Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Charters Report: Over-Slots & 225 Perch
The wind machine finally shut off, and the fall bite in the upper Bay took off with it. This week brought some of our best Chesapeake Bay Charter Fishing for Rockfish aka Striped Bass of the season. We saw over-slot fish nearly every day, a light tackle live lining bite that was on fire, and one afternoon with 225 White Perch hitting the deck.
Calm seas, cooler water, and stacked fish make this the stretch of fall we wait for all year. And there’s a seat open for you this weekend. Miss Susie II is now fully available Saturday, October 31 at 12:00 PM out of Ventnor Marina in Pasadena, MD, as a Mixed Group or Full Private Charter, whichever fills first.
Here’s the quick version:
- Oct 24: The wind quit, and nice over-slot Rockfish came over the rail
- Oct 25: Sea State 0–1 with fabulous light tackle Rockfish and White Perch fishing
- Oct 26: Live lining on fire with several over-slots, then off to the White Perch hole
- Oct 27: Miss Susie III kept the Blue Catfish bite rolling in Fort Washington, MD
- Oct 28: 225 White Perch caught, 172 kept, and a phenomenal Striper bite
- Oct 29: Another incredible light tackle afternoon
- Sat, Oct 31 at 12:00 PM: Miss Susie II is open for a Mixed Group or Full Private Charter
Grab the Saturday, Oct 31 trip aboard Miss Susie II →
How Was Fishing This Past Week?
In one word: dialed. Last week we fought wind almost every morning and still caught fish. This week the Bay laid down flat, the water kept cooling, and the Rockfish and White Perch grouped up and started feeding hard.
Every trip out of Pasadena produced. Here’s the day-by-day breakdown.
October 24: The Wind Machine Turns Off
Finally! The wind laid down, and the light tackle bite turned on right away. The morning crew landed some really nice “overs,” meaning Rockfish above the keeper slot. Those big fish give you a great fight and then go back to the Bay to grow even bigger.
The afternoon trip followed up with very good fishing of its own. After a windy stretch, it felt great to fish the way fall is supposed to fish.
October 25: Sea State 0 to 1 and Fabulous Fishing
You couldn’t ask for better conditions. We had a Sea State of 0 to 1, which is very, very calm. The Bay looked like glass.
Rockfish and White Perch were both biting on light tackle, and our crew enjoyed some fabulous fishing from start to finish. Calm days like this are perfect for families, first-timers, and anyone who worries about a bumpy ride.
October 26: Live Lining on Fire With Several Over-Slots
The light tackle live lining bite was on fire this afternoon. Rods doubled over, drags sang, and several over-slot Stripers mixed in with the keepers.
Once the Rockfish part of the day was handled, we pulled up and headed straight to the White Perch hole. That’s the beauty of the combo trip. The action doesn’t stop when the Stripers are done.
October 27: Blue Catfish Keep Biting in Fort Washington
Down on the Upper Tidal Potomac, Miss Susie III had another very good stretch. The Blue Catfish bite has been strong for the last several days, with steady action in calm, protected water out of Fort Washington, MD.
October 28: 225 White Perch and a Phenomenal Striper Bite
What an afternoon! We had incredible light tackle fishing, and the White Perch came over the side nonstop. Our crew caught 225 White Perch. They cleaned up 172 for dinner and sent the other 53 back to grow up.
The live lining bite on the Stripers was phenomenal too. Our second boat also had a really good live lining afternoon on the Rockfish, with fat, tasty White Perch nibbling along on the bottom.
White Perch have no size or creel limits, so you can keep every one. Our crews still like to let the little ones go and keep the eaters. That’s how you end up with a cooler full of thick fillets.
October 29: Another Incredible Light Tackle Afternoon
We closed out the week with another incredible light tackle afternoon out of Pasadena, MD. The fish are schooled up, they’re eating, and the forecast keeps cooperating.
That’s also when Miss Susie II opened up for Saturday, October 31 at 12:00 PM. Read on for the details.
The takeaway: Calm seas, over-slot Stripers, and triple-digit White Perch catches. The fall bite out of Pasadena is as good as it gets right now.
Open This Saturday: Miss Susie II, Oct 31 at 12:00 PM
This is your shot to get in on the hottest stretch of the fall. Miss Susie II is fully available for an afternoon of light tackle fishing for Rockfish and White Perch.
- Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Departure: 12:00 PM
- Marina: Ventnor Marina, 8070 Ventnor Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122
- Boat: Miss Susie II
- Target species: Rockfish aka Striped Bass, then White Perch
- Trip type: Mixed Group or Full Private Charter, whichever fills first
Fishing solo or with a buddy? Join the mixed group and share the boat with other anglers. Have a crew of your own? Book the whole boat as a private charter. Either way, the first booking sets the trip, so don’t wait.
It’s Halloween, too. Spend the afternoon reeling in Stripers, and you’ll be home with fillets in hand and stories that beat any costume.
Choose this if: you want to fish the peak fall bite without planning weeks ahead.
Do this next: call Captain Greg at 1-301-873-1327 or contact us online to lock it in.
Chesapeake Bay Charter Fishing for Rockfish aka Striped Bass
Late October is prime time for Rockfish in the upper Bay. As the water cools, Striped Bass push bait along channel edges, points, and structure. They feed hard to bulk up for winter. This week proved it, with over-slot fish showing up on almost every trip.
Last year, late October and early November gave us epic fishing for both species. This fall is following the same script.
How Light Tackle Live Lining Rockfish Works
Light tackle live lining means fishing a live Spot on a light rod with little or no weight. The bait swims naturally, and Rockfish can’t leave it alone.
- We find the fish. Our Humminbird Apex 13 SideScan shows Rockfish, bait, and structure off both sides of the boat.
- We hold the boat on them. Our Minn Kota Instinct Riptide Quest trolling motor keeps us in the strike zone without spooking the school.
- You drop the bait. Your mate hooks the Spot and coaches you through the bite.
- The line starts peeling. Let the fish run, set the hook, and hang on.
We fish for keepers until your group reaches its legal limit under current Maryland regulations. Over-slot fish are released. Your captain handles the rules, and you handle the reeling.
Why Anglers Love Light Tackle Stripers
- Every fish fights harder on light rods and line
- Over-slot fish give you the battle of the day
- Beginners learn fast with a mate right beside them
- The fillets are excellent, flaky and mild, whether grilled, baked, or fried
Want to learn about all the ways we chase Stripers from spring through fall? Visit our Chesapeake Bay Rockfish Charters page.
Chesapeake Bay Charter Fishing for White Perch
Once the Rockfish are handled, we head to the White Perch hole and switch to bottom rigs. This is where the cooler really fills up.
White Perch have no size or creel limits. Every fish you want to keep can go home with you. With 225 Perch caught in one afternoon this week, that adds up fast.
Why the White Perch Bite Is So Much Fun
- Two at a time on two-hook rigs happens all afternoon
- Fast, steady bites keep kids and first-timers busy
- Fat fall fish give you thick, sweet fillets
- No limits means your fish fry is covered for weeks
If you’re torn between a “big fish” trip and an “action” trip, you don’t have to pick. The Rockfish & White Perch combo gives you both in one day.
Why Pasadena MD Rockfish Charters Are Firing Right Now
We run by one simple motto: “We will be where the fish are!” Right now, the fish are in the upper Bay, and so are we.
Fishing out of Ventnor Marina puts us close to productive Rockfish and White Perch water. That means less time riding and more time catching. Pasadena is also an easy drive from Annapolis, Baltimore, and the rest of Anne Arundel County.
Our Pasadena trips run into mid-November. After that, we follow the fish south to Harbor Island Marina in Solomons, MD through December 5. If you want to fish the upper Bay this fall, the window is now.
Rockfish & White Perch Combo Charter Details
| Detail | Info |
| Season | October 15 – December 5 |
| Current location | Ventnor Marina, Pasadena, MD |
| Late-season location | Harbor Island Marina, Solomons, MD |
| Boats | Miss Susie II and Miss Susie IV |
| Step 1 | Light tackle live lining for Rockfish with live Spot |
| Step 2 | Bottom fishing for White Perch, no size or creel limits |
For the full season breakdown, read our guide to Chesapeake Bay Rockfish & White Perch Combo Charters starting Oct 15, or visit our Rockfish & White Perch Fishing page.
Blue Catfish Still Biting in Fort Washington
Miss Susie III continues to produce very good Blue Catfish action on the Upper Tidal Potomac out of Fort Washington, MD. The water is calm and protected, which makes it a great pick for families and anyone who prefers a smooth ride. Blue Catfish trips run through Thanksgiving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid This Fall
- Waiting for next week. Late October and early November is peak time, and open dates like Saturday’s go fast.
- Underdressing. Even calm afternoons cool off quickly on the water. Bring layers and a windbreaker.
- Skimping on cooler space. With no creel limit on White Perch, a 225-fish day needs room.
- Skipping a mixed group trip. No full crew? A mixed group seat gets you on the water without booking the whole boat.
- Not sharing your goal. Want more Striper time or more Perch time? Tell us, and we’ll plan the day around it.
Book Your Rockfish & White Perch Trip Today
Here’s the recap:
- Over-slot Rockfish showed up nearly every day out of Pasadena.
- Light tackle live lining for Stripers was on fire all week.
- White Perch are thick, with 225 caught in a single afternoon.
- Calm seas have replaced the wind, and the water keeps cooling.
- Miss Susie II is open Saturday, Oct 31 at 12:00 PM, Mixed Group or Full Private, whichever fills first.
The fish are schooled, the weather is on our side, and the upper Bay window won’t stay open forever. Grab Saturday’s trip or pick your own date. We’ll put you on the Stripers first and a cooler full of White Perch second.
Reserve your Rockfish & White Perch Combo Charter now →
You can also see all available dates and rates, call Captain Greg at 1-301-873-1327, or contact us online. We’ll be where the fish are. Come join us!
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Rockfish bite in Pasadena, MD right now?
It’s excellent. From October 24 to 29, every trip produced Rockfish on light tackle, with several over-slot fish mixed in. Calm seas and cooling water have the fish schooled and feeding hard.
How do I book the Saturday, October 31 trip?
Call Captain Greg at 1-301-873-1327 or contact us online. Miss Susie II departs Ventnor Marina in Pasadena, MD at 12:00 PM. The trip will run as a Mixed Group or Full Private Charter, whichever fills first.
What is an over-slot Rockfish?
Maryland uses a slot limit for Rockfish. Over-slot fish are larger than the legal keeper range, so we release them after the fight. Catching overs means plenty of big, healthy Stripers are in the area.
What is light tackle live lining for Rockfish?
Live lining means fishing a live Spot on a light rod with little or no weight. The bait swims naturally, and Rockfish strike it hard. Light tackle makes every fight more exciting.
Are there limits on White Perch?
No. White Perch have no size or creel limits, so you can keep as many as you like. On October 28, our crew caught 225 and kept 172 for dinner.
Is Rockfish the same as Striped Bass?
Yes. On the Chesapeake Bay, Striped Bass are commonly called Rockfish. They’re the same fish.
How much does a Rockfish & White Perch combo charter cost?
The 6-hour morning charter is $900 for the first 6 passengers, plus $110 per additional passenger.
How long will Pasadena MD Rockfish charters run?
Pasadena trips run into mid-November. Then we move south to Harbor Island Marina in Solomons, MD, and fish there through December 5.
Is the combo trip good for kids and beginners?
Absolutely. Our captains and mates coach every angler, and the steady White Perch bite keeps kids and first-timers busy all afternoon.
