Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Specks, Reds, and Weathering the Storm

Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay, Virginia fishing report for Sunday, November 16, 2025. Sunrise today rolled in at 7:12 AM, with sunset coming up at 6:25 PM over Virginia Beach, setting up a short but promising fall fishing window. Tidal action started with a predawn high around 4:43 AM at 3.5 feet, low tide at 10:47 AM down to about 0.7 feet, and we'll have another high at 5:03 PM pushing up to near 3.9 feet. That means anglers got prime movement at dawn and again late afternoon, perfect for targeting inshore and nearshore species according to Tides4Fishing. Weather-wise, conditions are rough—there's a Small Craft Advisory and even a Storm Warning out from this afternoon through Sunday. Winds are ramping up out of the east, sustained around 20–25 knots with gusts threatening 40–50 knots as the day goes on, and waves are already building to 8–10 feet in some exposed sections. The National Weather Service and Cape Weather both report periods of rain, with the worst of it later today and into tonight. These conditions will have most small craft hugging the shoreline, inside rivers, or ducking into protected inlets. For those still heading out safely, it's a day for caution and close eye on the forecast. Let’s talk fish: The fall speckled trout bite remains lively throughout lower Chesapeake Bay creeks and inlets. This past week, the stretch around Lynnhaven River has been red hot. Local guides like Captain Preston Hukill and anglers in the Miles of Love Speckled Trout Tournament are reporting a solid mix of trout, with many in the 16–22 inch range and a few gators pushing 26 inches. Red drum have stayed active near the mouths of inlets and flats, especially when the tide’s moving. Over the bridge-tunnel structure and open waters—when they’re fishable—mixed bags are in play. Sea bass, triggerfish, and the occasional tautog are still out deep. Swordfish have been the word offshore, but you’ll need heavy gear and good timing to make that trip. For bottom dwellers, triggerfish are hitting small bits of clam and squid, rigged on size 2 J hooks, especially tight to structure—just like recent catches shared by Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report contributors. Best lures and bait for today are: - For specks and reds: soft plastics in natural minnow patterns (like white or grey paddle tails), MirrOlure suspending twitchbaits, and, if the water’s murky, chartreuse jigheads. - For sea bass, tautog, and triggers: fresh cut clam or squid, green crab on tog jigs, and even small bucktail jigs. Hair jigs are also outperforming for bass in colder fall waters, as highlighted by Outdoor News—the subtle presentation can turn a slow day around. A couple of hot spots you shouldn’t skip: - Lynnhaven Inlet and River: Sheltered from the biggest waves and loaded with trout, reds, and schoolie stripers. - The pilings and spans of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel: Always a magnet for tautog, sea bass, and triggerfish this time of year, as long as you can This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.