Chesapeake Bay Fishing Forecast: Stripers, Specks, and More Await Anglers this Winter

As of January 2, 2025, the fishing scene in the Chesapeake Bay, particularly around the Virginia Beach area, is quite active despite the cooler weather. Here’s what you need to know for today’s fishing trip. ### Tidal and Weather Conditions Today, the high tide is at 3:07 PM with a height of 0.68 meters (2.22 feet), and the low tide is at 9:07 AM with a height of -0.11 meters (-0.35 feet)[2]. The weather is cool, with water temperatures in the low 50s, which is typical for this time of year. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at 7:20 AM, and sunset is at 4:55 PM, giving you ample daylight to get out on the water. ### Fish Activity The migratory striped bass have started making their way up the Bay, and their activity is ramping up along the deeper channels and shoals. Night fishing around lighted areas, such as bridges and docks, has been particularly productive for striped bass. Anglers have reported catching fish up to 30 inches in the Elizabeth River and other tributaries[1]. Speckled trout fishing remains excellent in the various rivers and creeks, with multiple citation-size fish being caught. Lynnhaven Inlet, the Elizabeth River, and Broad Bay are hot spots for speckled trout. These fish are taking Mirr-O-Lures, swim baits, and lead head jigs tipped with soft plastic tails[1]. Redfish have been active in the shallows during warmer periods but are now retreating to deeper waters around docks, bridges, and channels. Three-to-five-inch paddletail swimbaits are effective for catching reds[1]. Tautog and sea bass are also present in good numbers. Tautog are being caught at inshore locations like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT), particularly around the second and third islands, using green crab, sand fleas, and other crab baits on bottom sweeper jigs. Sea bass are abundant at inshore wrecks and reefs, hitting metal jigs, squid, and minnows[1]. ### Best Lures and Bait For striped bass, live eels are the preferred method, especially around Cape Charles. For speckled trout, use Mirr-O-Lures, swim baits, and lead head jigs tipped with soft plastic tails. Redfish are biting on three-to-five-inch paddletail swimbaits. Tautog are best caught with green crab, sand fleas, and other crab baits, while sea bass will take metal jigs, squid, and minnows[1]. ### Hot Spots - **Cape Charles**: A prime spot for catching migratory striped bass using live eels. - **Elizabeth River**: Excellent for both striped bass and speckled trout. - **Lynnhaven Inlet and Broad Bay**: Great areas for speckled trout. - **Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT)**: A hotspot for tautog. - **Inshore wrecks and reefs**: Good for sea bass. Remember to handle the fish carefully, especially the larger ones, to ensure their survival and help rebuild the population. If you catch a fish outside the slot limit (19 to 24 inches for striped bass), it must be released[1]. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.