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are crowd-pleasers on our reef trips, typically running 1-4 pounds with occasional surprises pushing 8+ pounds. These chunky members of the grouper family love wrecks, rocky bottom, and structure in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore and stack up around our favorite spots. What makes them fun is their aggressive nature - they'll hit anything from cut bait to jigs, and they fight hard all the way to the boat. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish we target. Here's something cool: they're all born female and change to males as they grow, with the big males turning bright blue during spawning. My tip: use a two-hook rig with squid strips and fish right on the bottom. They're curious fish, so sometimes bouncing your sinker creates just enough commotion to trigger a bite.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are fascinating flatfish that lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. Most run 15-20 inches, but we regularly see bigger ones that'll surprise you. They're masters of disguise, changing color to match the seafloor perfectly. These ambush predators love our nearshore reefs and wrecks in 20-80 feet of water. Fall fishing from September through November is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily before winter. What makes them special is their unique sideways bite and strong fight once hooked. Plus, they're absolutely delicious table fare. Here's a local trick: when using live bait, hook it through the lips and let it drift naturally near the bottom. Circle hooks work best since fluke often grab bait sideways and need time to turn it around.
Tautoga OnitisTautog, or blackfish as locals call them, are the bulldogs of our reef fishing. These chunky wrasse typically weigh 1-3 pounds but can reach impressive sizes over 20 pounds. They live right in the gnarliest structure - rocky outcrops, wrecks, and jetties where most fish won't venture. Their powerful jaws crush shellfish with ease, and they'll put up a serious scrap in tight quarters. Spring through fall is prime time, especially late April through August when they're most aggressive and territorial. What guests love is the challenge - these fish are smart, structure-oriented, and test your tackle to the limit. They're also excellent eating. Pro tip: use green crab bait, crush up the shells and legs to create a scent trail, and change your bait every 5 minutes. Fish slightly away from the structure rather than right in it to avoid constant snags.
Ocean City, MD