Fall Fishing on the Chesapeake Bay: Trout, Reds, and Stripers Thrive Amidst Transitioning Conditions

As of November 21, 2024, the Chesapeake Bay is offering some exciting fishing opportunities despite the transitioning weather. Here’s what you need to know: ### Weather and Tidal Conditions Today, expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 58°F and a low of 45°F. The water temperatures are still in the low 60s, which is typical for this time of year. Tides are moderate, with high tide at 9:34 AM and low tide at 3:34 PM. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at 6:53 AM, and sunset is at 4:47 PM, giving you ample daylight to hit the water. ### Fish Activity The fall season is in full swing, and several species are active. Speckled trout are feeding aggressively on shrimp and minnows near marshes, making areas like Lynnhaven Inlet and the Eastern Shore hot spots. Use shrimp hooked under a popping cork, jigs, plugs, or topwater baits to catch these trout[2][3]. Red drum, including puppy drum, are also active in the same areas as the speckled trout. Large red drum can be found feeding in the lower Bay, particularly around the 3rd island area of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel[2]. Striped bass action has been inconsistent but is picking up in certain areas. Trollers are doing well pulling small umbrellas, tandems, and bucktails dressed with shad, especially in the Potomac River and around the channel buoys between numbers eight and six. Shallow water bites for stripers and reds are also productive, especially in the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers[3]. ### Best Lures and Bait For speckled trout, use shrimp, minnows, or small jigs. For red drum, the same assortment of baits works well. For striped bass, small umbrellas, tandems, and bucktails dressed with shad are effective. White paddletails and bone-colored topwater spooks are also catching stripers and reds in the shallows[2][3]. ### Hot Spots - **Lynnhaven Inlet**: Great for speckled trout and puppy drum. - **Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel**: The 3rd island area is a hotspot for large red drum. - **Potomac River**: Channel edges from Colonial Beach down to Piney Point are good for trollers targeting striped bass. - **Rappahannock River**: Shallow water areas are producing stripers and reds. With the Lynnhaven Troutzilla Tournament underway from November 10 to December 10, Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle is a great resource for local insights and gear[2]. Get out there and enjoy the fall fishing season on the Chesapeake Bay This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.