Chesapeake Bay December Fishing Report: Trout, Reds, and Tog Bite Strong as Water Temps Drop

# Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report - December 4th, 2025 Hey folks, Artificial Lure here with your Thursday morning fishing report for the Chesapeake Bay. **Weather & Conditions** We're looking at cool, sunny skies today—perfect for getting out on the water. Expect relatively stable conditions throughout the week with that crisp December feel. Water temps have dropped considerably, so dress in layers. **Tides** For today at Lynnhaven Inlet, we've got high tide at 6:54 AM at nearly 3 feet. That outgoing tide is going to concentrate fish in drains and creek mouths, just like we saw last month during that tournament action. The bay's been running extremely clear lately, which changes how fish feed. **Fish Activity** Speckled trout are still active, especially in the Elizabeth River where the deeper, more stable water's been holding heavier fish compared to the thinner, more transient schools in Lynnhaven. Early morning's your window—when the sun's low, trout stay higher in the water column and feed aggressively. Once that sun climbs and temps drop with the afternoon cold snap, expect them to pull deeper. Redfish are another hot target. The clear water means incredible sight-fishing conditions on the flats. Look for those vibrant colors and active tail movement—lethargic fish just won't eat. Tog fishing is peaking around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, especially on every piling and nearby rubble. The strong currents make things tough during peak tide flow, but slack water brings out heavy numbers of oyster toads. **Best Lures & Bait** For trout, throw popping cork rigs with weightless shrimp profiles—work it with two sharp pops followed by a full ten-second pause. As the day progresses and fish drop deeper, switch to paddle tails and chatterbait-style lures in natural colors. Use long fluorocarbon leaders with white or blue braided line in this clear water. For redfish, keep it finesse—3-inch subtle baits or even rooster tails. Make long casts past the fish and retrieve across their face. Light 8-pound test leaders are essential. Tog anglers should run traditional bottom rigs with 4/0 octopus J-hooks and 8-10 ounce sinkers, or go finesse with jigs in browns, oranges, and crab tones. Stay vertical and maintain bottom contact. **Hot Spots** Head to Little Creek or Lynnhaven for sight-fishing redfish—the clear conditions are unbeatable right now. For tournament-class trout, don't sleep on the creek channels where that outgoing tide pushes biomass. And if tog's calling your name, the Bridge-Tunnel structure is absolutely loaded. Thanks for tuning in, and make sure to subscribe for your next fishing report! This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.