Chesapeake Bay Fishing Update: Drum, Trout, and Perch Biting in Warm November

As of November 17, 2024, the Chesapeake Bay is offering some exciting fishing opportunities despite the unseasonably warm weather. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water. ### Weather and Tides The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with mild temperatures, making it an ideal day for fishing. Sunrise is at around 6:43 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 4:53 PM. Tides are crucial, and today you can expect a high tide at 8:15 AM and a low tide at 2:30 PM. ### Fish Activity Fish activity has been robust, especially in the southern parts of the Chesapeake Bay. Yesterday saw a lot of action around the bridge structures near Virginia Beach. Anglers reported catching several species, including red drum, black drum, sheepshead, and speckled trout. ### Types and Amounts of Fish In the southern Chesapeake Bay, particularly around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT), anglers caught six red drum up to 23 inches, a 20-inch black drum, and over 20 sheepshead up to 14 inches using mud crabs and shrimp. Speckled trout have been a standout species, with big fish becoming more common in areas like Lynnhaven Inlet, Rudee Inlet, and Little Creek. Yellow perch and white perch are also active, especially in the creeks and deeper holes within the rivers and the main bay front. ### Best Lures and Bait For targeting the larger fish, using bigger baits such as 5-inch paddle tails has been effective. For yellow and white perch, downsizing to 3-inch paddle tails or using minnows can increase your chances. Topwater lures are working well in the shallows during low light hours, especially for puppy drum and speckled trout. Gulp baits rigged on one-quarter ounce jigheads are also catching fish everywhere. For sheepshead and black drum, mud crabs and shrimp are the go-to baits. ### Hot Spots - **Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT):** This area is a hotspot for red drum, black drum, sheepshead, and speckled trout. - **Lynnhaven Inlet and Rudee Inlet:** These inlets are productive for speckled trout, especially during the incoming tide. - **Creeks and Deeper Holes:** Areas like the Severn and Magothy rivers are great for catching yellow and white perch. Covering a lot of water with faster-moving baits is key this time of year, as many fish are feeding actively in various parts of the bay. Enjoy your day on the water