| The Chesapeake Bay is one of the world's most | | | | while the croakers are making their exit from the |
| popular fishing destinations due to its natural beauty, | | | | Chesapeake Bay. Keep in mind that most |
| miles upon miles of scenic shoreline, diversity of fish | | | | Chesapeake Bay fishing charters are reserved weeks |
| species, and relatively close proximity to the major | | | | or sometimes months in advance, especially on |
| cities of Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and | | | | weekends, so once you decide on a date, you need |
| New York. These attributes often make a | | | | to reserve it quickly. Also, remember that most |
| Chesapeake Bay fishing charter a viable option for | | | | captains require a deposit toward the total cost of |
| outdoors-minded individuals who are looking for | | | | the charter in order to reserve the date. These |
| something to do in their free time. | | | | deposits are usually non-refundable, but may be |
| To reserve your very own Chesapeake Bay fishing | | | | applied to another date in the event that inclement |
| charter, there are a number of options that must be | | | | weather prevents the charter from happening. |
| considered. Before reserving your Chesapeake Bay | | | | Once you have determined how many people you |
| fishing charter, you must be able to get a group | | | | can get together for a Chesapeake Bay fishing |
| together as most charter boats price their trips | | | | charter, and what time of year that you want to go, |
| based on a minimum of six or more passengers due | | | | you'll need to decide what charter boat company you |
| to the inherently high overhead that is associated | | | | want to do business with. The websites of many |
| with operating a charter boat. Charter boats typically | | | | different charter boat companies can be found on |
| charge a flat rate for up to six passengers, and then | | | | the internet, on popular search engines such as |
| a discount rate for each passenger after six. In | | | | Google, Yahoo, and Bing. These websites will tell you |
| addition to that, the captain will have someone | | | | about the charter boat captains and their boats, as |
| helping him, known in the charter boat business as | | | | well as the types of fishing that they do, in addition |
| the first mate. The first mate typically takes care of | | | | to their prices and policies. Most of them also include |
| the tackle, baiting hooks, removing fish, keeping the | | | | pictures of the boat and what you can expect to |
| boat clean, and other related tasks. It is customary | | | | catch if you go fishing with them. These websites will |
| to tip the first mate at least 15% of the charter | | | | usually provide a phone number or an e-mail address |
| cost. For these reasons, it is important to have | | | | by which you can get in contact with a charter boat |
| enough people in your charter to absorb the total | | | | captain to inquire further about fishing on their boat. |
| cost. | | | | The boat that you fish on is also a very important |
| Another important consideration is the best time of | | | | factor in determining the quality of your Chesapeake |
| year to go fishing. This, of course, depends on a | | | | Bay fishing charter. When talking to a charter boat |
| number of factors, such as when you and your | | | | captain, ask if his boat is Coast Guard-certified to |
| friends can get away from the hustle and bustle of | | | | carry more than six passengers. Boats that carry |
| everyday life, the type of fishing that you want to | | | | more than six passengers must go through intensive |
| do, as well as type of fish that you want to catch. In | | | | inspections by the U.S. Coast Guard. These |
| Maryland, the season usually begins on the third | | | | inspections verify that the hull of the boat is stable |
| Saturday of April. If you want to catch big striped | | | | and structurally sound, that the bilge pumps, engines, |
| bass, also known as stripers or rockfish, the best | | | | fire extinguishers, and other safety equipment are all |
| time of year to reserve your Chesapeake Bay fishing | | | | functioning properly, and that proper first aid |
| charter is in April, the first half of May, the second | | | | equipment and life jackets are on board in the event |
| half of November, or the first half of December. The | | | | that they are needed. The inspection also determines |
| striped bass during these times of year are generally | | | | the competency of the captain to an extent, with |
| 28" in length or more. Trolling is the only method of | | | | regard to keeping up to date with all of the latest |
| fishing employed during these times of the season. In | | | | Coast Guard rules and regulations. If you reserve a |
| the summer months of June, July, and August, | | | | Chesapeake Bay fishing charter on a Coast |
| striped bass, bluefish, croakers, and Spanish mackerel | | | | Guard-certified vessel, you can rest assured that you |
| are caught in the Chesapeake Bay. | | | | will be on a safe boat. |
| Trolling, chumming, bottom fishing and fishing with live | | | | A Chesapeake Bay fishing charter can be a very fun |
| bait, also known as live-lining, with light tackle and | | | | option for those who like spending their free time |
| spinning reels are the fishing methods principally used. | | | | outdoors and enjoy reeling in some nice fish. By |
| The striped bass are usually smaller during this time | | | | getting together a group of these people, deciding on |
| period, ranging between 18 and 28 inches in length, | | | | the best time of year to go, and selecting a charter |
| but you can keep two per person as opposed to the | | | | boat and captain appropriate for the occasion will |
| spring season, when you can only keep one per | | | | contribute to making your Chesapeake Bay fishing |
| person. In September and October, the bluefish, | | | | charter a success! |
| striped bass, and Spanish mackerel are still around, | | | | Reserve your Chesapeake Bay Fishing Charter today! |