Half Day Inshore Trip (4 Hours – AM or PM)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour private inshore fishing trip on 32foot Albemarle vesselTarget Cobia, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, and Black Drum speciesAccommodates six guests with provided gear and professional First Mate
Looking for some solid fishing action without burning up your entire day? Captain Shelton's got you covered with his top-rated half-day inshore trips aboard the 32-foot Albemarle. Whether you're an early bird ready to hit the water at 7:30 AM or prefer to sleep in and start at 12:30 PM, you'll spend four quality hours working the productive waters of Chesapeake Bay and the nearshore zones within three miles of the coast. This customer favorite trip puts you right where the fish are feeding, targeting some of the Bay's most sought-after species without the commitment of a full day on the water.
The moment you step aboard the spacious Albemarle, you'll notice this isn't your average fishing boat. With room for up to six anglers, there's plenty of space to move around and work your lines without bumping elbows. The boat comes equipped with a private restroom – always a plus when you're four hours from the dock – and a skilled First Mate who knows these waters like the back of his hand. Your mate will be rigging lines, netting fish, and keeping you in the action from start to finish. The crew provides all the quality tackle you'll need, so you can travel light and focus on what matters: putting fish in the cooler. Feel free to pack your favorite snacks and beverages to keep everyone fueled throughout the trip. The Bay's inshore waters offer protection from rough seas while still delivering world-class fishing opportunities, making this perfect for families, beginners, and seasoned anglers alike.
Captain Shelton runs a versatile operation, switching between trolling and bottom fishing depending on conditions and what's biting. When the Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish are running, you'll likely spend time trolling spoons and small lures through productive areas where baitfish are schooling. The crew knows exactly which depths and structures hold fish during different tides and times of year. For species like Black Drum and Redfish, expect to drop bottom rigs with fresh bait near structure, oyster bars, and channel edges where these bruisers love to feed. The Cobia action often involves sight fishing and live bait presentations when these brown sharks are cruising the shallows. Your First Mate handles all the technical stuff – reading the fish finder, adjusting drag settings, and coaching you through the fight. All you need to do is hold on and enjoy the ride. The quality gear onboard includes rods rated for everything from schoolie Stripers to heavyweight Cobia, so you're always fishing with the right equipment for the job.
Redfish are absolute bulldogs that'll test your arms and your drag system. These copper-colored beauties typically run 18 to 30 inches in the Bay, though bigger bulls show up during certain times of the year. They're notorious for their powerful runs and stubborn fights, often heading straight for structure to try and break you off. What makes Redfish special is their willingness to eat both live and cut bait, plus they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for blackening or grilling.
Cobia are the prize catch that gets every angler's heart pumping. These brown sharks, as locals call them, can stretch over 40 inches and weigh 30-plus pounds in Chesapeake Bay waters. They're curious fish that often cruise near the surface, following rays and other marine life. When a big Cobia hits your bait, expect a freight-train run followed by powerful head shakes that'll test every knot in your rig. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the biggest fish typically showing up in June and July.
Spanish Mackerel provide non-stop action when they're in town. These speedy predators rarely weigh more than three pounds, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and aggressive strikes. They're perfect for light tackle fishing and absolutely demolish small spoons and jigs trolled at moderate speeds. Spanish Mackerel also make fantastic bait for bigger species and are delicious when grilled whole or filleted for fish tacos.
Bluefish are the ultimate schooling fish, arriving in massive numbers when conditions are right. These toothy predators hit hard and fight dirty, often jumping and thrashing at the boat. Blues range from snapper-sized fish perfect for kids to catch, all the way up to 10-pound choppers that'll bend your rod in half. They're excellent smoked or prepared fresh, though you'll want to ice them down quickly to maintain quality.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish over 50 pounds caught regularly in Bay waters. These bottom dwellers have serious pulling power and incredible stamina, often taking 15-20 minutes to boat once hooked. They're not the prettiest fish in the water, but their size and strength make them a favorite target for anglers looking for a serious fight. Smaller Black Drum under 16 inches make excellent eating, while the big breeders are typically released to keep the population strong.
This renowned half-day trip delivers everything you want in a fishing charter: quality boat, experienced crew, productive waters, and fish that actually bite. At just four hours, it's perfect for testing the waters before committing to longer trips, or for squeezing in some fishing action around other vacation plans. The flexible morning and afternoon departure times mean you can fish around your schedule, whether you want to be back at the dock for lunch or prefer to start after a leisurely morning. Captain Shelton offers free cancellation with seven days' notice, so you can book with confidence knowing weather won't leave you high and dry. Remember to tip your First Mate 20% – these guys work hard to put you on fish and deserve recognition for their efforts. Don't wait too long to secure
This 32' Albemarle convertible is your ticket to productive Chesapeake Bay fishing. Built tough for serious anglers, she handles beautifully whether you're working the shallows for redfish or heading out to the 3-mile mark for cobia. The spacious cockpit gives all 6 guests room to fish comfortably, while outriggers let you spread multiple lines when trolling for Spanish mackerel and bluefish. The fighting chair is perfect for battling bigger fish, and quality tackle comes ready to go. Modern electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finder help locate the best spots and keep you safe. The flybridge gives your captain excellent visibility to spot feeding birds or fish activity. Below deck, you'll find a private head, galley with fridge, and even a berth if someone needs a break from the action. Whether you choose the 7:30 AM or 12:30 PM trip, this well-maintained boat delivers a smooth ride and gives you the best shot at consistent action on Chesapeake Bay's most popular species.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the bottom, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some real giants pushing 50+. These gray-black fish have powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. They hang around oyster bars, bridge pilings, and muddy flats in 5-20 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you can really get into them. Guests love the challenge of big drum because they fight like bulldogs, pulling straight down with surprising power. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating. Blue crabs are hands-down the best bait - fresh or peeler crabs on a fish-finder rig. Here's the key: keep your bait right on the bottom and be patient. These fish take their time inspecting a meal before committing.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that'll hit just about anything you throw at them. These blue-green fighters typically run 2-10 pounds and travel in schools, often creating feeding frenzies that'll churn the water white. They roam open water, channel edges, and structure in 15-40 feet, following bait schools throughout the Bay. Best fishing is late spring through fall when they're actively feeding. Guests enjoy them because they're scrappy fighters and reliable biters when other fish are finicky. The smaller ones are great eating with mild, flaky meat. Watch for diving birds - that's your sign of a bluefish blitz below. When you find them feeding, don't anchor right on top. Stay on the edges and cast into the action, or you'll spook the whole school.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bruisers of our inshore trips, averaging 30-50 pounds with some pushing 70+. These brown, shark-looking fish are loners by nature and cruise around structure like buoys, channel markers, and wrecks in 20-40 feet of water. Late spring through early fall is when they show up in good numbers, especially during their spawning run. Guests love them because they fight hard and straight down, plus the meat is some of the best you'll find - firm and white like mahi. Since they're curious fish, they'll often follow the boat or check out other hooked fish. My go-to trick is keeping a heavy bucktail jig ready whenever we're fighting another fish. Half the time a cobia will swim up to investigate, and that's when you drop that jig right in front of them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable targets here in the Bay. These bronze-backed beauties with their signature black spots near the tail typically run 20-30 inches and put up a solid fight. They love shallow water - we'll find them in 2-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges where they cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Spring through fall are prime time, especially when the water warms up and they get more active. What makes them special is they're both fun to catch and great on the table with that mild, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: when you see them tailing in skinny water, cast your bait about 10 feet ahead of where they're headed and let it sit still. Movement spooks them, but a perfectly placed crab or shrimp gets eaten every time.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are pure action fish - fast, aggressive, and always ready to bite. These silver speedsters with yellow spots typically run 1-3 pounds and school up in big numbers. You'll find them near the surface around structure, inlet mouths, and along channel edges in 10-30 feet of water. They show up strong from late spring through early fall when the water's warm. Guests love them because they hit hard, jump, and there's usually plenty of them around once you find a school. The meat's excellent too - mild and perfect for grilling or smoking. Speed is key with these fish, so troll small spoons or jigs at 4-6 knots. When you hook one, keep the boat moving because where there's one spanish, there's usually a whole school following behind.
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