Guided Fly Fishing On The Chesapeake Bay
Target Redfish, Stripers, Trout, and More On Fly In The United State's Largest Estuary
The Chesapeake Bay is one of the most underrated fisheries on the East Coast for fly anglers. From massive schools of bull reds to sight-casting for stripers and trout in the shallows, we have a fly fishing trip for every angler. We can accommodate groups of up to four fly anglers per boat.
- The Highest Quality Boats and Equipment
- Expert USCG Certified Captains
- Licensed, Insured, and Liability Coverage
April-September
Chesapeake Bay Fly Fishing Trips
The Chesapeake Bay has incredible opportunities for world-class fly fishing and sight-casting. From shallow-water trout to topwater stripers, big bull Redfish to Cobia, there is a challenge for every type of fly angler on the Chesapeake.
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 State Fish
Fly Fishing For Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass
As the season progresses and the water warms, fly fishing for rockfish on the Chesapeake Bay becomes a more action-packed and exhilarating experience. The season is closed to protect their annual spawning rituals, but the opener of late spring to early fall is when these striped bass are most active.
Anglers often use 8 to 10-weight rods to handle the size and power of these fish, employing baitfish-resembling Clouser Minnows and Deceivers as effective fly patterns. Techniques include casting near structures and along tidal currents where rockfish hunt.
And You Thought Venice Was Good...
Fly Fishing For Chesapeake Bay Redfish
The Chesapeake Bay is the most underrated Redfish fishery in the world that lends itself extremely well to fly fishing. Not only do we have the biggest bull redfish schools in the country, they’re also very vulnerable to an angler looking to catch them on the fly.
Redfish start migrating into our waters with springtime temperatures in April. This brings them into the shallow flats to warm up and feed after a long winter. This is an incredible time to target these fish on the fly, as we are often sight casting to massive schools of these fish up shallow.
A Sight Casting Dream
Fly Fishing For Chesapeake Bay Cobia
The Cobia of Chesapeake Bay are another prized sportfish that can be readily caught by fly anglers. The midsummer trips are an angler’s best bet at catching one of these delicious, hard-fighting fish on the fly. We are almost always sight-casting to these fish in small schools on the surface, providing for epic sight fishing opportunities on the fly.
The cobia that migrate into our waters can get very big! We usually target them with the same 10-weight rods that we use when catching the giant bull redfish.
Shallow Water And Good Eating
Fly Fishing For Chesapeake Bay Sea Trout
May-July provides the most action-packed opportunities of the year for shallow-water fishing. Trout are mixed in with Striped Bass and Redfish and will very readily take topwater flies and baitfish-resembling flies like clousers.
Topwater is typically reserved for the morning bite, where we will switch to subsurface presentations once the sun gets up high. A 7 or 8-weight rod is usually our recommendation for these trips, we do run into quite a few big gator Sea Trout!
One Of The Best Fighting Fish On Fly
Fly Fishing For Chesapeake Bay Bluefish
Bluefish provide incredible action for fly anglers and are usually taken during intense feeding blitzes. Our Bluefish can get large in the Chesapeake, we normally see them up to 30”. The bluefish can be in large schools and are always very aggressive when eating any flies presented to them! You'll want to have your rod at the ready for a quick cast into this big schools of fish and be ready to set the hook.
Action-Packed Schooling Fish
Fly Fishing For Chesapeake Bay Mackerel
We have two species of Mackerel that migrate into our waters, Spanish Mackerel and King Mackerel. These fish often join in on the frenzies of baitfish with other species and need specialized equipment to specifically target them. We use a 6" wire tippet to prevent their razor-sharp teeth from cutting the line connected to a 25lb fluorocarbon leader. These are fast eating, hard-fighting fish that are a blast to catch on fly.
We've Got You Covered
What To Expect On Our Fly Fishing Trips
What you can expect from us is maximum effort to ensure you have the best trip possible! Both of our captains and boats are constantly on the water, keeping close tabs on the best bites for the moment. Our 28’ Seahunters lend themselves exceptionally well for fly fishing, with plenty of space for multiple anglers to cast in comfort.
Get in contact with us to discuss the different opportunities across the year so we can best meet your expectations for a perfect trip.
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 Fly Fishing The Chesapeake Bay?
The Chesapeake Bay is one of the most underrated fisheries in the nation when it comes to fly fishing. With a diverse range of species, massive schools of large redfish and stripers, and a wide range of habitat—it's truly a fly angler's paradise. We've been fishing the bay our entire lives and look forward to sharing our knowledge with you.
This depends on your goals! Every season brings different opportunities, we gladly chat with guests beforehand to design their perfect trip.
If a Trophy Striped Bass is your goal, winter is the best bet. If you love shallow-sight fishing, spring to early summer is the best. If you love giant redfish and cobia, summer is the best. If you love topwater feeding frenzies and hot action, the fall can be incredible!
These can vary greatly depending on our target species, but we are generally using flies that resemble baitfish. Any topwater poppers, clousers, and deceptors are strong choices. Dragon tail flies are very effective at targeting bigger fish out of schools.
These vary depending on the target species, we typically recommend anything from a 7 weight all the way to a 10 weight. When targeting trophy-striped bass, redfish, or cobia, we insist on a 10-weight rod. You never know when that fish of a lifetime will eat, and its best to be prepared.
For reels, we use an Orvis mirage. You need something with a large arbor, keys to our fishing are a lot of line, fast retrieve, and smooth drag
Depending on the species and time of year, we’ll use a very diverse array of lines. We use floating, intermediate, and sinking. We need to be prepared for what might come our way, we will have the materials for what we need for that day of fishing.
We can comfortably fish multiple fly anglers at one time with one in the bow and one in the stern. We're happy to take groups up to 4 guys in which we will rotate anglers
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 Story
We're Here To Show You A Side Of The Chesapeake You Never Knew Existed
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.