9 Best Fishing Charters in Maryland
Since water covers about 20% of Maryland’s geographical area, it’s no wonder the fishing is superb here. You’ll be spoilt for choice whether you like fishing in a freshwater lake, a bay, or the ocean. There are a ton of fishing charters in Maryland. to choose from no matter your location.
There’s something for everyone to catch on a Maryland fishing trip. Here are the best Maryland fishing trips on offer.
Best Maryland Fishing Trips
Lots of people go on Maryland fishing trips just to cast their lines into the Chesapeake Bay, which is famous for striped bass, the State Fish of Maryland.
Bluefish, redfish, black drum, croaker, flounder, and Spanish mackerel are a few examples of what you can expect to catch when you book a reputable Maryland fishing guide. Also, check out some great places to rent boats in Maryland.
1. Maryland Fishing And Hunting LLC
One of Maryland’s premier charter boats is the popular “Marylander,” which is captained by the experienced Captain Jason Seman, a lifelong resident of the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
He is a proud member of the National Association of Charter Boat Operators (NACO), the Upper Bay Captains Association, and the Maryland Charter Boat Association (MCBA). He holds a USCG 100 Ton Masters License.
The Marylander, a Chesapeake 48 feet in length, is propelled by a 430 HP 6CTA Cummins Marine Diesel engine and is heated and air-conditioned. It has a bathroom, two bunks in the front cabin, a large diner, and chairs beneath the canopies for some much-needed shade.
Maryland Fishing And Hunting provide all the required fishing equipment when you book a Maryland fishing trip with them, such as:
- Rods
- Reels
- Tackle
- Lures
- Live Bait
- Fishing Permits
Booking options include striped bass fishing, lighthouse tours, crabbing, and waterfowl hunting. Various fishing techniques, including trolling, chumming, live line, and jigging, are employed to catch striped bass and other fish in the Chesapeake Bay.
Location: Kentmorr Marina in Stevensville, Maryland (not far from Annapolis, Baltimore, and the nation’s capital.)
Website: Maryland Fishing And Hunting
2. Chesapeake Bay Sports Fishing LLC
Chesapeake Bay Sports Fishing LLC is a well-known fishing charter in the Annapolis area (within minutes from Baltimore and Washington DC.) They provide Maryland fishing trips in the Chesapeake Bay, company tours, birthday parties, bachelor parties, booze cruises, scenic Bay tours, and lighthouse tours.
Chesapeake Bay Sports Fishing operates a total of 6 charter boats that cater for 12 to 47 people depending on which boat you book. The most popular fishing boats in their arsenal are “Net Profits,” a 52′ custom-built Chesapeake with Twin 680hp Cummins Diesel engines fitted with all the fishing electronics you can think of.
The other one is called “Jessie Girl,” a 52′ custom-built Chesapeake with Twin 600hp CAT Diesel engines, with a 42-passenger capacity, heat, and iPod hookup. Both boats are equipped with Cove Regional Series rods, 330 Penn reels, custom-made lures, and target striped bass rockfish.
For an overnight stay or a leisurely cruise, the 60′ Striker Sportfisherman “Seafood” (original Caddyshack movie yacht) with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a full salon area, and iconic Rodney Dangerfield horn is the perfect yacht when you want to cruise the Bay in style.
From April to September, they fish 7 days a week. Whether you book a trip on the “Net Profits,” “Jessie Girl,” “Vagabond,” “Retirement Fun,” or “Kathy C,” you’ll have everything you need for a successful day of fishing on the Chesapeake Bay, from rods and reels to bait and equipment, and of course, a fishing license.
Location: GS Dock Bay Bridge Marina, 337 Pier 1 Road, Stevensville, MD 21666
Website: Chesapeake Bay Sports Fishing
3. Patent Pending Charters
2021 Angler’s Choice Award winner, Patent Pending Charters, is one of the best in Maryland fishing trips. A total of 6 passengers can fit comfortably on the 46′ Allen-Markley (built by master boat builder Jay Allan in 2010), which is fitted with only the best navigational equipment.
Captain John Whitman is a second-generation fisherman with more than 45 years of expertise in the ocean within the fishing industry. With him on board, target fish include striped bass, redfish, mackerel, and black drum.
To ensure that charter clients have the best chance of catching lots of fish, they employ the following fishing techniques:
- Light Tackle
- Trolling
- Jigging
- Spinning
- Bottom Fishing
Reels, rods, tackle, bait, and fishing licenses are provided, as well as a first mate to help assist with baiting, rigging, and cleaning fish. A standout of the trip is the option to include lunch, at an additional cost, which the captain prepares on the boat. The lunch includes:
- Jumbo Crab Cake
- Fresh Garden Salad
- Fresh-baked Corn Bread
- Homemade Pasta Salad
Location: 389 Deale Rd, Tracys Landing, MD (Launches from Herrington Harbor North)
Website: Patent Pending Charters
4. Prime Time Charters
Prime Time Charters is a highly-rated fishing charter and one of the most popular Maryland fishing trips. The 33’ Wellcraft flybridge, called Prime Time, is fitted with Twin 420hp fuel-injected engines that easily push the boat above 20 knots, ensuring you get to all the best fishing spots in no time.
The boat is equipped with a GPS fish finder, outriggers, TV, live well, a comfortable salon, and a private head. A 24-mile radar system and VHF and CB radio communication are employed to ensure passenger safety.
Capt. Darnell is an expert at catching striped bass, bluefish, black drum, and other inshore fish and has more than 20 years of fishing experience. He employs a broad range of methods to help you catch the fish you want, including trolling, spinning, jigging, bottom, and drift fishing.
All equipment, fishing licenses, and bait are included, and clients can book the charter for half or full-day trips.
Location: Kentmorr Road 1001, Stevensville, MD 21666, United States (Kentmorr Marina)
Website: Prime Time Charters
5. Biff Fishing Charters
Biff Fishing Charters is another excellent choice when planning a chartered Maryland fishing trip. Captain Justin has decades of experience in Maryland waters and is a huge fan of live fishing when targeting striped bass.
“Biff” is a 46′ Markley performance fishing boat fitted with a powerful 660hp Caterpillar engine and features a massive deck that caters to 6 anglers. A cabin protects against the elements should you encounter bad weather on a trip.
You can choose between an inshore half-day AM fishing excursion and an inshore half-day PM fishing session when you reserve a trip with Biff Charters. Captain Justin is skilled in a variety of fishing methods. Jigging, drift fishing, bottom fishing, light tackle, and trolling are a few of them.
Captain Justin conducts crabbing and sea duck hunting outings when you’ve caught all the fish on a trip (reached the fishing limit). Biff Charters provides all the bait, rods, reels, tackle equipment, lures, and appropriate fishing license for you and everyone in your group.
Trolling on “Biff” includes up to 32 rods at a time, which massively increases your chances of catching fish. Live spot fish is used as bait when they live line for striped bass. A popular trip to book is a full-day combination trip, which includes crabbing for blue crap before targeting striped bass later.
Location: Marina Drive, Stevensville, MD 21666
Contact: +1 410-490-3750
6. On The Run Charters
One of the Ocean City Maryland fishing charters is On the Run Charters’ forte. They specialize in inshore Maryland fishing trips, shark fishing, wreck fishing, and sunset cruises and cover the following fishing areas:
- Ocean City
- Maryland
- Palm Beach
- Florida
Captain Dave has been fishing professionally for 17 years and has been a part of some of the best tournament teams on the East Coast. The 32′ Parker center console can comfortably fit up to 6 anglers and is fitted with fish tracking equipment, live well, icebox, rods, reels, terminal tackle, and live bait.
Anglers have a choice between using light or heavy tackle when trying out jigging, trolling, spinning, and drift fishing. Adventurous anglers are encouraged to bring their bow fishing equipment with them.
In-shore coastal bays and waters with bluefish, tautog, and striped bass are always the targets when setting out on an adventure with the experienced crew of On The Run Charters.
Location: Tackle Dock at Fish Tales, 2107 Herring Way, Ocean City, MD 21842
Website: On The Run Charters
7. Just A Toy Guide Service
Suppose you’re looking for one of the best bay fishing charters in Ocean City, Maryland. In that case, Just A Toy Guide Service provides one of the best Maryland fishing trips, and they welcome beginners, pros, and especially children wanting to learn about angling.
Captain Robert Anderson owns a 30′ Century center console, which accommodates up to four fishermen at a time, which ensures that personal touch compared to bigger charters. It has twin 250 HP Mercury Verado engines and features state-of-the-art safety and navigation equipment installed during a 2018 restoration.
Just A Toy Guide Service employs only the finest Penn equipment to give you the greatest possible opportunity of capturing that trophy fish. Drinks and snacks are provided, as are rods, reels, tackle, and bait.
Jigging, casting, drifting, and trolling are a few popular methods used to capture various species. Fish like the striped bass, spotted seatrout, flounder, and sheepshead will be on your list of targets. The skipper is an expert at nighttime striper fishing as well.
Location: 21st Street Bayside Bahia Marina, Ocean City, Maryland
Contact: +1 443-880-7516
8. Chasin’ Dreams Sportsfishing
With over 20+ years of experience operating boats on the Chesapeake Bay, licensed by the US Coast Guard (OUPV), Captain Dave Bell of Chasin’ Dreams Sportsfishing is well versed in Maryville fishing trips. Fishing licenses, rods, reels, tackle, lures, and live bait is all taken care you book a trip with them.
From April to December, he targets rockfish (striped bass), white perch, croaker, and Spanish mackerel from August to October. All fish caught during a trip will be cleaned and filleted by the crew. All you have to take care of is your preferred food and drink.
The boat used on trips is a 30’ Custome Carolina Scarborough express cruiser powered by a 315 HP Cummins engine with a maximum cruising speed of 24 knots. A total of 6 anglers can comfortably fish from the impressive watercraft, and children are welcome aboard.
Fishing the coastal waters and beautiful rivers of Baltimore with Captain Dave is a treat. He will take you to the best fishing spots that Baltimore offers and communicate with you before any charter to confirm if the weather looks fishable and if all is in order.
Location: 918 Seneca Park Road, Baltimore, MD 21220
Website: Chasin’ Dreams Sportfishing
9. Baltimore’s Finest Charters
Baltimore’s Finest Charters offers exciting fishing adventures in Baltimore, Maryland, which include Baltimore Inner Harbor, Annapolis Fishing Charters, Fells Point, and Canton. The company is operated by Captain Tracy Geho, a US Coast Guard licensed Merchant Marine Officer.
The charter uses a 32’ Blackwatch boat fitted with Twin 330 Cummins Diesel engines, equipped with the latest navigational equipment and a flybridge to help with targeting fish.
The boat fits 6 anglers comfortably, with a toilet, refrigerator, and a kitchen on board, and can reach a maximum cruising speed of 32 knots.
Outriggers, icebox, live well, rods, reels, tackle, live bait, and fishing licenses provided. From April 20th to June 1st, the charter focuses on the Maryland striped bass season and fishes out of Chesapeake Beach Rod and Reel Marina. Expect trolling for striped bass on 7-hour trips.
From June 1st to November 1st, the charter focuses on fishing out of Weavers Marina in the upper Bay, offering 4- and 6-hour trips during these dates (morning and afternoon trips), and targets stripe bass, croaker, bluefish, catfish, and white perch.
Location: Weavers Marina,730 Riverside Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21221
Website: Baltimore’s Finest Charters
More Fishing Charters in Maryland
Brawler II Charters
Bay Hunter Charters
Ark Angel Charters
Hot Pursuit Charter Fishing
How Much Is A Fishing Charter In Maryland?
Maryland fishing charter also called Maryland Fishing guides rates vary depending if the charter charges per person or group. Most charges per group, for example, $400 for a 4-hour trip with a maximum of 4 anglers, will work out to $100 per angler.
Prices will also vary regarding the length of a trip. Full-day (8-hour) trips are typically more expensive than half-day trips. Full-day trips typically range between $600-$1000.
The average price for a half-day (3-6 hour) trip ranges between $300-$800, which is then divided by the number of anglers.
What month is best to fish in Maryland?
Can You Catch Mahi In Maryland?
Although they may not be present in the Chesapeake Bay, Mahi is commonly found out of the Indian River, Virginia Beach, the Ocean City inlet, and many Mid- Atlantic Sea ports in the Maryland region. Coastal Guide Service LLC is one of the best Maryland fishing charters for fishing Mahi and Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Where Can I Catch Tuna In Maryland?
Thirty to forty miles of the Eastern Coast of Maryland is where you will typically find Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Conclusion on Best Maryland Fishing Trips
Fishing trips in Maryland are a magical experience and one that the whole family can enjoy. There are hundreds of fishing charters in the Maryland area, and choosing the best ones can be hard.
Even though there’s no guarantee that you will catch fish on any given day, the fishing trip charters listed above, with their experienced captains on board, will give you the best chance of catching fish, having a fun time while doing it, and have you coming back for more.
