Chesapeake Bay Charter Fishing Report: Rockfish & Blue Catfish Are On Fire!
What a week on the water! If you have been waiting for the perfect time to book your Chesapeake Bay fishing charter, this is it. The bite has been red hot, and our boats have been coming back to the dock with coolers full and anglers grinning ear to ear.
This report breaks down exactly what Miss Susie Charters has been seeing across our two hottest departure points: Pasadena, MD and Fort Washington, MD. You will learn where the fish are biting, what our recent trips have produced, and which open dates you can still grab before they disappear.
Here is the quick version: quick limits of Striped Bass (Rockfish), followed by big numbers of Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish, trip after trip. We also have limited Rockfish harvest days left before the season closes, plus a heads-up on booking your late summer Solomons Island charter fishing trips and Chesapeake Bay cobia fishing charters Let’s dive in.
How Good Has the Rockfish and Blue Catfish Bite Been This Week?
Wacked & Stacked this AM! Quick Limit of Rockfish aka Striped Bass for 14 Passengers & then 74 Channel/Blue Catfish out of Pasadena, MD!
In one word: phenomenal. The past week delivered some of the most consistent action of the summer. Our captains have been putting groups on quick limits of Rockfish, then keeping the rods bent with hard-fighting catfish.
That one-two punch is exactly what makes a Chesapeake Bay charter so much fun right now. You get the thrill of light tackle stripers, then nonstop catfish action to fill the rest of the day.
The takeaway: Rockfish and Blue Catfish are both biting hard, and every trip has been sending anglers home happy.
Amazing fishing! Rockfish and Blue Catfish
What’s Happening on the Pasadena, MD Combo Trips?
Our light tackle combo trips out of Ventnor Marina in Pasadena have been on another level. We are blessed to consistently catch quick limits on Striped Bass, then land 35 to 75 Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish on every single trip.
A recent afternoon run was an absolute blast. The crew limited out on Rockfish fast, then switched gears and stacked up the catfish. That is the beauty of a combo trip: you never stop reeling.
Incredible afternoon! 50 plus Cats after a quick Limit on Stripers aka RockFish! Pasadena, MD on 🔥!!!!!
Big Numbers! Catching our Limits on Rockfish then Unlimited Blue Catfish
The Pasadena action has been perfect for larger groups too. Check out these recent hauls:
- 12-person morning trip: A full limit of Rockfish, 43 Blue Catfish, and White Perch mixed in.
- 14-passenger trip: A quick limit of Rockfish, then 74 Channel and Blue Catfish.
- Another combo run: Quick limit on Stripers, then 54 catfish landed.
- One “spicy” morning: 50-plus catfish after a fast Rockfish limit.
The takeaway: Pasadena is producing consistent Rockfish limits plus huge catfish numbers!
What About the Blue Catfish Bite at Fort Washington, MD?
Giiiiaaaant BlueCatfish! Miss Susie III out of Fort Washington, MD lands a monster this AM! Wow! What a fight!
Welcome to the Land of Blue Catfish. The bite out of Fort Washington has been very spicy, and our crew has been staying right on top of them all week.
On July 8, Miss Susie III landed a true giant Blue Catfish out of Fort Washington. What a fight! These river monsters pull hard and test your strength all the way to the boat.
Because Blue Catfish are an invasive species, there are no size or bag limits. You can keep every fish you catch. And with the bite running this hot, that can mean an incredible day on the water against the scenic backdrop of Historic Fort Washington and Mount Vernon.
One recent trip produced a jaw-dropping mixed bag: a limit of Rockfish, 3 Blue Catfish, 28 Channel Catfish, and 198 White Perch. That is a legendary day of rod-bending fun.
The takeaway: The Fort Washington Blue Catfish bite is on fire, with big fish and big numbers rolling in daily.
Which Open Dates Can You Still Book?
Prime dates are filling fast, but we have a few openings left. If you want in, now is the time to call.
Pasadena, MD:
- Sunday, July 12 — 5:00 AM to 10:30 AM aboard Miss Susie IV. We will chase Stripers first, then catfish. Available as a walk-on/mixed group trip or a full private charter (whichever fills first).
Fort Washington, MD (Land of Blue Catfish):
- July 15 at 11:30 AM
- July 17 at 5:30 AM
These are the only two dates left open at Fort Washington for the next 11 days. Book them as a full private charter or a walk-on/mixed group trip, whichever fills first.
The takeaway: Only a handful of spots remain this week, so lock in your date before someone else does.
Why Should You Book Your Rockfish Trip Now?
Here is the hard deadline: under Maryland DNR 2026 regulations, Rockfish harvest season runs through July 31. After that, all of August is closed to targeting Striped Bass. No exceptions.
That means you have very few days left to enjoy summer Rockfish action and bring home a legal keeper. Once August 1 arrives, you will wait until September to target stripers again.
The good news? Our combo trips let you catch a quick Rockfish limit and then keep the action going with catfish. You get the best of both worlds while the season is still open.
The takeaway: The Rockfish window closes July 31, so book now to fish stripers before the August shutdown.
Ready to Plan Your Late Summer Adventure?
Looking ahead, now is the perfect time to book your late summer Solomons Island trips. From August 7 through early October, we target some of the most exciting fish in the Chesapeake Bay.
Out of Harbor Island Marina in Solomons Island, MD, we chase:
- Spanish Mackerel — fast, aggressive, and delicious
- Big Bluefish — fierce strikes and hard fights
- Cobia — one of the most powerful game fish in the Bay
- Red Drum — raw pulling power that tests any angler
These trips book up quickly, especially on weekends. Reserve your spot early to get the date you want. Learn more and plan your trip on our Solomons Island fishing charters page.
The takeaway: Late summer means trophy species out of Solomons Island, and early booking secures your ideal date.
Book Your Chesapeake Bay Charter Today
The bite is hot, the fish are biting, and the calendar is filling up fast. Whether you want quick Rockfish limits and big catfish numbers out of Pasadena, the incredible Blue Catfish action at Fort Washington, or a late summer trophy trip from Solomons Island, we have you covered.
Remember, Rockfish harvest closes July 31, and all of August is closed. If chasing stripers is on your list, the clock is ticking.
Book Chesapeake Bay cobia fishing charters
Grab your crew, pick your date, and let our expert captains put you right on the fish. Contact Miss Susie Charters today to check availability and lock in your trip. We will be where the fish are—come join us!
