Hey there, anglers! This is Artificial Lure comin' at ya with the latest scoop on fishing in the Chesapeake Bay area around Baltimore and D.C. It's March 22, 2025, and spring is definitely in the air.

First off, let's talk tides. We've got a high tide at 8:23 AM and another at 8:47 PM, with low tides at 2:35 AM and 2:59 PM. The weather's looking pretty decent today - partly cloudy with highs near 60°F and light winds from the southeast. Sunrise was at 7:02 AM, and we'll see the sun dip below the horizon at 7:21 PM.

Now, onto the good stuff - the fish! Striped bass (that's rockfish to us locals) are still the talk of the town. They're starting to move up into the tributaries for spawning, so the action's been hot at the mouths of rivers. We've been seeing some nice 30-inchers, with a few lucky anglers landing 40-plus-pounders. Remember, it's catch-and-release only until May 16th, so handle those fish with care.

White perch are running strong too. Folks have been pulling them in by the dozen in the upper reaches of the Patuxent and Choptank. If you're after some tasty eating, these are your best bet right now.

For you catfish enthusiasts, the blue cats are starting to wake up. They're not quite in full spring feeding mode yet, but anglers are still landing some monsters in the 30 to 50-pound range, especially in the deeper channels.

As for lures, I've been having a lot of success with 6-inch white or chartreuse soft plastics for the stripers. Jig 'em slow along the bottom or work 'em through the water column. For white perch, you can't go wrong with a small shad dart tipped with a piece of bloodworm. And for those big blues, cut bait is still king - fresh bunker or gizzard shad will do the trick.

If you're looking for some hot spots, I'd recommend trying the area around the Bay Bridge on the eastern side - that's been producing some nice stripers. For white perch, head up to the Tuckahoe River. And if you're after those blue cats, the deep holes in the Potomac near Fort Washington have been giving up some giants.

Remember, folks, the fishing's only gonna get better as we move into April, so get out there and wet a line! This is Artificial Lure, signing off. Tight lines, everyone!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for March 21, 2025. Spring is in the air, and the fish are starting to get active.

First, let's talk tides. We've got a high tide at 6:45 AM and another at 6:58 PM, with lows at 12:42 AM and 1:38 PM. Sunrise is at 7:05 AM, and sunset's at 7:17 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work with.

Weather-wise, we're looking at partly cloudy skies with temps in the mid-50s. A light breeze from the southeast shouldn't cause too much trouble on the water.

Now, onto the good stuff - the fish! Yellow perch are still running strong in the tributaries. Anglers have been having luck in the Tuckahoe and upper Choptank. White perch are also starting to show up in good numbers, especially around Denton.

Striped bass season is catch-and-release only right now, but there's still some action to be had. The warm water discharge at Calvert Cliffs power plant has been holding some decent-sized fish. Remember to handle them with care and release quickly.

Blue catfish have been biting well, particularly in the deeper channels near Denton. Some real bruisers in the 20-30 pound range have been caught lately.

For lures, I've been having great luck with 4-inch white or chartreuse soft plastic swimbaits for stripers. For perch, small red jigs or minnows on a drop-shot rig are the ticket. If you're after those big blues, cut bait like gizzard shad or white perch is hard to beat.

Hot spots this week? I'd recommend trying your luck at Hillsboro on the Tuckahoe for yellow perch, or head to the Potomac near Fort Washington for some catfish action.

Remember, folks, the spring runs are just getting started. It's only going to get better from here on out. Tight lines, and I'll catch you next time!

Hey there, fellow anglers! This is Artificial Lure, your local fishing expert, coming at you with the latest Chesapeake Bay fishing report for March 19, 2025.

First off, let's talk weather and tides. We're looking at a partly cloudy day with highs around 65°F and a light breeze from the southeast. Sunrise is at 7:12 AM and sunset at 7:18 PM. We've got a high tide at 10:23 AM and a low tide at 4:47 PM, so plan your trips accordingly.

Now, onto the good stuff - the fish! The spring run is in full swing, folks. Yellow perch are winding down, but white perch are taking over in a big way. They're moving up into the tributaries, and anglers are having a blast. The Tuckahoe Creek and upper Choptank River are hot spots right now. Grass shrimp under a bobber or small soft plastics on a 1/8 oz jig are your best bets.

Striped bass are on the move too. They're starting to push up into the spawning rivers, but there's still some good catch-and-release action in the main bay. Just remember, the spawning rivers are off-limits, so stick to the open waters. The warm water discharge at Calvert Cliffs is still producing some nice fish.

Catfish action is heating up with the warmer water temps. Blue cats and channel cats are biting well in the Potomac and Patuxent rivers. Cut bait or chicken liver on the bottom is the way to go.

For you trout enthusiasts, the DNR has been stocking like crazy. Check their website for the latest updates, but spots like Centennial Lake in Howard County and Piney Run in Carroll County are good bets.

Lure-wise, I'm loving soft plastics right now. A 4-inch paddletail on a 1/4 oz jighead is versatile for both perch and stripers. Don't forget your trusty Rat-L-Traps and small crankbaits too.

If you're looking for some hot spots, give the mouth of the Magothy River a shot for some mixed bag action, or head to Jug Bay on the Patuxent for some excellent white perch fishing.

That's all for now, folks. Remember to check those regulations, especially with the striped bass spawning closure coming up. Tight lines, and I'll catch you next time!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for March 17, 2025. Spring is in the air, and the fish are starting to get active!

First off, let's talk tides. We've got a low tide at 5:55 AM and another at 5:56 PM, with a high tide at 11:43 AM. Sunrise is at 7:12 AM, and sunset's at 7:14 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work with. Weather-wise, we're looking at partly cloudy skies with temps in the mid-50s - not too shabby for mid-March!

Now, onto the good stuff. Striped bass are on the move, folks! They're starting to stage in the warmer, shallower waters as they prepare for their spawning run. Remember, it's catch-and-release only in the Middle Bay right now, and the spawning rivers are off-limits. But if you're looking for some action, try jigging with large soft plastics along channel edges. The Calvert Cliffs Power Plant warm water discharge is always a hot spot this time of year, but expect it to be crowded.

Yellow perch are still running in some of the tributaries, especially on the Eastern Shore. The Choptank and Chester Rivers have been producing well. White perch are starting to mix in too, so don't be surprised if you hook into a few of those silvery fighters.

For you catfish enthusiasts, the blue cats are starting to wake up and feed more actively. Try fishing the deeper channels in the upper to middle portions of the tidal rivers. Cut bait like white perch or bunker has been working well.

Lure-wise, I'd recommend packing a variety. For stripers, go with 6-10 inch soft plastic swimbaits or jigs. For perch, small jigs tipped with minnows or grass shrimp are your best bet. Don't forget some inline spinners and small crankbaits too - they can be deadly on both perch and pickerel.

If you're looking for some hot spots, I'd suggest trying the mouth of the Patuxent River for stripers, or head up to the Susquehanna Flats if you're in the northern part of the Bay. For perch, the upper Choptank near Greensboro has been producing well.

Remember, folks, always check the latest regulations before you head out. Tight lines, and I'll catch you next time!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for March 16, 2025. Let me tell ya, spring is definitely in the air and the fish are starting to wake up from their winter slumber.

First off, let's talk tides and weather. We've got a high tide at 8:42 AM and low tide at 3:15 PM. Sunrise is at 7:15 AM and sunset at 7:12 PM. Weather-wise, we're looking at partly cloudy skies with highs near 60°F and light winds out of the southwest - pretty decent conditions for getting out on the water.

Now for the good stuff - the fishing! Striped bass action is really starting to heat up as they move into shallower waters to feed. Anglers have been having luck jigging with soft plastics like 6-inch BKD's in white or chartreuse near channel edges and warm water discharges. Some nice 30-inch class fish have been caught and released around the Bay Bridge pilings and the Calvert Cliffs power plant.

White perch are also on the move, with good numbers being caught in the upper reaches of tributaries like the Patuxent and Choptank rivers. Small spinners, beetle spins, and grass shrimp have all been producing.

For you catfish enthusiasts, the blue cats are biting well in the deeper channels of the Potomac and Patuxent. Cut menhaden or gizzard shad on a fish finder rig is the ticket there.

As for hot spots, I'd recommend trying the warm water discharge at the Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant for stripers, or heading up to the Susquehanna Flats if you want a shot at some real trophy-sized rockfish. The Kent Narrows area has also been productive for a mix of stripers and white perch.

Lure-wise, can't go wrong with soft plastic jigs, suspending jerkbaits like the Rapala X-Rap, or good old bucktails tipped with a curly-tail grub for the stripers. For perch, small spinners and jigs in the 1/8 to 1/4 oz range are the way to go.

That's the scoop for now, folks. Remember to handle those stripers with care for catch and release, and as always, tight lines!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for March 15, 2025. Let's dive right in!

The tides are looking good today, with low tide at 6:29 AM and high tide at 11:40 AM. Sunrise is at 7:14 AM and sunset at 7:12 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work with. Weather-wise, we're looking at a mild spring day with temperatures in the mid-50s and light winds.

Fishing activity is picking up as we transition into spring. Yellow perch runs are winding down, but white perch are starting to move in. Anglers have been having luck in the middle section of the Patuxent River and the upper Choptank. For perch, try using grass shrimp under a bobber or small 2-inch plastics on a 1/8 oz jig.

Striped bass are starting their annual spawn run, so they're moving up the rivers. While catch-and-release fishing for stripers is allowed in some areas this month, make sure to check the latest regulations. The Susquehanna Flats and areas around the Calvert Cliffs power plant have been productive spots.

Blue catfish action is heating up with the warmer water temps. They're biting in depths from 20 to 60 feet. Cut bait like gizzard shad or eel has been working well.

For lures, I'd recommend having a few key options in your tackle box. The Rapala X-Rap has been effective for stripers, especially for kayak anglers. Storm WildEye Swim Shads are great for slow trolling in shallower waters. And don't forget about the classic bucktails – they're always a good choice in the Bay.

If you're looking for some hot spots, try the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel area for tautog as they start moving inshore. The waters around Kent Island have also been producing some nice catches.

Remember, folks, the fishing's only going to get better as we move into spring. Tight lines, and I'll catch you next time!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for March 14, 2025. Let me tell you, spring is in the air and the fish are starting to wake up!

First off, let's talk tides and weather. We've got a high tide coming in around 9:15 AM and low tide hitting about 3:30 PM. The weather's looking pretty decent - partly cloudy with highs near 60 and a light breeze from the southeast. Sunrise is at 6:22 AM and sunset at 7:08 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work with.

Now, onto the good stuff - the fish! Striped bass are starting to move into the Bay, with some nice catches reported around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and the mouth of the Potomac. Most folks are using soft plastic jigs and trolling with umbrella rigs. Remember, it's catch-and-release only for stripers until May 1st, so handle 'em with care.

White perch fishing is really heating up in the upper Bay tributaries. The Magothy, Severn, and South Rivers have been producing well. Small jigs tipped with bloodworms or grass shrimp are the ticket here.

Blue catfish action remains strong in the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers. Cut bait like gizzard shad or white perch is working best. Some real monsters in the 40-50 pound range have been pulled in lately.

For you tautog lovers, the season just opened, and there's been some decent action around the CBBT and offshore wrecks. Green crabs and clams are the go-to baits.

As for hot spots, I'd recommend giving the Susquehanna Flats a try for some catch-and-release striper action. The flats are warming up nicely, and the fish are starting to feed aggressively. Another good bet is the Kent Narrows area for a mixed bag of white perch and catfish.

Lure-wise, I've been having a lot of success with 4-inch paddle tail swimbaits in pearl or chartreuse for stripers and white perch. For the catfish, you can't go wrong with a simple bottom rig and cut bait.

That's the scoop for now, folks. Remember to check those regulations before heading out, and let's be good stewards of our Bay. Tight lines, and I'll catch you next time!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for March 12, 2025. Let me tell ya, the fishing's starting to heat up as we move into spring!

First off, today's weather is looking mighty fine. We've got sunny skies and temps in the mid-60s, with light winds out of the southwest at 5-10 mph. Sunrise was at 6:23 AM and sunset will be at 7:12 PM. As for tides, we've got a high tide at 10:45 AM and a low tide at 5:17 PM in Baltimore.

Now, let's talk fish! The striped bass catch-and-release season is in full swing, and anglers have been having some good luck. Water temps are creeping up into the mid-40s, which has got those rockfish moving into shallower waters to feed. We're seeing a mix of sizes, with some real bruisers in the 30-40 inch range being caught.

Yellow perch are still running strong in the tributaries, and white perch are starting to show up too. Catfish action remains steady, with some big blues being pulled from the channel edges.

For lures, you can't go wrong with soft plastic jigs like BKDs or Z-Man paddletails in white or chartreuse. Rattletraps and jerkbaits are also producing well for stripers. For perch, small minnows or grass shrimp on a shad dart are the ticket.

If you're looking for some hot spots, I'd recommend trying the mouth of the Magothy River or the area around Podickory Point for stripers. For perch, head up to the Susquehanna Flats or try your luck in the Choptank River.

Remember, it's catch-and-release only for stripers right now, and some areas are closed to fishing entirely to protect spawning fish. Make sure you check the regs before heading out.

That's all for now, folks. Get out there and tight lines!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for March 11, 2025. Let me tell you, the fishing's starting to heat up as we move into spring.

First off, the tides. We've got a high tide at 9:10 AM and another at 9:24 PM, with lows at 3:35 AM and 4:18 PM. Sunrise is at 7:20 AM and sunset at 7:08 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to wet our lines.

Weather-wise, it's looking decent with temps in the mid-50s and partly cloudy skies. There's a light breeze from the southeast, so conditions should be pretty good for getting out on the water.

Now, let's talk fish. The striped bass catch-and-release season is winding down, folks. Remember, it closes on April 1st, so get out there while you can. Anglers have been having some luck around the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, with a few 20-inchers and even a 30-inch trophy being landed. Just watch out for boat traffic - it can get busy out there.

Yellow and white perch are starting to make their spring run. The Patuxent River's been producing, especially around Jackson's Landing and Wayson's Corner. Minnows and grass shrimp have been the ticket for these tasty panfish.

For you catfish enthusiasts, the blue cats are biting. They're all over the Bay and its tributaries. Fresh cut bunker or gizzard shad on the bottom is the way to go. Some real monsters are being pulled out of the Patuxent, Nanticoke, and Potomac rivers.

Lure-wise, I'm partial to soft plastics on jigheads for the stripers. A 6 to 8-inch paddletail in white or chartreuse has been working well. For the perch, you can't go wrong with a small shad dart tipped with a piece of bloodworm.

If you're looking for some hot spots, I'd recommend trying the mouth of the Choptank River near Sharps Island for stripers, or head up to the Susquehanna Flats for some catch-and-release action. For perch, the upper reaches of the Nanticoke have been producing well.

Remember, folks, the no-targeting closure for striped bass starts April 1st, so make the most of these next few weeks. Tight lines, and I'll catch you on the water!

Hey there, fellow anglers, this is Artificial Lure here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene in and around Chesapeake Bay for February 12th, 2025.

First off, let's talk about the tides. Today, at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, we're looking at a high tide of 2.61 feet at 8:11 AM and another high tide of 2.26 feet at 8:28 PM. The low tides are at 1:44 AM and 2:24 PM, with heights of -0.4 feet and -0.29 feet respectively. Plan your trips accordingly, as these tides can significantly affect fish activity.

Weather-wise, it's still chilly, but we're expecting relatively mild conditions for this time of year. Sunrise is at 6:55 AM, and sunset will be at 5:41 PM, giving us a good window to get out on the water. Make sure to bundle up, as the cold can still be biting.

Now, let's dive into the fish activity. This time of year, yellow perch are really bending rods, especially in the upper Chesapeake Bay. They've been very active, and the fishing has been good recently around the Perryville area and in the mouths of other tidal rivers. Live minnows are working best, but small artificial jigs are also enticing bites. These perch are mostly schooled up in depths of 40' to 60', so be prepared to drop down to those levels.

Blue catfish are another species that are abundant throughout the Way North region. They'll be holding along deeper ledges in the Susquehanna, Elk, and North East rivers. Fresh cut gizzard shad or eel are tried and true baits that usually get the blue cats biting. This is a great time to try for a trophy-sized fish, as the biggest ones are typically caught in the winter and spring.

In the freshwater and tributary areas, pickerel and crappie are also active. Dropping down tandems with minnows or using minnows on a bottom rig can get you into some nice action. For those targeting catfish, set some cut baits along the channel edges; they never stop eating, no matter the temperature.

If you're looking for some hot spots, I recommend checking out the lower Susquehanna River, particularly the deep hole below the railroad bridge. This area is always a good place to try for blue catfish and will soon be one of the first places to fish for yellow perch as the weather warms up.

Another great spot is around the mouths of the tidal rivers, such as the Perryville area. Here, you can find those active yellow perch and possibly some crappie and bass as well.

For lures, topwater baits are still effective for trout, especially with the cooler weather. For pickerel, suspending minnows on shad darts and small bucktails under a bobber can be very effective in the chillier waters.

So, grab your gear and head out to the Chesapeake Bay. With the right baits and lures, you're in for a great day of fishing. Tight lines, everyone