For December 27, 2024, if you're planning to hit the waters of the Chesapeake Bay around the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area, here's what you need to know.
First off, let's look at the tides. Today, you've got a high tide at 5:26 AM with a height of 2.5 feet, followed by a low tide at 11:50 AM with a height of just 0.22 feet. The next high tide is at 5:39 PM, reaching 1.81 feet, and the final low tide of the day is at 11:28 PM with a height of 0.03 feet[2].
Weather-wise, expect a chilly winter day with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to mid-40s Fahrenheit. Sunrise is at 7:16 AM, and sunset will be at 4:55 PM.
Fishing has been excellent lately, especially for striped bass. Reports from the holiday period indicate an epic bite for rockfish, with many trophy-sized fish being caught. Yesterday saw big schools of fish, with sizes ranging from 22 inches and up, and some breaking the 40-inch mark. The largest catches verified were a 49-inch and a 50-inch striper[1].
For the best spots, head to the east side of the bay where areas like Bloody Point, the mouth of Eastern Bay, south Poplar, the mouth of the Choptank and Little Choptank, and off Hooper’s Island have been producing great results. On the west side, try off Deale, Chesapeake Beach, Cove Point, and Point Lookout[1].
Given the striped bass season in Maryland waters has closed for keeping, but catch-and-release is still allowed, make sure to handle the fish gently and release them quickly[3].
For lures and bait, jigs and spoons are often effective for striped bass. Live bait such as eels or shad can also work well, especially in the deeper waters around structure like bridges and points.
In summary, today looks promising for some great catch-and-release fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. Dress warm, check your gear, and head out to those hot spots for a chance at catching some impressive striped bass.