How many guests does The Bayside Escape sleep?

Up to 24 guests across 6 bedrooms and 5 queen sleeper sofas. Sleeping breakdown: 1 King, 4 Queens, 4 Twins, and 5 Queen sofa sleepers (all in the main house).

Is The Bayside Escape pet-friendly?

Up to 2 dogs, $150 per stay. No cats.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is at 4 PM and check-out is at 10 AM. Early check-in and late check-out are not available — back-to-back bookings require full turnaround time.

How do I book The Bayside Escape directly?

Book direct at thebaysideescape.com: there's no platform service fee, you earn 8% back in Bayside Rewards credit on every stay, and you deal with the owner directly.

What is the cancellation policy?

Full refund if you cancel 14 or more days before check-in. For a stay 14 or more days away, a 30% deposit is charged at booking and the remaining 70% balance is auto-charged 3 days before check-in; closer in, the stay is paid in full at booking. Inside the 14-day window, the booking is non-refundable.

Is parking available at The Bayside Escape?

Yes — the driveway accommodates 10 cars, including space for boat trailers.

What is the Flex Barn at The Bayside Escape?

The Flex Barn is a 1,600 sqft multi-use space included free with every booking. It features 16-ft ceilings, a 16-ft sliding barn door (drive-in capable), and rubber flooring. Perfect for yoga, corporate workshops, indoor games, movie nights, or gear storage. It is not a sleeping space — all sleeping is in the main house.

Blog/Booking a Fishing Charter from Hooper's Island: What to Expect

Local Guide6 min read· June 2026

Booking a Fishing Charter from Hooper's Island: What to Expect

If you're visiting and want to fish the Chesapeake without owning a boat or knowing the water, a charter is the easiest, most productive way to do it. You show up, the captain handles the rest, and you fish grounds it'd take years to learn on your own. Here's what to expect and how to plan it from Hooper's Island.

The Chesapeake Bay off Hooper's Island, prime charter fishing water

What a charter includes

A guided trip typically covers the boat, the rods and reels, tackle and bait, and — most valuable of all — the captain's local knowledge of where the fish are holding that day. Many charters also handle license coverage for passengers and will clean and bag your catch at the end. You generally bring your own food, drinks, sunscreen, and appropriate clothing. Confirm exactly what's included (and what's not) when you book, along with trip length, group size limits, and the cancellation/weather policy.

What you'll catch, by season

The target shifts through the year on the Chesapeake:

Rockfish (striped bass): the marquee fish, during Maryland's spring and fall harvest windows. The fall run is the one anglers plan around.
Summer panfish: white perch, croaker, and spot are abundant and a blast on light tackle — great for kids and casual anglers.
Blue crabs: not a charter target, but easy to pair a fishing day with crabbing from the shoreline across the road.

A good captain fishes for what's running and legal that week, so be flexible and trust their call on the target species.

Sunset over the water near Hooper's Island after a charter day

How to book — and book early

Local operators run guided trips out of the Hooper's Island area; one example is Sawyer Charters, a local outfit familiar with the lower Bay (reachable at (410) 397-3743). Whoever you choose, reserve ahead — the best captains fill up fast, especially on fall weekends during the rockfish run. Call to discuss availability, what's biting, trip length, and pricing, and lock it in before you finalize your travel dates if fishing is a priority. The Hoopersville Boat Ramp is about four minutes from the house, so meeting a charter or staging a trip is simple.

Fish at dawn, home for breakfast

The Bayside Escape sleeps 24 on the Chesapeake Bay in Fishing Creek, MD — minutes from the boat ramp, with a kitchen to cook the catch. Create a free account and get $100 toward your first direct booking.

Create account and claim $100 Check your dates

A few etiquette and prep tips

Be on time — charters launch early and the bite waits for no one.
Bring layers and soft-soled shoes, plus motion-sickness remedies if you're prone to it.
Listen to the captain and mate — they want you to catch fish and stay safe.
Tip the mate for good service, as you would a guide.
Have a plan for the catch — a cooler and a kitchen back at the house turn a good day into a great dinner.

Quick answers

Do I need a fishing license on a charter?

Often the charter's license covers passengers, but not always — confirm with your captain when you book. Anyone 16 or older fishing Maryland tidal waters otherwise needs a Maryland Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing License.

What will I catch out of Hooper's Island?

It depends on the season: rockfish (striped bass) during the spring and fall harvest windows, blue crabs and panfish like white perch, croaker, and spot in summer. Your captain will target whatever's running and legal that week.

When should I book a charter?

Book ahead — good captains fill up, especially on fall weekends during the rockfish run. Reserve before you finalize travel dates if a fishing day is important to the trip.

Charter details, contact information, and fishing regulations can change — confirm specifics directly with the operator and check current rules at dnr.maryland.gov before your trip.