Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Trout, Stripers, and Puppy Drum Thrive Despite Cooler Weather

As of December 1st, the Chesapeake Bay is offering some exciting fishing opportunities despite the cooler weather. Here’s what you need to know for today’s fishing trip. ### Tidal Report Tides are crucial in the Chesapeake Bay. Today, the high tide is expected around 10:30 AM, and the low tide will be at 4:30 PM. These tidal changes can significantly affect fish activity, especially for species like speckled trout and striped bass. ### Weather The weather forecast indicates a partly cloudy day with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to mid-50s. There might be some gusty winds, especially in the evening, so be prepared. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at 6:58 AM, and sunset will be at 4:43 PM. These times are ideal for targeting fish that are most active during these periods. ### Fish Activity Fish activity is robust, especially for speckled trout, striped bass, and puppy drum. Speckled trout are being caught in good numbers inside the rivers and inlets, such as the Lynnhaven River, Rudee Inlet, and Little Creek Inlet. Striped bass activity is increasing around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel pilings, with larger fish expected towards the end of November and into December. Puppy drum are also abundant in inlets, rivers, and ocean surf. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Yesterday saw a strong bite for speckled trout, with several anglers reporting catches of up to 23 inches in the Lynnhaven Troutzilla Tournament. Striped bass, including school-sized fish, were caught in good numbers around lit bridges and piers, particularly at night. Puppy drum and bluefish were also common catches. ### Best Lures and Bait For speckled trout, live mullet, shrimp, paddle tail swim baits, and popping corks are highly effective. Striped bass are being caught using lipless crankbaits, jerk baits, and by trolling with swim shads, bucktails, and plugs. For puppy drum, topwater lures and paddletails work well. Tautog fishing is strong around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel islands using fresh cut crabs. ### Hot Spots - **Lynnhaven River**: This area is a hotspot for speckled trout, especially around Linkhorn, Broad Bay, and Western Branch. - **Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel**: This is a prime location for striped bass and tautog. - **Rudee Inlet and Little Creek Inlet**: These inlets are great for catching speckled trout and puppy drum. With the right gear and knowledge of the tides, you should have a productive day on the water. Good luck, and tight lines This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.