Winter Fishing on the Chesapeake: Challenges and Opportunities for Anglers in Virginia

As of today, January 18, 2025, the fishing scene on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia is quite challenging due to the harsh winter conditions. Here’s what you need to know: First, let's look at the tides. Today, we have a high tide at 12:53 PM with a height of 0.48 meters (1.56 feet), and low tides at 7:39 AM and 8:04 PM with heights of -0.01 meters (-0.03 feet) and -0.02 meters (-0.06 feet), respectively. Sunrise is at 7:15 AM, and sunset is at 5:14 PM. The weather has been brutal, with cold temperatures and strong winds keeping many anglers off the water. However, for those brave enough to venture out, there are still some opportunities. The recent cold snap has been particularly hard on speckled trout, with reports of dead trout in the Virginia Beach tributaries, but other species are still active. Migratory striped bass are still present in the Bay, particularly around the Eastern Shore near Cape Charles, which is historically a productive area for big winter striped bass. Night fishing for striped bass near dock and building lights has been effective, as the illuminated water attracts baitfish that the bass ambush. Red drum have also been caught in the tributaries, with some slot reds taken using cut mullet in areas like Rudee Inlet. Mullet have been abundant in the rivers and make great live or cut bait for winter fishing. For lures, MirrOLure Mirrodine slow sinking twitchbaits have been successful for catching speckled trout in the Elizabeth River and other tributaries. For bait, mullet, as mentioned, is a top choice, along with other live or cut baits like bloodworms and minnows. If you're looking for hot spots, consider the tributaries around Norfolk and Virginia Beach, especially areas like the Elizabeth River and Rudee Inlet. Out on the Bay, the area near Cape Charles is worth a try for those trophy striped bass. Stay warm and good luck on the water This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.