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Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report Late Fall Stripers, Catfish and More
Chesapeake Bay anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming to you with today’s fishing report for Baltimore and Washington, D.C. waters—Tuesday, November 25th, 2025.
We’re kicking off with sunrise at 6:56 AM and sunset at 4:48 PM. Today’s weather is classic late fall: temps starting near 41°F at dawn, climbing to around 49°F midday, and a gentle west wind at 8–12 mph. Keep it layered out there—chilly air above, but the water’s still holding some late autumn warmth. The National Weather Service advises a Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon, so if you’re heading out later, pick protected areas and check local conditions.
Tidal activity is on a slower track, with a low tide hitting near 4 AM and high tide rolling in about 1:45 PM at the main channel near the Bay Bridge, per NOAA. The outgoing morning tide and slack water make for sluggish early bite windows, but look for a pickup as flow returns after lunch. Late fall tides and cooler water temps often push fish into deeper structure, so work drop-offs and channel edges.
Fish activity is solid for the season. Maryland DNR notes the striped bass bite remains respectable—expect mostly schoolies but a few bigger bass still sliding along the ledges, bridge pilings, and deeper flats. Official survey crews report this year’s young-of-year striped bass index ticked up to 4.0, showing modest improvement but still under long-term average.
Recent catches from local charters and landings show a steady haul of rockfish; boats anchored off Sandy Point and the Severn River have averaged over 100 assorted rockfish per outing for the past week. Blue catfish and channel catfish are active in upstream tributaries—especially the Patapsco and Upper Potomac feeders—while perch and the occasional late-run white perch linger around docks and hard-bottom washes.
Lure selection for November? Go with classics:
- **Best Artificial Lures:** Paddle-tail soft plastics in white, chartreuse, or bunker, 4–5 inches, jigged over structure. Rapala X-Rap Saltwater in purple/chartreuse is drawing strikes, especially for suspended stripers near the Bay Bridge and Key Bridge pilings.
- **Top Bait:** Cut bunker and fresh menhaden for stripers; live eel baits and jumbo bloodworms have also been hot when fished on bottom rigs. For catfish, use fresh clam or chicken livers.
Locals swear by live spot or mud minnows for the stubborn fall stripers, but if you’re fishing for panfish, a small dropper rig with grass shrimp or razor clams can produce steady action near marinas and bulkheads.
Hotspots to target:
- **Sandy Point State Park:** Consistently strong for rockfish and good access for shore anglers.
- **Francis Scott Key Bridge:** Bridge pilings and riprap—solid for stripers and the occasional keeper-sized cat.
- **Eastern Bay Points:** Still productive for late-season white perch and schoolie stripers as the fish slide deeper.
Snakeheads are an ongoing concern for the watershed, especially up the Blackwater and Patuxent; watch for that topwater bite on sunny afternoons.
That’s the scoop for today. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe for all the latest, and remember—this has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
We’re kicking off with sunrise at 6:56 AM and sunset at 4:48 PM. Today’s weather is classic late fall: temps starting near 41°F at dawn, climbing to around 49°F midday, and a gentle west wind at 8–12 mph. Keep it layered out there—chilly air above, but the water’s still holding some late autumn warmth. The National Weather Service advises a Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon, so if you’re heading out later, pick protected areas and check local conditions.
Tidal activity is on a slower track, with a low tide hitting near 4 AM and high tide rolling in about 1:45 PM at the main channel near the Bay Bridge, per NOAA. The outgoing morning tide and slack water make for sluggish early bite windows, but look for a pickup as flow returns after lunch. Late fall tides and cooler water temps often push fish into deeper structure, so work drop-offs and channel edges.
Fish activity is solid for the season. Maryland DNR notes the striped bass bite remains respectable—expect mostly schoolies but a few bigger bass still sliding along the ledges, bridge pilings, and deeper flats. Official survey crews report this year’s young-of-year striped bass index ticked up to 4.0, showing modest improvement but still under long-term average.
Recent catches from local charters and landings show a steady haul of rockfish; boats anchored off Sandy Point and the Severn River have averaged over 100 assorted rockfish per outing for the past week. Blue catfish and channel catfish are active in upstream tributaries—especially the Patapsco and Upper Potomac feeders—while perch and the occasional late-run white perch linger around docks and hard-bottom washes.
Lure selection for November? Go with classics:
- **Best Artificial Lures:** Paddle-tail soft plastics in white, chartreuse, or bunker, 4–5 inches, jigged over structure. Rapala X-Rap Saltwater in purple/chartreuse is drawing strikes, especially for suspended stripers near the Bay Bridge and Key Bridge pilings.
- **Top Bait:** Cut bunker and fresh menhaden for stripers; live eel baits and jumbo bloodworms have also been hot when fished on bottom rigs. For catfish, use fresh clam or chicken livers.
Locals swear by live spot or mud minnows for the stubborn fall stripers, but if you’re fishing for panfish, a small dropper rig with grass shrimp or razor clams can produce steady action near marinas and bulkheads.
Hotspots to target:
- **Sandy Point State Park:** Consistently strong for rockfish and good access for shore anglers.
- **Francis Scott Key Bridge:** Bridge pilings and riprap—solid for stripers and the occasional keeper-sized cat.
- **Eastern Bay Points:** Still productive for late-season white perch and schoolie stripers as the fish slide deeper.
Snakeheads are an ongoing concern for the watershed, especially up the Blackwater and Patuxent; watch for that topwater bite on sunny afternoons.
That’s the scoop for today. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe for all the latest, and remember—this has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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By Inception Point AiChesapeake Bay anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming to you with today’s fishing report for Baltimore and Washington, D.C. waters—Tuesday, November 25th, 2025.
We’re kicking off with sunrise at 6:56 AM and sunset at 4:48 PM. Today’s weather is classic late fall: temps starting near 41°F at dawn, climbing to around 49°F midday, and a gentle west wind at 8–12 mph. Keep it layered out there—chilly air above, but the water’s still holding some late autumn warmth. The National Weather Service advises a Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon, so if you’re heading out later, pick protected areas and check local conditions.
Tidal activity is on a slower track, with a low tide hitting near 4 AM and high tide rolling in about 1:45 PM at the main channel near the Bay Bridge, per NOAA. The outgoing morning tide and slack water make for sluggish early bite windows, but look for a pickup as flow returns after lunch. Late fall tides and cooler water temps often push fish into deeper structure, so work drop-offs and channel edges.
Fish activity is solid for the season. Maryland DNR notes the striped bass bite remains respectable—expect mostly schoolies but a few bigger bass still sliding along the ledges, bridge pilings, and deeper flats. Official survey crews report this year’s young-of-year striped bass index ticked up to 4.0, showing modest improvement but still under long-term average.
Recent catches from local charters and landings show a steady haul of rockfish; boats anchored off Sandy Point and the Severn River have averaged over 100 assorted rockfish per outing for the past week. Blue catfish and channel catfish are active in upstream tributaries—especially the Patapsco and Upper Potomac feeders—while perch and the occasional late-run white perch linger around docks and hard-bottom washes.
Lure selection for November? Go with classics:
- **Best Artificial Lures:** Paddle-tail soft plastics in white, chartreuse, or bunker, 4–5 inches, jigged over structure. Rapala X-Rap Saltwater in purple/chartreuse is drawing strikes, especially for suspended stripers near the Bay Bridge and Key Bridge pilings.
- **Top Bait:** Cut bunker and fresh menhaden for stripers; live eel baits and jumbo bloodworms have also been hot when fished on bottom rigs. For catfish, use fresh clam or chicken livers.
Locals swear by live spot or mud minnows for the stubborn fall stripers, but if you’re fishing for panfish, a small dropper rig with grass shrimp or razor clams can produce steady action near marinas and bulkheads.
Hotspots to target:
- **Sandy Point State Park:** Consistently strong for rockfish and good access for shore anglers.
- **Francis Scott Key Bridge:** Bridge pilings and riprap—solid for stripers and the occasional keeper-sized cat.
- **Eastern Bay Points:** Still productive for late-season white perch and schoolie stripers as the fish slide deeper.
Snakeheads are an ongoing concern for the watershed, especially up the Blackwater and Patuxent; watch for that topwater bite on sunny afternoons.
That’s the scoop for today. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe for all the latest, and remember—this has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
We’re kicking off with sunrise at 6:56 AM and sunset at 4:48 PM. Today’s weather is classic late fall: temps starting near 41°F at dawn, climbing to around 49°F midday, and a gentle west wind at 8–12 mph. Keep it layered out there—chilly air above, but the water’s still holding some late autumn warmth. The National Weather Service advises a Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon, so if you’re heading out later, pick protected areas and check local conditions.
Tidal activity is on a slower track, with a low tide hitting near 4 AM and high tide rolling in about 1:45 PM at the main channel near the Bay Bridge, per NOAA. The outgoing morning tide and slack water make for sluggish early bite windows, but look for a pickup as flow returns after lunch. Late fall tides and cooler water temps often push fish into deeper structure, so work drop-offs and channel edges.
Fish activity is solid for the season. Maryland DNR notes the striped bass bite remains respectable—expect mostly schoolies but a few bigger bass still sliding along the ledges, bridge pilings, and deeper flats. Official survey crews report this year’s young-of-year striped bass index ticked up to 4.0, showing modest improvement but still under long-term average.
Recent catches from local charters and landings show a steady haul of rockfish; boats anchored off Sandy Point and the Severn River have averaged over 100 assorted rockfish per outing for the past week. Blue catfish and channel catfish are active in upstream tributaries—especially the Patapsco and Upper Potomac feeders—while perch and the occasional late-run white perch linger around docks and hard-bottom washes.
Lure selection for November? Go with classics:
- **Best Artificial Lures:** Paddle-tail soft plastics in white, chartreuse, or bunker, 4–5 inches, jigged over structure. Rapala X-Rap Saltwater in purple/chartreuse is drawing strikes, especially for suspended stripers near the Bay Bridge and Key Bridge pilings.
- **Top Bait:** Cut bunker and fresh menhaden for stripers; live eel baits and jumbo bloodworms have also been hot when fished on bottom rigs. For catfish, use fresh clam or chicken livers.
Locals swear by live spot or mud minnows for the stubborn fall stripers, but if you’re fishing for panfish, a small dropper rig with grass shrimp or razor clams can produce steady action near marinas and bulkheads.
Hotspots to target:
- **Sandy Point State Park:** Consistently strong for rockfish and good access for shore anglers.
- **Francis Scott Key Bridge:** Bridge pilings and riprap—solid for stripers and the occasional keeper-sized cat.
- **Eastern Bay Points:** Still productive for late-season white perch and schoolie stripers as the fish slide deeper.
Snakeheads are an ongoing concern for the watershed, especially up the Blackwater and Patuxent; watch for that topwater bite on sunny afternoons.
That’s the scoop for today. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe for all the latest, and remember—this has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI