Patriot Fishing Charters is a veteran owned, operated, and captained Striper fishing charter based on Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. What began as an Army veteran’s pastime turned into an experience shared with locals and visitors, led by Captain John Mathena, a licensed USCG Master Captain who has fished lakes across West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee since childhood, an appreciation passed down from his own father.
Since moving to the Roanoke/Smith Mountain Lake area, Captain John has become known not just for great catches, but for genuinely memorable experiences on the water. The business runs a dedicated Take A Vet Fishing program, giving back to fellow veterans through the sport that started it all. Beyond Smith Mountain Lake striper trips, Patriot Fishing Charters also runs limited seasonal Chesapeake Bay charters out of Cape Charles, targeting catch-and-release Rockfish.
Half-day trips on Smith Mountain Lake run $500, accommodating up to 4 anglers, with instant online booking available. Chesapeake Bay trips out of Cape Charles are seasonal and limited — contact the business directly for availability and pricing. The business is well-connected locally, backed by sponsors including Magnum Point Marina (a full-service marina and restaurant), Rock Creek Planer Boards, Stripex (the official rod provider), Lee Fisher Fishing Supply, Simms, Ohero, Cisco Fishing Systems, and SEiGLER Fishing Reels.
With 71 five-star reviews, Patriot Fishing Charters has built an outstanding local reputation for putting anglers on trophy Smith Mountain Lake striper using top-tier gear and years of hands-on experience.
For anglers looking for a highly reviewed, veteran-owned striper fishing charter on Smith Mountain Lake, or a seasonal Chesapeake Bay rockfish trip out of Cape Charles, Patriot Fishing Charters offers an outstanding experience with Captain John Mathena.
