Fishing the Chesapeake Bay in Fall: Tides, Targets and Hot Spots

As of October 8, 2024, the Chesapeake Bay is buzzing with activity, making it an exciting time for anglers. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water. ### Tidal and Weather Conditions The tide is expected to be moderate, with a high tide around 9:30 AM and a low tide at 3:30 PM. Weather conditions are looking favorable, with partly cloudy skies and a gentle breeze out of the northeast. Water temperatures are in the mid-70s, which is ideal for the fall transition period. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at 7:04 AM, and sunset will be at 6:22 PM, giving you ample daylight to explore the bay. ### Fish Activity The fall transition is in full swing, and fish are feeding aggressively as the water cools. Red Drum are beginning their migration out of the bay, but they can still be found in good numbers, particularly around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) and the islands nearby. Yesterday, anglers reported catching Red Drum ranging from 21 to 50 inches, with some notable catches in the deeper waters of the Rappahannock River. Flounder fishing is at its peak, with large catches reported in the bay’s inner regions and around ocean floor structures. Live Spot has been an effective bait for attracting the heftiest flounder. Sheepshead are abundant at wrecks, reefs, and bridges, feeding on crabs crawling along pilings or hard surfaces. Fiddler crabs are the preferred bait, but peeler crabs, green crabs, or sand fleas can also work. Speckled Trout are moving into the shallows, prowling over grass beds and nearshore structures. Using fresh shrimp under a popping cork or on a fish finder rig has been highly effective. Bluefish schools are still active, particularly around the Target Ship area, with fish ranging from 20 to 24 inches and some up to 30 inches. Trolling surgical tubes has been successful for catching these bluefish. ### Best Lures and Bait For Red Drum and Speckled Trout, five-inch chartreuse Jerk Shad and four-inch Gulp paddletails in purple tiger on 3/8th ounce jigheads are hot baits. Live shrimp, peeler crabs, and artificial lures like Stingsilvers are also performing well. For Sheepshead, fiddler crabs are the top choice, but other crab types can also be effective. For Flounder, live Spot is the way to go. ### Hot Spots - **Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT):** This area is a major staging ground for Red Drum and Cobia. Schools of Red Drum can be consistently found around the islands, and Sheepshead are abundant at the CBBT pilings. - **Rappahannock River:** Deeper waters here have yielded good catches of Red Drum, including some slot reds and larger bull reds. - **Target Ship Area:** This has been a consistent spot for catching Bluefish, with many fish in the 20-to-24-inch range. With the right gear and knowledge of these hot spots, you’re set for a memorable day of fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. Tight lines