Late December Chesapeake Bay Fishing: Stripers, Blues, and Brisk Conditions

For December 21, 2024, if you're planning to hit the waters of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, here's what you need to know: First off, let's talk about the tides. Today, you're looking at high tides at 12:38 PM with a height of 2.45 feet and again at 00:23 AM with a height of 2.31 feet. The low tides will be at 6:06 AM with 0.27 feet and 6:41 PM with 0.17 feet[2][4]. The weather is expected to be chilly, typical of late December, but that's not stopping the fish from biting. Sunrise is at 7:13 AM and sunset at 4:51 PM, giving you a good window to get out there[2][4]. Striped bass, or rockfish, are the main attraction right now. Large numbers of migratory fish have moved into the lower Potomac, particularly from the mouth of the St. Mary’s River down to where the Potomac meets the Bay. These fish are showing up with sea lice, indicating they're fresh from the Atlantic. The striped bass season is still open until the end of the month, but remember the slot limit is 19 to 24 inches, and trophy fish must be released with care[1]. Trollers and light tackle anglers are finding success in 35 to 55 feet of water, with chartreuse baits outperforming other colors recently. Down on the Rappahannock River, the action is slower but still worth a shot, especially down river from Urbanna out to the mouth. Here, you might catch some big ones, with reports of fish over 35 inches[1]. For those targeting blue catfish, the Rappahannock, James, and Potomac rivers are your best bets. Fresh cut eel and shad are working well for these giants, with a recent catch of a 72-pound blue catfish reported[1]. If you're looking for hot spots, consider the lower Potomac from Colonial Beach down to the mouth of the river. Another good spot is the Rappahannock River, especially around Urbanna and the bayfront. For a more leisurely day, shore fishing or fishing from a pier like the Sea Gull Fishing Pier near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel can also yield some great catches[1][3]. So, grab your gear, bundle up, and get out there – the Chesapeake Bay is waiting for you. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.