Private 2 Hour Sunset Cruise - Assawoman Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Twohour sunset cruise on Assawoman or Sinepuxent BayOptional fishing with all bait and tackle providedAccommodates up to six guests with beverages welcome
Picture this: the sun's starting to dip toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, and you're out on the calm waters of Assawoman or Sinepuxent Bay with your favorite people. This isn't your typical charter—it's a "fishing optional" sunset cruise that gives you the best of both worlds. Whether you want to wet a line for some evening fish or just kick back with a cold drink and watch the world go by, we've got you covered. Running Tide Charters keeps it simple: bring your snacks and beverages, and we'll handle everything else. Bait, tackle, ice-cold water—it's all waiting for you on board.
These protected bay waters are perfect for a relaxed evening on the water. Assawoman and Sinepuxent Bays offer some of the most peaceful fishing conditions you'll find along the Maryland coast, with enough structure and grass beds to keep things interesting if you decide to drop a line. The shallow flats and deeper channels create the perfect mix of habitat that attracts everything from flounder to tautog. You'll cruise through areas where local anglers have been pulling fish for generations—spots that only seasoned captains know how to work properly. The beauty of this trip is the flexibility. Feel like casting around some pilings for sheepshead? We can do that. Want to drift over a sandy bottom hoping for summer flounder? No problem. Or maybe you just want to find a quiet spot to watch the sunset while sipping your favorite beverage. That works too. The boat comfortably handles up to six guests, making it perfect for families, couples, or a small group of friends looking to unwind after a busy day.
When you do decide to fish, these bays offer some fantastic light tackle opportunities. We're talking about structure fishing around bridge pilings, dock posts, and submerged rocks where the bigger fish like to hang out. The key to success here is knowing how to read the water and understanding fish behavior during the golden hour. As the sun starts to set, predator fish become more active, making this prime time for action. We use medium-light spinning gear that's perfect for the species you'll encounter—sensitive enough to feel those subtle bites but with enough backbone to handle a decent fish. Live bait works magic in these waters, especially when we're targeting flounder along the sandy edges or sheepshead around the hard structure. Soft plastics and small jigs are also deadly effective, particularly when worked slowly near the bottom. The beauty of bay fishing is that you don't need to be an expert angler to have success. These fish are often hungry and willing to bite, especially during the evening feed. Our captains know exactly where to position the boat to give you the best shot at hooking up, whether that's drifting with the current or anchoring up near productive structure.
Tautog, or "tog" as the locals call them, are some of the hardest fighting fish you'll find in these bays. These chunky, powerful fish love hanging around hard structure like bridge pilings and rock piles, where they feed on crabs, mussels, and other shellfish. They're notorious bait stealers with mouths tough as leather, but once you hook one, you'll know it immediately. Tautog typically range from 2 to 5 pounds in these waters, though the occasional monster over 8 pounds gets pulled from deeper structure. Fall and early winter are prime tog season, when they're fattening up and feeding aggressively. What makes catching tautog so satisfying is their stubborn fight—they'll dive straight back to the rocks and try to break you off, making every fish a hard-earned victory.
Summer flounder, also known as fluke, are the ultimate bay predators and a customer favorite for good reason. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in the sand waiting to ambush unsuspecting baitfish. They can range anywhere from keeper-sized fish around 18 inches up to door-mats pushing 8 pounds or more. The best part about flounder fishing is the surprise factor—you never know if that subtle tap on your line is a 2-pounder or a 6-pounder until it's coming to the boat. Late spring through early fall is prime time for these fish, when they're actively feeding in the shallow bay waters. Flounder have an aggressive strike when they're feeding, and watching one inhale your bait as it darts off the bottom is pure excitement.
Sheepshead are the trickiest fish in the bay, but also one of the most rewarding to catch. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth and a reputation for being master bait thieves. They love hanging around any kind of structure—dock pilings, bridge supports, oyster bars—where they pick off barnacles, crabs, and small shellfish. Sheepshead typically run 2 to 4 pounds in these waters, but their strong, stubborn fight makes them feel much bigger. The challenge with sheepshead is detecting their bite; they're notorious for picking up your bait, swimming toward you, and dropping it before you even know they were there. But when you do connect with one, their powerful run toward structure and dogged fight makes all the stolen bait worth it. Summer and early fall are peak sheepshead season, when they're most active and feeding heavily.
This top-rated sunset cruise fills up fast, especially during peak season when the weather's perfect and the fish are biting. There's something special about being on the water as the day winds down—whether you're celebrating a successful fishing session or just soaking in the peaceful bay atmosphere with your favorite people. The flexibility to extend your trip if you're having a great time makes this even better value. Don't wait until the last minute to secure your spot; these
Step aboard our spacious 25' World Cat catamaran for a relaxing sunset cruise through the calm waters of Assawoman and Sinepuxent Bays. This stable twin-hull design, powered by reliable 150HP Yamaha engines, gives you plenty of room to spread out with up to 5 other guests while we cruise at a comfortable pace to the best fishing spots and scenic areas. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a great evening on the water - GPS and fish finder to locate the action, an icebox to keep your drinks cold, and even air conditioning if you want to cool off. We've got all the fishing gear covered, so just bring your favorite snacks and beverages. The wireless trolling motor lets us drift quietly through productive areas without spooking the fish. Whether you want to wet a line for some bay fishing or just sit back and watch the sun dip below the horizon, this catamaran handles both perfectly. The shallow draft gets us into those productive back-bay spots where the fish feed as the day winds down, while the stable platform makes it easy to cast or simply relax with a cold drink in hand.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese "convict fish" with their black and white stripes are some of the smartest fish in the bay. They've got human-like teeth perfect for picking barnacles and crabs off structure. Most run 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and pilings. What makes them challenging is they're notorious bait thieves—they'll clean your hook without you feeling a thing. Spring months are best when they move shallow to spawn. Guests love the fight and the sweet, white meat that rivals any fish table. Fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs work great, but here's the secret: keep your bait tight to structure and watch your line, not your rod tip. When you see that line twitch or move sideways, set the hook hard. Their bony mouths require a solid hookset, but land one and you'll want to target them every trip.
Paralichthys DentatusThese flatfish are the chameleons of our sandy bottom—both eyes on one side and they change color to match the seafloor perfectly. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big females can surprise you. They're ambush hunters lying in wait for baitfish and crabs. Fall months, especially September through November, are prime time when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore. What guests love is the challenge of finding them and the sweet, mild meat that makes great table fare. They hit live minnows and sea worms best. Here's the key: use a bucktail jig tipped with squid or minnow and work it slow along the bottom. Feel for that subtle thump—they don't slam the bait like other fish. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be hooked on fluke fishing.
Tautoga OnitisAlso called blackfish, these chunky fighters love hanging around rocky structure and jetties in our bays. They're built tough with thick lips and powerful teeth made for crushing crabs and mussels. Most run 1-3 pounds, but you might hook into something bigger. What makes tautog tricky is their rocky habitat—you'll lose tackle, but it's worth it. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them. They're notorious bait thieves, so feel for that subtle tap and set the hook fast. Here's a local trick: crush up some green crab shells and let the pieces drift down—the scent drives them crazy. Once you get one to the boat, you'll understand why they're prized table fare. That white, flaky meat is worth the effort.
Ocean City, MD