Captain Alan Alexander of York River Charters grew up in Croaker on the York River. His earliest memories are of fishing with his father, a Navy man who himself was the son of a sailor. As a man, Alexander joined the Navy himself and saw the world before settling on the Outer Banks, where he continued his love of fishing.
When his father’s health deteriorated, the captain returned to Virginia, and he’s been here ever since. Nine years ago, he decided he might as well make a living out of the thing he loves most, and he started his charter boat business, providing private fishing and sightseeing charters out of York River Yacht Haven in Gloucester Point.
Alexander offers everything from a two-hour sightseeing cruise to an eight-hour fishing charter. He fishes by season, chasing the migrating species that work their way in and out of the Chesapeake Bay. He’ll even take his guests outside the bay when the spadefish or red drum are running. Night tours are not off the table.
“Current Addiction,” a 31-foot Shamrock open express sportfisher, is Alexander’s primary boat. He can carry up to six passengers, providing them with everything they need, including rods, reels, bait, tackle, and all the iced-down bottled water they can drink. His mate, “a Bull Island boy,” goes along, as well.
“Catchin’ Up II,” a 25’6” MayCraft, will carry four passengers, and Alexander mans that alone.
“The only thing a guest needs to bring is food and drink other than water and a gratuity for the mate, who works for tips,” said Alexander. The charter costs a flat rate based on the length of the trip, he said.
Charters are offered May through December. Alexander takes the winter off to teach at Chesapeake Marine Training Institute in Hayes.
Kayaking
In addition to charter cruises, York River Charters offers kayaking tours, guided by Alexander’s daughter, Shannon Alexander and, sometimes, Alexander himself. The tours are offered at various sites along the York River, including Gloucester, Mathews, James City and York counties. They’re also offered on the Eastern Shore. Shannon Alexander has a master’s degree in coastal zone management, said her father.
If someone books both a cruise and a kayak tour, they get a 10 percent discount off both, he said.
For more information, visit yorkriver.net.