Northampton County, VA · Chesapeake Bay
Cape Charles Town Pier
Town pier on the Eastern Shore side of the lower Chesapeake Bay. Free public access with views across the Bay. Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, and summer flounder are highlights in warm months; stripers in the fall run.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Summer Flounder — Drop everything — ideal day for Summer Flounder.
Best conditions of 7 species tracked at Cape Charles Town Pier.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30 AM | High | 2.3 ft |
| 11:31 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 6:02 PM | High | 3.1 ft |
Species at Cape Charles Town Pier
7 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Summer Flounder Drop everything — ideal day for Summer Flounder. In season 92/100
What's helping
- 75°F water — inside summer flounder's active range
- outgoing tide — summer flounder prefers outgoing tide
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Paralichthys dentatus — Locally called "fluke." Flatfish that ambushes bait off sandy and mixed bottom. Drifting bucktails tipped with Gulp! or live minnows through Ocean City and Chincoteague inlets is the classic method.
Prefers. Water 58–75°F (ideal 65°F) · outgoing tide · depth 10–100 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 16"
- Daily creel
- 4
Virginia tidal waters (lower Chesapeake Bay): 16 in (Jan 1–May 31) / 17.5 in (Jun 1–Dec 31), 4 per day. 4VAC20-620. Matches MD and DE coastwide ASMFC allocation, which is re-negotiated annually.
Source: Virginia tidal (VMRC) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#2 Cobia Cobia harvest is closed today. Out of season 90/100
Cobia is outside any documented open harvest period at this location. Check the state agency before fishing.
What's helping
- 75°F water — right in cobia's ideal range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Rachycentron canadum — Summer sight-casting target at channel markers, navigation buoys, and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Hard-fighting, eel-bodied predator — looks a bit like a shark from above. Cast bucktails or live eels to cruising fish; chunking at anchor over wrecks also works. VA is the mid-Atlantic hot spot for cobia.
Prefers. Water 68–85°F (ideal 76°F) · either tide · depth 10–80 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 43"
- Daily creel
- 1
Virginia tidal waters: 43-inch minimum total length. 1 fish per person, 2 fish per vessel (whichever is more restrictive). Open only June 15–September 20. Highly regulated ASMFC/SAFMC-managed species — annual possession cap also applies. VMRC regulation 4VAC20-510. Differs substantially from MD (also ASMFC-managed but MD season shorter).
Source: Virginia tidal (VMRC) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#3 Spotted Seatrout Spotted Seatrout targeting is prohibited today. No targeting 84/100
It is illegal to fish for Spotted Seatrout at this location today. Accidental catches must be released immediately.
What's helping
- 75°F water — right in spotted seatrout's ideal range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — spotted seatrout prefers incoming tide
About. Cynoscion nebulosus — Popularly called "speckled trout" or "specks." Summer-fall target in the lower Bay grass beds and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Topwater walkers at dawn and soft plastics on jigheads are standard.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–15 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 5
Virginia tidal waters: 14-inch minimum, 5 per day, with no more than 1 fish over 24 inches. CLOSED April 1–June 30, 2026 for the spawning run (new VMRC regulation effective March 31, 2026 — 4VAC20-280). Differs significantly from MD (no seasonal closure, 4/day, no "big fish" limit) and DE (12-inch min, no creel). Re-verify before April trips — the spring closure was added in response to stock concerns.
Source: Virginia tidal (VMRC) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#3 Spanish Mackerel Great day to fish for Spanish Mackerel. In season 84/100
What's helping
- 75°F water — right in spanish mackerel's ideal range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — spanish mackerel prefers incoming tide
About. Scomberomorus maculatus — Fast-running summer migrant. Runs the lower Chesapeake and VA Atlantic coast in schools from late June through September. Targeted by casting small metal jigs (Kastmaster, Hopkins) into busting fish, or trolling #1-#2 Clark spoons behind planers at 6-8 knots. Wire leaders not required — just use long-shank hooks and fluorocarbon.
Prefers. Water 65–82°F (ideal 74°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–40 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 15
Virginia tidal waters (lower Chesapeake Bay and tributaries): 14-inch minimum fork length, 15 per day. No closed season; Spanish mackerel are a summer-only fishery in practice. VMRC regulation 4VAC20-540.
Source: Virginia tidal (VMRC) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#3 Sheepshead Great day to fish for Sheepshead. In season 84/100
What's helping
- 75°F water — right in sheepshead's ideal range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — sheepshead prefers slack tide
About. Archosargus probatocephalus — Structure-oriented crustacean eater with famously human-like teeth. VA piers, jetties, and the rocks and pilings of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel are the classic targets. Fiddler crabs, sand fleas, or small pieces of shrimp on a knocker rig right against the structure. Expect to lose tackle.
Prefers. Water 60–82°F (ideal 72°F) · slack tide · depth 5–40 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 4
Virginia tidal waters: no minimum size (removed in a prior VMRC cycle). 4 fish per day. Open year-round; in practice the fishery is May through October. VMRC regulation 4VAC20-1110.
Source: Virginia tidal (VMRC) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#6 Bluefish Great day to fish for Bluefish. In season 72/100
What's helping
- 75°F water — inside bluefish's active range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — bluefish prefers incoming tide
About. Pomatomus saltatrix — Toothy, aggressive pelagic predator. "Snapper blues" invade the lower Bay and coastal bays in summer; bigger choppers along the Atlantic coast. Hits metal jigs, topwater, and cut bait savagely — wire leaders recommended.
Prefers. Water 60–80°F (ideal 70°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–50 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 5
Virginia tidal waters (lower Chesapeake Bay): no minimum size, 5 per person per day. VMRC regulation 4VAC20-450 (effective March 31, 2026). Slightly looser than MD (5/day private, 7/day for-hire, 8-inch min).
Source: Virginia tidal (VMRC) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#7 Striped Bass Marginal conditions for Striped Bass. In season 36/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 75°F water — above striped bass's active range (50–72°f) — fish move deep
- outgoing tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 19"
- Max size
- 24"
- Daily creel
- 1
Virginia Chesapeake Bay and tributaries (excluding the Potomac main stem, which is managed by PRFC). 19–24 inch slot, 1 fish per day. Two open windows: May 16–June 15 (4VAC20-252-80) and October 4–December 31 (4VAC20-252-90). All other dates are closed to striped bass harvest in tidal Bay waters. Virginia's spring opener is two weeks earlier than MD (May 16 vs. May 1 opener for MD). Potomac River tributaries follow the PRFC schedule — see PRFC block.
Source: Virginia tidal (VMRC) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
Location Info
Water Body
Chesapeake Bay
Access
Fishing pier
Jurisdiction
Virginia tidal (VMRC)
Coordinates
Notes
Free public pier. Anglers fishing from a VMRC-designated license-free public pier do not need a paid Virginia saltwater license, but a free Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) registration is required for ages 16+. Confirm Cape Charles' current designation with VMRC.
Local reports & rules for Cape Charles Town Pier: Virginia DWR fishing & regulations → · trout stocking schedule → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Cape Charles Town Pier?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Cape Charles Town Pier you need a Virginia saltwater recreational fishing license issued by VMRC, or a free Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) registration if otherwise exempt. See the agency's current rules: https://mrc.virginia.gov/regulations/recfish-licensing.shtm
What fish are commonly targeted at Cape Charles Town Pier?
Cape Charles Town Pier is listed on this site for 7 commonly-targeted species: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Spotted Seatrout, Summer Flounder, and 3 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Cape Charles Town Pier?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Cape Charles Town Pier against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Cape Charles Town Pier have?
Cape Charles Town Pier has a fishing pier — shore-only anglers can fish here without a boat. Free public pier. Anglers fishing from a VMRC-designated license-free public pier do not need a paid Virginia saltwater license, but a free Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) registration is required for ages 16+. Confirm Cape Charles' current designation with VMRC.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Cape Charles Town Pier?
Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) saltwater regulations apply at Cape Charles Town Pier. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Cape Charles Town Pier tidal water?
Yes. Cape Charles Town Pier sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.