Light north breeze on the Bay this morning, cold and clear, with a stiff chop only where that wind runs against the current. Around the Patapsco and Potomac mouths the tide’s just coming off the early low, with a solid afternoon high that should have fish chewing on the moving water through dusk.

Sun’s up a little after 7 and gone before 5, so the magic windows are first light through the end of the flood, and then again on the late-day ebb. Work those gray-light periods tight to channel edges, bridge pilings, and any warm discharge or rock pile that’s got even a hint of current seam.

Striper action inside the upper Bay is mainly schoolies and slot fish holding deep on ledges, drop-offs outside the rivers, and around the Key Bridge, Bay Bridge, and the mouths of the Patapsco and Severn. Think vertical: 1–2 ounce jigheads with 5–7 inch soft plastics in chartreuse, albino, or purple glitter, or metal jigs and flutter spoons yo-yoed right on the bottom. If you’re soaking bait, fresh cut menhaden or bloodworms on fish-finder rigs will still turn a few, but the plastics let you cover more water.

Tautog and other bottom dwellers are the steady pick for folks running a bit farther, especially over rock piles, wrecks, and jetty structure near the Bridge and down toward Point Lookout. Green crab, Asian crab, and chunks of clam on stout toggin’ rigs will get bit; keep the sinker just ticking bottom and be ready for that subtle “thunk” before the rod loads. Smaller tog and mixed white perch are likely for anyone dropping down on hard bottom in 20–40 feet.

Recent chatter from locals has most of the action centered on:
- The Key Bridge and Patapsco channel edges for jigged schoolie stripers.
- Bay Bridge pilings and rock for stripers and tog, especially on the last of the flood.
- Thomas Point and Bloody Point areas for deeper striper schools when birds give them away.
- The mouth of the Potomac and around Point Lookout for mixed stripers and bottom fish when the wind lays.

Best lures right now:
- 1–2 ounce jigheads with Z-Man, BKD, or similar soft plastics.
- 1–3 ounce metals (Stingsilver-style, Hopkins, or blade baits) for vertical jigging.
- Tog rigs with 3–6 ounce sinkers and strong hooks, baited with crab or clam.

If you’re bank or pier fishing around Baltimore or D.C.-area tidal spots, focus on deeper holes, bridge shadows, and any outflow with a little warmth. Downsize to smaller jigheads and grubs for perch and schoolie stripers, and bring the gloves—it’s a grind, but the cold-water fish are there for the patient.

This is Artificial Lure, reminding you to dress warm, fish slow, and time your trip around that afternoon high and the evening drop. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the next report. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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