This month we talk with Captain Rob Chestnut from Endless Summers Charters about some unique ways to enjoy angling on the Bay.
Q: You do a wide range of charters including fishing and “custom” charters. Can someone mix activities like visiting a port or restaurant with fishing? How flexible can you be when someone asks to do something special or unusual?
A: Very flexible. Many fishing charters operate on the Bay, but over the years, I’ve found that kids love seeing all the critters here. So I like creating an “Experience the Bay” charter. We have an oyster cage where we raise spat, and that becomes its own miniature ecosystem. When we pull that up we sometimes see eels, crabs, minnows, grass shrimp—all kinds of critters. Kids really enjoy getting to see the variety. We also can go out and pull crab traps, bottom fish for perch, or look for cownose rays and dolphins. We make it a very flexible charter focused on showing families all the life in the Bay.
We also do custom charters to explore some of the towns and restaurants around Annapolis. Kent Island and the West River are a short 30-minute ride or so, but we can make longer trips to check out sights and grab lunch in St. Michaels, Tilghman, and Rock Hall. All of these are great family day trips.
Q: When you do the fishing part, is it trolling, light tackle, or customer’s choice?
A: I really enjoy light tackle. I grew up fishing the Susquehanna flats on light tackle and when I moved to Annapolis 25 years ago, I could never get into using the heaving trolling rods and riding around in circles. Both ways can produce fish, but I think people really enjoy feeling the tug on the rod, and that initial bite. We spend most of our time live lining, bottom fishing, and casting.
Q: Tell us your personal favorite way to fish out on the Bay, and give FishTalk’s readers your three top tips for catching more fish.
A: My favorite way is light tackle jigging. My top tip would be to fish in low-light conditions, early in the morning, or just before sunset. I think there is a different appearance to our lures at those times. The second tip would be to fish moving current. For most fishing around here, it seems a slack current just does not produce. Finally, I would say take a kid fishing! You will quickly remember it’s not always about catching more fish or the biggest fish, it’s about passing it on to the next generation.
Q: What about your crabbing charters? Is that pulling pots, running a trot line, or either-or?
A: We can do a little bit of both. Running a trot line is a good time and very interactive. There will be plenty of action and a lot of misses with the net, but it’s fun watching the crabs ride up that line and maybe even a little more fun to joke with the friend that misses the big one.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your boat, and how or why it works out for such a diverse range of activities out on the Bay.
A: Endless Summer is a 2000 35 Markley built right up the road outside Baltimore. I bought her from her original family who loved her for all those years. She was repowered just a few years ago with a new Cummins, cruises along nicely, and is a good stable platform for all our charters. We dressed her up a little with new cushions and a makeover inside. We have an eye-catching table that was custom-made, too. She comfortably fits six passengers and can seamlessly switch from a fishing/crabbing machine to a beautiful Chesapeake classic for that sunset cruise.
Q: Open mic: tell everyone out there what we haven’t covered that you want to let them know.
A: Probably the main thing to share is that we want this to be a family fun charter. I’ve traveled a lot and fished a lot all over the world, and the most memorable times are when everyone is engaged—when the kids are having a good time. So sometimes that may mean spending a little more time bottom fishing and catching small fish, but keeping the action steady. It may mean a few extra snacks on the boat, or dipping a jellyfish or two to inspect. I love being on the Chesapeake, and want to share its mystery with everyone who steps aboard.
Thank you, Captain Rob! To find out more about Endless Summer Charters visit endlesssummerchartersmd.com, or call (410) 892-9199.