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Charter
Schedule A Trip
Reserve a charter between May 16th and December 10th.
Call Captain Don at 240-876-6079 or Schedule A Trip Online!
Evening cruises and other special trips can be negotiated; contact the Captain for more details.
Arrive
Board the Hot Pursuit, docked at the Anchor Yacht Basin (1048 Turkey Point Rd, Edgewater, MD). During the summer months we may depart from Geisler Point Marina 7831 SW Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122. Be sure the check with Captain Don prior to your charter.
All you need to bring is your hat, sunglasses, food, and drink. We will provide you with all of the licenses and gear that you will need. Responsible alcohol consumption is permitted. Smoking is allowed in outdoor spaces on the vessel.
Ride Out
Sit back and enjoy the ride to the fishing grounds. Captain Don will carefully select a location based on his experience, knowledge, and network. This cruise typically takes 20 to 60 minutes.
Set the Lines
We employ a fishing method to give you the best opportunity for success. See “Seasons” section for information on when different fishing methods are used.
Enjoy the Fight
Hook a big one and battle him to the boat. The crew will coach you through every step.
Repeat
Reset and try to land another.
Head Home
Relax and enjoy your ride home. This ride is usually 20 to 60 minutes.
Walk Off
Leave with your catch and a smile. We’ll handle all of the boat’s cleanup.
Crew
Captain Don
Don has been sportfishing the Chesapeake Bay for over 30 years. As a retired police commander, Don knows how to lead a crew and make tough decisions. This experienced and well-respected captain has a reputation for perseverance and customer service. In fishing, there is never a guarantee for success, but this captain rarely disappoints his customers.
Madie
Madie, Don’s wife of over 25 years, serves as a Hot Pursuit first mate. Madie founded a daycare business which she ran for 15 years. Now retired from daycare, she is a personal trainer whenever she is not on the water.
Spiro
Captain Spiro is a lifelong resident of Maryland. He is an avid outdoorsman and has been fishing the Chesapeake Bay for all his adult life. He has been fishing with Captain Don along with other charter captains on the bay for many years. He will work as a mate or Captain when Don takes a day off. Spiro is all about providing an excellent experience and will put all of his knowledge and experience to work for you.
Reviews
A great day on the water! Don and Madie were clear and patient in teaching me how to land a trophy rockfish.
John Cuenca
My family and I have fished several times with Captain Don. We have always had a great time while also catching our limit of Rockfish. Captain Don is experienced, knowledgeable, helpful and very accommodating to whatever needs you may have. I highly recommend him and his crew. I would definitely book a charter with him in the future.
The Brian Bergmann Family
Boat
Comfortable and Spacious
At 46′ x 14′, the deck and cabin leave room to breath
Climb Up
Your Playlist
Play your favorite music through our stereo system
Bathroom
Clean and private
Pricing
We accept cash, credit, Venmo, and checks.
$700 (6-hour trip) and $825 (8-hour trip) are the minimum base fares. They cover the fares for 6 passengers. These prices will not be adjusted for groups of fewer than 6 passengers. $85/person is added to the base fare for each person over 6. (Please note that there is an 8 person minimum for Saturday and Sunday charters).
Customers are responsible for organizing their group, and there will only be one group on the boat per trip.
The mate works for tips and a 20% tip is customary.
Recommended group size: 8-12 people. Larger groups can be accommodated after contacting Captain Don.
Fish cleaning charges depend on the type and number of fish we catch. For example, the cleaning charge is $5/fish for large rockfish and $2.50/fish for smaller rockfish. Due to time constraints, we are not able to clean bottom fish such as perch and spot.
Bottom fishing trips may incur an additional bait charge.
Evening Cruises/Bachelor-Bachelerette Party:
Enjoy an afternoon or evening cruise on the Chesapeake. We can make arrangements to transport you to a restaurant or local bar. Another option is to have the event catered with your favorite food and drink.
For up to 10 people: $400 for 2 hours, $525 for 3 hours, $650 for 4 hours.
Additional passengers are $30 per person (up to 32 total passengers).
A trip can be reserved with a $200 deposit.
Reserve Your Trip Now
Seasons
May 16th to July 15th, August 1st to December 10th:
Regular Season for Rockfish
Other species (Bluefish, Spot, Perch, Spanish Mackerel) begin to come available as well
Bag Limit:
To be determined
Fishing Method:
May 16th to Mid-June:
Trolling
Mid-June to Mid-October:
Trolling, Live-lining/Chumming (Crew sets fishing lines around the boat. Customers hook and battle the fish to the boat).
We select a fishing method based on customer preference and what methods are working best.
Mid-October to December:
Trolling
*NOTE: departure location may change
Book/Contact
Schedule A Trip Online!
Call Captain Don at 240-876-6079 or email him at captdonj@gmail.com to ask a question or to book a trip.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations made 14 days in advance of the trip will receive a 100% refund (minus processing fee). Cancellations made within 14 days of the trip will not be refunded (unless canceled by the captain due to weather).
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FAQ
What if I have less than 6 people?
Our charter rates start at $700 for up to 6 people. If you have fewer people you will still need to pay the entire minimum rate of $700. We do not add people to scheduled charters.
What will we be fishing for?
Rockfish (striped bass) is the primary species that we target. Sometimes there are other species to catch, such as perch, spot, catfish, Spanish mackerel and bluefish (depending on the time of year and availability). You should confirm with the captain prior to the trip what fish are available.
What do we do if we catch our limit of rockfish?
If we are fortunate enough to catch our limit of rockfish, we can target other species (if they are available) or return to the dock. At certain times of the year, rockfish is the only fish that is available. We DO NOT catch and release rockfish or throw back smaller fish to keep larger ones.
How many people can go on a charter?
While the boat is certified for 32 passengers, we recommend keeping the group size smaller for fishing trips. The ideal size for a charter is between 8-12. Larger groups are certainly welcome but everyone will have to cooperate. Sometimes it is more effective to use fewer lines to avoid tangles, thereby catching more fish. If everyone wants to hold a rod at the same time, the group size will need to be smaller. This is something that should be discussed prior to booking your trip.
What should we bring?
Each passenger should bring their food and drink for the day and a 20% tip for the mate. We have several large coolers with ice on the boat. We like to avoid having too many coolers on the boat as they take up a lot of space. If you bring your own coolers, please consolidate. We will provide all tackle, bait, and licenses. There is no need to bring any personal fishing equipment.
Can we keep what we catch?
Absolutely, as long as it is a legal fish it can be kept. Fish cleaning for rockfish will be available for a reasonable fee. We are not able to clean large amounts of bottom fish such as perch and spot (unless previous arrangements have been made with the captain) as it is very time-consuming.
What if inclement weather is predicted?
Captain Don keeps a close eye on the weather and will not take you out if the situation is dangerous. If bad weather is predicted we will discuss our options prior to the charter. Captain Don will make the final decision. In the event the decision is made to cancel the charter you will have the choice to reschedule without penalty or receive a refund.
Can we bring alcoholic beverages on the boat?
Yes, responsible and legal alcohol consumption is permitted. However intoxicated, obnoxious, or any illegal behavior will not be tolerated and will cause a forfeiture of the charter without refund. We want everyone to have a great time but must remain committed to safety.
Can we use marijuana on the boat?
No marijuana products are allowed on the boat. The coast guard does not allow any products such as marijuana on the boat, even if you are approved for medicinal use. The captain and crew are subject to random testing for all drugs.