Extended Half Day Inshore Chesapeake Bay Botangles

Extended Half Day Fishing in Chesapeake Bay

Captain Denny Seabright knows Chesapeake Bay like the back of his hand, and after six hours on the water with him, you'll understand why this top-rated guide has anglers coming back season after season. This isn't your typical charter boat crowd - we're talking about a private 20' Sea Ark that'll get you into the skinny water where the real action happens. Whether you're throwing flies or working light tackle, Denny customizes every trip to match your skill level and puts you on redfish, sea trout, and snook in some of Virginia's most productive flats and tidal creeks.

What to Expect on the Water

From April through mid-January, you'll be fishing Virginia's renowned Chesapeake Bay system, but don't worry about the winter months - Denny moves operations to Crystal River, Florida from January 15 to March 30, so the fishing never stops. The 20' Sea Ark is built for these shallow coastal waters, drawing minimal water and letting us sneak into places bigger boats can't reach. With room for up to three guests, you get personal attention without feeling cramped. Denny provides expert instruction whether you're new to sightcasting or looking to fine-tune your presentation. The boat's setup is perfect for both fly fishing and light tackle work, and he'll have you switching techniques based on conditions and what the fish are doing that day.

Techniques & Terrain

Chesapeake Bay's maze of tidal creeks, grass flats, and oyster bars creates world-class inshore fishing, but it takes local knowledge to fish it right. Denny focuses on sightcasting - spotting fish before you cast to them - which makes every hookup that much more rewarding. You'll learn to read the water, look for nervous water, tailing fish, and cruising shadows. The light tackle setup typically involves spinning gear with 10-15 lb test, perfect for working topwater plugs, soft plastics, and spoons. Fly fishing here means 8-9 weight rods with floating or intermediate lines, throwing baitfish patterns and crab flies depending on what's working. The shallow flats and creek mouths hold fish year-round, but structure like oyster bars and dock pilings often produce the biggest fish. Denny knows when to work the moving water during tide changes and when to focus on deeper pockets during slack periods.

Top Catches This Season

Redfish are the bread and butter of Chesapeake Bay inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers provide some of the most visual fishing you'll find on the East Coast. Most reds here run 20-30 inches, with plenty of slot fish and the occasional bull red pushing 40+ inches. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding in the shallows. You'll spot them tailing in knee-deep water, cruising creek edges, or busting bait around structure. What makes redfish so special is their willingness to eat both flies and lures, plus they fight like freight trains once hooked.

Sea trout, or speckled trout as the locals call them, are the most abundant species you'll target, and they're absolute rockets when they hit your lure. These silver-sided beauties average 14-18 inches, with larger "gator trout" over 20 inches showing up regularly. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, when they school up around grass beds and creek mouths. Specks are suckers for topwater plugs early and late in the day, and they'll crush soft plastics worked along drop-offs. Their soft mouths mean you need to play them carefully, but their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps make every hookup exciting.

Snook might surprise some anglers this far north, but Chesapeake Bay's southern reaches and the warm water discharges create perfect habitat for these customer favorites. Virginia snook typically run smaller than their Florida cousins, averaging 18-24 inches, but they're just as aggressive and twice as challenging to find. Summer and early fall offer the best opportunities, when water temperatures climb into the upper 70s and 80s. Snook are ambush predators that love structure - think dock pilings, fallen trees, and bridge abutments. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to throw hooks, making each landed snook a real trophy.

Time to Book Your Spot

Six hours with Captain Denny gives you enough time to really dial in the fishing and experience different techniques and locations based on conditions. Whether you're looking to master sightcasting, learn proper fly presentation, or just catch some quality fish in beautiful surroundings, this extended half-day trip delivers the goods. Remember to grab your Virginia fishing license before the trip - Denny can point you toward where to get one if needed. With only three spots available per trip and Denny's reputation for putting clients on fish, these dates fill up fast during peak season. The personalized instruction and private boat experience make this a world-class value for serious anglers or anyone looking to step up their inshore game.