Charter Fishing FAQs

What We Do to Ensure a Successful Trip:

• We provide rods/reels, bait, tackle, and ice, and the fish box for your catch. 
• No fishing licenses are required. 
• You are more than welcome to bring your lucky rod and reel.
• Children love fishing and we enjoy teaching them how!  Special pricing is available upon request when a large part of the group consists of young children (i.e. father/son trips).
• Miss Susie II and Miss Susie III are USCG licensed for up to 28 passengers and Miss Susie IV is USCG licensed for up to 24 passengers. A “COMFORTABLE” and “APPROPRIATE” number of passengers should be discussed with Capt. Gregt based on the time of year, type of fishing, and desires of the customers. Always discuss this with Capt. Greg to make your trip most enjoyable. 
• Our First Mate’s are experts with a filet knife and will take special care with your catch to make sure your family enjoys their fresh catch. The current going rate for the mate to clean your catch:
  • BlueCatfish – Bleeding, Fileting, Skinning, Rinsing and Bagging – $1.00/Fish  
  • Rockfish – Fileting, Skinning – $1.00/Fish and $2.00/Rockfish for Scaling & Gutting   
  • Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish under 4lbs – 2 for $1.00 and for larger Bluefish $.75 each. Cobia are $5 each and White Perch are 5 for $1.00. 

What YOU can Do to Ensure a Successful Trip:

• Confirm with Capt. Greg which departure port will be used. The boat will be where the fish are, make sure you arrive where the boat is!
• Departure times will vary depending on the season, how early daylight arrives and how much the “bite” requires an early departure (Sometimes the Early Bird does get the worm!) Always confirm departing time and always make sure your entire crew arrives early enough to all ON TIME DEPARTURE! If you have a few crew members who are always late, please tell them departure is 30 or 60 minutes before to ensure we won’t miss the bite. 
• A $200 deposit per trip is required upon booking a charter. An email invoice will be sent to your email address provided and the deposit needs to be paid promptly via Credit Card or Debit Card. This $200 deposit is how Capt. Greg knows you have your calendar marked and plan on showing up as arranged.  Once this $200 deposit is paid, this does not mean that if you cancel the day before or just do not show up all is fine. Since 90% of our charters book 3 to 9 weeks out, if you cancel a day or 2 before your charter, there is virtually no chance that your trip will be able to be rebooked for your slot. Your $200 is just a small fraction of the opportunity cost associated with the loss. Things happen and sometimes things happen at the last minute unexpectedly, in these situations, the appropriate way to handle the unfortunate is to let Capt. Greg know the situation as soon as you know and if possible maybe he can rebook your slot, if it is too short notice and rebooking your slot is impossible, then generally Capt. Greg will work out an acceptable last-minute cancellation fee (Generally Base Charter Price less fuel, bait, tackle and mates pay). Once this fairly calculated fee is paid, all is well and look forward to the next fishing excursion with you and your crew.
• Deposits are non-refundable unless at least 21 days (3 weeks) of notice are given before the booked date, or if the trip is canceled by the Captain due to inclement weather.
• There is no credit card processing fee charged for deposits given using a credit card. However, all balances paid the day of the charter with a credit card will incur a 3% processing fee. PLEASE BRING CASH or CHECK.
• Be sure to collect $$$ from all your crew so you don’t get stuck paying the entire bill or calling everybody you know the night before trying to find replacements for your buddies who backed out at the l who backed out at the last minute. The safest way to ensure your crew won’t back out on you is to collect $100 upfront from each of your crew members. 
• Prime dates go fast, call as early as possible to ensure you can get a booking when you want to go and when the fishing is red hot.
• The first mate works for tips and the gratuity of about 20% is customary and expected. Mates work very hard before, during, and after charter trips to ensure you have a successful and fun-filled day on the Bay.
• If you have a very large group that will require 2 or 3  boats, plan early as lining up a slot where all 3 Miss Susie Boats are available can be difficult without early planning

What to Bring

Be sure to remember everything you will need while out on the charter!

• Sunglasses
• Bring yourself and your crew on time (we don’t want to miss the bite)
• Sunblock
• Hat
• Camera or at least a charged cell phone
• Adequate clothing (you can always take layers off)
• Food and beverages with a cooler and ICE to hold them
• Rain gear (just in case)
• Cooler to carry home your catch
• Your kids; children love fishing and we enjoy teaching them how!  Special pricing is available upon request when a large part of the group consists of young children (i.e. father/son trips).

If someone in your group commonly gets seasick have them take Dramamine or Bomine the night before the charter and again one hour before leaving the dock. This ensures the medicine is in your bloodstream before hitting the waves.  Often, taking these drugs just before leaving the dock does next to nothing.

To reserve a charter trip or for any questions, please contact Captain Greg at 301-873-1327 or gcbuckner@hotmail.com.

What We Catch & When 

Here is a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect to catch during the different seasons. Size and creel limits are listed in the text and also at the link listed below:

View Size and Creel Limits Here

March

March kicks off our fishing season with a focus on capturing the delectable yet invasive Blue Catfish. Nestled in the 301 Bridge Area of the Tidal Potomac, these abundant creatures await. Their unmatched taste, coupled with the absence of size or creel limits due to their non-native status, make them a prized catch. Using medium-action spinning rods and chunks of cut bunker as bait, we engage in thrilling battles as the Blue Cats roll and fight fiercely until they’re safely in the landing net. From 2 lbs to over 30 lbs, these fish provide great fun for all ages and exceptional table fare. Though March may be chilly, it also heralds the opportunity to reel in our largest Blue Cats of the year.

April

As April arrives, we continue our pursuit of the flavorful Blue Catfish in the familiar grounds of the 301 Bridge Area. With the same zeal for angling, we anticipate similar experiences and outcomes as in March, ensuring an exciting continuation of the season. Blue Cats will be mixed sizes from 2lbs to over 30lbs. 

May

In May, our focus remains on the Blue Catfish as we venture once more into the 301 Bridge Area. The thrill of the catch, the unmatched taste, and the absence of restrictive limits persist, offering an experience that’s both consistent and gratifying. As the weather warms, May becomes an ideal time for family outings, promising ample action and memorable moments on the water. Blue Cats will be mixed sizes from 2 lbs to over 30 lbs. 

June

June 1 marks a transition as we relocate our boats to Pasadena, shifting our attention to the resident Chesapeake Bay Rockfish, also known as Striped Bass. Live Norfolk Spot bait on spinning gear becomes our weapon of choice, attracting not only the attention of Rockfish but also providing exciting bottom fishing opportunities for Spot, Perch, and Croaker. With school out and generally very calm seas, very consistent fishing action, and pleasant weather, June presents an ideal window for family outings and corporate functions alike.  

July

July sees the continuation of the thrilling light tackle live lining for Rockfish, accompanied by excellent bottom fishing for Norfolk Spot and White Perch. As the summer season unfolds, July beckons families to the water, offering a diverse range of fishing experiences amidst warm weather and abundant catches. As soon as we limit on Rockfish (2 per person over 19 inches on a Charter) we light tackle bottom fish for Spot and White Perch often catching them 2 at a time.

August

August brings both heat and excitement to the waters as we embark on expeditions targeting Rockfish in Pasadena, followed by ventures south to Solomons in pursuit of Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Cobia, and Trophy Red Drum. Just before mid-August, we head south to Solomons to target Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish on our 6-hour AM charters and on our 8-hour afternoon charters we target Cobia and the Larger Bluefish and occasionally get into Trophy Red Drum. The last 2 weeks of August almost always produce the best Spanish Mackerel catches of the year. If you have a Smoker and you Like Smoking Fish Late August is when you want to come and see us. Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel are both excellent smoked.  

 September

In September we remain in Solomons and chase Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish for our AM 6-hour trips and chase Cobia, Red Drum, Larger Bluefish on our 8-hour afternoon/evening trips. Cobia season closes September 16, so get your slot and come catch one of the hardest-fighting fish that swim. Lots of action and lots of fun loading up on Spanish Mackerel or Bluefish. Temps cooling off a bit and tons of variety with the chance of GIANT Cobia make September a great time to plan your adventure.

October

Come October, we witness the onset of change, with bottom fishing opportunities flourishing early on and live-lining for Rockfish gaining momentum as the waters cool. Mid-October marks the chance to pursue resident “big fish” with light tackle, adding an extra layer of excitement to the autumn fishing experience. There are usually a few large (28″ and larger) rockfish to be caught on live Spot by anchoring over the structure. These first few “big fish” of the fall are not the migratory stripers we catch in the spring and late fall but are a sample of the small population of resident “big fish” that are just leaving their shallow water summer haunts. Fishing for these resident “big fish” on light tackle is a blast. October is also a very busy month because of historically good catches and milder temperatures. Book a date early and enjoy the Chesapeake Bay at its finest: rock fishing in the comfortable autumn weather!

November

November used to mark the return of the migratory stock of trophy-striped bass from the Atlantic Ocean. However, with the population of these large, migratory fish down from their peaks five plus years ago and much milder falls, our efforts in November are now geared towards the abundant resident Stripers. Early November the past few years has showcased the very best of the light tackle live lining that the Chesapeake Bay has to offer with tons of fish in the 19-inch to 32-inch range. Stockpiling Norfolk Spot is very important and we have become experts at it! When the weather finally does turn in late November, we return to trolling with 6-inch baits and do very well either targeting fish tight on the structure or chasing the birds to find large schools of feeding fish. Fishing the Bay in November is a hoot! 

December

December heralds the final chapter of the year for Miss Susie Charters, yet it promises no shortage of excitement. As we target the trophy Striped Bass in the lower Bay, the opportunity to extend the season into Virginia waters ensures ample chances for memorable catches. With December dates in high demand, anglers seize their last opportunity of the year to land a prized trophy while bidding farewell to another season of exhilarating fishing adventures. Wishing all a joyous holiday season as we reflect on the year’s bounty and eagerly anticipate the adventures that await in the year to come.