Rockfish Window Is Closing — Less Than 30 Days Left to Fish for Summer Striped Bass
Maryland’s 2026 Striped Bass aka Rockfish season closes for the entire month of August, leaving Chesapeake Bay anglers fewer than 30 days to target Rockfish this summer. Miss Susie Charters is currently putting groups on limits of Striped Bass and big numbers of Blue Catfish out of Pasadena, MD and Fort Washington, MD — with a July 4th walk-on special still available.
July is flying by, and the clock is ticking. Under Maryland Department of Natural Resources 2026 regulations, targeting striped bass is fully prohibited from August 1 through August 31 — no exceptions, no catch-and-release, no exceptions for any water temperatures (According to Maryland DNR, the August closure exists specifically because warm late-summer water increases release mortality even when fish are let go). That leaves fewer than 30 days to get your crew on the water and come home with a cooler full of Rockfish.
The good news? The bite is absolutely on fire right now. Miss Susie Charters is running trips out of two prime departure points — Ventnor Marina in Pasadena, MD and Tantallon Marina in Fort Washington, MD — and the reports from both locations have been nothing short of extraordinary. Catfish are piling up. Rockfish are hitting. And the rods don’t stop bending.
Here’s what’s been happening on the water:
Rockfish Charter from Pasadena Catch Striped Bass & Blue Catfish
What Did the Pasadena, MD Light Tackle Combo Trip Produce?
The afternoon light tackle combo trip out of Ventnor Marina in Pasadena was a straight-up blast. The crew chased Blue Catfish and then finished off the session with a full limit of Striped Bass — all on light tackle, all on the same trip. That’s the beauty of a combo run: you don’t have to choose between action and more action.
Light tackle fishing for Rockfish in particular is something special. These fish pull hard, run fast, and on lighter gear, every single one of them feels like a trophy. Add in the Blue Catfish bite that’s been running hot all month, and you’ve got a full day of nonstop rod-bending action from start to finish.
A few openings are still available for July. If a combo trip sounds like your kind of afternoon, now is the time to lock in your date.
How Did the Morning Pasadena Trip Perform?
The morning session out of Pasadena produced one of the most impressive numbers of the season so far. A 12-person group came aboard and left with 43 Blue Catfish, a full limit of Rockfish, and a handful of White Perch thrown in for good measure. That’s a serious haul — and it’s exactly the kind of morning that makes for a legendary fish fry.
Miss Susie III has availability out of Pasadena over the next several days. If you’ve been looking for a reason to get your whole crew together this Fourth of July weekend, this is it. Celebrate America’s 250th birthday the right way: on the water, rods bent, cooler filling up.
Is the Blue Catfish Bite Still Strong Out of Fort Washington, MD?
Short answer: yes. The Blue Catfish bite out of Fort Washington, MD have been consistently jamming. Miss Susie III has been staying on them day after day out of Tantallon Marina, and the numbers have held up strong through the holiday week.
Blue Catfish are an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which means there are no bag limits and no guilt. You can keep every single one you catch — and with the bite running this hot, that can mean 50 to 100-plus fish in a single six-hour trip. These fish fight hard, they taste great, and there’s always another one ready to take the bait.
Fort Washington is also one of the most scenic departure points on the Potomac. You’re fishing in the shadow of Historic Fort Washington and within eyeline of Mt. Vernon — George Washington’s estate across the river. There’s genuinely no better place to spend a summer morning in the DC-Maryland-Virginia region.
Enjoy incredible views of Historic Fort Washington & Mt. Vernon
What Is the July 4th Holiday Weekend Walk-On Special at Fort Washington?
Saturday, July 4th — 11:30 AM departure, Tantallon Marina, Fort Washington, MD.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chesapeake Bay Fishing Charters This July
Why is striped bass fishing closed in August in Maryland?
Maryland DNR closed the entire month of August to striped bass targeting in 2026 because warm late-summer water temperatures significantly increase release mortality — even when anglers attempt to let fish go. The closure protects resident striped bass during their most vulnerable seasonal period and is part of a broader conservation framework approved through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Striped Bass Management Board.
How many striped bass can I keep on a Chesapeake Bay charter trip in July?
Under Maryland’s 2026 regulations, anglers may keep one striped bass per person per day during the harvest season, with a slot limit of 19 to 24 inches. The harvest season runs May 1 through July 31, meaning every July trip with Miss Susie Charters is your chance to bring home a legal keeper before the August closure.
Where does Miss Susie Charters depart from for Rockfish and Blue Catfish trips?
Miss Susie Charters currently runs trips from two locations: Ventnor Marina in Pasadena, MD (for Chesapeake Bay Rockfish and combo trips) and Tantallon Marina in Fort Washington, MD (for Potomac River Blue Catfish trips). Always confirm your departure location with Captain Greg when booking.
What species can I catch on a Miss Susie Charters combo trip out of Pasadena?
Combo trips out of Pasadena, MD currently target Striped Bass (Rockfish), Blue Catfish, and White Perch — all on light tackle. Recent trips have produced limits of Rockfish alongside 40-plus Blue Catfish in a single outing, making these some of the most productive trips on the upper Chesapeake Bay right now.
What is a walk-on trip and how does it work with Miss Susie Charters?
A walk-on trip (also called a mixed group trip) allows individual anglers or small groups to book individual spots on a shared charter rather than reserving the full boat. Miss Susie Charters occasionally offers walk-on spots at select locations and times, including the July 4th trip out of Fort Washington. Pricing for walk-on trips includes first mate gratuity and fish cleaning. Contact the charter directly to confirm availability and pricing.
Do I need a fishing license to fish with Miss Susie Charters?
No. Fishing licenses are not required for passengers on Miss Susie Charters trips. The charter covers all required licensing. You’ll also receive rods, reels, bait, tackle, ice, and a fish box — everything you need except your food, beverages, sunscreen, and a good attitude.
Walk-on trips are perfect for solo anglers, couples, or small groups who want to get on the water without booking an entire boat. You’ll fish alongside other anglers, share the experience, and go home with your share of the catch. Spots are limited, so if you want in on this one, don’t wait.
Book Before the Rockfish Season Closes on July 31
Here’s the hard math: Maryland’s striped bass harvest season runs through July 31, 2026 (per Maryland DNR’s 2026 recreational season schedule). After that, every single day of August is closed — no targeting, full stop. Miss Susie Charters has dates available right now, but prime summer spots fill fast, and every day that passes is one fewer chance to chase Rockfish this summer.
The combo trips out of Pasadena deliver the best of both worlds — limits of Striped Bass and big numbers of Blue Catfish, all on light tackle. The Fort Washington trips are producing incredible Blue Catfish action all through the holiday weekend and beyond, with the Rockfish season still running through the end of July if you want to chase both species.
Contact Miss Susie Charters now to lock in your date. Once August 1st hits, the Rockfish bite is off the table for a full month — and the summer won’t wait.
Book Your Trip at misssusiecharters.com