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"Chesapeake Bay Fishing Heats Up in Spring: Catfish, Shad, and More"
The fishing in the Chesapeake Bay region is getting lively as spring rolls in. Here's the latest update for April 4, 2025.
Today in the Chesapeake region, we’re looking at favorable weather with clear skies and temperatures climbing into the upper 60s to low 70s. Sunrise was at 6:42 AM, and sunset will be at 7:35 PM, giving anglers plenty of daylight to wet a line. Moderate winds are expected, so keep an eye on the gusts if you're venturing out on a boat. The tidal activity is also favorable, with a mid-morning high tide and an evening low tide, ideal for targeting various species.
Fishing action around the Bay is heating up, with several species taking center stage. Blue catfish are the stars right now and are biting well from the Upper Bay down to the Bay Bridge. Spots such as the Susquehanna River, Chester River near Crumpton, and Hackett’s Point are prime for these whiskered giants. Cut bait like bunker or gizzard shad works best to lure these aggressive feeders, especially near deep channels or current edges.
In the Lower Bay, the shad run is in full effect. Hickory shad are biting well in the tidal sections of the James and Rappahannock Rivers. Anglers are reporting success with shad darts, small spoons, and curlytail jigs along the marshy banks and deeper pools. The Potomac River is also seeing good shad action, with reports of both hickory and American shad being caught.
For those fishing near the shorelines, speckled trout and red drum have been spotted around western tributaries like Mobjack Bay and Lynnhaven Inlet, as well as the lower Eastern Shore areas like Pocomoke Sound. Paddletail grubs on light jigheads or popping corks with soft plastics are effective for these species around docks, grass flats, and oyster bars.
White perch and post-spawn yellow perch are still active in rivers throughout the region, including the Choptank and Chester Rivers. Anglers are using shad darts, small jigs, and bloodworms on bottom rigs to land these tasty panfish in good numbers. Keep in mind, however, that many of the white perch are smaller, so patience (and extra bait) might be needed.
While the Maryland portion of the Bay is closed for striped bass, catch-and-release fishing is still permitted in Virginia waters and the Potomac River. If you're targeting stripers, stick to deeper channels or warmer, shallow mudflats where they’re chasing bunker schools.
Hotspots to consider today include:
1. **Wilson Bridge on the Potomac River** – Great for catching big catfish and shad.
2. **Mobjack Bay and Lynnhaven Inlet** – Productive for speckled trout and puppy drum.
3. **Susquehanna Flats** – Catfish are abundant and willing to hit cut bait.
For gear, bring an assortment of cut bait for cats and live minnows or small plastics for perch and shad. If targeting trout or reds, stock up on small paddletail jigs or twitch baits.
Tight lines, and enjoy the start of spring fishing in Chesapeake Bay!
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Today in the Chesapeake region, we’re looking at favorable weather with clear skies and temperatures climbing into the upper 60s to low 70s. Sunrise was at 6:42 AM, and sunset will be at 7:35 PM, giving anglers plenty of daylight to wet a line. Moderate winds are expected, so keep an eye on the gusts if you're venturing out on a boat. The tidal activity is also favorable, with a mid-morning high tide and an evening low tide, ideal for targeting various species.
Fishing action around the Bay is heating up, with several species taking center stage. Blue catfish are the stars right now and are biting well from the Upper Bay down to the Bay Bridge. Spots such as the Susquehanna River, Chester River near Crumpton, and Hackett’s Point are prime for these whiskered giants. Cut bait like bunker or gizzard shad works best to lure these aggressive feeders, especially near deep channels or current edges.
In the Lower Bay, the shad run is in full effect. Hickory shad are biting well in the tidal sections of the James and Rappahannock Rivers. Anglers are reporting success with shad darts, small spoons, and curlytail jigs along the marshy banks and deeper pools. The Potomac River is also seeing good shad action, with reports of both hickory and American shad being caught.
For those fishing near the shorelines, speckled trout and red drum have been spotted around western tributaries like Mobjack Bay and Lynnhaven Inlet, as well as the lower Eastern Shore areas like Pocomoke Sound. Paddletail grubs on light jigheads or popping corks with soft plastics are effective for these species around docks, grass flats, and oyster bars.
White perch and post-spawn yellow perch are still active in rivers throughout the region, including the Choptank and Chester Rivers. Anglers are using shad darts, small jigs, and bloodworms on bottom rigs to land these tasty panfish in good numbers. Keep in mind, however, that many of the white perch are smaller, so patience (and extra bait) might be needed.
While the Maryland portion of the Bay is closed for striped bass, catch-and-release fishing is still permitted in Virginia waters and the Potomac River. If you're targeting stripers, stick to deeper channels or warmer, shallow mudflats where they’re chasing bunker schools.
Hotspots to consider today include:
1. **Wilson Bridge on the Potomac River** – Great for catching big catfish and shad.
2. **Mobjack Bay and Lynnhaven Inlet** – Productive for speckled trout and puppy drum.
3. **Susquehanna Flats** – Catfish are abundant and willing to hit cut bait.
For gear, bring an assortment of cut bait for cats and live minnows or small plastics for perch and shad. If targeting trout or reds, stock up on small paddletail jigs or twitch baits.
Tight lines, and enjoy the start of spring fishing in Chesapeake Bay!
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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By Inception Point AiThe fishing in the Chesapeake Bay region is getting lively as spring rolls in. Here's the latest update for April 4, 2025.
Today in the Chesapeake region, we’re looking at favorable weather with clear skies and temperatures climbing into the upper 60s to low 70s. Sunrise was at 6:42 AM, and sunset will be at 7:35 PM, giving anglers plenty of daylight to wet a line. Moderate winds are expected, so keep an eye on the gusts if you're venturing out on a boat. The tidal activity is also favorable, with a mid-morning high tide and an evening low tide, ideal for targeting various species.
Fishing action around the Bay is heating up, with several species taking center stage. Blue catfish are the stars right now and are biting well from the Upper Bay down to the Bay Bridge. Spots such as the Susquehanna River, Chester River near Crumpton, and Hackett’s Point are prime for these whiskered giants. Cut bait like bunker or gizzard shad works best to lure these aggressive feeders, especially near deep channels or current edges.
In the Lower Bay, the shad run is in full effect. Hickory shad are biting well in the tidal sections of the James and Rappahannock Rivers. Anglers are reporting success with shad darts, small spoons, and curlytail jigs along the marshy banks and deeper pools. The Potomac River is also seeing good shad action, with reports of both hickory and American shad being caught.
For those fishing near the shorelines, speckled trout and red drum have been spotted around western tributaries like Mobjack Bay and Lynnhaven Inlet, as well as the lower Eastern Shore areas like Pocomoke Sound. Paddletail grubs on light jigheads or popping corks with soft plastics are effective for these species around docks, grass flats, and oyster bars.
White perch and post-spawn yellow perch are still active in rivers throughout the region, including the Choptank and Chester Rivers. Anglers are using shad darts, small jigs, and bloodworms on bottom rigs to land these tasty panfish in good numbers. Keep in mind, however, that many of the white perch are smaller, so patience (and extra bait) might be needed.
While the Maryland portion of the Bay is closed for striped bass, catch-and-release fishing is still permitted in Virginia waters and the Potomac River. If you're targeting stripers, stick to deeper channels or warmer, shallow mudflats where they’re chasing bunker schools.
Hotspots to consider today include:
1. **Wilson Bridge on the Potomac River** – Great for catching big catfish and shad.
2. **Mobjack Bay and Lynnhaven Inlet** – Productive for speckled trout and puppy drum.
3. **Susquehanna Flats** – Catfish are abundant and willing to hit cut bait.
For gear, bring an assortment of cut bait for cats and live minnows or small plastics for perch and shad. If targeting trout or reds, stock up on small paddletail jigs or twitch baits.
Tight lines, and enjoy the start of spring fishing in Chesapeake Bay!
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Today in the Chesapeake region, we’re looking at favorable weather with clear skies and temperatures climbing into the upper 60s to low 70s. Sunrise was at 6:42 AM, and sunset will be at 7:35 PM, giving anglers plenty of daylight to wet a line. Moderate winds are expected, so keep an eye on the gusts if you're venturing out on a boat. The tidal activity is also favorable, with a mid-morning high tide and an evening low tide, ideal for targeting various species.
Fishing action around the Bay is heating up, with several species taking center stage. Blue catfish are the stars right now and are biting well from the Upper Bay down to the Bay Bridge. Spots such as the Susquehanna River, Chester River near Crumpton, and Hackett’s Point are prime for these whiskered giants. Cut bait like bunker or gizzard shad works best to lure these aggressive feeders, especially near deep channels or current edges.
In the Lower Bay, the shad run is in full effect. Hickory shad are biting well in the tidal sections of the James and Rappahannock Rivers. Anglers are reporting success with shad darts, small spoons, and curlytail jigs along the marshy banks and deeper pools. The Potomac River is also seeing good shad action, with reports of both hickory and American shad being caught.
For those fishing near the shorelines, speckled trout and red drum have been spotted around western tributaries like Mobjack Bay and Lynnhaven Inlet, as well as the lower Eastern Shore areas like Pocomoke Sound. Paddletail grubs on light jigheads or popping corks with soft plastics are effective for these species around docks, grass flats, and oyster bars.
White perch and post-spawn yellow perch are still active in rivers throughout the region, including the Choptank and Chester Rivers. Anglers are using shad darts, small jigs, and bloodworms on bottom rigs to land these tasty panfish in good numbers. Keep in mind, however, that many of the white perch are smaller, so patience (and extra bait) might be needed.
While the Maryland portion of the Bay is closed for striped bass, catch-and-release fishing is still permitted in Virginia waters and the Potomac River. If you're targeting stripers, stick to deeper channels or warmer, shallow mudflats where they’re chasing bunker schools.
Hotspots to consider today include:
1. **Wilson Bridge on the Potomac River** – Great for catching big catfish and shad.
2. **Mobjack Bay and Lynnhaven Inlet** – Productive for speckled trout and puppy drum.
3. **Susquehanna Flats** – Catfish are abundant and willing to hit cut bait.
For gear, bring an assortment of cut bait for cats and live minnows or small plastics for perch and shad. If targeting trout or reds, stock up on small paddletail jigs or twitch baits.
Tight lines, and enjoy the start of spring fishing in Chesapeake Bay!
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI