Annapolis
48 Fishing Charters
Annapolis, MD Fishing Charters
Top Fishing Charters in Annapolis
Top Fishing Charters in Annapolis
Fishing in Annapolis
Annapolis is simply heaven for inshore anglers. Nestled deep in the sheltered waters of the Chesapeake Bay, this historic town has enjoyed great fishing for centuries. “The Sailing Capital of the World” may be better known for its yachts than its charter boats, but fishing charters in Annapolis explore some of the best shallow-water fisheries in the country. Huge Striped Bass barrel through the bay all year round, while Tautog nestle in the deeper rocky outcrops and Redfish, Speckled Trout, Croakers, and more fight for space in the shallows.
And Annapolis has a lot to offer even besides fishing. The country’s first peacetime capital is a wonderful place to explore on foot. Eighteenth-century storefronts welcome you in even in the coldest depths of winter, and the town’s beautiful harbor is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon. While you’re there, you can even get the family aboard a charter - what a happy coincidence!
Types of fishing
Hidden almost 150 miles up into the Chesapeake Bay, there’s little hope of going offshore in Annapolis. What you do have is a rich and varied selection of inshore fisheries, as well as some deeper structure towards the middle of the bay. Annapolis fishing spots are too numerous to name, but here are a few of the trips you can enjoy while you’re in town.
Flats Fishing
Annapolis has access to hundreds of miles of oyster bars, sand flats, and grassy shallows, all full of fish. Striped Bass and Bluefish top the action here, closely followed by Redfish and Seatrout. Their smaller cousins, Weakfish and Croaker, are also around for most of the year, alongside staple food fish like Flounder and Fluke. During the summer, Silver Kings also roll into town. Annapolis is no Boca Grande, but big Tarpon bite hard for a solid three months from June, making for great battles on the flats.
Wreck Fishing
Head out towards the centre of the bay, and you hit a smorgasbord of banks, shoals, and rocky outcrops. There are also the sunken remains of endless ancient tall ships, as well as an airplane and rumours of a downed German U-boat. The fish don’t care what it is, they flock to all these sites in droves. You can catch Flounder, Tautog, Black Seabass, and even some King Mackerel and Barracuda hunting in the open waters around them.
Freshwater Fishing
It’s not all saltwater around Annapolis - freshwater anglers will find plenty of rivers and briny estuaries to wet their lines in, too. Annapolis river fishing can hook you Perch, Carp, and even wild Brook Trout if you head far enough up the Severn River. There are also migratory species like Striped Bass and American Eels, giving you some extra fun and delicious eating if you time your trip right.
Shore Fishing
You can fish from shore pretty much everywhere around Annapolis and get some great catches. In certain spots, you don’t even need a license. Bringing along a pair of waders can hugely increase your options, but they’re not essential. You can catch anything from Bluefish and Striped Bass to Tautog and Black Seabass without ever getting your feet wet when fishing from one of the many local piers.
Fishing Techniques
Striped Bass are the poster child of the Chesapeake Bay and local anglers have been honing their technique for generations. Big Stripers (or “Rockfish”, as they’re known locally) can be caught by trolling or live lining, but you’ll have much more fun throwing lures on spinning gear. Jigs, poppers, soft plastics, crankbaits - these guys will take them all without a second thought.
For the best food fishing, you’ll want to pack away the lures and crack out the bait. Tautog, Flounder, and Seabass all respond best to a single line set with fresh live bait. Tautog like Crabs most, while Flounder respond well to Spot, Menhaden (Bunker), and Mullet. Seabass aren’t that fussy, as long as its fresh.
Annapolis’ freshwater fisheries are so varied that you can enjoy any of a range of techniques. Fly fishing works great for Brook Trout and Stripers, but is often ignored by grazing Carp. Baiting your hooks with sweetcorn is the best (and cheapest) way to catch these guys.
Need to Know
Fishing licenses are included on most Annapolis charter fishing trips. If you’re heading out on your own, you’ll need a fishing license for everyone over 16… Except where you don’t. There are many spots around the bay that don’t require a license. You can find a list of these areas on the DNR’s website. What you won’t find is a full list of closed seasons, as many of these change regularly. Fishing with a guide is the easiest way to avoid uncertainty. If you’re heading out on your own, swing by a local tackle shop to ask for more info first.
Annapolis
Based on 20041 reviews by FishingBooker anglers
4.43
Fishing in Annapolis
Fishing in Annapolis
Annapolis is simply heaven for inshore anglers. Nestled deep in the sheltered waters of the Chesapeake Bay, this historic town has enjoyed great fishing for centuries. “The Sailing Capital of the World” may be better known for its yachts than its charter boats, but fishing charters in Annapolis explore some of the best shallow-water fisheries in the country. Huge Striped Bass barrel through the bay all year round, while Tautog nestle in the deeper rocky outcrops and Redfish, Speckled Trout, Croakers, and more fight for space in the shallows.
And Annapolis has a lot to offer even besides fishing. The country’s first peacetime capital is a wonderful place to explore on foot. Eighteenth-century storefronts welcome you in even in the coldest depths of winter, and the town’s beautiful harbor is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon. While you’re there, you can even get the family aboard a charter - what a happy coincidence!
Types of fishing
Hidden almost 150 miles up into the Chesapeake Bay, there’s little hope of going offshore in Annapolis. What you do have is a rich and varied selection of inshore fisheries, as well as some deeper structure towards the middle of the bay. Annapolis fishing spots are too numerous to name, but here are a few of the trips you can enjoy while you’re in town.
Flats Fishing
Annapolis has access to hundreds of miles of oyster bars, sand flats, and grassy shallows, all full of fish. Striped Bass and Bluefish top the action here, closely followed by Redfish and Seatrout. Their smaller cousins, Weakfish and Croaker, are also around for most of the year, alongside staple food fish like Flounder and Fluke. During the summer, Silver Kings also roll into town. Annapolis is no Boca Grande, but big Tarpon bite hard for a solid three months from June, making for great battles on the flats.
Wreck Fishing
Head out towards the centre of the bay, and you hit a smorgasbord of banks, shoals, and rocky outcrops. There are also the sunken remains of endless ancient tall ships, as well as an airplane and rumours of a downed German U-boat. The fish don’t care what it is, they flock to all these sites in droves. You can catch Flounder, Tautog, Black Seabass, and even some King Mackerel and Barracuda hunting in the open waters around them.
Freshwater Fishing
It’s not all saltwater around Annapolis - freshwater anglers will find plenty of rivers and briny estuaries to wet their lines in, too. Annapolis river fishing can hook you Perch, Carp, and even wild Brook Trout if you head far enough up the Severn River. There are also migratory species like Striped Bass and American Eels, giving you some extra fun and delicious eating if you time your trip right.
Shore Fishing
You can fish from shore pretty much everywhere around Annapolis and get some great catches. In certain spots, you don’t even need a license. Bringing along a pair of waders can hugely increase your options, but they’re not essential. You can catch anything from Bluefish and Striped Bass to Tautog and Black Seabass without ever getting your feet wet when fishing from one of the many local piers.
Fishing Techniques
Striped Bass are the poster child of the Chesapeake Bay and local anglers have been honing their technique for generations. Big Stripers (or “Rockfish”, as they’re known locally) can be caught by trolling or live lining, but you’ll have much more fun throwing lures on spinning gear. Jigs, poppers, soft plastics, crankbaits - these guys will take them all without a second thought.
For the best food fishing, you’ll want to pack away the lures and crack out the bait. Tautog, Flounder, and Seabass all respond best to a single line set with fresh live bait. Tautog like Crabs most, while Flounder respond well to Spot, Menhaden (Bunker), and Mullet. Seabass aren’t that fussy, as long as its fresh.
Annapolis’ freshwater fisheries are so varied that you can enjoy any of a range of techniques. Fly fishing works great for Brook Trout and Stripers, but is often ignored by grazing Carp. Baiting your hooks with sweetcorn is the best (and cheapest) way to catch these guys.
Need to Know
Fishing licenses are included on most Annapolis charter fishing trips. If you’re heading out on your own, you’ll need a fishing license for everyone over 16… Except where you don’t. There are many spots around the bay that don’t require a license. You can find a list of these areas on the DNR’s website. What you won’t find is a full list of closed seasons, as many of these change regularly. Fishing with a guide is the easiest way to avoid uncertainty. If you’re heading out on your own, swing by a local tackle shop to ask for more info first.
Annapolis
Based on 20041 reviews by FishingBooker anglers
4.43
Annapolis Fishing Seasons
Annapolis Fishing Seasons
Annapolis Fishing Calendar
Annapolis Fishing Calendar
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