Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing is a True Fishing Gem
The Chesapeake Bay is an estuary, meaning it’s a body of water where salt and freshwater come together. It’s massive: it’s the third largest estuary in the world, and the biggest in the United States. It stretches 200 miles along the United States’ eastern coast, starting at Havre de Grace, Maryland, and ending at Virginia Beach, Virginia. Something interesting is that although the Bay is huge, it’s surprisingly shallow, averaging only about 21 feet deep, and in many places, not more than 6 feet.
The Chesapeake Bay formed around 100,000 years ago as a result of melting glaciers that then flooded the Susquehanna River basin. The Bay’s biggest freshwater tributaries are the Susquehanna, Potomac, and James Rivers. Its saltwater volume comes from the Atlantic Ocean.
Because of the different types of water meeting up here, and the varied and protected landscape, the Chesapeake Bay is home to almost 4,000 different species of plants and animals, 348 of those species being finfish (bony fish with fins, as opposed to shellfish), and 173 species of shellfish. The Chesapeake Bay produces something around 500 million pounds of seafood every year.
The Chesapeake Bay watershed is vast, spanning about 64,000 square miles. This means that the bay is directly affected by human action and behavior on land. Millions of acres of land abutting the Bay are protected forever from development.
The Bay, and all the surrounding land, is rich in history, both natural and human. Tourists can enjoy any number of outdoor activities and adventures. They can see a diversity of plants and animals not often found anywhere else.
Chesapeake Bay is a Sport Fishing Paradise
Since the Bay is home to both fresh and saltwater fish, the lower Chesapeake Bay around Virginia Beach is particularly known for its Chesapeake Bay Charters. One of the best ways for tourists and anglers to experience this incredible place is to book a fishing charter trip out of the Chesapeake Bay.
Hundreds of fishing charters call the Bay home, so how do anglers pick?
Easy! Book a trip with Lulu Sport Fishing Charter of Virginia Beach, and we’ll take you to all of the best fishing spots in the southern Chesapeake Bay.
Lulu Sport Fishing is One of the Best Chesapeake Bay Fishing Charters
Lulu Sport Charter is a Virginia Beach-based sport charter owned and operated by Captain Matthew Bailey. Captain Bailey was practically born and raised on the waters around Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake Bay, so he knows these waters like the back of his hand.
To make Lulu Sport Fishing Charter stand out even more, the Lulu itself is a luxurious, purpose-driven boat. It’s a 50-foot-long, 1999 Craig Blackwell boat. The Lulu is smooth and fast, powered by twin Caterpillar diesel engines. This means, most importantly, that the Lulu is extremely comfortable to ride on. Every member of your family will enjoy their experience on the Lulu. Between our incredible Captain, and his first-rate boat, you can feel good knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that you’re embarking on the best charter trip the Bay Chesapeake has to offer.
Year-Round Chesapeake Bay Fishing Charter with Lulu Sport Fishing
We run our fishing Bay Chesapeake charters year-round, so anglers have endless opportunities when it comes to where in the Bay Chesapeake they want to fish, and what kind of fish they’re after.
All the Best Fishing Spots
At Lulu Sport Fishing Charter, we pride ourselves on knowing the best fishing spots in the Chesapeake Bay. There are so many spots, and listing them all would take way too long. But two of our favorites at Lulu are:
The Chesapeake Light Tower
The Chesapeake Light Tower, which is a light tower standing at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, 13 miles Deep Sea from Virginia Beach. It’s no longer in use because of some major structural issues, but it provides a great habitat for fish to live, hide, hunt, and be fished.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is another exceptional fishing spot in the Chesapeake Bay. It’s a man-made bridge-tunnel that stretches 17.6 miles at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads Harbor. This massive structure created another prime habitat for all kinds of species of fish to live and hunt in. The currents out here are strong and dangerous, so anglers want to be sure that they’re chartering their Bay fishing trip with the most experienced and skilled Captain. We’ve got you covered on that because Captain Bailey is the best in the business!
The Chesapeake Bay is Known for Its Large Variety of Fish
There are tons of fish that call the lower Chesapeake Bay home, and they can all be found in just a short ride out into the Bay.
Black Drum
Black Drum are big, usually weighing over 100 pounds; the best season for these guys is May. They like to hang out all through the lower Chesapeake Bay.
Bluefish
Bluefish aren’t as big as black drum, usually only 1-25 pounds. They’re a fun sport fish though because they put up quite a fight and have some seriously sharp teeth! They’re in the Bay from April-January.
Flounder
Flounder is another great fish to catch. They’re usually 1-15 pounds. These guys fight hard and taste great. They hang out all around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The best season for catching flounder is from May-October.
Rockfish
Rockfish, or striped bass as they’re often called, are incredibly popular to fish year round in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Striped bass are hard fighters and are great eating. It’s important to note that anglers can keep striped bass from May 1- June 15, and then from October 4 – end of March.
Cobia and Red Drum
Cobia and Red Drum are two other fish that are in the Chesapeake Bay from May-September. Both of these types of fish put up a great fight and taste amazing.
Sea Bass, Sheepshead, Spanish Mackerel, & Tautog
Some fish are known for hanging around underwater wrecks and columns and around the ocean floor, as well as around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Among these are sea bass, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, and tautog. These fish are all known for their fighting ability and their great taste. They’re typically found from early summer through mid-late fall.
Trout
There’s also trout fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. These particular trout are called grey trout (or weak trout or sea trout). The biggest populations of grey trout are found around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
Book your Trip of a Lifetime with Lulu Sport Fishing
When you book your charter fishing bay trip aboard the Lulu, you can be sure you’ll be headed on the adventure of a lifetime! We’ll make sure that you have every opportunity to catch all the best fish in the Bay. It’ll be exhilarating and the stories you’ll come home with will impress and delight everyone. Our charters fishing trips are safe and fun for every member of the family, and we cater to every possible skill level of angler.
Are you ready to head out on an incredible Chesapeake Bay fishing adventure? Contact Lulu Sport Fishing Charter to book the Chesapeake Bay fishing charter trip of your life! Come experience the best fishing in all of the Chesapeake Bay with Captain Matt Bailey, aboard the beautiful Lulu! Fill out our online form at fishingchartersvirginiabeach.com/contact, call us at 757-266-1256, or email us at LuLuSportFishing@gmail.com.
