Episodes

  • Chesapeake Bay Fishing Forecast: Rockfish, Trout, and More Biting in November

    Chesapeake Bay Fishing Forecast: Rockfish, Trout, and More Biting in November
    Nov 2 2024
    As of November 2, 2024, the Chesapeake Bay is offering some exceptional fishing opportunities, especially with the cooler weather setting in. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

    ### Conditions
    The sunrise today is at 6:34 AM, and sunset will be at 4:53 PM. The tidal cycle shows high tide at 9:17 AM and low tide at 3:04 PM, with moderate tidal currents expected throughout the day. Weather conditions are favorable, with clear skies, light winds, and temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to mid-60s.

    ### Fish Activity
    November has become a prime month for fishing in the Chesapeake Bay, with a wide variety of species actively biting. Yesterday saw good action on rockfish, redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and sea bass. The rockfish bite has been particularly strong, especially in the lower Bay areas.

    ### Catch Reports
    Anglers reported catching a mix of rockfish, with some quality fish being landed. Speckled trout and puppy drum are also actively biting inside Lynnhaven Inlet and other tributaries. Flounder and sea bass are being caught using traditional baits like squid and clams, as well as by jigging with butterfly jigs.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For rockfish, using topwater plugs and subsurface plugs like Rapala X-Raps is highly effective, especially around structures like the Bay Bridge and Poplar Island. For speckled trout and drum, jerkbaits and Mirr-o-lures work well, while topwater baits are excellent for enticing these species. Fresh shrimp is currently the bait of choice for many species, including flounder and sea bass. Standard two-wire bottom rigs baited with bloodworms, fishbites, and shrimp are also proving effective.

    ### Hot Spots
    - **Poplar Island**: Early morning fishing around the rocks here can yield some great rockfish catches.
    - **Bay Bridge**: The eastern side of the bridge in 10 to 30 feet of water is a hotspot for striped bass, especially when live-lining spot around the pilings.
    - **Lynnhaven Inlet**: This area is bustling with speckled trout and puppy drum activity.
    - **Lower Potomac River**: Just north of Point Lookout and Tangier Sound, this area is good for catching small spot, croakers, and other species.

    With these conditions and strategies, you should be well-equipped for a productive and enjoyable day of fishing on the Chesapeake Bay. Tight lines
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    3 mins
  • Chesapeake Bay's November Fishing Bonanza: Stripers, Trout, Drum, and More

    Chesapeake Bay's November Fishing Bonanza: Stripers, Trout, Drum, and More
    Nov 1 2024
    As we step into November, the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia is offering some exciting fishing opportunities. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect today.

    ### Weather and Tides
    The weather is looking pleasant with partly cloudy skies and a high of around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The tides are crucial, and today you can expect a high tide at approximately 10:30 AM and a low tide at around 4:30 PM. These tidal changes can significantly affect fish activity.

    ### Sunrise and Sunset
    Sunrise is at 6:54 AM, and sunset will be at 5:04 PM, giving you ample daylight to cast your lines.

    ### Fish Activity
    October's vibrant fall fishing season is still in full swing, and November is expected to continue this trend. Striped bass, which reopened on October 4th, are actively biting in the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Speckled trout and puppy drum are also highly active, particularly inside Lynnhaven Inlet. Flounder fishing has been yielding good results, and sheepshead, tautog, and red drum are abundant around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel area.

    ### Catches
    Yesterday, anglers reported catching a mix of striped bass, speckled trout, puppy drum, and flounder. The Virginia Beach Pier was a hotspot, with catches including puppy drum, trout, spot, small croaker, and flounder.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For those using lures, jigs with paddle tails or popping corks with shrimp lures are excellent options. Jerkbaits and Mirr-o-lures are often the top choice for enticing trout, drum, and rockfish. Topwater baits are also highly effective for these species.

    When it comes to bait, fresh shrimp is currently the bait of choice, especially when used on standard two-wire bottom rigs. Bloodworms, fishbites, and shrimp are also popular and effective.

    ### Hot Spots
    The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel area remains a hotspot for diversity in catches, with sheepshead, tautog, flounder, and red drum being common. Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle reports indicate that Lynnhaven Inlet is a prime spot for speckled trout and puppy drum. The Virginia Beach Pier is another great location, offering a variety of species.

    Whether you're targeting the surf along Sandbridge for larger red drum or exploring the deeper waters for sea bass, tilefish, and other deep-sea species, the Chesapeake Bay has something for every angler this November. Tight lines
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    3 mins
  • Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Stripers, Catfish, and More on October 31st

    Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Stripers, Catfish, and More on October 31st
    Oct 31 2024
    As we head out onto the Chesapeake Bay today, October 31st, the conditions are looking promising for a productive day of fishing. The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a gentle breeze, making it ideal for being on the water.

    Tides are moderate, with high tide around 8:30 AM and low tide at 2:30 PM, which suggests the early morning and late afternoon will be the best times to cast your line. Sunrise is at 7:24 AM, and sunset will be at 5:53 PM, giving you ample daylight to find your favorite fishing spots.

    Fish activity has been robust in the Bay lately. Yesterday, anglers reported a good bite for striped bass, particularly around the Conowingo Dam and the Susquehanna Flats. Schoolie striped bass have been hanging around the Turkey Point area, with fish caught in 10 to 20 feet of water while drifting and jigging metal spoons. The Conowingo Dam pool has also been a reliable location, especially when water is being released from the dam. Anglers casting far out into the current with lures like soft plastics and crankbaits have had good success.

    In addition to striped bass, blue catfish have been very active, with big blues biting along the main channel edges and in deeper holes. The mouths of the tidal rivers, such as the Susquehanna River, have been hotspots for both striped bass and blue catfish. Fish finder rigs baited with fresh cut shad, bunker, and eel have been working well for these bottom feeders.

    For those targeting other species, speckled trout and puppy drum are actively biting inside Lynnhaven Inlet, and standard two-wire bottom rigs baited with fresh shrimp have been effective. Jigs with paddle tails or popping corks with shrimp lures are also excellent options, especially when targeting grass beds, rocks, and structures like piers or pilings.

    If you're looking for hot spots, consider the Conowingo Dam and the Susquehanna Flats for striped bass and blue catfish. For a mix of species including trout and drum, Lynnhaven Inlet is a great choice. Don't forget to check the fishing regulations before you head out, and make sure you're well-prepared with the right gear and bait for a successful day on the water. Tight lines
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    3 mins
  • Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Trout, Drum, and Stripers Biting Strong on October 27, 2024

    Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Trout, Drum, and Stripers Biting Strong on October 27, 2024
    Oct 27 2024
    As of October 27, 2024, the Chesapeake Bay is buzzing with activity for anglers. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

    ### Conditions
    - **Tide:** Expect a high tide around 9:30 AM and a low tide at 3:30 PM, with moderate tidal currents.
    - **Weather:** Today will be partly cloudy with a high of 68°F and a low of 50°F, making it a comfortable day for fishing.
    - **Sunrise and Sunset:** Sunrise is at 7:23 AM, and sunset will be at 5:53 PM, giving you ample daylight to fish.

    ### Fish Activity
    The waters are teeming with a variety of species. Speckled trout, puppy drum, flounder, and striped bass are all active and biting. Large red drum are still schooling in the lower bays, particularly in the warm waters around the 70-degree mark. Sheephead are holding onto structures within the rivers and at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT).

    ### Catch Reports
    Yesterday saw a strong catch of speckled trout in the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) area, as well as in the Elizabeth, York, Piankatank, and Rappahannock rivers. Anglers also reported good numbers of flounder around the HRBT and CBBT. Striped bass, with the new season regulations in place (slot limit of 19-24 inches and one fish per person per day), were consistently caught at nighttime around lighted docks and along the HRBT and CBBT.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For speckled trout, popping corks, swim baits, topwater baits, and live bait have been highly effective. Red drum are liking flashy lures such as Tony Aceta spoons or Z-Man spinners, and popping corks are also working well. For striped bass, nighttime fishing around lighted docks with live bait or lures that imitate bait fish is recommended.

    ### Hot Spots
    - **Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT):** This area is a hotspot for speckled trout, flounder, and striped bass.
    - **Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT):** Known for its structure, this area is great for catching sheephead, flounder, and striped bass.
    - **Lower Potomac and Tributaries:** These areas are productive for rockfish, redfish, speckled trout, and flounder, especially in the shallows.

    With these conditions and tips, you’re set for a rewarding day of fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. Remember to check the latest regulations and enjoy your time on the water
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    3 mins
  • Chesapeake Bay Fishing Forecast: Stripers, Trout, and More Biting on the Bay

    Chesapeake Bay Fishing Forecast: Stripers, Trout, and More Biting on the Bay
    Oct 26 2024
    As of October 26, 2024, the Chesapeake Bay is buzzing with activity, making it a great time to get out on the water. Here’s what you need to know:

    **Weather and Tides:**
    The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the mid-60s, perfect for a day of fishing. Tides are moderate, with high tide around 9:30 AM and low tide around 3:30 PM, which should provide good conditions for both shallow and deep water fishing.

    **Sunrise and Sunset:**
    Sunrise is at 7:24 AM, and sunset is at 6:04 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to fish your favorite spots.

    **Fish Activity:**
    Yesterday saw a lot of action across the Bay. Striped bass, also known as rockfish, were active in several areas. Anglers reported good catches at the Conowingo Dam pool and the lower Susquehanna River, where water temperatures have dropped into the low 60s. The mouth of the Patapsco River and the inner harbor around Baltimore were also hot spots, with fish biting on umbrella rigs and soft plastics.

    In the lower Bay, speckled trout and puppy drum were biting well inside Lynnhaven Inlet. Striped bass, bluefish, and flounder were also active, with many anglers using standard two-wire bottom rigs baited with fresh shrimp or jigs with paddle tails.

    **Best Lures and Bait:**
    For striped bass, using eels or soft plastics like 5-inch diesel minnows on jig heads has been very effective. Popping corks with shrimp lures and topwater baits like twitch baits are also working well, especially around structure and shallow waters.

    For speckled trout and puppy drum, jerkbaits and Mirr-o-lures are top choices. Fresh shrimp and bloodworms on two-wire bottom rigs are also producing good results.

    **Hot Spots:**
    - The mouth of the Patapsco River: This area is seeing a lot of striped bass action, especially with umbrella rigs and soft plastics.
    - Lynnhaven Inlet: This is a great spot for speckled trout and puppy drum, using jerkbaits and fresh shrimp.
    - The inner harbor around Baltimore: Structure like piers and pilings are attracting striped bass and other species.
    - The lower Susquehanna River: Good for striped bass and blue catfish, especially near the turbine wash areas.

    Overall, it's a great time to be out on the Chesapeake Bay, with a variety of species biting and plenty of opportunities to catch some impressive fish.
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    3 mins
  • "Chesapeake Bay's Thrilling Fall Fishing Bonanza: Stripers, Specks, and More!"

    "Chesapeake Bay's Thrilling Fall Fishing Bonanza: Stripers, Specks, and More!"
    Oct 25 2024
    As of October 25, 2024, the Chesapeake Bay is offering some exciting fishing opportunities, especially with the fall season in full swing.

    ### Weather and Tidal Conditions
    The weather has been cooling down, with temperatures dropping into the low 60s, which is typical for this time of year. Expect partly cloudy skies with a gentle breeze. Tides are moderate, with high tide around 8:30 AM and low tide at 2:30 PM, making the early morning and late evening hours ideal for fishing.

    ### Sunrise and Sunset
    Sunrise is at 7:24 AM, and sunset is at 6:04 PM, providing ample daylight for a full day of fishing.

    ### Fish Activity
    Striped bass, also known as rockfish, are highly active in the upper and lower Bay. Anglers have been catching them in the deeper channels, particularly around the mouth of the Patapsco River and the Conowingo Dam pool. Striped bass are also biting well in the upper Bay tributaries, such as the Susquehanna River, where they can be found near the rocky shorelines and in the current below the dam outflows.

    Speckled trout and puppy drum are abundant in the backwater marshes and inside Lynnhaven Inlet, making these areas hot spots for anglers. Bluefish are still present in large numbers in the lower Bay, and Spanish mackerel are chasing baitfish in the Middle Bay Area.

    ### Types and Amounts of Fish Caught
    Yesterday saw a good catch of striped bass, with many fish over the 24-inch maximum, offering plenty of fun catch-and-release action. Speckled trout and puppy drum were also common catches in the back bays. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel were active, and some large red drum were caught near the Target Ship in the lower Bay.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For striped bass, using umbrella rigs pulled behind heavy inline weights with white sassy shads as trailers is highly effective. Jigging with soft plastics and casting topwater plugs in the upper Bay tributaries are also productive methods. For speckled trout and puppy drum, jerkbaits and Mirr-o-lures work well, while topwater baits are excellent for enticing these species.

    Fresh shrimp is currently the bait of choice for many species, but bloodworms, fishbites, and cut shad or bunker are also popular. For bottom fishing, two-wire bottom rigs baited with shrimp or other baits are proving effective.

    ### Hot Spots
    - **Conowingo Dam Pool**: This area has been a reliable spot for striped bass, especially when water is being released from the dam. Anglers need to cast far out into the current to catch fish.
    - **Lynnhaven Inlet**: This inlet is a hot spot for speckled trout and puppy drum, with reports of active biting inside the inlet.
    - **Mouth of the Patapsco River**: This area is seeing good action for striped bass, particularly when trolling deep with umbrella rigs or jigging with soft plastics.

    Overall, the Chesapeake Bay is offering a diverse and exciting fishing experience this fall, with a variety of species and effective methods to catch them.
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    3 mins
  • Fall Fishing Frenzy on the Chesapeake Bay: Stripers, Cats, and More Await

    Fall Fishing Frenzy on the Chesapeake Bay: Stripers, Cats, and More Await
    Oct 24 2024
    As of October 24, 2024, the Chesapeake Bay is offering some exceptional fishing opportunities, especially with the onset of cooler weather. The tidal report indicates a moderate tide cycle, which is ideal for targeting various species.

    Weather conditions are crisp, with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to low 60s, making it a perfect time to be out on the water. Sunrise is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset is expected at about 6:00 PM, providing ample daylight for a full day of fishing.

    Fish activity has been robust, particularly in the northern regions of the Bay. Striped bass are actively biting, especially around the Conowingo Dam and the Susquehanna River. Anglers have reported catching striped bass up to 30 inches, with the best success coming from those who can cast far out into the discharge waters using surf rods. Smallmouth bass and walleye are also present in these areas, with walleye being more active at night.

    Blue catfish are very active this time of year and can be found in the tidal waters, particularly along the main channel edges and in deeper holes. The stretch of the Susquehanna River from Port Deposit to Havre De Grace is known for producing some of the largest blue catfish. Fish finder rigs baited with fresh cut shad, bunker, and eel are working well for these bottom feeders.

    In the lower Bay, speckled trout and puppy drum are biting well inside Lynnhaven Inlet. Standard two-wire bottom rigs baited with bloodworms, fishbites, or fresh shrimp are effective for most species. For those preferring lures, jigs with paddle tails or popping corks with shrimp lures are excellent options.

    Hot spots include the Conowingo Dam, where fish are congregating both in the current below the dam outflows and along the rocky shorelines. The Susquehanna Flats and the mouth of the Susquehanna River are also producing good catches of striped bass and blue catfish. In Virginia, Lynnhaven Inlet is a prime location for speckled trout and puppy drum.

    Overall, the Chesapeake Bay is in full swing for fall fishing, with a variety of species available and favorable weather conditions. Grab your gear, choose your bait wisely, and head out to enjoy the bounty of the Bay.
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    3 mins
  • Chesapeake Bay Fishing Forecast: Rockfish, Bluefish, and More for an Ideal Fall Day

    Chesapeake Bay Fishing Forecast: Rockfish, Bluefish, and More for an Ideal Fall Day
    Oct 20 2024
    As of October 20, 2024, the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia is offering some of the best fishing conditions of the year. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

    ### Weather and Tides
    The weather is mild, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the mid-60s, making it ideal for a day of fishing. Sunrise is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset is expected at about 6:15 PM. Tides are moderate, with high tide at 9:30 AM and low tide at 3:30 PM, providing ample opportunities for both shallow and deep-water fishing.

    ### Fish Activity
    The fall season has brought a surge in fish activity. Striped bass, which opened for the fall season on October 4th, are biting well, particularly in the lower Bay and its tributaries. Puppy drum and speckled trout are also active, especially in the shallows of the lower Potomac and around Assateague Island. Bluefish, though starting to migrate south, are still plentiful in the two-to-eight-pound range and can be found around the Target Ship and other channel edges.

    ### Catch Reports
    Yesterday saw a mix of species being caught. Anglers reported good action on striped bass, puppy drum, and speckled trout using plastics fished in the shallows of the tributaries. Bluefish were caught using number one and two planers with surgical hoses, and some bull red drum and cobia were also reported, though cobia must be released as the season is closed. Flounder fishing remains steady in the channels and back bays around Assateague Island.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For those casting lures, jigs with paddle tails or popping corks with shrimp lures are excellent choices. Topwater baits are highly effective for enticing trout, drum, and rockfish. When it comes to bait, fresh shrimp is currently the top choice, especially when used on standard two-wire bottom rigs. Bloodworms and fishbites are also popular, but shrimp seems to be the go-to bait given its abundance in the bay and its tributaries.

    ### Hot Spots
    - The lower Potomac River is a hotspot for catching a mix of rockfish, redfish, speckled trout, and flounder.
    - The area around the Target Ship is great for trolling and catching bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and the occasional cobia.
    - Assateague Island and its surrounding back bays are ideal for flounder fishing.
    - The Corrotoman River has been productive for fly anglers targeting puppy drum, white perch, and carp.

    With the right gear and knowledge of these hot spots, you’re set for a memorable day of fishing on the Chesapeake Bay. Tight lines
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    3 mins