Welcome To Griffin's Guide Service

Cobia Fishing Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay Light Tackle Cobia Trips

Sight-casting to a hard-fighting and great-eating fish

Cobia are some of the most prized fish in the ocean to catch and eat. During the Spring and summer, Cobia migrate into the Chesapeake Bay to spawn and feed. These fish will commonly hunt and scavenge near the surface in groups with the giant redfish schools. Using our tower as a vantage point, we look for cruising fish and sight-cast to them.

Exciting Sight-Fishing Opportunities
Excellent Fights and Excellent Eating
One Fish Per Angler over 40", Two Per Boat Max

Cobia Tactics

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July - September

Summer Cobia

We like to target these fish in the summer around their annual spawning times, as they are heavily congregated on the surface. Cobia tend to be very willing to take a lure presented to them, often with visual eats, and the ones in the Chesapeake Bay get huge!

Plan Your Summer Trip

How We Fish

Chesapeake Bay Cobia Tactics & Tackle

We cruise the bay, running across water we know produces fish, and using our electronics to dial in where the fish are. Perched on the tower, we're constantly scanning the horizon, looking for action on the surface. We're using light tackle, making quick casts with even faster retrieves. These fish hit hard and fight even harder. These fights can last from 20 minutes to over an hour!

Summertime Cobia Fishing On the Chesapeake Bay

This time of year, we're simultaneously targeting large schools of Bull Redfish that are also moving through the bay. We'll find Cobia cruising along the surface while we're running to find these schools. The massive schools of fish tend to have Cobia lingering around too, getting in on the feeding frenzy and picking off scraps outside the action.

Plan Your Summer Trip

We've Got You Covered

What To Expect On Our Chesapeake Bay Cobia Trips

Once we meet at the dock, we'll have a brief safety meeting and go over our plan for the day. We cater all of our trips to the season, winds, and weather—ensuring we'll have the best time fishing on the water.

On these trips, we'll be running the boat, covering a lot of ground. This isn't a problem for the twin 300's on the back of the boat. We use our top-of-the-line electronics to locate and target big schools of fish where Cobia like to hang out.

Once we spot fish, we slowly get within casting distance and carefully drop lures in front of them. These are quick casts with fast retrieves. Once we hook up, get ready. The drag is going to scream.

Cobia FAQs

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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

We'll meet at Angler's Seafood Bar & Grill where you will see both boats lit up and your captains ready to hit the water. Located on Solomon's Island, the dock is surrounded by 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 from Cobia to another species. 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 Cobia? We've Got Answers!

We have been targeting Cobia in the Chesapeake Bay for years, learning their migratory patterns, spawning habits, and dialing in fishing tactics. This is sight-fishing for Cobia at its best. If you have questions about a Cobia trip with us, do not hesitate to contact us. It's our mission to get you on the fish of a lifetime.

Send Us A Message

Or Call

(443) 624-0088

What do you provide?

We provide an unforgettable Cobia fishing experience on 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.

How much do your trips cost?

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 unforgettable experience like no other on 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.

How long are your Cobia trips?

All Cobia and Redfish trips are 6 hours but additional time can be added for an additional charge. Because we only run one trip a day for Cobia, this can be a game-time decision if needed during your trip!

How many people can you accommodate?

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!

What do we need to bring?

Bring whatever makes your day on the water more enjoyable.

Favorite food, snacks, and drinks (no glass please)
Hat
Polarized sunglasses
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.

Can we bring alcohol?

Yes, you can bring your beverage of choice. What’s a fishing trip without beer? It helps us get through the slow periods of the day.

Where do we meet?

Do we need a fishing license?

No, we pay for a license that covers everyone on the boat.

Can we keep the fish?

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.

Do you clean the fish?

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.

Do you have any taxidermy recommendations?

Gray Taxidermy is our choice. They’re one of the most experienced in the industry and always do fantastic work.

What if there is bad weather?

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.

What if we need to reschedule?

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.

What if we need to cancel?

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.

Is gratuity included?

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.

Do you have mates?

A mate will be provided when necessary. Mates work for tips only.

What if we catch our limit?

Limits do not mean our work is done and your trip is over. We will provide you with your full-time on the water.

What if we break equipment?

Equipment lost or neglectfully broken will be charged at replacement value.

Our Target Species

Striped Bass »

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.

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.

Bluefish »

Bluefish are present in the Chesapeake Bay spring through fall, and are a typical bycatch when fishing for Striped Bass. The bluefish in our waters can grow quite large and put up a great fight, they typically congregate in big schools in open water and are very aggressive.

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.

Spanish Mackerel »

Spanish Mackerel migrate from Florida into our waters around May to feed in the Chesapeake Bay. Spanish Mackerel are known for being excellent table fare, their firm and oil-rich flesh make them particularly great eaten raw as sashimi.

Our Story

Pioneering Light Tackle Sight Casting To Cobia 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.

Our Story

Let's Fish

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.