Chesapeake Bay Fishing Forecast: Rockfish, Puppy Drum, and Offshore Bounty on December 22, 2024

If you're planning to hit the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia today, December 22, 2024, here's what you need to know: First off, let's look at the tides. For Dividing Creek, you've got high tides at 4:41 AM and 4:51 PM, with low tides at 10:48 AM and 11:11 PM. The tidal heights are moderate, with highs at 0.91 feet and lows at 0.16 and 0.09 feet, respectively[2]. Sunrise is at 7:17 AM, and sunset will be at 4:50 PM, giving you a good window of daylight to get out on the water. Fish activity has been quite lively in the bay lately. Rockfish, particularly school-sized ones, are abundant in the lower bay, especially around bridges and piers with lights at night. Larger rockfish are starting to show up, especially around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel pilings. Lipless crankbaits and jerk baits are proving effective for these fish[1]. If you're targeting Specks and Rockfish, you might also catch some Puppy Drum. Sheepshead are still being caught around vertical structures, and Tautog fishing is also going well, with crabs being a good bait though they're getting harder to find as the weather cools[1]. Bluefish up to 28 inches are being caught in various spots inside the bay, and there's an excellent black sea bass bite on offshore structures. Deep-droppers can expect good catches of sea bass, tilefish, and even some snowy grouper and swordfish[1]. For pickerel, the action in the tributaries has been strong, with fish hitting large baits like 5” white Zman paddletails. The upper creeks and ponds off the Severn River have been particularly productive for pickerel[3]. As for hot spots, Elizabeth River Park is a great place to fish, offering a 125-foot pier and convenient boat access. Here, you can catch spot, sand perch, black sea bass, and more. Another good spot is First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, where you can catch striped bass, summer flounder, spadefish, and cobia right from the beach[4]. So, pack your gear, grab some lipless crankbaits or jerk baits, and head out to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel pilings or Elizabeth River Park for a productive day of fishing. Good luck This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.