As of January 26, 2025, fishing in the Chesapeake Bay, particularly around the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas, remains a challenging but rewarding endeavor. The cold weather has kept many anglers off the water, but for those brave enough to venture out, there are still some notable catches to be had.

### Tidal and Weather Conditions
Today, the tidal cycle in the Chesapeake Bay around Chance is as follows: Low tide at 4:52 AM with a height of -0.06 ft, high tide at 11:14 AM with a height of 1.83 ft, low tide at 6:00 PM with a height of 0.06 ft, and high tide at 11:26 PM with a height of 1.33 ft[2]. The sunrise is at 7:13 AM, and sunset is at 5:20 PM.

The weather continues to be cold, with recent reports indicating that the bitter cold has made fish activity sluggish. Water temperatures in the Middle Bay are in the low 40s, and they are expected to drop further in the coming weeks[1].

### Fish Activity
Despite the challenging conditions, striped bass (rockfish) are still being caught in the area. The fish have been lethargic and are mostly hanging close to the bottom, scattered along ledges. Anglers have reported catching fish in the 40-inch-plus range, although these bites are few and far between. The warm water discharge at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant (CCNPP) has been a hotspot for trophy-sized fish, but the action is slow[1].

### Best Lures and Bait
Effective lures include BKDs and Bust 'Ems on G-Eye heads. Bouncing jigs with soft plastics along the bottom while drifting in areas where fish have been marked has been a successful strategy. The use of 1.5-ounce heads with soft plastics has also yielded results, particularly around areas like Chesapeake Beach and the mouth of Eastern Bay[1].

### Hot Spots
- **Chesapeake Beach**: This area has seen some short-lived bird action and reports of fish over the 40-inch mark caught on soft plastics.
- **Eastern Bay**: Pods of fish can be located on sonar suspending in 40’ to 60’ of water. The mouth of Eastern Bay has also produced some significant catches.
- **Warm Water Discharge at CCNPP**: This area continues to attract fish seeking relief from the cold water, although the bites are sporadic.
- **Bloody Point**: Historically, this area holds fish through the winter in deeper depths near Eastern Bay[1].

For those willing to brave the cold, these spots offer the best chances of landing some impressive striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay.