• Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Stripers and Cats Biting Around DC, Middle Bay Rockfish Heating Up

  • Nov 28 2024
  • Length: 3 mins
  • Podcast

Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Stripers and Cats Biting Around DC, Middle Bay Rockfish Heating Up

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  • Summary

  • As of November 28, 2024, the Chesapeake Bay, particularly around the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas, is seeing some promising fishing conditions despite the recent cold fronts.

    ### Weather and Tidal Conditions
    The weather has been cooler with some rain, which has helped to activate the fish. Today, expect partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid-50s. Tides are moderate, with high tide around 9:30 AM and low tide at 3:30 PM, which should provide good windows for fishing.

    ### Sunrise and Sunset
    Sunrise is at 6:55 AM, and sunset is at 4:43 PM, giving anglers a decent amount of daylight to hit the water.

    ### Fish Activity
    The striped bass bite has been improving, especially in the Lower Bay. Anglers have reported finding schools of stripers from the 301 Bridge down to the mouth of the Potomac River. These fish are often associated with bird activity, particularly around the Potomac where recent cold fronts have increased bird shows[1].

    In the Middle Bay, the rockfish bite is also picking up, with reports of slot and under-slot fish being caught near the Little Choptank and around the mouth of Eastern Bay. Drifting and trolling around channel edges and river mouths have been productive[2].

    ### Types and Amounts of Fish
    Striped bass are the main target, with many slot fish (between 18 and 28 inches) being caught. In the Potomac, trollers are scoring on stripers using single lures, tandems, and small umbrella rigs. Kayak anglers have had success with five-inch white soft plastics on half-ounce jigheads[1].

    Blue catfish are also active in the Potomac, particularly north of the 301 Bridge and in the waters around Washington D.C., where some very big fish have been reported[1].

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For striped bass, soft plastics, metal jigs, and bucktails dressed with shad are working well. Trollers are having success with small umbrellas, tandems, and single lures. Jigs of multiple varieties and six-inch chrome jerkbaits have also been effective in the Middle Bay[1][2].

    ### Hot Spots
    - **Potomac River**: The area around the 301 Bridge down to the mouth of the river is holding schools of stripers and blue catfish. Look for ledges and areas with bait and bird activity.
    - **Little Choptank**: This area has produced plenty of slot and under-slot fish, especially off the ends of piers reaching into relatively deep spots.
    - **Matapeake and Eastern Bay**: These areas are seeing bird shows and breaking fish, indicating active schools of rockfish[2].

    Overall, it's a good time to hit the water, especially during the last hour of daylight when the fish tend to be more active. Patience and the right gear should yield some rewarding catches.
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