Guided Inshore Fishing Chesapeake Bay Botangles

Half Day Guided Fishing Trip in Chesapeake Bay

Captain Denny Seabright knows every creek, flat, and honey hole in Chesapeake Bay like the back of his hand. This top-rated half-day fishing adventure puts you right in the action aboard his 20' Sea Ark, where you'll hunt redfish, sea trout, and snook in some of Virginia's most productive inshore waters. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, Denny tailors each 4-hour trip to your skill level, making sure you walk away with new techniques and hopefully some great fish stories. From April through mid-January, you'll explore the Bay's hidden gems before Denny heads south to Crystal River, Florida for his winter season.

What to Expect on the Water

Your morning starts early when you meet Captain Denny at the dock, where his Sea Ark sits ready with everything you need for a world-class inshore experience. This isn't your typical charter boat - it's built specifically for shallow water fishing, letting you slip into skinny flats and back creeks where the big fish hide. The boat comfortably handles up to three anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast without tangling lines. Denny keeps the group small on purpose - it means more personalized instruction and better fishing for everyone. You'll spend four solid hours working the water, moving from spot to spot as conditions and fish activity dictate. Don't worry about bringing anything except your enthusiasm and a valid Virginia fishing license. Denny provides all the gear, from fly rods to light tackle spinning setups, plus he'll teach you the finer points of sight casting - a skill that'll make you a better angler for life.

Sight Fishing & Light Tackle

The real magic happens when you're sight casting to cruising redfish or working a fly through a school of feeding trout. Denny specializes in visual fishing - spotting fish before they know you're there, then making the perfect presentation. He'll teach you to read the water, identify fish signs, and understand how tides affect where fish feed. On the fly fishing side, you'll learn proper casting techniques, fly selection, and how to strip a fly to trigger strikes. If spinning gear is more your speed, Denny's got you covered with perfectly balanced light tackle setups loaded with the right lures for each situation. The shallow flats and tidal creeks of Chesapeake Bay are perfect for this style of fishing. Crystal clear water lets you see fish from surprising distances, and the varied structure means you're always fishing something different - grass beds, oyster bars, channel edges, or open flats.

Top Catches This Season

Redfish are the crown jewel of Chesapeake Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers grow fat in the Bay's nutrient-rich waters, with fish ranging from 18-inch "rat reds" perfect for beginners up to bull reds pushing 40+ inches that'll test your drag and your patience. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, when schools of reds move onto the flats to feed. What makes them special is their willingness to eat just about anything - flies, soft plastics, topwater lures - and their habit of feeding in very shallow water where you can watch the whole fight unfold. Plus, they're one of the best eating fish in the Bay when you keep a slot-sized one.

Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the most consistent fish in the Bay. These gorgeous spotted predators average 14-20 inches and fight way above their weight class, with explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. They school up heavily during spring and fall migrations, creating some of the fastest action you'll find anywhere. Summer fishing can be phenomenal early and late in the day when trout move shallow to feed. What anglers love most is their aggressive nature - a well-placed fly or lure in a school of feeding trout can result in fish after fish. They're also excellent table fare, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill.

Snook represent the exotic wild card in Chesapeake Bay fishing. While more common in Florida waters, Virginia's snook population has been steadily growing, making each catch a real trophy. These ambush predators love structure - docks, bridges, mangrove lines - where they can dart out to crush baitfish. Snook are incredibly line-shy and require precise presentations, making them a favorite target for experienced anglers looking for a challenge. They're also catch-and-release only in Virginia, so every snook you hook is one for the photo album and the memory bank. When water temperatures are right, usually mid-summer through early fall, snook fishing can be absolutely phenomenal.

Time to Book Your Spot

Captain Denny's calendar fills up fast, especially during prime fishing months when the Bay comes alive with baitfish and hungry predators. This customer favorite trip delivers the perfect blend of expert instruction and productive fishing, whether you want to master fly fishing techniques or just catch some beautiful fish. The personal attention you get with just three anglers on board means you'll learn more in four hours than most people pick up in years of fishing on their own. Book your spot now and get ready to experience why Chesapeake Bay is considered one of the East Coast's premier inshore fishing destinations. Just remember to grab that Virginia fishing license before you head to the dock - it's required for all guests, and Denny won't be able to take you out without it.