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Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Tides, Stripers, and Blue Catfish in the Winter Wonderland
For those venturing out onto the Chesapeake Bay today, January 5, 2025, here’s what you can expect:
First off, let's look at the tides. Today, you'll have a low tide at 5:48 AM and a high tide at 11:56 AM, with another low tide coming in at 6:18 PM. These tidal shifts can be crucial for finding active fish[2].
Weather-wise, it's a typical winter day with crisp temperatures, so make sure to bundle up. Sunrise is at 7:18 AM, and sunset will be at 5:02 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and late afternoon fishing.
The striped bass season for the Potomac River and other parts of the Lower Chesapeake Bay has closed, but catch and release fishing is still allowed. However, many anglers reported successful catches just before the season closed. The mouth of the Potomac was particularly productive, with boats catching slot-sized fish and even some trophy fish. On the Rappahannock, the striped bass bite picked up near the mouth, especially around the Cut Channel up to channel marker 62. Boats were using umbrella rigs with five-inch sassy shads to great effect[1][3].
If you're looking to put some fish in the cooler, blue catfish are abundant in the Lower Bay tributaries. Anglers on the James and Potomac rivers have reported catching multiple blue cats over 30 pounds, with one bank angler on the Potomac catching a 44-pounder[1].
For lures, umbrella rigs with sassy shads are a good choice for striped bass. For blue catfish, use sturdy bottom rigs with bait like nightcrawlers, chicken livers, or even cut bait.
As for hot spots, consider the mouth of the Potomac River and the Cut Channel on the Rappahannock. Another great spot is Elizabeth River Park in Chesapeake, Virginia, which offers a 125-foot pier and convenient boat access. This area is excellent for catching a variety of species, including striped bass and blue catfish[4].
Stay warm and tight lines
First off, let's look at the tides. Today, you'll have a low tide at 5:48 AM and a high tide at 11:56 AM, with another low tide coming in at 6:18 PM. These tidal shifts can be crucial for finding active fish[2].
Weather-wise, it's a typical winter day with crisp temperatures, so make sure to bundle up. Sunrise is at 7:18 AM, and sunset will be at 5:02 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and late afternoon fishing.
The striped bass season for the Potomac River and other parts of the Lower Chesapeake Bay has closed, but catch and release fishing is still allowed. However, many anglers reported successful catches just before the season closed. The mouth of the Potomac was particularly productive, with boats catching slot-sized fish and even some trophy fish. On the Rappahannock, the striped bass bite picked up near the mouth, especially around the Cut Channel up to channel marker 62. Boats were using umbrella rigs with five-inch sassy shads to great effect[1][3].
If you're looking to put some fish in the cooler, blue catfish are abundant in the Lower Bay tributaries. Anglers on the James and Potomac rivers have reported catching multiple blue cats over 30 pounds, with one bank angler on the Potomac catching a 44-pounder[1].
For lures, umbrella rigs with sassy shads are a good choice for striped bass. For blue catfish, use sturdy bottom rigs with bait like nightcrawlers, chicken livers, or even cut bait.
As for hot spots, consider the mouth of the Potomac River and the Cut Channel on the Rappahannock. Another great spot is Elizabeth River Park in Chesapeake, Virginia, which offers a 125-foot pier and convenient boat access. This area is excellent for catching a variety of species, including striped bass and blue catfish[4].
Stay warm and tight lines
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By Quiet. PleaseFor those venturing out onto the Chesapeake Bay today, January 5, 2025, here’s what you can expect:
First off, let's look at the tides. Today, you'll have a low tide at 5:48 AM and a high tide at 11:56 AM, with another low tide coming in at 6:18 PM. These tidal shifts can be crucial for finding active fish[2].
Weather-wise, it's a typical winter day with crisp temperatures, so make sure to bundle up. Sunrise is at 7:18 AM, and sunset will be at 5:02 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and late afternoon fishing.
The striped bass season for the Potomac River and other parts of the Lower Chesapeake Bay has closed, but catch and release fishing is still allowed. However, many anglers reported successful catches just before the season closed. The mouth of the Potomac was particularly productive, with boats catching slot-sized fish and even some trophy fish. On the Rappahannock, the striped bass bite picked up near the mouth, especially around the Cut Channel up to channel marker 62. Boats were using umbrella rigs with five-inch sassy shads to great effect[1][3].
If you're looking to put some fish in the cooler, blue catfish are abundant in the Lower Bay tributaries. Anglers on the James and Potomac rivers have reported catching multiple blue cats over 30 pounds, with one bank angler on the Potomac catching a 44-pounder[1].
For lures, umbrella rigs with sassy shads are a good choice for striped bass. For blue catfish, use sturdy bottom rigs with bait like nightcrawlers, chicken livers, or even cut bait.
As for hot spots, consider the mouth of the Potomac River and the Cut Channel on the Rappahannock. Another great spot is Elizabeth River Park in Chesapeake, Virginia, which offers a 125-foot pier and convenient boat access. This area is excellent for catching a variety of species, including striped bass and blue catfish[4].
Stay warm and tight lines
First off, let's look at the tides. Today, you'll have a low tide at 5:48 AM and a high tide at 11:56 AM, with another low tide coming in at 6:18 PM. These tidal shifts can be crucial for finding active fish[2].
Weather-wise, it's a typical winter day with crisp temperatures, so make sure to bundle up. Sunrise is at 7:18 AM, and sunset will be at 5:02 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and late afternoon fishing.
The striped bass season for the Potomac River and other parts of the Lower Chesapeake Bay has closed, but catch and release fishing is still allowed. However, many anglers reported successful catches just before the season closed. The mouth of the Potomac was particularly productive, with boats catching slot-sized fish and even some trophy fish. On the Rappahannock, the striped bass bite picked up near the mouth, especially around the Cut Channel up to channel marker 62. Boats were using umbrella rigs with five-inch sassy shads to great effect[1][3].
If you're looking to put some fish in the cooler, blue catfish are abundant in the Lower Bay tributaries. Anglers on the James and Potomac rivers have reported catching multiple blue cats over 30 pounds, with one bank angler on the Potomac catching a 44-pounder[1].
For lures, umbrella rigs with sassy shads are a good choice for striped bass. For blue catfish, use sturdy bottom rigs with bait like nightcrawlers, chicken livers, or even cut bait.
As for hot spots, consider the mouth of the Potomac River and the Cut Channel on the Rappahannock. Another great spot is Elizabeth River Park in Chesapeake, Virginia, which offers a 125-foot pier and convenient boat access. This area is excellent for catching a variety of species, including striped bass and blue catfish[4].
Stay warm and tight lines