5.0(2 Reviews)Chesapeake Bay Fishing | Shared 6 Hour Charter
5.0(2 reviews)
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour shared charter targeting striped bass in Chesapeake BayAll equipment, licenses, and professional fish cleaning includedSmall group capacity with seasonal fishing from May through November
You're looking at one of the top-rated shared fishing charters on the Chesapeake Bay, and trust me, there's a reason anglers keep coming back to Screaming Eagle Charters. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're rushing to get lines wet – we're talking about a full 6 hours on some of the best striped bass waters on the East Coast. The Chesapeake Bay's legendary reputation for world-class fishing isn't just talk, and when you pair that with a captain who knows exactly where the fish are holding, you've got the recipe for the kind of day that becomes the highlight of your vacation.
When you step aboard for this shared charter, everything's already handled for you. Your fishing license, rods, reels, tackle, and bait are all included – just grab some snacks and drinks and you're set. We're targeting 2 striped bass per person in that sweet 19" to 31" slot range from May through mid-November, which gives you plenty of keeper fish without hammering the breeding stock. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is that we have time to work different areas if the fish aren't cooperating in our first spot. Sometimes they're stacked up on structure, other times they're chasing bait in open water, and with this much time, we can adapt and put you on fish. Come July through September, we switch things up with spinning rods and either cut or live bait, which is when the action really gets dynamic. There's nothing quite like feeling a big rockfish slam live bait on light tackle.
The Chesapeake Bay requires different approaches depending on the season and what the fish are doing. Early and late in the season, we're often trolling umbrella rigs or bucktails to cover water and locate schools. Once we find them, we'll anchor up and work them with bottom rigs or live line spot and white perch. During those summer months when we switch to spinning gear, you're looking at 20-30 pound class rods with circle hooks – perfect for the cut bait and live bait presentations that drive stripers crazy. The bay's structure is incredible, with deep channels, underwater humps, and river mouths that hold baitfish. We fish everything from 15 feet of water up on the flats to 50+ foot channels where the big girls cruise. Your captain will have the electronics to mark fish and bait, plus the local knowledge to know which spots produce based on tide, weather, and time of year. The gear we provide is tournament-quality stuff that can handle anything the bay throws at us.
"Awsome trip. Took my daughter out for stripers (rockfish). This was the highlight of our vacation. Captain knew just where the fish were. He and his mate were VERY helpful and knowledgeable. We would definitely go out with them again." - Cliff
"Very knowledgeable captain and first mate. We caught lots of fish. Captain even picked us up from our room when we couldn't find a ride." - Caleb
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Chesapeake Bay fishing, and for good reason. These fish, locally called rockfish, can range from schoolie size up to 40+ pound cows, though we're focusing on that 19" to 31" slot for keepers. Stripers are incredibly aggressive predators that follow massive schools of bay anchovies, menhaden, and spot throughout the bay system. What makes them so exciting to target is their fighting ability – they'll make long runs, jump, and use their broad sides to pull drag. The best action typically happens during moving water on the tide changes, and these fish can be found anywhere from shallow grass flats to deep channel edges. Spring and fall offer some of the most consistent action as fish stage for their spawning runs or feed heavily before winter.
Spanish mackerel bring a completely different kind of excitement to your Chesapeake Bay trip. These speedsters show up in numbers during the warmer months and are absolute tackle busters on light gear. They travel in schools and when you find one, you've usually found a bunch. Spanish mackerel have razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast strikes, making them a customer favorite for their sheer aggression. They'll hit small spoons, bucktails, and cut bait with authority, and their blistering runs will test your drag settings. These fish typically range from 1-3 pounds in the bay, but what they lack in size they make up for in attitude and excellent table fare.
Bluefish are the bay's ultimate opportunistic predator and will eat just about anything that moves. These toothy critters travel in aggressive schools and when they're feeding, the action can be non-stop. Blues in the Chesapeake typically range from 2-8 pounds, with the occasional larger fish pushing double digits. They're known for their vicious strikes and dogged fighting style, plus they'll hit everything from topwater plugs to bottom rigs. Bluefish are particularly exciting because they often feed at the surface, creating visible commotion that gets every angler's heart racing. They're also excellent eating when handled properly and bled immediately, despite what some people might tell you.
This shared 6-hour charter gives you the full Chesapeake Bay experience without breaking the bank, and with only 2 spots available, you're getting personalized attention that's hard to find on larger boats. The included fish cleaning and packaging means you'll head home with restaurant-quality fillets ready for the freezer or dinner table. Between the legendary fishing, knowledgeable crew, and the bay's stunning scenery, this trip delivers everything you want from a world-class fishing destination. The season runs May through November, giving you plenty of opportunities
Meet The Trojan Cruiser, your floating home base for a full day chasing striped bass across Chesapeake Bay's productive waters. This classic 32-footer got a complete makeover in 2015, transforming a 1977 hull into a serious fishing machine. The 380HP Cummins pushes us to prime fishing spots at 21 knots, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time getting there. The radar keeps us fishing even when morning fog rolls in, while the fish finder helps locate those schools of rockfish holding near structure. When nature calls, there's an onboard head so you won't miss any action. Built for up to six anglers, there's plenty of room to work your rods without getting tangled up with your fishing partner. From May through November, you'll target keeper stripers in that sweet 19-31 inch slot, with two fish per angler. Summer months bring out the spinning gear and live bait for a different approach to these hard-fighting Chesapeake natives. Your fishing license, all tackle, and professional filleting service are included – just pack your lunch and drinks for the day.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive fighters that earn their reputation as the ocean's bulldogs. These blue-green predators typically weigh 3-10 pounds with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. You'll find them around structure, in the surf, or chasing bait schools across open water. Summer into early fall is peak season when they're feeding hard before their southern migration. Anglers love their fierce strikes and dogged fights - they'll bend your rod and test your drag. The meat is rich and oily, great smoked or grilled fresh. Pro tip: use wire leaders because those teeth will cut through mono like butter. When you find one bluefish, there's usually a whole school nearby. Work the area thoroughly and use flashy lures or cut bait.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are lightning-fast predators that'll keep you on your toes. These sleek, silver fish with golden spots typically run 1-3 pounds and measure 12-20 inches. They cruise near the surface in schools, often around structure like piers and channel markers. Summer months are best, especially July through September when they're feeding heavily. What guests love? The instant hookup and blistering runs - these fish can hit 18 mph. They're also fantastic on the table with mild, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling. Here's what works: use small, shiny spoons or light jigs and keep them moving fast. When you see birds diving or bait jumping, get there quick. Spanish macks won't wait around, and neither should you.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the Bay's signature fish and for good reason. These silver beauties with their distinctive black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds, though we catch plenty in that sweet 19-31 inch slot. They're structure lovers, hanging around bridge pilings, drop-offs, and channel edges where they ambush baitfish. Spring through fall is prime time, with May through November offering consistent action. What makes them special? They fight hard, pulling drag and making runs that'll test your skills. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when the water temps hit that 65-70 degree range, focus on the deeper channel edges during moving water. Those stripers will be there waiting for an easy meal to drift by.
5.0 out of 5.0Awsome trip. Took my daughter out for stripers (rockfish). This was the highlight of our vacation. Captain knew just where the fis...
Very knowledgeable captain and first mate. We caught lots of fish. Captain even picked us up from our room when we couldn’t find...
Choptank River, Maryland, USA