Striped Bass Migration and Bite on the Chesapeake Bay this Late December

For those venturing out onto the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia today, December 28, 2024, here’s what you can expect: ### Tidal and Weather Conditions The tide times for Fleet Point, Chesapeake Bay, are as follows: low tide at 3:39 AM, high tide at 10:02 AM, low tide at 4:45 PM, and high tide at 10:17 PM. Sunrise is at 7:19 AM, and sunset will be at 4:54 PM. The weather is expected to be chilly, typical for late December, so make sure to bundle up. ### Fish Activity The striped bass season is still open in Virginia waters until the end of the month, with a slot limit of 19 to 24 inches, and trophy fish must be released. Yesterday saw a good number of migratory striped bass moving into the lower Potomac River, particularly from the mouth of the St. Mary’s River down to where the Potomac meets the Bay. These fish are often found in 35 to 55 feet of water, close to the bottom, and are identified by the presence of sea lice, indicating their migration from the Atlantic. ### Catch Reports Anglers reported catching their limit of four slot fish, along with several under-slot and slot fish that were released. Trollers and light tackle anglers have been successful, especially around areas like Piney Point. On the Rappahannock River, the action is slower but still productive, with fish concentrated down river from Urbanna out to the mouth. There have been reports of larger fish, with one boat landing three fish over 35 inches. ### Best Lures and Bait For striped bass, trollers have found success with tandems and umbrella rigs, particularly with chartreuse baits. Light tackle anglers are using 5- to 8-inch soft plastics on jigheads, typically in the 1- to 1 1/2-ounce range to reach the 35- to 50-foot depths. For blue catfish, which are plentiful in the James and Potomac rivers, fresh cut eel and shad are highly effective. ### Hot Spots - **Lower Potomac River**: From Colonial Beach down to the mouth of the river, this area has been particularly productive for striped bass. - **Rappahannock River**: Down river from Urbanna out to the mouth, this area is seeing a mix of scattered but sizable striped bass and large blue catfish further upriver. Remember to handle trophy fish with care and use ethical catch and release techniques. Covering a lot of water and using side scan technology can significantly increase your chances of finding schools of fish. Good luck out there