Chesapeake Bay Light Tackle Striped Bass Trips
Striper, Striped Bass, Rockfish... Whatever you want to call them, they're an incredible fight!
As the state fish of Maryland, we strongly believe the Chesapeake Bay is the best place in the country to target these prized sportfish. Known for their aggressive strikes and strong fights, rockfish can grow well over 40 inches, providing a thrilling challenge. The smaller ones also provide exceptional table fare.
- The Highest Quality Boats and Equipment
- Expert USCG Certified Captains
- Licensed, Insured, and Liability Coverage
December-March
Winter Trophy Stripers
Our favorite season to target Striped Bass is through our Winter Trophy Trips, offered December-March. Braving the cold weather is often rewarded with a fish of a lifetime, this is the best time of the year to catch a giant! We meticulously follow their migration and put you on big schools of breeder fish that stage on their way to our home rivers to spawn.
May-July
Summer Topwater Stripers
Topwater, Topwater, Topwater!!! As spring transitions into summer, our shallow-water fishery is in full force. This time of year we have big speckled trout showing up in good numbers and a lot of aggressive rockfish willing to put on a show.
September-December
Fall Frenzy Stripers
The fall brings some of the most iconic Striped Bass fishing on the Chesapeake Bay! During these trips we often find big schools of Striped Bass breaking the surface under birds while they feed on bait. As the temperatures drop the bait flows out of the rivers creating a feeding frenzy for the hungry Stripers. This is a great time for top-water fishing! The weather is enjoyable for all and there are a lot of aggressive rockfish feeding heavily. This is a great time to go on an action packed fishing trip with your family, friends and co-workers!
How We Fish
Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Tactics & Tackle
Our estuary holds these fish year-round, but their winter migratory habits bring large breeder fish from all the surrounding states into the bay's rivers to spawn. The Chesapeake Bay is the primary spawning and nursery area for 70% to 90% of the striped bass of the Atlantic coast!
They gorge in our baitfish-rich waters and can be reliably caught at any time except for the yearly closure in April/May to protect them during their spawning season.
Light Tackle Striper Fishing
Because each and every cast on the “Dialed In” can produce a fish of a lifetime, we make sure that our clients are using the best gear to land these fish. We have tested and hand-picked the best high-end Rods and Reels from Shimano and G-Loomis to create extremely light and powerful combos.
We have several different combos and fly rods to provide the best power and feel for each technique of fishing. One size does not fit all! We refuse to use anything but the best at the end of our lines and that is why we use G-Eye Jigs and Z-Man Fishing products.
Winter Striper Tactics
We will target these fish using light tackle techniques of vertical jigging, casting, and even topwater! We use artificial lures only, fly fishing can be highly effective this time of year as well! The tactics we employ will be highly dependent on the weather. No matter the conditions, the fish will bite!
Summer Topwater Stripers
We will stay in shallow water for these trips, how we target the fish is weather-dependent. The topwater fishing is best as the sun is coming up so we recommend an AM trip for topwater. Once the sun is up the fish will continue to bite sub-surface lures like paddle tails and jerk baits all day long! Cloudy days allow for the hot topwater bite to continue much further into the day
Fall Feeding Frenzies
On these trips, we chase the feeding frenzies! We use all our equipment to spot big schools of striped bass gorging on the fall baitfish runs. These fish are hyper-aggressive, making them susceptible to a variety of tactics. Topwater and fly fishing included!
We've Got You Covered
What To Expect On Our Chesapeake Bay Striper Fishing Trips
Our winter trophy Striper fishing trips are not for the faint of heart, this is for hardcore anglers looking for a trip of a lifetime. Make sure to dress in plenty of layers, including a winter hat. It is always colder out on the water, so we highly recommend Goretex. Wearing something water and windproof will make you more comfortable.
Summer trips feature enjoyable weather for all and are great action-packed trips. Shallow-water fishing is our favorite during these months, this is a great time to go with your family, friends, and co-workers!
September and October trips offer a mix of technical shallow water casting/topwater mixed with some open water jigging
Before Your Trip
It's our goal to ensure you have the best time on the water with us and leave with memories of a fishing trip that you'll never forget. Leading up to your trip, we'll contact you to ensure we have all of our boxes checked. From what gear to bring to dietary restrictions and mobility considerations—we've got you covered.
Where We Meet
Meet us at the dock where you will see both boats lit up and your captains ready to hit the water. We operate out of two different marinas depending on the time of year. Both are conveniently located near local restaurants and attractions, ensuring you'll have a good time both on and off the water.
A Half-Day Of Epic Fishing
When we set out, we're on a mission for fishin'. Our boats are open, roomy, and extremely comfortable. If we hit our fish limit that doesn't mean we're done, it just means we're going to switch species, tactics, or practice catch and release. We're here to provide you with an experience and we're not tapping out just because we've had some success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have Questions About Stripers? We've Got Answers!
The Chesapeake Bay Striper fishing provides some of the hardest-fighting fish of the year! It is truly world-class fishing and something you have to see to believe. In the Spring, there is also a good chance of encountering big migratory Bull Redfish in the same trip for a bonus!
The summer is all about sight fishing massive schools of fish suspended along the surface. This is your chance at the biggest rockfish of your life, along with all our other predatory fish terrorizing bait pods! Cobia and Spanish Mackerel provide excellent table fare for guests this time of year.
We provide an unforgettable fishing experience in the Chesapeake Bay. You’re going out on an adventure to remember with our top-of-the-line equipment and insatiable drive to delight our guests. We’re ‘dialed in’ to all the best bites throughout the year on our home waters, and have the setup to get you there fast and comfortably.
Our charters come with a fishing license for all guests, all gear necessary, water and ice in a cooler, a first mate (when necessary), and optional fish cleaning services.
Our trips vary in cost, but they all have a guarantee that we go the extra mile that separates us from the competition. If there’s a bite 20 miles away, we don’t blink, we haul ass over there. There are no limits and that’s how we set up our trips. We fish every day like it’s a 200k tournament day. We run until we’re out of fuel.
We have a unique combination of knowledge, high-end equipment, and a thirst for adventure. When folks come out with us, they know they’re getting an experience no one else can provide in our home waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
We tell people all the time that when it comes to our fishery, you could fish with us once every two weeks for an entire year, and every trip will be different. It’s always changing, even day to day.
Trip lengths vary by species and by season. We typically like to launch in the mornings at 6 am but can happily accommodate later morning or afternoon start times. Additional time can be added to extend your fishing experience.
There is room for up to 6 people in our SeaHunters with seating for everyone. These are the roomiest 28’ boats you’ll ever see with 360-degree fishability. They’re the perfect combo of fishability and comfort with no steps and an open, flat, non-slip deck. Nothing to trip on! The bolsters/rail height is set perfectly at your knees with padding 360 degrees to comfortably fish anywhere on the boat. Something you’ll appreciate when a 40-50 pound bull redfish is giving you its best!
Bring whatever makes your day on the water more enjoyable. We often recommend your favorite food or drinks (no glass please), a hat, quality polarized sunglasses like Costas, nonslip shoes (no black soles please), appropriate clothing for the weather (including rain gear if it's in the forecast), sunscreen (please do not bring spray sunscreen), a camera to capture the epic moments.
We have two meeting locations depending on the time of year. One is Angler’s Bar & Grille at the historic Solomons Island, Maryland. The other is our home marina of Harrington Harbor South in Rosehaven, Maryland. Voted the best marina/resort on the bay! You’ll see our beautiful SeaHunters lit up and ready for your day of fishing.
No, we pay for a license that covers everyone on the boat.
When the fish is in season and legal size, yes. We strongly encourage Catch and Release on our trips but keeping legal fish for the dinner plate is 100% up to you.
We clean the fish for you, this is included in your trip.
We are working on offering ikejime, a highly specialized Japanese technique to dispatch your catch that results in top sushi-grade meat. We offer an upsell to package our fish in the same way that Japanese Sushi chefs package their fish for shipping overseas.
Gray Taxidermy is our choice. They’re one of the most experienced in the industry and always do fantastic work.
The Captain has the final call on the weather. If conditions are less than ideal for the scheduled trip we will first offer a different location or style of trip. If the weather forces us to cancel you will be given the chance to reschedule your trip or receive a refund on your deposit.
We’re very flexible as long as it's done within reason and covered by our policy. Rescheduling is subject to availability and may not be accommodated.
We understand life happens so we will do our best to work with changes in your schedule. Please review our cancellation policy prior to booking your trip.
Tips are not mandatory but they are greatly appreciated. If a Mate is provided please remember that the Mate works for Tips Only. The customary gratuity for Captains & Mates is 15%-20% of the trip rate.
A mate will be provided when necessary. Mates work for tips only.
Limits do not mean our work is done and your trip is over. We will provide you with your full-time on the water.
Equipment lost or neglectfully broken will be charged at replacement value.
Our Target Species
Redfish »
The Redfish, or Red Drum as it is called in the Chesapeake Bay, is a popular sportfish that visits our waters from spring through fall. Primarily eating smaller baitfish, crabs, or shrimp, these powerful sportfish are known to school up and can hunt in large packs both inshore and offshore.
Cobia »
Cobia are some of the most prized fish in the ocean to eat, and we are blessed that many migrate into the our waters in the late spring through fall! These fish will commonly float near the surface in groups with the giant redfish schools, making for very exciting sightfishing opportunities.
Speckled Trout »
Spotted Seatrout are another migratory sportfish that live in our waters from spring through fall. These seatrout are another very popular fish to eat, and they are very plentiful in our waters! They typically hunt in shallow, sandy waters feeding near grass beds or hard structures.
Our Story
We specialize in guiding trophy-class striper fishing trips on the Chesapeake Bay
Fishing the Chesapeake has always been a passion of ours. For years, we've put in time patterning these fish and dialing in our light tackle tactics. Wake up, fish, work, fish, go to sleep, and repeat. That was our routine until two years ago, we decided to take the leap and start our own guide business. Now we are living the dream, showing folks like yourself the incredible fishing the Chesapeake Bay has to offer.
Real Reviews From Real Clients
Client Testimonials
From Bull Redfish to Stripers and everything in between, we've had the pleasure of showing some incredible folks how we fish the Chesapeake Bay.
The knowledge these two have of this fishery, paralleled with unbeatable gear, top-of-the-line electronics, and unmatched teaching ability for light tackle anglers is why we come back for more and more every time. Couldn’t recommend a better experience for light tackle anglers of all levels.
Ian Holmes
Google Review
I can say without a doubt they are some of the most knowledgeable and, more importantly, personable guides out there. Anyone who steps on board will feel more like a friend than a client. The boats, electronics, rods, and tackle are truly the best of the best and will have you Dialed In every time.
Zachary Bradley
Google Review
Captain Steve is the man. Him, Drew and everyone else on board will make you feel right at home. Whether you are an experienced angler or beginner he's got you covered. Putting your skills to the test catching quality fish on light tackle.
Adam Krauss
Google Review
When we booked I said I wanted to catch a big fish and he sure delivered! Most of us had never fished before and Steve made sure we felt comfortable from the first cast while also teaching us about various species and migration patterns.
Kayla Norfolk
Google Review
Highly recommend chartering with Capt Steve. He is a great laid back captain and gets you on the fish. Fishing with light tackle makes for a much better experience not just reeling in a 5 gallon bucket. Thanks Capt Steve for putting me on my biggest light tackle rockfish
Nicholas Edwards
Google Review
Went on a Sunday morning rock fishing trip with Griffins Tour Guide & had a great time! Steve is very knowledgeable and helped even a beginner like myself reel in a 24-inch rockfish. His rods & lures are top-notch & were easy to cast and reel in.
Cindy Tefel
Google Review
I can say without a doubt they are some of the most knowledgeable and, more importantly, personable guides out there. Anyone who steps on board will feel more like a friend than a client. The boats, electronics, rods, and tackle are truly the best of the best and will have you Dialed In every time.
Zachary Bradley
Google Review
When we booked I said I wanted to catch a big fish and he sure delivered! Most of us had never fished before and Steve made sure we felt comfortable from the first cast while also teaching us about various species and migration patterns.
Kayla Norfolk
Google Review
Highly recommend chartering with Capt Steve. He is a great laid back captain and gets you on the fish. Fishing with light tackle makes for a much better experience not just reeling in a 5 gallon bucket. Thanks Capt Steve for putting me on my biggest light tackle rockfish
Nicholas Edwards
Google Review
Went on a Sunday morning rock fishing trip with Griffins Tour Guide & had a great time! Steve is very knowledgeable and helped even a beginner like myself reel in a 24-inch rockfish. His rods & lures are top-notch & were easy to cast and reel in.