Hey there, fellow anglers, this is Artificial Lure here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene in and around Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, for today, February 5, 2025.

First off, let's talk about the conditions. The weather has been quite chilly, but we've seen a slight warmup recently, which is a welcome change. Water temperatures in the Middle Bay are still in the low to mid 30s, so the fish are mostly lethargic and holding close to the bottom.

Now, let's look at the tides. For today, February 5, at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, we have a high tide at 1:14 AM and another at 1:31 PM, with low tides at 7:46 AM and 7:46 PM. These tides can be crucial for finding active fish, especially around structures like ledges and creek mouths.

Sunrise today is at 7:03 AM, and sunset will be at 5:34 PM, giving us a decent window for both morning and afternoon fishing trips.

Despite the cold, there's still some great fishing to be had. In the Middle Bay, striped bass, particularly the big migratory ones, are still present. Captain Steve Griffin of Griffins Guide Service has reported catching a few of these big stripers in undisclosed locations. The warm water discharge at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant remains a hot spot, as it attracts striped bass and other species seeking relief from the cold water.

For tackle, bouncing jigs with soft plastics along the bottom while drifting in areas where fish have been marked is a good strategy. BKDs and Bust ‘Ems on G-Eye heads have also been effective. If you're targeting striped bass, vertical jigging metal and trolling one-ounce jigs with 5” plastics can be productive.

In the Way South tributaries, red drum are still active, particularly in deeper parts of areas like Rudee Inlet. Fresh shrimp and soft plastic swimbaits are working well for these fish. Tautog are also being caught in both the Bay and at offshore reef sites, with shrimp and clam proving to be effective baits.

For specific hot spots, consider the Western Branch of the Patuxent River, which remains open due to the warm water influence and can offer good opportunities for pickerel and bass near fallen trees and creek mouths. Another spot is the area around the Gas Docks, where some big stripers have been reported recently.

In summary, while the fishing can be challenging in these cold conditions, there are still plenty of opportunities to catch some great fish in Chesapeake Bay. Keep an eye on those tides, and don't hesitate to try out the warm water discharge areas or the deeper ledges along the shipping channel. Stay warm and tight lines

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Hey there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on today's fishing scene in and around Chesapeake Bay, Virginia.

First off, let's talk about the tides. For today, February 3rd, 2025, at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, we're looking at a low tide at 5:35 AM and a high tide at 11:41 AM. The next low tide will be at 5:51 PM, so plan your trips accordingly[2].

Weather-wise, it's chilly, but that's what we expect in February. Make sure to bundle up because the cold can be biting. Sunrise is at 7:04 AM, and sunset will be at 5:32 PM, giving us a decent window to get out on the water.

Now, let's dive into the fish activity. This time of year, the oceanic action is generally quiet, but there are some exceptions. If you're heading out to the wrecks and reefs off the coast, tautog are still active and willing to take green crabs or white leggers. Shrimp and clam have also proven effective as baits for these tough fighters[4].

In the freshwater and tributary areas, yellow perch, pickerel, and crappie are your best bets. These fish don't mind the super-cold water temps, so you can find them in the deeper haunts of the Upper Chesapeake Bay. Dropping down tandems with minnows or using minnows on a bottom rig can get you into some nice action. Don't forget to set some cut baits along the channel edges for catfish; they never stop eating, no matter the temperature[1].

For those targeting blue catfish, the James, Rappahannock, and Potomac rivers are hot spots. These fish are hugging the bottom in deep water, and fresh cut bait on bottom rigs is the way to go. You can expect to catch fish in the 10- to 15-pound range, with some bigger ones mixed in[3].

If you're looking for some pickerel action, the tributaries and creeks feeding the mainstem Bay are solid choices. Casting paddletails was hot earlier in the winter, but now suspending minnows on shad darts and small bucktails under a bobber seems to be the most effective method[1].

Here are a couple of hot spots to consider:

- **Upper Chesapeake Bay Tributaries**: Look for deep holes downriver of perch spawning grounds for a nice slug of fish. Pickerel are also active in these areas.
- **James, Rappahannock, and Potomac Rivers**: These rivers are prime for blue catfish fishing. Toss some cut bait out on the bottom along the channel edges for fast action.

In summary, while it's cold and the ocean is quiet, there's still plenty of action to be had in the Chesapeake Bay area. Grab your gear, dress warm, and head out to the tributaries or the coastal wrecks for some exciting winter fishing.

Stay warm, stay patient, and tight lines

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Hey there, fellow anglers It's Artificial Lure here, and I'm excited to share the latest fishing report for Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, as of February 2, 2025.

First off, let's talk about the weather and tidal conditions. Today, we're dealing with some chilly winter weather, which has been the norm lately. The tide times for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel are as follows: low tide at 4:39 AM with a height of -0.11 meters, high tide at 10:48 AM with a height of 0.8 meters, low tide again at 5:02 PM with a height of -0.15 meters, and finally, high tide at 11:22 PM with a height of 0.84 meters. Sunrise is at 7:05 AM, and sunset is at 5:30 PM.

Despite the cold, the fishing has been quite active in certain areas. If you're looking to catch some big fish, the Lower Bay tributaries are your best bet. Blue catfish are still biting aggressively, and we've seen some massive catches recently. Just north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge on the Potomac River, anglers have been pulling in blue catfish ranging from 20 to 44 pounds, with some even reaching up to 62 pounds on the James River. Fresh strips of gizzard shad are the hot bait right now, so make sure you've got some of those in your tackle box.

For those targeting striped bass, although the season is closed, catch and release fishing is still allowed. The mouth of the Potomac and the Rappahannock River were productive spots before the season closed, with anglers catching slot-sized fish and some trophy fish. Trolling with umbrella rigs and five-inch sassy shads was the method of choice.

If you're fishing in the Way South tributaries, red drum are still active, particularly in the deeper parts of Rudee Inlet. They're biting well on fresh shrimp and soft plastic swimbaits. Tautog are also being caught in both the Bay and at offshore reef sites, with shrimp and clam proving effective due to the lack of crab.

Here are a couple of hot spots to consider:

1. **Potomac River near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge**: This area has been producing some massive blue catfish. Look for them in as shallow as 10 feet of water.
2. **Rudee Inlet**: For red drum, this is a great spot, especially in the deeper areas. Use fresh shrimp or soft plastic swimbaits for the best results.
3. **Rappahannock River**: Although the striped bass season is closed, this area is still worth a visit for catch and release fishing. The Cut Channel up to channel marker 62 has been holding some fish.

In summary, while the weather is cold, the fish are still biting. Blue catfish are the stars of the show right now, but red drum and tautog are also providing some exciting action. Make sure to bundle up, and don't hesitate to brave the cold for a chance at some trophy fish.

Stay warm, stay patient, and tight lines

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene in and around Chesapeake Bay for today, February 1st, 2025.

First off, let's talk about the weather and tidal conditions. It's been a chilly winter, and today is no exception. The temperatures are still in the mid-30s, and ice is forming on many of the tidal creeks and rivers. As for the tides, according to the latest reports, we have a low tide at 6:35 AM with a height of -0.09 meters (-0.28 feet), followed by a high tide at 11:52 AM with a height of 0.57 meters (1.87 feet), and another low tide at 7:03 PM with a height of -0.09 meters (-0.31 feet)[2].

Given these conditions, fishing might be a bit challenging, but there are still some opportunities to catch some great fish. Sunrise today is at 7:06 AM, and sunset is at 5:30 PM, so you've got a good window to get out there.

Recently, the big news has been about the blue catfish. These invasive bottom dwellers are more active during the winter months, and some of the biggest fish of the year are caught this time. Anglers have been reporting catches of blue catfish ranging from 20 to 62 pounds in the Lower Bay tributaries, particularly in the Potomac, Rappahannock, and James rivers. Fresh cut gizzard shad and eel are the preferred baits for these hard-fighting fish[1].

If you're looking to catch striped bass, they are likely to be found glued to the bottom along the deeper channels of the Bay, Potomac, and Rappahannock. However, the bite windows are short due to the cold conditions. Catch and release fishing is still allowed since the striped bass season is closed[1].

For those targeting other species, speckled trout are still active in the rivers and inlets of the Chesapeake Bay. Soft plastics on jig heads have been effective for these fish. Tautog catches are also being reported on structure both in the bay and in the ocean, with shrimp and clam being the baits of choice due to the unavailability of fresh crab[5].

In terms of hot spots, the James River has been producing some impressive blue catfish catches. Goober Time Guide Service recently caught six fish weighing 15, 27, 38, 57, 57, and 62 pounds there. The Potomac River, especially just north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, has also been productive for blue catfish. For striped bass, the mouth of the Potomac and the Cut Channel up to channel marker 62 on the Rappahannock River are worth checking out[1].

When it comes to lures and bait, for blue catfish, stick with fresh cut gizzard shad and eel. For striped bass, umbrella rigs pulling five-inch sassy shads have been effective. For speckled trout, soft plastics on jig heads are the way to go. And for tautog, shrimp and clam are your best bets[1][5].

So, if you're willing to brave the cold, there are definitely some trophy fish waiting for you in the Chesapeake Bay. Stay warm, stay patient, and tight lines

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene in and around Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, as of January 31, 2025.

First off, let's talk about the weather and tidal conditions. Today, we're looking at a chilly day with the cold spell still gripping the area. The tide times for Chance, Chesapeake Bay, are as follows: high tide at 2:30 AM and 2:55 PM, with low tides at 8:57 AM and 9:31 PM. Sunrise is at 7:09 AM, and sunset will be at 5:25 PM[2].

Given the persistent cold, fishing has been a bit of a challenge, but there are still some species that are willing to bite. In the Way South Chesapeake Bay area, tautog have been active both in the Bay and at offshore reef sites. Since crab is scarce, shrimp and clam are your best bets for bait right now. Virginia anglers are also looking forward to the special February recreational black sea bass season, which will open soon, and the free permit is already available online[1].

Red drum have been quite active in the tributaries, particularly in Rudee Inlet. They're biting well on fresh shrimp in the deeper parts, and soft plastic swimbaits bounced along the bottom have also been effective. The key here is a subtle presentation, as the colder temperatures have made them a bit lethargic[1].

Speckled trout, unfortunately, are not faring well with the cold weather. There have been reports of cold-shocked trout and even some die-offs, which is not uncommon in such harsh winter conditions. However, if you're looking to try your luck, MirrOLure Mirrodine slow sinking twitchbaits have worked well in the past for catching specks in areas like the Elizabeth River[1].

For those targeting striped bass, the action has slowed down significantly due to the cold and wind. However, schoolie striped bass can still be found in the tidal rivers, especially at night near areas with deep water and building lights. Fresh cut bait or lures mimicking mullet have been good options[1].

If you're looking for some hot spots, I'd recommend checking out the tributaries around Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Rudee Inlet has been producing some nice red drum catches, and the deeper parts of Little Creek have yielded some impressive over-slot reds. For striped bass, the Patapsco River in the Upper Bay is a good spot, especially around main ledges and holes in the 40’ to 60’ range[1][4].

In summary, while the cold weather is making things tough, there are still opportunities to catch some great fish in Chesapeake Bay. Just remember to bundle up, be patient, and use the right bait and lures for the job. Here's to hoping for some warmer weather soon, and tight lines to all you anglers out there

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene in and around Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, as of January 30, 2025.

First off, let's talk about the weather. It's been a chilly start to the year, with cold temperatures and some snowfall recently. This week, we're expecting another blast of cold air, possibly even a polar vortex, which isn't great news for our fish friends. The wind has been blowing hard, keeping many boats off the water, but for those brave enough to venture out, there are still some good catches to be had.

Now, let's look at the tidal report for today. For the Chesapeake Bay area around Bayville, Virginia, the tide times are as follows: low tide at 4:56 AM, high tide at 10:23 AM, low tide at 5:40 PM, and high tide at 10:46 PM. These tides can significantly impact fish activity, especially in the tributaries and tidal rivers.

Sunrise today is at 7:08 AM, and sunset is at 5:27 PM, giving us a decent window to get out on the water. The moonrise is at 8:05 AM, and moonset is at 6:54 PM, which can also influence fish behavior.

Despite the cold, there have been some notable catches recently. In the Way South Chesapeake Bay, red drum have been biting well in the tributaries. Anglers have reported catching reds using cut mullet, fresh shrimp, and paddletails. One angler even caught a personal best 31-inch over-slot red drum in Little Creek. However, speckled trout fishing has been very slow due to the cold temperatures, and there have been reports of dead trout turning up in the Virginia Beach tributaries.

Migratory striped bass action has slowed down significantly due to the cold and wind. However, schoolie striped bass are still around in the tidal rivers and can be caught at night near areas with deep water and building lights. Using fresh cut bait or lures mimicking mullet can be effective.

In the Lower Chesapeake Bay, blue catfish are still biting well. These fish are often found along ledges and in holes in the deeper waters of the tidal rivers. Before the recent weather moved in, anglers were reporting big catches, including a 62-pound blue catfish on the James River. Fresh strips of gizzard shad have been the hot bait for these big cats.

For those looking to try their luck, here are a couple of hot spots. The tributaries around Norfolk and Virginia Beach, such as Little Creek and Rudee Inlet, have been producing a mix of red drum, speckled trout, and striped bass. The mouth of the Potomac River, although now closed for striped bass season, is still good for catch-and-release fishing and blue catfish.

In terms of lures and bait, for red drum and striped bass, cut mullet, fresh shrimp, and paddletails are good choices. For blue catfish, fresh strips of gizzard shad are hard to beat. If you're into artificial lures, MirrOLure Mirrodine slow-sinking twitchbaits have been effective for speckled trout when the weather warms up a bit.

Stay warm out there, and good luck on the water

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Today, January 30, 2025, the fishing scene in the Chesapeake Bay is quite challenging due to the persistent cold weather. Here’s what you need to know:

### Tidal and Weather Conditions
As of today, the tidal conditions at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel show a high tide at 8:43 AM with a height of 0.85 meters (2.79 feet), and another high tide at 9:01 PM with a height of 0.71 meters (2.34 feet)[2].
The weather is cold, with temperatures in the upper 30s, and there's a forecast of an impending polar vortex that could further stress the fish populations[1].

### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise is at 7:08 AM, and sunset is at 5:27 PM, giving you a decent window for both morning and evening fishing trips[2].

### Fish Activity
Despite the cold, red drum are still active in the tributaries. Anglers have reported catching red drum using cut mullet, fresh shrimp, and paddletails. One angler recently caught a 31-inch over-slot red drum in Little Creek, and another caught four reds with the largest being 25 inches in an unspecified tributary[1].

Fishing for speckled trout has been slow due to the cold temperatures making them lethargic. Migratory striped bass action near Cape Charles has halted due to the wind and cold, but schoolie striped bass can still be found in tidal rivers, particularly at night near areas with deep water and building lights. Fresh cut bait or lures mimicking mullet are good options for striped bass[1].

### Best Lures and Bait
For red drum, cut mullet, fresh shrimp, and paddletails are effective. For striped bass, use fresh cut bait or lures that mimic mullet. For speckled trout, slow-sinking twitchbaits like MirrOLure Mirrodine have shown some success, although the bite is slow[1].

### Hot Spots
If you're looking for some action, head to Elizabeth River Park, which has a 125-foot pier and convenient boat access. This spot is excellent for catching red drum, speckled trout, and striped bass. Another good spot is Ocean View Fishing Pier in Norfolk, where anglers have caught keeper trout using twitchbaits[4].

First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach is also a great location, offering 1.5 miles of sandy beach access directly to the Chesapeake Bay, where you can catch striped bass, summer flounder, and more[4].

Stay warm and good luck on the water

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Today, January 26, 2025, the fishing scene in the Chesapeake Bay, particularly in the lower and middle sections, is quite challenging due to the persistent cold weather. Here’s what you need to know:

### Tidal Report
For the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, today's tide times are as follows: High tide at 5:45 AM with 2.34 feet, low tide at 12:03 PM with 0.05 feet, high tide at 5:57 PM with 1.7 feet, and low tide at 11:50 PM with -0.2 feet. Sunrise is at 7:11 AM and sunset at 5:23 PM[2].

### Weather
The cold weather continues to dominate, with water temperatures in the upper 30s. An expected polar vortex next week could further stress the fish, so let's hope it doesn't hit too hard[1].

### Fish Activity
In the Way South Chesapeake Bay, red drum are still active in the tributaries, despite the cold. Anglers have reported catching reds using cut mullet, fresh shrimp, and paddletails. One angler caught a 31-inch over-slot fish in Little Creek, and another caught four reds with the largest being 25 inches in an unspecified tributary[1].

Speckled trout fishing has been very slow due to their lethargy in cold temperatures. Migratory striped bass action near Cape Charles has halted due to the wind and cold, but schoolie striped bass are still biting at night in tidal rivers, especially around deep water and building lights. Fresh cut bait or lures mimicking mullet are good options[1].

In the Middle Bay, striped bass are mostly lethargic and hanging close to the bottom. Some big rockfish were caught, but the action is slow. Effective lures include BKDs and Bust ‘Ems on G-Eye heads. The warm water discharge at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant (CCNPP) is also a spot where fish congregate for relief from the cold[3].

### Best Lures and Bait
For red drum, use cut mullet, fresh shrimp, or paddletails. For striped bass, especially in the Middle Bay, BKDs and Bust ‘Ems on G-Eye heads are effective. For schoolie striped bass in the tidal rivers, fresh cut bait or lures mimicking mullet work well[1][3].

### Hot Spots
- **Little Creek and other tributaries around Norfolk and Virginia Beach**: These areas are producing red drum and some speckled trout.
- **Chesapeake Bay Bridge**: This is a hotspot for striped bass, especially when they are active.
- **Warm water discharge at the CCNPP**: A good spot for striped bass seeking relief from cold water[1][3][4].

Stay warm and patient out there, as the cold weather is making fishing a bit of a grind. Good luck

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

If you're planning to hit the waters of the Chesapeake Bay today, January 25, 2025, here's what you need to know.

First off, the weather is cold and windy, which has been the theme for the past week. Old man winter has indeed made his presence felt, with snow and very cold temperatures affecting fish behavior and angler activity. The forecast suggests more cold weather is on the way, including a potential polar vortex, which doesn't bode well for the fish, especially the speckled trout that are sensitive to cold temperatures.

### Tides and Times
For the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel area, today's tide times are as follows: high tide at 4:53 AM and 5:05 PM, with low tides at 11:12 AM and 10:55 PM. Sunrise is at 7:11 AM, and sunset is at 5:22 PM[2].

### Fish Activity
Despite the harsh weather, there are still some fishing opportunities. In the Way South Chesapeake Bay, speckled trout have been struggling due to the cold, with several reports of dead trout in the Virginia Beach tributaries. However, red drum (reds) are still active in the tributaries, particularly when using cut mullet as bait. Anglers have reported catching slot reds in areas like Rudee Inlet[1].

Migratory striped bass are still present in the Bay, especially around ledges and shoals. Cape Charles is a historically productive area for big winter striped bass, and recent reports indicate that these fish are still biting, albeit less frequently due to the wind and cold[1].

### Best Lures and Bait
For speckled trout, MirrOLure Mirrodine slow sinking twitchbaits have been effective, even in the cold conditions. For red drum, cut mullet is a top choice. Striped bass are best targeted at night near dock and building lights, where they ambush baitfish attracted to the illuminated water[1].

### Hot Spots
If you're looking for some action, head to the tributaries around Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Rudee Inlet has been producing some slot reds, and the Elizabeth River has seen anglers catching limits of speckled trout using twitchbaits. For striped bass, Cape Charles is a reliable spot, especially during the warmer parts of the day or at night[1].

Remember to bundle up and stay safe on the water, as the cold and wind can be brutal. Good luck out there

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

As of January 24, 2025, the fishing scene in the Chesapeake Bay, particularly in the Virginia region, is facing the challenges of cold weather and impending harsh conditions. Here’s a local’s perspective on what you can expect today.

First, let's look at the tides. For Windmill Point, today's high tides are at 6:43 AM and 6:57 PM, with heights of 0.92 ft and 0.57 ft respectively. Low tides are at 00:10 AM and 1:34 PM, both around -0.01 ft to -0.02 ft[2].

The weather is cold, with a forecast that doesn't look promising due to an expected polar vortex next week. This cold spell has already made fishing conditions tough, especially for species like speckled trout, which are very lethargic in these temperatures[1].

Despite the cold, there are still some fish to be caught. In the Way South tributaries, red drum have been biting, with reports of anglers catching them using cut mullet, fresh shrimp, and paddletails. One angler recently caught a 31” over-slot red drum in Little Creek, and another caught four reds, the largest being 25”, in an unspecified tributary at night[1].

Migratory striped bass action near Cape Charles has slowed down significantly due to the wind and cold. However, schoolie striped bass are still active in the tidal rivers, particularly at night around areas with deep water and building lights. Using fresh cut bait or lures mimicking mullet can be effective[1].

For those targeting striped bass, the Middle Bay area, especially around Chesapeake Beach and the mouth of Eastern Bay, has seen some action. Fish are often found in deeper waters, and soft plastics on 1.5-ounce heads have been successful[3].

Given the conditions, here are a couple of hot spots to consider:

- The tributaries around Norfolk and Virginia Beach, where you can find a mix of speckled trout, red drum, and striped bass. Look for deeper waters and areas with building lights at night[1].
- The area near Cape Charles, though the bite is slow, it's still worth a try for those persistent anglers. Keep an eye out for schools of mullet and use lures that mimic them[1].

Sunrise today is at 7:14 AM, and sunset is at 5:20 PM. With the cold weather and impending polar vortex, it's crucial to dress warmly and be prepared for challenging fishing conditions.

Remember, night fishing for striped bass can be very effective, especially around illuminated areas. Stay warm and good luck on the water

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI