Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Bluefish, Stripers, and Catfish Thrive Despite Changing Weather
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Bluefish, Stripers, and Catfish Thrive Despite Changing Weather
As of October 17, 2024, the Chesapeake Bay around the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area is offering some exciting fishing opportunities despite the unpredictable weather.
### Weather and Tidal Conditions
The mornings are starting to feel the chill of approaching colder weather, but daytime temperatures remain pleasant with sunny skies. Northwest winds are making the back bay areas a bit bouncy, but this is expected to switch to northeast winds by the weekend. Sunrise today is at around 7:15 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 6:15 PM. Tides are moderate, with a high tide in the morning and a low tide in the late afternoon.
### Fish Activity
Fishing has been quite dynamic, with various species active in different parts of the bay. Large bluefish are still present in the lower Bay, and anglers are advised to take advantage of this fishery before it ends. Striped bass, particularly schoolie striped bass, are being caught around the Turkey Point area and the Conowingo Dam pool, especially during early morning hours when water is being released from the dam. Drifting metal spoons or jigging near bottom structures has been effective for striped bass.
### Types and Amounts of Fish
Yesterday saw a good mix of catches. Striped bass were reported in decent numbers, with some slot-size fish caught in the shallows of the Little Choptank and around the South River. White perch fishing remains very good in the tidal rivers and creeks, with small spinnerbaits, jigs, and spin-jigs working well. Blue catfish and channel catfish are biting consistently in the upper Bay and its tidal rivers, particularly around the mouth of the Susquehanna River and Havre De Grace. Fresh cut menhaden or gizzard shad are popular baits for these catfish.
### Best Lures and Bait
For striped bass, metal spoons, bucktails, and jerkbaits are recommended. For white perch, small spinnerbaits, soft plastic jigs, and spin-jigs are effective. When targeting bluefish, drifting cut bait on an outgoing tide or using soft plastic jigs and paddletails can be successful. For blue and channel catfish, fresh cut bait like menhaden or gizzard shad works well.
### Hot Spots
- **Conowingo Dam Pool**: This area has been reliable for striped bass, especially when water is being released from the dam.
- **Turkey Point Area**: Schoolie striped bass are active here, particularly in 10 to 20 feet of water during early morning hours.
- **Mouth of the Susquehanna River**: This is a prime spot for catching large blue catfish and channel catfish.
- **Little Choptank and South River**: These areas have seen good action for striped bass and white perch.
Overall, the Chesapeake Bay is offering a diverse range of fishing opportunities, and with the right lures and bait, anglers can have a successful day on the water.
### Weather and Tidal Conditions
The mornings are starting to feel the chill of approaching colder weather, but daytime temperatures remain pleasant with sunny skies. Northwest winds are making the back bay areas a bit bouncy, but this is expected to switch to northeast winds by the weekend. Sunrise today is at around 7:15 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 6:15 PM. Tides are moderate, with a high tide in the morning and a low tide in the late afternoon.
### Fish Activity
Fishing has been quite dynamic, with various species active in different parts of the bay. Large bluefish are still present in the lower Bay, and anglers are advised to take advantage of this fishery before it ends. Striped bass, particularly schoolie striped bass, are being caught around the Turkey Point area and the Conowingo Dam pool, especially during early morning hours when water is being released from the dam. Drifting metal spoons or jigging near bottom structures has been effective for striped bass.
### Types and Amounts of Fish
Yesterday saw a good mix of catches. Striped bass were reported in decent numbers, with some slot-size fish caught in the shallows of the Little Choptank and around the South River. White perch fishing remains very good in the tidal rivers and creeks, with small spinnerbaits, jigs, and spin-jigs working well. Blue catfish and channel catfish are biting consistently in the upper Bay and its tidal rivers, particularly around the mouth of the Susquehanna River and Havre De Grace. Fresh cut menhaden or gizzard shad are popular baits for these catfish.
### Best Lures and Bait
For striped bass, metal spoons, bucktails, and jerkbaits are recommended. For white perch, small spinnerbaits, soft plastic jigs, and spin-jigs are effective. When targeting bluefish, drifting cut bait on an outgoing tide or using soft plastic jigs and paddletails can be successful. For blue and channel catfish, fresh cut bait like menhaden or gizzard shad works well.
### Hot Spots
- **Conowingo Dam Pool**: This area has been reliable for striped bass, especially when water is being released from the dam.
- **Turkey Point Area**: Schoolie striped bass are active here, particularly in 10 to 20 feet of water during early morning hours.
- **Mouth of the Susquehanna River**: This is a prime spot for catching large blue catfish and channel catfish.
- **Little Choptank and South River**: These areas have seen good action for striped bass and white perch.
Overall, the Chesapeake Bay is offering a diverse range of fishing opportunities, and with the right lures and bait, anglers can have a successful day on the water.
View all episodes
By Quiet. PleaseAs of October 17, 2024, the Chesapeake Bay around the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area is offering some exciting fishing opportunities despite the unpredictable weather.
### Weather and Tidal Conditions
The mornings are starting to feel the chill of approaching colder weather, but daytime temperatures remain pleasant with sunny skies. Northwest winds are making the back bay areas a bit bouncy, but this is expected to switch to northeast winds by the weekend. Sunrise today is at around 7:15 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 6:15 PM. Tides are moderate, with a high tide in the morning and a low tide in the late afternoon.
### Fish Activity
Fishing has been quite dynamic, with various species active in different parts of the bay. Large bluefish are still present in the lower Bay, and anglers are advised to take advantage of this fishery before it ends. Striped bass, particularly schoolie striped bass, are being caught around the Turkey Point area and the Conowingo Dam pool, especially during early morning hours when water is being released from the dam. Drifting metal spoons or jigging near bottom structures has been effective for striped bass.
### Types and Amounts of Fish
Yesterday saw a good mix of catches. Striped bass were reported in decent numbers, with some slot-size fish caught in the shallows of the Little Choptank and around the South River. White perch fishing remains very good in the tidal rivers and creeks, with small spinnerbaits, jigs, and spin-jigs working well. Blue catfish and channel catfish are biting consistently in the upper Bay and its tidal rivers, particularly around the mouth of the Susquehanna River and Havre De Grace. Fresh cut menhaden or gizzard shad are popular baits for these catfish.
### Best Lures and Bait
For striped bass, metal spoons, bucktails, and jerkbaits are recommended. For white perch, small spinnerbaits, soft plastic jigs, and spin-jigs are effective. When targeting bluefish, drifting cut bait on an outgoing tide or using soft plastic jigs and paddletails can be successful. For blue and channel catfish, fresh cut bait like menhaden or gizzard shad works well.
### Hot Spots
- **Conowingo Dam Pool**: This area has been reliable for striped bass, especially when water is being released from the dam.
- **Turkey Point Area**: Schoolie striped bass are active here, particularly in 10 to 20 feet of water during early morning hours.
- **Mouth of the Susquehanna River**: This is a prime spot for catching large blue catfish and channel catfish.
- **Little Choptank and South River**: These areas have seen good action for striped bass and white perch.
Overall, the Chesapeake Bay is offering a diverse range of fishing opportunities, and with the right lures and bait, anglers can have a successful day on the water.
### Weather and Tidal Conditions
The mornings are starting to feel the chill of approaching colder weather, but daytime temperatures remain pleasant with sunny skies. Northwest winds are making the back bay areas a bit bouncy, but this is expected to switch to northeast winds by the weekend. Sunrise today is at around 7:15 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 6:15 PM. Tides are moderate, with a high tide in the morning and a low tide in the late afternoon.
### Fish Activity
Fishing has been quite dynamic, with various species active in different parts of the bay. Large bluefish are still present in the lower Bay, and anglers are advised to take advantage of this fishery before it ends. Striped bass, particularly schoolie striped bass, are being caught around the Turkey Point area and the Conowingo Dam pool, especially during early morning hours when water is being released from the dam. Drifting metal spoons or jigging near bottom structures has been effective for striped bass.
### Types and Amounts of Fish
Yesterday saw a good mix of catches. Striped bass were reported in decent numbers, with some slot-size fish caught in the shallows of the Little Choptank and around the South River. White perch fishing remains very good in the tidal rivers and creeks, with small spinnerbaits, jigs, and spin-jigs working well. Blue catfish and channel catfish are biting consistently in the upper Bay and its tidal rivers, particularly around the mouth of the Susquehanna River and Havre De Grace. Fresh cut menhaden or gizzard shad are popular baits for these catfish.
### Best Lures and Bait
For striped bass, metal spoons, bucktails, and jerkbaits are recommended. For white perch, small spinnerbaits, soft plastic jigs, and spin-jigs are effective. When targeting bluefish, drifting cut bait on an outgoing tide or using soft plastic jigs and paddletails can be successful. For blue and channel catfish, fresh cut bait like menhaden or gizzard shad works well.
### Hot Spots
- **Conowingo Dam Pool**: This area has been reliable for striped bass, especially when water is being released from the dam.
- **Turkey Point Area**: Schoolie striped bass are active here, particularly in 10 to 20 feet of water during early morning hours.
- **Mouth of the Susquehanna River**: This is a prime spot for catching large blue catfish and channel catfish.
- **Little Choptank and South River**: These areas have seen good action for striped bass and white perch.
Overall, the Chesapeake Bay is offering a diverse range of fishing opportunities, and with the right lures and bait, anglers can have a successful day on the water.