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Fishing the Frosty Chesapeake: Luring Lethargic Stripers, Feisty Perch, and Hefty Catfish in the Winter
Hey there, fellow anglers, this is Artificial Lure here to give you the lowdown on today's fishing scene in and around Chesapeake Bay, particularly focusing on the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas.
First off, let's talk about the tides for today, February 5th, 2025. If you're planning to hit the water, you'll want to know that the high tide at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is at 1:14 AM and again at 1:31 PM, with low tides at 7:46 AM and 7:46 PM. These tidal shifts can significantly impact fish activity, so plan your trips accordingly.
Weather-wise, it's still quite chilly, which is typical for this time of year. Make sure to bundle up as the cold can be biting. Sunrise today is at 7:03 AM, and sunset will be at 5:34 PM, giving us a decent window to get out on the water.
Now, let's dive into the fish activity. The recent cold spell has made fishing challenging, but there are still some opportunities to be had. In the Middle Chesapeake Bay, striped bass, particularly the larger migratory ones, are still present but have been quite lethargic due to the cold water temperatures, which are hovering around the low to mid 30s. These fish are mostly hanging close to the bottom and scattered along ledges.
For targeting striped bass, areas like the Western Branch of the Patuxent River and the warm water discharge at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant (CCNPP) are worth a try. The CCNPP discharge is a hotspot during winter as it provides a warmer environment for fish to congregate. Effective lures include bouncing jigs with soft plastics along the bottom while drifting in areas where fish have been marked. BKDs and Bust ‘Ems on G-Eye heads have also been noted as effective in recent weeks.
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 and can be found 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. For blue catfish, the lower Susquehanna River is a good spot, especially the deep hole below the railroad bridge, where gizzard shad or menhaden make good baits.
If you're looking for some specific hot spots, consider the following:
- **Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant**: This area is known for its warm water discharge, which attracts large striped bass and other species during the cold winter months.
- **Western Branch of the Patuxent River**: This area benefits from warm water influence, making it a good spot for pickerel and bass, especially near fallen trees and creek mouths.
- **Lower Susquehanna River**: For blue catfish, this is a prime location, particularly the deep hole below the railroad bridge.
Remember, fishing in these cold conditions can be a grind, but with the right gear and knowledge of where to go, you can still have a productive day on the water. Stay warm and tight lines
First off, let's talk about the tides for today, February 5th, 2025. If you're planning to hit the water, you'll want to know that the high tide at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is at 1:14 AM and again at 1:31 PM, with low tides at 7:46 AM and 7:46 PM. These tidal shifts can significantly impact fish activity, so plan your trips accordingly.
Weather-wise, it's still quite chilly, which is typical for this time of year. Make sure to bundle up as the cold can be biting. Sunrise today is at 7:03 AM, and sunset will be at 5:34 PM, giving us a decent window to get out on the water.
Now, let's dive into the fish activity. The recent cold spell has made fishing challenging, but there are still some opportunities to be had. In the Middle Chesapeake Bay, striped bass, particularly the larger migratory ones, are still present but have been quite lethargic due to the cold water temperatures, which are hovering around the low to mid 30s. These fish are mostly hanging close to the bottom and scattered along ledges.
For targeting striped bass, areas like the Western Branch of the Patuxent River and the warm water discharge at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant (CCNPP) are worth a try. The CCNPP discharge is a hotspot during winter as it provides a warmer environment for fish to congregate. Effective lures include bouncing jigs with soft plastics along the bottom while drifting in areas where fish have been marked. BKDs and Bust ‘Ems on G-Eye heads have also been noted as effective in recent weeks.
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 and can be found 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. For blue catfish, the lower Susquehanna River is a good spot, especially the deep hole below the railroad bridge, where gizzard shad or menhaden make good baits.
If you're looking for some specific hot spots, consider the following:
- **Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant**: This area is known for its warm water discharge, which attracts large striped bass and other species during the cold winter months.
- **Western Branch of the Patuxent River**: This area benefits from warm water influence, making it a good spot for pickerel and bass, especially near fallen trees and creek mouths.
- **Lower Susquehanna River**: For blue catfish, this is a prime location, particularly the deep hole below the railroad bridge.
Remember, fishing in these cold conditions can be a grind, but with the right gear and knowledge of where to go, you can still have a productive day on the water. Stay warm and tight lines
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By Quiet. PleaseHey there, fellow anglers, this is Artificial Lure here to give you the lowdown on today's fishing scene in and around Chesapeake Bay, particularly focusing on the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas.
First off, let's talk about the tides for today, February 5th, 2025. If you're planning to hit the water, you'll want to know that the high tide at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is at 1:14 AM and again at 1:31 PM, with low tides at 7:46 AM and 7:46 PM. These tidal shifts can significantly impact fish activity, so plan your trips accordingly.
Weather-wise, it's still quite chilly, which is typical for this time of year. Make sure to bundle up as the cold can be biting. Sunrise today is at 7:03 AM, and sunset will be at 5:34 PM, giving us a decent window to get out on the water.
Now, let's dive into the fish activity. The recent cold spell has made fishing challenging, but there are still some opportunities to be had. In the Middle Chesapeake Bay, striped bass, particularly the larger migratory ones, are still present but have been quite lethargic due to the cold water temperatures, which are hovering around the low to mid 30s. These fish are mostly hanging close to the bottom and scattered along ledges.
For targeting striped bass, areas like the Western Branch of the Patuxent River and the warm water discharge at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant (CCNPP) are worth a try. The CCNPP discharge is a hotspot during winter as it provides a warmer environment for fish to congregate. Effective lures include bouncing jigs with soft plastics along the bottom while drifting in areas where fish have been marked. BKDs and Bust ‘Ems on G-Eye heads have also been noted as effective in recent weeks.
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 and can be found 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. For blue catfish, the lower Susquehanna River is a good spot, especially the deep hole below the railroad bridge, where gizzard shad or menhaden make good baits.
If you're looking for some specific hot spots, consider the following:
- **Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant**: This area is known for its warm water discharge, which attracts large striped bass and other species during the cold winter months.
- **Western Branch of the Patuxent River**: This area benefits from warm water influence, making it a good spot for pickerel and bass, especially near fallen trees and creek mouths.
- **Lower Susquehanna River**: For blue catfish, this is a prime location, particularly the deep hole below the railroad bridge.
Remember, fishing in these cold conditions can be a grind, but with the right gear and knowledge of where to go, you can still have a productive day on the water. Stay warm and tight lines
First off, let's talk about the tides for today, February 5th, 2025. If you're planning to hit the water, you'll want to know that the high tide at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is at 1:14 AM and again at 1:31 PM, with low tides at 7:46 AM and 7:46 PM. These tidal shifts can significantly impact fish activity, so plan your trips accordingly.
Weather-wise, it's still quite chilly, which is typical for this time of year. Make sure to bundle up as the cold can be biting. Sunrise today is at 7:03 AM, and sunset will be at 5:34 PM, giving us a decent window to get out on the water.
Now, let's dive into the fish activity. The recent cold spell has made fishing challenging, but there are still some opportunities to be had. In the Middle Chesapeake Bay, striped bass, particularly the larger migratory ones, are still present but have been quite lethargic due to the cold water temperatures, which are hovering around the low to mid 30s. These fish are mostly hanging close to the bottom and scattered along ledges.
For targeting striped bass, areas like the Western Branch of the Patuxent River and the warm water discharge at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant (CCNPP) are worth a try. The CCNPP discharge is a hotspot during winter as it provides a warmer environment for fish to congregate. Effective lures include bouncing jigs with soft plastics along the bottom while drifting in areas where fish have been marked. BKDs and Bust ‘Ems on G-Eye heads have also been noted as effective in recent weeks.
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 and can be found 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. For blue catfish, the lower Susquehanna River is a good spot, especially the deep hole below the railroad bridge, where gizzard shad or menhaden make good baits.
If you're looking for some specific hot spots, consider the following:
- **Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant**: This area is known for its warm water discharge, which attracts large striped bass and other species during the cold winter months.
- **Western Branch of the Patuxent River**: This area benefits from warm water influence, making it a good spot for pickerel and bass, especially near fallen trees and creek mouths.
- **Lower Susquehanna River**: For blue catfish, this is a prime location, particularly the deep hole below the railroad bridge.
Remember, fishing in these cold conditions can be a grind, but with the right gear and knowledge of where to go, you can still have a productive day on the water. Stay warm and tight lines