Top-Rated 4-Hour Inshore Fishing Adventure

Published Date: July 17, 2025
Fishing

Chesapeake Bay
$600 - $950 price range
Updated Date: October 29, 2025

Summary

Ready for a relaxed day of fishing on Chesapeake Bay? This 4-hour trip with King Tide Charters is perfect for anglers of all levels. We'll stick close to shore in calm waters, targeting a mix of species like redfish, sea trout, and striped bass. The boat can take up to 5 guests, making it great for families or small groups. Everything you need for fishing is provided – rods, reels, bait, and even your license. Just bring along some snacks and drinks, and you're set for a laid-back morning or afternoon on the water. Whether you're teaching the kids to fish or looking to squeeze in a quick trip between other activities, this charter offers plenty of action without a full day commitment. It's a chance to experience the Bay's rich fishing grounds and maybe land dinner while you're at it.

Top-Rated 4-Hour Inshore Fishing Adventure

Chesapeake Catches

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Two lake sturgeon fish caught while fishing in VA

Chesapeake Bay Cobia Fishing

Reel in Cobia on the Bay

Family Fishing Chesapeake Bay

Reel in the Bay: Half-Day Chesapeake Fishing

Ready to wet a line in one of America's most iconic fishing spots? King Tide Charters has you covered with our half-day inshore trip on the Chesapeake Bay. We're talking four solid hours of casting, reeling, and hopefully plenty of "fish on!" moments. Whether you're a seasoned angler or bringing the kids out for their first catch, this trip is tailor-made for a good time on the water. We'll be targeting some of the Bay's most sought-after species, from hard-fighting redfish to the ever-popular striped bass. So grab your hat and let's hit the Bay!

What to Expect on the Water

Our half-day charter is all about maximizing your time on the fish. We'll cruise the calm, inshore waters of the Chesapeake, hitting prime spots where the action tends to be hot. The beauty of inshore fishing is you're never far from structure, meaning more casts and less downtime. We provide all the gear you need - rods, reels, tackle, and bait - so you can focus on the fun part. Just bring some snacks and drinks to keep you fueled up. With a max of 5 guests, there's plenty of elbow room for everyone to cast. Whether you're soaking bait or working lures, our experienced guides will put you on the fish and show you the tricks of the trade.

Techniques & Tactics

Inshore fishing on the Chesapeake is all about versatility. We might start the day drifting live bait for big stripers, then switch it up to casting soft plastics for sea trout along grass beds. If the redfish are tailing in the shallows, we'll ease in quietly and sight-cast to them. For flounder, we often employ a slow drift with bottom rigs. The key is adapting to what the fish want on any given day. We use light to medium tackle, which gives you a great feel for the bite and makes even smaller fish a blast to catch. Don't worry if you're new to these techniques - our guides are patient teachers and will have you fishing like a pro in no time.

Hunter Highlights

"Fished with Jack last summer great guy stops at nothing to get you the meat. I highly recommend" - Graeme

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish (Red Drum): These copper-colored bruisers are a favorite target in the Chesapeake. They love to hang around structure and put up a mean fight when hooked. In the Bay, you can catch them from just a few pounds up to monster "bull reds" over 40 inches. They're most active in the warmer months, with fall being prime time as they school up before migrating. The "thump" when a red takes your bait is unforgettable!

Sea Trout (Spotted Seatrout): Also known as speckled trout, these fish are prized for both their fight and their taste. They're ambush predators, often found around grass flats and oyster bars. Sea trout have soft mouths, so finesse is key when fighting them. Early morning and late evening are magic hours for trout fishing, especially with topwater lures. The exciting surface strikes make them a blast to target.

Summer Flounder: Flatties are a staple of Chesapeake Bay fishing. They lie camouflaged on the bottom, waiting to ambush prey. While they might not be the hardest fighters, the challenge of detecting their subtle bite and the delicious fillets make them a popular target. We often find them near drop-offs and sandy bottoms. The biggest flounder, called "doormats," can reach over 10 pounds!

Striped Bass: The unofficial mascot of the Chesapeake, stripers (or rockfish as they're called locally) are hard-fighting, great-eating fish that can grow to impressive sizes. They're structure-oriented, often found around bridge pilings, rocky points, and channel edges. Stripers are famous for their topwater blitzes, where they corral bait to the surface - an unforgettable sight! The Bay has both resident and migratory populations, offering year-round action.

Time to Book Your Spot

There you have it, folks - a half-day of non-stop fishing action in one of the East Coast's premier inshore fisheries. Whether you're looking to bend a rod, fill the cooler, or just enjoy a morning on the water, our Chesapeake Bay charter delivers. With all gear provided and our expert guides at the helm, all you need to bring is your sense of adventure. The fish are biting, and the Bay is calling - what are you waiting for? Book your trip with King Tide Charters today and let's make some fishing memories!

Customer Review

Jacks Catch Guarantee

Fished with Jack last summer great guy stops at nothing to get you the meat. I highly recommend

Graeme Davidson

June 7, 2022

Learn more about the animals

Redfish

Redfish, or red drum, are the bulldogs of the flats. These copper-colored fish with a distinctive black spot near the tail typically run 20-30 inches in the Bay, but can grow much larger. You'll find them in shallow water, often less than 3 feet deep, around oyster bars, marsh edges, and grass flats. They're most active in late summer and fall. Redfish are prized for their strong fights and excellent table fare. They'll readily take artificial lures, but live or cut bait can be deadly. Look for "tailing" reds in super shallow water during high tides. Here's a local trick: when sight-fishing, use a weedless gold spoon. Cast well beyond the fish and slowly retrieve, giving it a slight hop now and then. The flash imitates a fleeing baitfish and can trigger explosive strikes. When you hook up, be ready for a powerful, dogged fight – redfish don't give up easily.

Sea Trout

Sea Trout, also called speckled trout, are a favorite among Chesapeake anglers. These silvery fish with distinctive spots usually run 14-20 inches, though some can reach 5 pounds or more. Look for them around grass flats, oyster bars, and channel edges in 3-6 feet of water. They're most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are mild. Sea trout are known for their soft, white meat and their aggressive strikes. They'll hit a variety of lures, but soft plastics and topwater plugs are local favorites. Dawn and dusk are prime times, especially on moving tides. Here's a tip: when you're working a topwater lure, use a "walk the dog" retrieve with plenty of pauses. Sea trout often hit during those pauses, so be ready. These fish aren't known for long runs, but they'll give you some good head shakes before coming to the net.

Striped Bass

Striped Bass, or stripers, are the powerhouses of the Chesapeake. These silver-sided fish with distinctive black stripes can grow up to 50 pounds, though 20-30 pounders are more common. They're structure-oriented, so look for them around bridge pilings, rocky points, and channel edges. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're migrating. Stripers put up a serious fight and are prized for their firm, white flesh. They'll hit a variety of lures, but live eels or bunker are hard to beat. Early morning or dusk are prime times, especially on moving tides. One local tip: if you're fishing topwater, work your lure with long pauses. Stripers often hit on the pause, so resist the urge to reel too fast. When you hook one, hold on tight – these fish can make blistering runs and will test your gear and your skills.

Summer Flounder

Summer Flounder, or fluke, are masters of camouflage with both eyes on their left side. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches, but can reach 26 pounds. You'll find them on sandy or muddy bottoms in bays and estuaries. They're ambush predators, so look for them near structure or drop-offs. Late summer to early fall is prime time, as they move inshore to feed. Anglers love targeting flounder for their delicate, white meat and the challenge of hooking them. They have a subtle bite, so stay alert. A local trick: use a fish-finder rig with a live minnow or strip bait, slowly dragging it along the bottom. When you feel weight, don't set the hook right away - give the flounder a few seconds to get the bait in its mouth. It's a game of patience, but landing a big doormat is worth the wait.

About the 25' C Hawk

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 35

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 225

Hop aboard for a relaxing half-day fishing adventure in the calm waters of Chesapeake Bay. This 4-hour trip is perfect for families, friends, or solo anglers looking to reel in some local catches without committing to a full day on the water. We'll cruise the inshore areas, targeting popular species like Redfish, Sea Trout, Croaker, Flounder, and Striped Bass. Whether you're a seasoned pro or it's your first time holding a rod, our experienced guide will ensure you have a great time. We provide all the necessary gear - fishing licenses, rods, reels, tackle, and bait - so you can focus on enjoying the experience. Just bring along some snacks and drinks to keep you fueled up. With room for up to 5 guests, it's an ideal outing for small groups. Staying close to shore means more time fishing and less time traveling, maximizing your chances of landing that prized catch. So grab your hat and sunscreen, and let's make some fishing memories on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

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