Episodes

  • Chesapeake Bay Fishing Update: Flounder, Trout, and More as Conditions Improve

    Chesapeake Bay Fishing Update: Flounder, Trout, and More as Conditions Improve
    May 21 2025
    Howdy, folks! Artificial Lure here with your mid-week fishing update for the Chesapeake Bay area on this fine Wednesday morning, May 21st.

    The big news is we're still dealing with some aftermath from that heavy rain earlier this month. The Way North region of the Bay has been running high and muddy, with the Conowingo Dam in spill conditions. If you're heading that direction, expect challenging conditions with murky water and debris, though things should be improving compared to last weekend.

    Remember, striped bass season opened May 16th in certain areas of the Bay, but the Way North region remains closed until June 1st. Check the Maryland DNR regulation map if you're unsure about boundaries - don't want anyone getting ticketed!

    For those looking to bend a rod today, flounder are showing up in better numbers throughout the Bay and coastal waters as we hit that sweet 70-degree water temperature. They're feeding during daylight hours, so hit the inlets, coastal bays, and structure like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Fresh squid, live bait, or cut bait have been producing nice catches.

    Gray trout (weakfish) are also becoming more active throughout the Bay. The smaller ones are taking bottom baits while the bigger specimens in the 5-10 pound range are hitting trolled lures and live bait. Try squid, peeler crabs, shrimp, or live spot if you can get 'em.

    Croakers have made their spring arrival and are providing steady action, especially for folks fishing light tackle with bloodworms, squid, or cut fish. They're schooling with spots in many areas around the Bay.

    Down in Virginia waters, the first waves of big red drum have arrived, and the sea bass season is now open. If you're looking to head offshore, reports indicate big mahi and yellowfin tuna are being caught, with king mackerel making a good showing recently.

    Hot spots this week include the CBBT structure for flounder, the tidal tributaries for catfish and white perch, and Virginia's coastal bays for improving flounder action.

    For those planning their day, we've got sunrise at 5:52 AM and sunset coming at 8:14 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get after 'em.

    That's the word from the water today, folks. This muddy water should continue clearing up if we don't get more rain, so fishing should only improve as we head toward Memorial Day weekend. Until next time, keep them lines tight and them fish biting!
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    3 mins
  • Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Stripers, Mahi, and the Elusive Channa

    Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Stripers, Mahi, and the Elusive Channa
    May 19 2025
    Hey there, anglers! This is Artificial Lure coming at ya with your fresh Chesapeake Bay fishing report for this fine Monday morning, May 19th, 2025.

    The waters are heating up and so is the action! With temperatures now approaching 70°F along the coast, we're seeing that mid-May transition in full swing. The striped bass season opened just a few days ago on May 16th, and folks are already reporting good catches. Remember your regulations - in Virginia waters you've got until June 15th, with a 20-28 inch slot size and a one fish per day limit[5].

    Those big mahi are starting to show up offshore, along with some nice yellowfin tuna. King mackerel have been making a strong appearance lately too[1]. If you're heading out deeper, don't forget your deep dropping gear - that's been producing consistently.

    Inshore, flounder fishing is picking up nicely in the coastal bays[2][4]. They're daytime feeders, so no need for those early morning runs. Try around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel with squid, live bait or cut bait for best results.

    Gray trout (weakfish) are active throughout the Bay now. The smaller ones are hitting bottom baits while the lunkers are taking trolled offerings or live spot. Fresh squid, peeler crabs, and shrimp have all been producing[4].

    For you catfish hunters, blue cats are biting well in the Potomac and Rappahannock[3]. Always a reliable target when other fish get finicky.

    The wild card this season is those Chesapeake Channa that are in a feeding frenzy right now. They're holding near grass beds and structure in the tidal rivers and creeks. If you're looking for a challenge, try throwing paddletails around vegetation[2][5].

    Hot spots this week: The St. Mary's River has been giving up some nice puppy drum, with a few being caught by anglers live-lining small spot at night[3]. Also, check out the CBBT pilings for flounder and the mouth of the Rappahannock for a mixed bag of species.

    Bait-wise, bloodworms, squid and cut fish are your best bet for panfish, while larger lures and live baits are working for the predators.

    That's all for now, folks. Remember to wet those lines often and release what you don't need. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines until next time!
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    3 mins
  • Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Flounder, Croaker, Trout & More Biting Across the Bay

    Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Flounder, Croaker, Trout & More Biting Across the Bay
    May 18 2025
    Good morning anglers this is Artificial Lure with your Chesapeake Bay Virginia fishing report for Sunday May 18th 2025

    Sunrise rolled in at 553 am with sunset coming up at 808 pm. Skies are mostly clear today with air temps climbing into the upper 70s perfect for a day on the water. Winds are light and variable and the tide schedule favors morning and evening fishing with a moderate incoming tide just after sunrise and a falling tide in the afternoon.

    Water temperatures are pushing 70 degrees and that’s sparked a real uptick in fish activity across the Bay and along our coastlines. The flounder bite has turned on in a big way. Anglers are pulling nice keepers from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and in deeper channels near Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets. Squid strips, cut bait, and Gulp swimming mullets are all getting hits in 15 to 30 feet of water. Try drifting with live minnows or working bucktail jigs tipped with soft plastics for your best shot at a doormat flattie[4].

    Croaker season has arrived strong and they’re abundant from the Hampton Roads piers to the mouth of the James River and all along the CBBT. They’re hitting bloodworms, fishbites, and small strips of squid on bottom rigs. Light tackle is all you need for a bend in the rod and a bucket of tasty panfish[4].

    Gray trout, also known as weakfish, are another hot bite right now. Look for them in the lower Bay, especially around structure and channel edges. They’re taking squid, peeler crab, shrimp, and live spot, with some larger fish coming to those slow-trolling live bait rigs[4].

    Striped bass season opened May 16 in Virginia waters with a 20 to 28 inch slot and a one fish per day limit. Look for schoolies prowling shallow flats at first and last light. Jigging soft plastics like BKDs or paddle tails around drop-offs, or tossing topwater plugs early in the morning, has put fish in the box for many anglers[5][1]. Remember to check the slot and local regs.

    Surf fishermen are reporting red drum and bluefish showing up in better numbers along the Virginia Beach stretch and into the lower Bay. The drum are taking peeler crab and fresh cut bunker while the bluefish prefer metal spoons or mullet rigs[3].

    If you are looking for hot spots this weekend, try setting up near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel for mixed-bag action on flounder, croaker, and stripers, or drift the edges of Lynnhaven Inlet for flatties and gray trout. For those on foot, the Buckroe Fishing Pier and James River Fishing Pier are always reliable for croaker and spot.

    Best of luck out there and tight lines.
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    3 mins
  • Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Sheepshead, Drum, and Bluefish Bites for Mid-May

    Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Sheepshead, Drum, and Bluefish Bites for Mid-May
    May 17 2025
    Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for Saturday, May 17, 2025.

    We have a beautiful spring day on tap, with temperatures starting in the low 60s at sunrise and climbing into the upper 70s by midday. Winds are light out of the northeast, making for manageable conditions on the water. Sunrise was at 5:51 am and sunset will be at 8:10 pm, giving us plenty of daylight for a full day of fishing.

    Tidal activity today shows a high tide around mid-morning and another low in the late afternoon. This sets up well for targeting structure and drop-offs during moving water, especially around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and the mouth of the James River.

    Let’s talk fish action. The Chesapeake Bay is heating up, literally and figuratively. Anglers are reporting steady catches of sheepshead around bridge pilings and structures—crabs or fiddler crabs on a bottom rig are your best bet here. Tautog fishing has been strong but note the season ended on May 15. For those looking for drum, both red and black drum are making appearances near the CBBT and Eastern Shore shoals. Use cut mullet, bunker, or fresh peeler crab for the big ones, while bloodworms work well for puppy drum in the rivers.

    Piers and surf are producing puppy drum, black drum, trout, and some small bluefish. If you’re after bluefish, metal spoons and shiny lures or cut bait are working well. Spanish mackerel are showing up for trollers using small Clark spoons—try trolling them along the channel edges for best results. Speckled trout can be found in the surf and inside the inlets, hitting on soft plastics and live bait.

    Flounder are starting to pick up; live minnows, mullet, and white or chartreuse gulps rigged on a flounder rig have produced bites, especially near Lynnhaven Inlet and the Cape Henry wrecks.

    Offshore, anglers are reporting action with big mahi and yellowfin tuna for those willing to make the run. Inshore, deep droppers are catching blueline tilefish and even some snowy grouper.

    Hot spots to try today include the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel for sheepshead and drum, and the mouth of Back River for trout and flounder. The piers at Virginia Beach are consistent for a mixed bag, especially early in the morning.

    To recap on baits and lures: crabs and fiddlers for sheepshead, cut bait and peeler crab for drum, metal spoons and Gotcha plugs for bluefish and Spanish mackerel, and soft plastics or live minnows for trout and flounder.

    Tight lines out there, and stay safe on the water. It’s shaping up to be a classic mid-May day on the Bay.
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    3 mins
  • Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Stripers, Drums, and More - Kickoff of 2025 Season

    Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Stripers, Drums, and More - Kickoff of 2025 Season
    May 16 2025
    CHESAPEAKE BAY FISHING REPORT
    May 16, 2025
    By Artificial Lure

    Mornin' anglers! Today's the day many of y'all been waitin' for - the first segment of the 2025 striped bass season kicks off right here in the Chesapeake[1]. The water's warmin' up nicely, and fish activity is pickin' up all over the Bay.

    The big news this week is those first waves of red drum have shown up in Virginia waters[1]. If you're after these bruisers, load up on cut mullet, bunker, or crab - peelers work real good this time of year[5]. For the smaller puppy drum, switch to shrimp or bloodworms and try the Virginia Beach pier where they've been catchin' plenty[5].

    Chesapeake Channa are in a feedin' frenzy right now, especially up in the tidal rivers and creeks of the upper Bay. Look for 'em near grass beds and structure. Paddletails and similar lures have been gettin' the job done[1].

    Tautog fishing remains strong along the CBBT islands and Bay structures, but remember the Virginia tautog season closes tomorrow on the 15th - wait, that was yesterday! Season's closed now, folks[5].

    For you coastal anglers, black sea bass season just opened mid-month and they're out there in good numbers[3]. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel has been a hot spot. Just outside the Bay, there's been good action for yellowfin tuna and some early mahi showing up. Deep-droppers are coming back with blueline tilefish, golden tilefish, and even some snowy grouper[5].

    Flounder fishing is improvin' in the coastal bays[1]. Live minnows, mullet, or those white and chartreuse Gulp baits on a flounder rig are your best bet[5].

    Hot spots this week: The CBBT islands for tautog (catch and release now), the lower Bay around the Virginia Beach pier for drum and trout, and the grass beds of Gunpowder Falls for those hungry Channa[1][5].

    Hickory shad fishin' is slowin' down in the Susquehanna as they're heading back to the ocean, but you might still catch stragglers[1].

    For you blues chasers, some small ones are being caught at Virginia Beach pier, but we're all hoping those big choppers from last year make a return soon. Keep them doodlebugs and cut mullet ready[3][5].

    Remember to check them striped bass regulations before heading out today - the rules vary by area and can change without much notice[3]. DNR's got a regulation map showing what areas are open, catch-and-release only, or closed to striped bass fishing[1].

    That's the word from the water today, folks. Tight lines and bent rods to ya!
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    3 mins
  • "Chesapeake Bay fishing heats up with tautog, sheepshead, and early-season offshore action"

    "Chesapeake Bay fishing heats up with tautog, sheepshead, and early-season offshore action"
    May 14 2025
    Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

    Sunrise hit the water at 5:55 AM this morning, with sunset expected around 8:06 PM. We’re seeing partly cloudy skies with temps in the low 70s at dawn, warming into the mid-70s by afternoon. Winds are running light out of the southwest, ramping up a bit as the day goes on but staying manageable for most boats. High tide rolls in around 8:45 AM, with the outgoing tide peaking late afternoon, ideal for setting up on those drop-offs and marsh edges.

    The bite’s been hot across the lower bay. Around the CBBT and the piers, tautog are still chewing strong, especially near pilings and rockpiles, but heads up—Virginia’s tog season closes tomorrow, so today’s the day if you want one for the cooler. Sheepshead are showing up in solid numbers around the bridge, biting on fiddler crabs and clam. Puppy drum and black drum are coming in from the piers with some steady action, especially in the early morning and late evening hours. Speckled trout are firing along the surf from Virginia Beach all the way down to the Carolina line, with soft plastics, MirrOlures, and live shrimp doing the work. Schoolie stripers are thick in the rivers and creeks, plenty in the 18 to 25 inch range, eager to smack a jig or Clouser minnow, but remember, striper season opens May 16th, so practice catch and release for now[3][5].

    On the offshore side, ambitious anglers heading out past the Cape are finding early-season mahi and yellowfin tuna, especially where warm water breaks push in. Flounder action’s picking up in the bays, with strip baits and Gulp minnows in white or chartreuse working best near channel edges.

    Top baits right now: For drum and sheepshead, go with cut mullet, peeler crab, or fresh clam. Specks and stripers are hitting white and chartreuse soft plastics, jerkbaits, and live minnows. Bluefish are chasing metal spoons and cut bunker. If you’re after flounder, try live minnow or squid on a basic flounder rig[5].

    For hot spots, check the CBBT islands for tautog, sheepshead, and drum, and hit the mouth of the Rappahannock and York rivers for a mixed bag of schoolie stripers, puppy drum, and speckled trout[3][5]. The Virginia Beach surf is also holding nice numbers of specks and small blues.

    All in all, the bay’s fishing is firing up with warming weather and active tides. Get out before the spring crowds slam the ramps, and good luck on the water!
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    3 mins
  • Chesapeake Fishing Report - Stripers, Trout, Cats & More Biting in the Bay!

    Chesapeake Fishing Report - Stripers, Trout, Cats & More Biting in the Bay!
    May 12 2025
    Hey there anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for this fine Monday morning, May 12th, 2025.

    The Bay's really heating up now, folks! Water temps are climbing and the fish are responding. Let's dive right into what's biting.

    Striped bass season opens in just four days on May 16th in Maryland waters, the Potomac, DC, and Virginia waters of the Chesapeake. Remember your regs - one fish per person daily with that 19-24 inch slot limit. Plenty of schoolie stripers are already active, with anglers reporting accidental catches of fish between 18-25 inches while targeting other species. If you're itching to get after them legally, clouser minnows for fly fishing or jigs on spinning gear have been producing well.

    Speckled trout and red drum action is picking up nicely. The Tackle Box reports puppy drum catches in the St. Mary's River, with some anglers successfully live lining small spot at night. Speaking of spot, netters are seeing them along with small croaker in their pound nets - good news for those planning to live line for stripers once the season opens.

    Catfish remain reliable targets in the tidal rivers. Blue cats are hitting in the upper Patuxent, Choptank, Potomac, and Rappahannock. Fresh cut gizzard shad has been the ticket for the blues, but any cut bait will work.

    White perch should be settling into their summer haunts in the shallows of tidal tributaries, around oyster bottom, and artificial reef sites. Small spinners, jigs, minnows, and grass shrimp will get their attention.

    For you saltwater fans, tautog fishing remains strong along the CBBT islands and Bay structures, but hurry - Virginia's tautog season ends May 15th. Sheepshead are also being caught in the Bay. The Virginia Beach pier is producing puppy drum, black drum, trout and small bluefish.

    Hot spots this week: The upper Potomac has been firing for those stripers - might be worth checking out before the season opens. For catfish, try the upper portions of the Patuxent and Choptank. And the CBBT islands for those tautog before the season closes.

    Tide-wise, we've got a flooding tide through mid-morning, with high tide around 11 AM and ebb through the afternoon. Sunrise was at 5:52 AM and we'll see sunset at 8:11 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get after 'em.

    Weather looks decent today with temps in the low 70s, moderate southwest winds 5-10 knots, and partly cloudy skies. There's some rain in the forecast for midweek, which might keep those river conditions favorable for stripers.

    That's it from me today, folks. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and calm waters to ya - I'll catch you next time with another Chesapeake Bay fishing report!
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    3 mins
  • Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Stripers, Reds, Cats, and More in 2025

    Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Stripers, Reds, Cats, and More in 2025
    May 11 2025
    Howdy anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Sunday morning Chesapeake Bay fishing report for May 11, 2025.

    Folks, the Bay is coming alive this spring! Water temps are warming nicely, and the fish are responding. Let's dive right in.

    Striper season opens in just five days on May 16th across Maryland waters, DC, the Potomac, and Virginia waters of the Bay. Till then, these beauties remain off-limits, though plenty of anglers are reporting accidental catches while targeting other species. Remember, one fish per person per day with that 19" to 24" slot limit once the season opens.

    Red drum action is picking up, with puppy drum being caught in the St. Mary's River. Some locals are having success live-lining small spot at night. If you're after specks and reds, you'll find them in the back bays, but be prepared for those accidental stripers.

    Up north, catfish are biting like crazy in the Susquehanna. One fella reported hauling in 45 fish on simple worm rigs. Blue cats up to 40 pounds are following perch schools around Port Deposit and Havre De Grace.

    Down in Virginia waters, the sheepshead bite is on, and tautog fishing remains strong along the CBBT islands and Bay structures. Better get after those tog quick though—season closes May 15th.

    For you surf casters, black drum are still strong in the Ocean City area, with speckled trout running from Virginia Beach down to Oregon Inlet.

    Bait recommendations: For those big drum, try cut mullet, bunker, or peeler crab. Puppy drum in the inlets and rivers are taking shrimp and bloodworms. When you're after flounder, go with live minnows, mullet, or white/chartreuse gulp baits.

    Hot spots this week: The Virginia Beach pier is producing puppy drum, black drum, trout and small blues. For a more secluded option, try the flats around the marshes for sight casting to stripers and blues—just remember catch and release only for those stripers till Friday.

    Recent rains have increased flow on the upper Potomac, creating a schoolie striper honey hole for fly anglers throwing clouser minnows. Conventional tackle folks are scoring with jigs. With rain in the forecast today, these conditions should hold through the opener.

    That's the word from the water today, folks. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines to ya, and I'll see you on the water!
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    3 mins
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