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Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Spring Action Heats Up for Tautog, Drum, Shad, and More
Fishing Report for April 9, 2025, Chesapeake Bay Area:
Greetings anglers! This week around the Chesapeake Bay, fishing action has started to warm up with the spring season kicking into high gear. Today’s sunrise was at 6:38 AM, and sunset will be at 7:34 PM, giving us plenty of daylight for some quality time on the water. The tides for the day at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel saw a high tide at 7:04 AM and 7:20 PM, with low tides at 1:04 PM and an earlier one at 12:39 AM—ideal timing for targeting fish near structure and along channels.
Weather conditions have been stable, favoring fishing activity. The tidal coefficient is high today, meaning strong tidal currents which are favorable for fishing in areas with moving water like bridge pilings and creek mouths. If you’re targeting bottom feeders, tautog are being caught near structures like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, with keepers reported earlier this week. Jigging with crab or clam baits is your best bet for these.
For those chasing migratory species, black drum are moving into the area, especially near Cape Charles and Kiptopeke. Fresh clam or peeler crab works wonders for these bottom feeders. Meanwhile, red drum action is heating up, with rumors of bulls arriving in the southern Bay; using cut mullet or live bait like croaker will set you up for success.
Elsewhere in the Bay, white perch are being caught in the upper tributaries like the Chester River and Bush River. Using bloodworms, grass shrimp, or small jigs can yield great results. Crappie fishing is at its peak in the quieter waters around structure like fallen trees or bridge pilings—perfect for anglers fishing ponds and shallower creeks.
The middle Bay is seeing decent shad runs, particularly in the Potomac River and its tributaries. Small spoons, darts, and chartreuse jigs have been effective here. Anglers reported early morning bites being more productive for these anadromous fish.
Some recommended hot spots for today include:
1. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel: Great for tautog and the expected arrival of black drum.
2. Eastern Bay and the Choptank River: Active perch and crappie fishing.
3. The Potomac River near Wilson Bridge: Excellent for crappie and migrating shad.
When it comes to lures and baits, soft plastics in chartreuse or white have been successful for many species, especially when jigging for perch or crappie. Bloodworms and shrimp remain reliable baits, though cut bait like oily menhaden works well for catfish and drum.
Overall, the Chesapeake Bay offers a diverse range of fishing options today. Whether you’re casting for shad, trolling for perch, or targeting drum, it’s a great time to hit the water with friends and family. Tight lines!
Greetings anglers! This week around the Chesapeake Bay, fishing action has started to warm up with the spring season kicking into high gear. Today’s sunrise was at 6:38 AM, and sunset will be at 7:34 PM, giving us plenty of daylight for some quality time on the water. The tides for the day at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel saw a high tide at 7:04 AM and 7:20 PM, with low tides at 1:04 PM and an earlier one at 12:39 AM—ideal timing for targeting fish near structure and along channels.
Weather conditions have been stable, favoring fishing activity. The tidal coefficient is high today, meaning strong tidal currents which are favorable for fishing in areas with moving water like bridge pilings and creek mouths. If you’re targeting bottom feeders, tautog are being caught near structures like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, with keepers reported earlier this week. Jigging with crab or clam baits is your best bet for these.
For those chasing migratory species, black drum are moving into the area, especially near Cape Charles and Kiptopeke. Fresh clam or peeler crab works wonders for these bottom feeders. Meanwhile, red drum action is heating up, with rumors of bulls arriving in the southern Bay; using cut mullet or live bait like croaker will set you up for success.
Elsewhere in the Bay, white perch are being caught in the upper tributaries like the Chester River and Bush River. Using bloodworms, grass shrimp, or small jigs can yield great results. Crappie fishing is at its peak in the quieter waters around structure like fallen trees or bridge pilings—perfect for anglers fishing ponds and shallower creeks.
The middle Bay is seeing decent shad runs, particularly in the Potomac River and its tributaries. Small spoons, darts, and chartreuse jigs have been effective here. Anglers reported early morning bites being more productive for these anadromous fish.
Some recommended hot spots for today include:
1. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel: Great for tautog and the expected arrival of black drum.
2. Eastern Bay and the Choptank River: Active perch and crappie fishing.
3. The Potomac River near Wilson Bridge: Excellent for crappie and migrating shad.
When it comes to lures and baits, soft plastics in chartreuse or white have been successful for many species, especially when jigging for perch or crappie. Bloodworms and shrimp remain reliable baits, though cut bait like oily menhaden works well for catfish and drum.
Overall, the Chesapeake Bay offers a diverse range of fishing options today. Whether you’re casting for shad, trolling for perch, or targeting drum, it’s a great time to hit the water with friends and family. Tight lines!
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By Quiet. PleaseFishing Report for April 9, 2025, Chesapeake Bay Area:
Greetings anglers! This week around the Chesapeake Bay, fishing action has started to warm up with the spring season kicking into high gear. Today’s sunrise was at 6:38 AM, and sunset will be at 7:34 PM, giving us plenty of daylight for some quality time on the water. The tides for the day at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel saw a high tide at 7:04 AM and 7:20 PM, with low tides at 1:04 PM and an earlier one at 12:39 AM—ideal timing for targeting fish near structure and along channels.
Weather conditions have been stable, favoring fishing activity. The tidal coefficient is high today, meaning strong tidal currents which are favorable for fishing in areas with moving water like bridge pilings and creek mouths. If you’re targeting bottom feeders, tautog are being caught near structures like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, with keepers reported earlier this week. Jigging with crab or clam baits is your best bet for these.
For those chasing migratory species, black drum are moving into the area, especially near Cape Charles and Kiptopeke. Fresh clam or peeler crab works wonders for these bottom feeders. Meanwhile, red drum action is heating up, with rumors of bulls arriving in the southern Bay; using cut mullet or live bait like croaker will set you up for success.
Elsewhere in the Bay, white perch are being caught in the upper tributaries like the Chester River and Bush River. Using bloodworms, grass shrimp, or small jigs can yield great results. Crappie fishing is at its peak in the quieter waters around structure like fallen trees or bridge pilings—perfect for anglers fishing ponds and shallower creeks.
The middle Bay is seeing decent shad runs, particularly in the Potomac River and its tributaries. Small spoons, darts, and chartreuse jigs have been effective here. Anglers reported early morning bites being more productive for these anadromous fish.
Some recommended hot spots for today include:
1. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel: Great for tautog and the expected arrival of black drum.
2. Eastern Bay and the Choptank River: Active perch and crappie fishing.
3. The Potomac River near Wilson Bridge: Excellent for crappie and migrating shad.
When it comes to lures and baits, soft plastics in chartreuse or white have been successful for many species, especially when jigging for perch or crappie. Bloodworms and shrimp remain reliable baits, though cut bait like oily menhaden works well for catfish and drum.
Overall, the Chesapeake Bay offers a diverse range of fishing options today. Whether you’re casting for shad, trolling for perch, or targeting drum, it’s a great time to hit the water with friends and family. Tight lines!
Greetings anglers! This week around the Chesapeake Bay, fishing action has started to warm up with the spring season kicking into high gear. Today’s sunrise was at 6:38 AM, and sunset will be at 7:34 PM, giving us plenty of daylight for some quality time on the water. The tides for the day at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel saw a high tide at 7:04 AM and 7:20 PM, with low tides at 1:04 PM and an earlier one at 12:39 AM—ideal timing for targeting fish near structure and along channels.
Weather conditions have been stable, favoring fishing activity. The tidal coefficient is high today, meaning strong tidal currents which are favorable for fishing in areas with moving water like bridge pilings and creek mouths. If you’re targeting bottom feeders, tautog are being caught near structures like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, with keepers reported earlier this week. Jigging with crab or clam baits is your best bet for these.
For those chasing migratory species, black drum are moving into the area, especially near Cape Charles and Kiptopeke. Fresh clam or peeler crab works wonders for these bottom feeders. Meanwhile, red drum action is heating up, with rumors of bulls arriving in the southern Bay; using cut mullet or live bait like croaker will set you up for success.
Elsewhere in the Bay, white perch are being caught in the upper tributaries like the Chester River and Bush River. Using bloodworms, grass shrimp, or small jigs can yield great results. Crappie fishing is at its peak in the quieter waters around structure like fallen trees or bridge pilings—perfect for anglers fishing ponds and shallower creeks.
The middle Bay is seeing decent shad runs, particularly in the Potomac River and its tributaries. Small spoons, darts, and chartreuse jigs have been effective here. Anglers reported early morning bites being more productive for these anadromous fish.
Some recommended hot spots for today include:
1. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel: Great for tautog and the expected arrival of black drum.
2. Eastern Bay and the Choptank River: Active perch and crappie fishing.
3. The Potomac River near Wilson Bridge: Excellent for crappie and migrating shad.
When it comes to lures and baits, soft plastics in chartreuse or white have been successful for many species, especially when jigging for perch or crappie. Bloodworms and shrimp remain reliable baits, though cut bait like oily menhaden works well for catfish and drum.
Overall, the Chesapeake Bay offers a diverse range of fishing options today. Whether you’re casting for shad, trolling for perch, or targeting drum, it’s a great time to hit the water with friends and family. Tight lines!