Hey there, this is Artificial Lure with your Thursday morning Chesapeake Bay fishing report for November 27th, 2025.

Let's break down what you're working with today. Tide-wise, we're looking at a high tide at 3:03 AM sitting at 2.85 feet, then a low around 10:09 AM at 0.49 feet. Another high tide comes in at 3:53 PM at 2.62 feet. The tidal coefficient is running at 98, which means we've got some solid tidal movement pushing baitfish around. Perfect for feeding activity.

Weather's cooperating nicely too—expect cool and sunny conditions across the Bay all week with relatively stable water. No rain expected until Sunday, so you've got a solid window to get out there.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. The striped bass action has been excellent lately. Down in the lower Potomac from Cobb Island past Piney Point, anglers have been connecting on quality stripers. Focus on those steep edges like Line Bar and Sheepshead Bar, jigging large soft plastics in the 6 to 10-inch range along deep structure. Out in the main Bay channel edges between 30 and 45 feet—especially off Cove Point and from Buoy 76 south to Buoy 72—stripers are suspending close to bottom. Bring thin braid and a fast action rod for that deep water jigging.

Upper Bay's been producing too. Blue catfish are moving freely through channel areas around the Conowingo Dam pool and Susquehanna River mouth. Mix in some walleye and smallmouth bass action with soft plastic jigs and paddletails.

If you're targeting tautog, hit the bridge piers on Route 90 and Verrazzano with soft plastic jigs and paddletails. Chain pickerel have moved shallow near sunken wood and old stumps—paddletails work great since they feature single hooks, avoiding those nasty snags.

My hot spots today: First, head to the lower Potomac steep edges if you want stripers. Second, work the upper Chesapeake channels around Conowingo for catfish and smallmouth.

Thanks for tuning in to your Thursday morning Bay report. Make sure you subscribe for daily updates on what's biting around here.

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Artificial Lure here, bringing you your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for November 26, 2025, straight from Virginia’s salty doorstep.

We’re heading into late fall now, with air temps waking up chilly in the mid-40s and topping out in the high 50s. The wind is pushing out of the north-northwest this morning, 10 to 15 knots, gusting higher at times, so bundle up if you’re launching early. The water temperature in the lower Bay has slid down close to 50°F, which puts us right at the start of that classic cold-weather bite.

Sunrise hit at 6:55 a.m., and sunset will come early today at 4:54 p.m.—plan your trip to maximize those juicy in-between hours. Tides are moving: Low tide at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel set in around 5:08 a.m. at 0.52 ft, peaking with the day’s high at 11:40 a.m. at a healthy 3.05 ft. Expect another low just after 6 p.m. If you’re fishing near the mouth, look for rolling current on that late morning rising tide—that’s when the stripers like to feed.

Speaking of stripers, the Maryland DNR reports a small uptick in juvenile numbers this season, but adult spawning ratios remain below historical averages. Don’t let that get you down: November brings trophy striped bass sliding into the Bay, particularly around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and Potomac mouth. Reports from FishTalk Magazine say the CBBT is still one of those “perennial winners” for early winter big fish, and Smith Point to Point Lookout is firing as well.

The bite lately has favored **striped bass** but don’t rule out fleets of healthy **bluefish**, especially further south. Last week, locals boated solid numbers of legal-sized rockfish (mostly 24 to 34 inch), with a few pushovers into the upper 30s. Bluefish have shown in smaller packs, averaging 2-5 lbs, making for fast action on the edges and up creeks.

On the tackle front, you want to keep it simple and tough. Crankbaits are hot right now—seven-to-ten-inch shad-patterned hard baits, especially with a SPOTTED glide or silvery profile, have produced fish in open water. Jigging spoons (1–2 oz.), leadheads dressed with big plastics, or classic bucktails tipped with Gulp are also getting the job done, especially when the schools are deep. For bait, nothing’s beating live eels—drift them over the shoals in Virginia waters or slow-troll along structure. Cut bunker and peeler crab also work when fish get tight to the bottom. If the wind lays down, try drifting soft plastics or working topwater plugs at daybreak for some explosive strikes.

A couple of HOT SPOTS you should know:
- **Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel:** Early season trophy stripers, especially along the light-lines after dark. Try floating eels here for a real fight.
- **Mouth of the Potomac (Smith Point to Point Lookout):** Strong mix of striper and blues this week, with good bird action showing bait movement offshore—look for diving gannets and you’ll find the fish.

With water temps dropping, expect fish to stack near deeper ledges or warmwater discharges. If you’re searching for a quieter bite, target creek mouths and deeper holes in the early afternoon as the sun warms the area.

Remember, stay flexible with your presentations. If the fish turn finicky, downsize your plastics or toss in a finesse soft bait to tempt a strike.

Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure’s fishing report for Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. Don’t forget to subscribe for your next trip, and keep those lines tight.

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# Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report - Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Well folks, this is Artificial Lure coming at you with your Tuesday morning fishing report for the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia waters. Let me get you dialed in on what's happening out there today.

**The Conditions**

We're looking at a Small Craft Advisory in effect from this afternoon through tomorrow morning, so conditions are going to get a bit rough. Expect winds picking up to around 25 knots, so be smart out there and maybe stick to protected waters or lee shores if you're heading out. We're in that late fall stretch now—bundle up, folks. The water's getting cold, and old Man Bay doesn't forgive mistakes this time of year.

**Tidal Information**

For Norfolk area, we had low tide at 5:10 AM and high tide around 11:37 AM. If you're fishing around Cape Henry or other northern sections, timing your outgoing tide will be key for getting baitfish moving. Pay attention to those tidal movements—they're going to concentrate your fish.

**Recent Catches**

The striped bass fishing has been steady. Reports from Smith's Bait Shop over in Delaware and Maryland waters show folks pulling small stripers from places like Woodland Beach. These juveniles are around, but remember—the 2025 striped bass survey shows we're still struggling. Young-of-year numbers came in at 4.0, well below the long-term average of 11. So handle those small stripers with respect and practice catch-and-release on the undersized fish.

We also had some major offshore action recently. James Frazetti Jr. set a state record with a 7-pound, 8-ounce pompano dolphinfish off Ocean City, and Marc Spagnola from Berlin landed a massive 78-pound longfin albacore in the Hudson Canyon. If you're running offshore on better weather days, those are the species worth chasing.

**Lures and Bait**

For inshore work around the Bay, live bait is going to outperform artificials right now. Fresh mullet, shrimp, and crabs are your bread and butter. If you want to throw lures, stick with classic rockfish offerings and some of those proven trolling rigs. Keep it simple—the fish aren't in a fancy mood in November.

**Hotspots to Hit**

Look at Woodland Beach if you want consistent small striper action. For something different, the Potomac River tributaries have been holding snakeheads if you want an alternative target—just know what you're looking for with those invasive fish.

**Wrapping Up**

That's your Tuesday morning report, folks. Stay safe out there with that Small Craft Advisory, and make smart decisions. Thanks for tuning in, and don't forget to subscribe for your daily fishing intel right here.

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Artificial Lure here, bringing you the Chesapeake Bay fishing report for Monday, November 24, 2025, straight from the water’s edge in Virginia.

Sun popped up at 7:20am, setting a little early tonight at 6:15pm, so if you’re planning a late bite, get your casts in before that dusk window closes. Tides are on the average side today, with a morning low around 3:30am, high tide hitting mid-bay just before 10am, and then dropping off for another low around 4:20pm, according to Tides4Fishing. That falling water most of the morning means moving bait in the shallows, and fish will be active in current breaks and drop-offs.

Weather’s about textbook late November: northwest winds kicking between 10-20 knots early, shifting north and calming a tad come afternoon, with gusts up to 25 knots. Seas offshore running steady 3-5 feet—occasionally higher—so the Bay’s protected spots are the ticket. It's crisp and cool; make sure to layer up, but at least there’s no major rain in the immediate forecast for daylight hours.

Fish activity is high this week. Striped bass—locals call ’em rockfish—are in classic fall feeding mode. Reports from up and down the lower bay and Choptank say big schools are blitzing on bunker and shad, especially at sunrise and sunset. There’s a strong bite on metal jigs: anglers using 1-1.5 oz flutter jigs and bucktails are limiting out quick, with keepers between 22-32 inches showing up regularly. According to The Water’s Edge, light tackle jigging is producing not just quantity but serious quality, with plenty of boat action between the islands and structure.

Down near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, tautog are holding steady around rock piles and bridge pilings. Recent catches have been solid, with fish up to 5 pounds for those dropping green crab or fiddler crab right to the pylons. YouTube anglers last week reported steady bites—when the rain held off—with tautog and the occasional sheepshead mixed in.

Speckled trout and red drum are still around, especially in warmer pockets up the rivers and moving on flats near Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlet. MirrOlure 52Ms, Gulp shrimp, and Z-Man paddletails in pink and white have been hot, especially when fished slow with the cooling water. Live mud minnows and mullet cut bait are drawing some bigger trout from creek mouths on outgoing tides.

Best bets for today:
- **Hotspot:** Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel—fish the first and second islands for both striped bass and tautog.
- **Hotspot:** Lynnhaven Inlet—early morning outgoing tide for specks and schoolie drum, especially near the oyster bars.
- **Hotspot:** Choptank River mouth (if you’re venturing north), where big rockfish blitzes have been reported near bunker pods.

For bait, cut bunker, live eels, and crab dominate for stripers and tautog. For artificials, flutter jigs (FishLab Carnada or similar) and bucktails tipped with Fat Cow strips are working wonders on the bass. Soft plastics like Gulp and Z-Man have been consistent for specks and drum on a quarter-ounce jighead.

Keep an eye out for gulls and diving birds; where you see bird action, there’ll be feeding fish underneath—it’s the best clue you’ll get all day.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Chesapeake Bay report. Don’t forget to subscribe for more local updates, tips, and on-the-water action.

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Artificial Lure reporting from the heart of Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, and folks, it’s been a classic late November bite. As of sunrise at 7:17 a.m. and with sunset due around 6:19 p.m., we’re sitting square in one of the best annual windows for Striped Bass action. The weather this morning is brisk, with light winds and temps dancing in the upper 40s—blessedly stable compared to last week’s gusts.

Let’s talk tides. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel shows a high tide rolling through close to 10:29 a.m., bottoming out about 4:45 p.m. That means the first half of the day’s outgoing tide is prime, so get your lines wet early. If you’re tracking solunar peaks, expect stronger bite activity beginning midmorning and carrying through early afternoon; that's when those lines should be tight.

Striped Bass, or rockfish, are moving deep as water temps cool. Big migrators are holding along channel edges, river mouths, and—especially—around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Reports from Cville Buzz and The BayNet confirm catches have been strong, ranging from schoolies up to legal keepers. Anglers are loading up on jigs with soft plastics, bucktails tipped with Gulp! or strips of menhaden, and the classic Ava diamond jigs. If you’re gear-rich, trolling spoons and umbrella rigs remain top producers. For bait, live eels and spot are hard to beat; otherwise, cut menhaden or peeler crab draws reaction bites near dock pilings and bridge abutments.

Tautog fishing is firing on all cylinders; the rock rubble, pilings, and island structures at the CBBT are packed. Popular baits include blue or green crabs, sand fleas, and clams. Most catches are hovering near the legal mark, and every tide flip brings opportunity.

White perch are holding deep at rock piles, bridge abutments, and oyster lumps near the lower Choptank River and Matapeake. Find ‘em on your sonar and drop heavy, small jigs baited with grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces. Folks have been bringing in nice stringers, especially around Eastern Bay and the mouth of the Susquehanna.

Black sea bass, gray trout, and bluefish have kept wreck and reef anglers busy offshore. Black sea bass have stacked up over deeper structure—think 80 to 150 feet—smashing squid strips, cut fish, clam, and bucktails tipped with bait. If the wind lays down, expect fast action and frequent limits.

Hot spots to watch right now:
- Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel islands and pilings for stripers and tautog.
- Lower Potomac River, especially between the Wicomico and Piney Point, for deeper holding stripers.
- Matapeake and Eastern Bay for white perch and occasional schoolie rockfish.

As always, adjust your lure color to match the light and water clarity—lighter for clearer days, darker when it’s murky. Jigging spoons and diamond jigs are a must-have, especially around structure and when bass are tightlipped.

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Artificial Lure here with your Thursday morning fishing report from Chesapeake Bay, Virginia—right at sunrise on November 20th, 2025. It’s a classic late fall morning: mostly cloudy skies, winds are light but there’s a chill, temps starting near 44°F and expected to top out just above fifty by mid-afternoon. Water temps have dropped into the low 50s, so fish metabolism and feeding windows are changing. The forecast calls for a mix of clouds, calm wind, and seasonable temps according to the National Weather Service.

Today’s tide at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel features a low right before dawn around 4:45 am at 0.39 ft, rising to a high at roughly 11:06 am hitting 3.41 ft, then falling again by 5:32 pm to 0.46 ft. The solunar calendar shows major bite windows in sync with late morning and early afternoon, so plan casting around those periods for best luck. Sunrise was right at 7:16 am, with sunset set for 6:20 pm. These transitional November days mean shorter windows of good daylight fishing.

Let’s talk about what’s biting. Striped bass—rockfish—are still the headline. According to the Maryland DNR’s late 2025 report, the juvenile striped bass index ticked up a notch, but spawning success is still below average. Still, the fall migration is keeping adult stripers moving up the Bay, with most catches between 20" and 28". Anglers are reporting steady catches around the CBBT using live eels or jumbo bloodworms on bottom rigs, but casting 1-2 oz jig-headed soft plastics (white or chartreuse) and umbrella rigs have put plenty of healthy fish in the boat.

Speckled trout is holding near mouths of tidal creeks—spots like Lynnhaven Inlet and Rudee Inlet are prime. Most trout are in the 14-20“ range. Gulp! jerk shads in nuclear chicken or rootbeer gold have been hot sellers, while the Strike King Speckled Trout lure has landed plenty, especially during outgoing tides. If you’re after bottom-dwellers, tautog and sheepshead are hugging deeper pilings and rock—especially at the CBBT. Reports from November 14th around the bridge-tunnel show tautog up to 6 lbs being landed on crab and fiddlers. Sheepshead action is slowing but not over, so use smaller hooks and fresh bait for best results.

Old timers will tell you bluefish are scattered, but a few snapper blues are still mixed in schools down near Kiptopeke and inside the Eastern Shore creeks. Metal spoons and flashy crankbaits are working when birds are working bait, and a patient cast from the surf can still get you a surprise.

For baits: live eels, jumbo bloodworms, and peeler crab are best for big rockfish and tautog. Soft plastics work well for trout, and fresh shrimp or sand fleas will get bites from black drum and sheepshead, especially in the deeper channels.

Recent catches have included a notable pompano dolphinfish landed offshore—7 lbs, 8 oz—but inside the Bay, anglers are mostly reporting mixed bags of stripers, trout, tautog, and the occasional schoolie blue. Offshore longfin albacore are making headlines in Ocean City, but that’s a run for another report.

Hot spots for your best shot:
- Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel: fish the pillings at mid-tide for tautog and stripers.
- Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets: outgoing tide for speckled trout and occasional puppy drum.
- Kiptopeke State Park fishing pier: stripers at dawn and dusk with live bait.
- Eastern Shore tidal creeks: trout and slot reds on soft plastics.
- The Cape Henry area: birds working bait around midday are your sign for schoolies.

Whatever your target, remember to check local regs and slot limits, especially for striped bass. The season’s winding down, but good fish are still out there if you time your tide, know your bait, and work those bite windows.

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Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming to you with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

We're just past sunrise, with official first light at 6:47 a.m. and sunset scheduled for 4:54 p.m., so you’ve got a solid window to work the water before dusk sets in. As the sun came up, the bay was calm with southeast winds around 5 to 10 knots and waves laid down at about a foot, making for prime late-fall fishing conditions. The air’s crisp but not bitter, with high temps forecast to brush the low 50s by afternoon—classic November Chesapeake weather, perfect for layered gear and a thermos of coffee. According to the NOAA marine forecast, expect these manageable conditions to hold through the day, making it a great opportunity for both inshore and near-shore efforts.

Tide tables show a falling tide through the first part of the morning, with low tide around mid-morning and a swing back to rising by midday. Those planning to chase the bite in creek mouths or around structure should focus efforts just before and after the low for best results, as moving water will get the fish on the prowl. According to tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov, Rudee Inlet and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel are matching this pattern, so pay attention to water flow changes wherever you launch.

Now, let’s talk about what’s biting. The late-fall striped bass run is in full effect, and folks are reporting one of the stronger years in recent memory. As reported by the Southern Maryland Chronicle, breaking schools of striped bass—locals call 'em rockfish—have been erupting from lower river points up to bridge pilings. Anglers have been filling coolers in short order, especially trolling or jigging with 1/2-ounce bucktails and soft plastics. Early morning breaking action has been hot from the mouth of the Potomac up past Point Patience and into the inshore Bay itself. Right now, Chesapeake regs mean one rockfish per person per day in the 19- to 24-inch slot, so bring your tape and keep it honest.

Bluefish are still active on the rips and deeper channels—Classic metal spoons and Gotchas are the perennial favorite, but don’t be afraid to toss a topwater plug if you see surface action on the outgoing. In the creeks and around the bridge pilings, white perch are bunched up in numbers. Anglers are loading up on them using Sabiki rigs tipped with bloodworm or shrimp pieces—one group reportedly landed over a hundred keepers in just a few hours this past weekend.

Don’t overlook the blue catfish bite in the tributaries. Up near the mouth of the James and the lower Potomac, cut menhaden or chicken liver is tempting true “river monsters,” with fish up over 20 pounds not uncommon right now. The outflows near Benedict Bridge and the Chalk Point power plant are particularly hot.

And for the adventurous: the northern snakehead continues to draw local bowfishers and lure anglers alike, especially in brackish marshes and creeks. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, their population looks to be holding steady, and they’ll readily crush paddle-tail swimbaits or frogs worked over grass.

For gear and lure recommendations: jigs with soft plastics (white or chartreuse), bucktails, and classic trolling umbrellas for the stripers are getting results. Bloodworms and shrimp pieces for bottom fishing perch; large chunk baits for the catfish. Folks targeting blues or red drum are having luck with metal spoons, especially around schools of bait on moving tides.

Today’s top hotspots? The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is firing for rockfish and bluefish, especially on the outgoing tide around pilings and current breaks. The mouth of the James River for cats and stripers, and for a mixed-bag perch bonanza, try the deeper channels by the Solomons Bridge.

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Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Let’s dive into the conditions and what’s biting in our local waters today.

**Tide & Weather:**
Virginia Beach tide tables show we started off with a low tide at 6:23 am and will see the next high tide at 12:53 pm, followed by another low at 7:29 pm. The tidal coefficient’s only 34, meaning weak currents with limited tidal swing—not ideal for strong movement, but slick for working structure and channels. Expect about 10 hours and 46 minutes of sunshine, with sunrise at 7:24 am and sunset at 6:11 pm. The marine forecast calls for northwest winds around 10–15 knots, gusting up to 20 knots. Skies are clearing, and temps should climb into the comfortable low 50s by midday.

**Fish Activity & Catches:**
Recent reports from Hatteras Harbor and Rudow’s FishTalk say the fall bite is rolling, especially inshore. Sheepshead are being caught regularly around bridge pilings and rocky structure. Black Drum and Sea Bass have been lively, and Bluefish are still in the mix. Offshore boats have seen sporadic runs with Blackfin Tuna and King Mackerel; however, the main action this week has been on the bottom.

Puppy Drum (juvenile Red Drum) are schooling in shallow flats near coves, while Tautog are starting to show up as water temps drop. Rockfish (Striped Bass)—the king of the Bay—remain catch-and-release only, but there’s chatter about steady hookups in the mouth of the bay and upriver, especially near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

**What’s Working:**
For Sheepshead and Tautog, fiddler crabs and cut peeler crab are money baits on dropper rigs tight to structure. For Sea Bass and Drum, shrimp or cut mullet chunks produce well. Artificial lures like bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp! are locking up Bluefish and schoolie Rockfish around deeper channel edges. King Mackerel offshore have hit slow-trolled spoons and live bait rigs, while bottom fish anglers are seeing success with squid strips.

**Hot Spots:**
- **CBBT (Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel):** Always reliable for Sheepshead and nearshore species. Try the rock islands on the outgoing tide.
- **Lynnhaven Inlet:** Schoolie Rockfish and Puppy Drum are firing on soft plastics at dawn and dusk.
- **Poquoson Flats & York River:** Prime right now for slot-size Red Drum and Tautog as the colder water pushes them closer to shore.
- **Kiptopeke State Park Piers:** Good variety including Sea Bass and Black Drum, especially if you fish with fresh clam or peeler crab.

**Tips from the Locals:**
Work your bait super tight to structure today—lower currents mean fish will be hugging pilings, rocks, and oyster beds. Downsizing tackle and slowing presentations could make the difference. If you’re after Blue Catfish in the tidal rivers, as pro tipper Alex McCrickard recommends, use fresh cut shad or herring and focus on deeper holes where current slows.

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This is Artificial Lure, coming to you with your Chesapeake Bay, Virginia fishing report for November 17, 2025.

Out on the Bay this morning, you’re waking to a crisp late-fall scene. According to the National Weather Service’s latest briefing, temps are hovering in the upper 40s to low 50s with light NW winds at 5-10 knots, making for slick seas and a comfortable drift for all you boat anglers out there. The sky’s mostly clear, but a slight increase in clouds is expected later in the day, and you might see a bit of rain by evening.

Sunrise was at 6:51 AM, and sunset rolls in at 4:55 PM, so you’ve got a compact window of daylight to fill those coolers. Tides at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel showed a high tide topping out at 6:11 AM at 2.94 feet and a low at 12:28 PM down to 0.4 feet. That early morning incoming tide lined up perfectly with sunrise, giving you prime conditions for the first bite.

Fish activity this week has been red hot, especially for striped bass. Virginia Saltwater Fishing Report says this is the peak of the migration — big cows are moving into the lower Bay, hanging near classic haunts like the pilings of the CBBT and the rips around Cape Henry. Word is, trophy stripers up to 40 inches have come boat-side the last two days, with the slot-size fish thick in the mix.

If you’re targeting these linesiders, top-producing lures right now include 6- to 9-inch shad-bodied swimbaits rigged on heavy jigheads, as well as big paddle tails and classic bucktail jigs dressed with pork trailers. For those working light tackle along the rocks or from shore, crankbaits that imitate bunker, and suspending jerkbaits like Lucky Craft 110’s in natural shad or chartreuse back, have crushed fish at dawn and dusk. Live eels drifted near the pilings in 20–30 feet of water remain the bait of choice if you’re soaking meat.

Down deep near the wrecks and artificial reefs, Great Days Outdoors reports a great sea bass and triggerfish bite. Anglers are scoring by dropping thumbnail-sized fresh bait — think squid or clam strips — on size 2 J-hooks, especially when the current picks up midway through the tide. And don’t overlook tawny bottom dwellers: blue catfish are still causing chaos in the tidal rivers, with cut gizzard shad or chicken breast pulling big blues from ledges and channels, according to The Fishing Wire.

For those looking for hotspots, two stand out this week:
- The Fourth Island of the CBBT is absolutely loaded with striped bass, especially around the slack-to-flood tide transition. All you need is a stout rod, some bunker-pattern swimbaits, and patience as the schools move in and out with the tide.
- The mouth of the James River, particularly near the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, continues to be reliable for blue catfish and some lingering specks holding around drop-offs.

Shore action has also picked up at local harbours and headlands around Norfolk — these sheltered zones attract plenty of bait and, in turn, predatory fish on moving tides.

Final tip: keep your gear simple and sharp. Braided main line with a fluorocarbon leader gives you the strength and stealth needed for these clear, cold-water conditions.

That wraps up today’s Chesapeake Bay fishing report from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in — don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a bite! This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay, Virginia fishing report for Sunday, November 16, 2025.

Sunrise today rolled in at 7:12 AM, with sunset coming up at 6:25 PM over Virginia Beach, setting up a short but promising fall fishing window. Tidal action started with a predawn high around 4:43 AM at 3.5 feet, low tide at 10:47 AM down to about 0.7 feet, and we'll have another high at 5:03 PM pushing up to near 3.9 feet. That means anglers got prime movement at dawn and again late afternoon, perfect for targeting inshore and nearshore species according to Tides4Fishing.

Weather-wise, conditions are rough—there's a Small Craft Advisory and even a Storm Warning out from this afternoon through Sunday. Winds are ramping up out of the east, sustained around 20–25 knots with gusts threatening 40–50 knots as the day goes on, and waves are already building to 8–10 feet in some exposed sections. The National Weather Service and Cape Weather both report periods of rain, with the worst of it later today and into tonight.

These conditions will have most small craft hugging the shoreline, inside rivers, or ducking into protected inlets. For those still heading out safely, it's a day for caution and close eye on the forecast.

Let’s talk fish: The fall speckled trout bite remains lively throughout lower Chesapeake Bay creeks and inlets. This past week, the stretch around Lynnhaven River has been red hot. Local guides like Captain Preston Hukill and anglers in the Miles of Love Speckled Trout Tournament are reporting a solid mix of trout, with many in the 16–22 inch range and a few gators pushing 26 inches. Red drum have stayed active near the mouths of inlets and flats, especially when the tide’s moving.

Over the bridge-tunnel structure and open waters—when they’re fishable—mixed bags are in play. Sea bass, triggerfish, and the occasional tautog are still out deep. Swordfish have been the word offshore, but you’ll need heavy gear and good timing to make that trip. For bottom dwellers, triggerfish are hitting small bits of clam and squid, rigged on size 2 J hooks, especially tight to structure—just like recent catches shared by Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report contributors.

Best lures and bait for today are:
- For specks and reds: soft plastics in natural minnow patterns (like white or grey paddle tails), MirrOlure suspending twitchbaits, and, if the water’s murky, chartreuse jigheads.
- For sea bass, tautog, and triggers: fresh cut clam or squid, green crab on tog jigs, and even small bucktail jigs.
Hair jigs are also outperforming for bass in colder fall waters, as highlighted by Outdoor News—the subtle presentation can turn a slow day around.

A couple of hot spots you shouldn’t skip:
- Lynnhaven Inlet and River: Sheltered from the biggest waves and loaded with trout, reds, and schoolie stripers.
- The pilings and spans of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel: Always a magnet for tautog, sea bass, and triggerfish this time of year, as long as you can handle the chop.

Remember, with the water temps dropping and weather rolling through, fish are seeking comfort zones—deep pockets, drop-offs, and warm downstream eddies. Work your lures slow, stay sharp on safety, and if it gets too rough, the creeks and backwaters are always waiting.

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