Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Shad, Trout, and Catfish Bite in Spring 2025

Fishing Report for Chesapeake Bay, Virginia – April 4, 2025 Today’s report brings a mixed bag of opportunities for anglers around the Chesapeake Bay. The sunrise was at 6:45 AM, and the sunset will be at 7:29 PM, offering plenty of daylight to cast your lines. Tidal activity in the Bay is steady, with a high tide at 3:57 PM at 1.49 ft and a low tide tonight at 10:56 PM at 0.12 ft, giving anglers optimal windows for fishing during these movements. Although the striped bass season is closed for fishing in Maryland portions of the Bay, Virginia waters offer exciting opportunities. The shad run is in full swing in the tributaries, with hickory and American shad making strong showings in areas like the James River and the Mattaponi. Anglers using shad darts, silver spoons, and small twisty-tail jigs have reported steady catches. Additionally, the blue catfish bite is excellent throughout the tributaries like the Potomac River, with fish ranging from 5 to 50 pounds actively feeding on cut bait such as bunker. Down in the lower Chesapeake, speckled trout and puppy drum are starting to wake up with the warming waters. Mobjack Bay, Lynnhaven Bay, and the lower James River are prime locations for targeting these species. Anglers are having success using 3- to 4-inch paddletails on jigheads or suspending twitchbaits like the Mirrolure around docks, oyster bars, and grass flats. These areas are seeing increased activity from baitfish and crabs, making them hot zones for early spring fishing. If you’re after white perch, the Patuxent River and its tributaries are still producing well. Bloodworms, grass shrimp, and small jigs tipped with scented baits have been highly effective. Look for deeper channels or near structures where these fish tend to school. Pickerel are also active in the fresher tributary waters, with anglers having success using chatterbaits and small spinners. For bait, consider bloodworms and grass shrimp for perch, cut bunker or gizzard shad for blue catfish, and soft paddletails for trout and drum. Eels may also tempt larger predator species like drum. Tackle shops around the Bay should stock these baits along with essential gear. Two highly recommended fishing hotspots include: 1. **Mobjack Bay** – A great area for speckled trout and puppy drum, particularly along shoreline structures and grass flats. 2. **Potomac River, near Fletcher’s Cove** – A proven location for hickory shad and blue catfish this time of year. With warming waters and the arrival of spring, it’s a fantastic time to fish the Chesapeake Bay. Whether you’re targeting shad in tributaries or trout in the lower Bay, there’s plenty of action to keep the rods bent. Tight lines!