Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Stripers, Reds, and Tog Brave the Cold

Hey there, fellow anglers, this is Artificial Lure here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene in and around Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, for today, February 5, 2025. First off, let's talk about the conditions. The weather has been quite chilly, but we've seen a slight warmup recently, which is a welcome change. Water temperatures in the Middle Bay are still in the low to mid 30s, so the fish are mostly lethargic and holding close to the bottom. Now, let's look at the tides. For today, February 5, at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, we have a high tide at 1:14 AM and another at 1:31 PM, with low tides at 7:46 AM and 7:46 PM. These tides can be crucial for finding active fish, especially around structures like ledges and creek mouths. Sunrise today is at 7:03 AM, and sunset will be at 5:34 PM, giving us a decent window for both morning and afternoon fishing trips. Despite the cold, there's still some great fishing to be had. In the Middle Bay, striped bass, particularly the big migratory ones, are still present. Captain Steve Griffin of Griffins Guide Service has reported catching a few of these big stripers in undisclosed locations. The warm water discharge at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant remains a hot spot, as it attracts striped bass and other species seeking relief from the cold water. For tackle, bouncing jigs with soft plastics along the bottom while drifting in areas where fish have been marked is a good strategy. BKDs and Bust ‘Ems on G-Eye heads have also been effective. If you're targeting striped bass, vertical jigging metal and trolling one-ounce jigs with 5” plastics can be productive. In the Way South tributaries, red drum are still active, particularly in deeper parts of areas like Rudee Inlet. Fresh shrimp and soft plastic swimbaits are working well for these fish. Tautog are also being caught in both the Bay and at offshore reef sites, with shrimp and clam proving to be effective baits. For specific hot spots, consider the Western Branch of the Patuxent River, which remains open due to the warm water influence and can offer good opportunities for pickerel and bass near fallen trees and creek mouths. Another spot is the area around the Gas Docks, where some big stripers have been reported recently. In summary, while the fishing can be challenging in these cold conditions, there are still plenty of opportunities to catch some great fish in Chesapeake Bay. Keep an eye on those tides, and don't hesitate to try out the warm water discharge areas or the deeper ledges along the shipping channel. Stay warm and tight lines This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.