Podcast Episode Details
Back to Podcast Episodes
Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report for January 5, 2025: Stripers, Puppy Drum, and Trout Biting Despite the Chill
If you're planning to hit the Chesapeake Bay today, January 5, 2025, here's what you need to know:
First off, let's talk about the tides. Today, you're looking at a high tide at 12:59 AM and again at 1:16 PM, with low tides at 7:07 AM and 7:34 PM. The tidal coefficient is average, so expect moderate currents and tidal movements[2][5].
Sunrise is at 7:18 AM, and sunset will be at 5:03 PM, giving you a good window to get out on the water.
The weather has been cold, but that's not stopping the fish from biting. Migratory striped bass are still making their way up the Bay, and there have been reports of trophy-sized fish being caught in the Virginia Beach and Cape Charles areas. Live lining eels is a highly effective method for targeting these ocean-run stripers[1].
In the lower Eastern Shore, winter redfish and puppy drum are active, particularly in the Virginia Beach tributaries like Lynnhaven and the Elizabeth River. For puppy drum, using a five-inch swim shad along rocky shorelines has been productive. For speckled trout, soft plastics on jigheads, MirrOlures, and suspending jerkbaits are working well in the rivers and inlets around Virginia Beach[1].
In the Middle Bay, there's been a bit of a lull in the rockfish action, but big fish are still being caught. Chesapeake Beach and the mouth of Eastern Bay have been hot zones, with fish caught on soft plastics on 1.5-ounce heads[3].
For today, consider heading to the Elizabeth River or Lynnhaven Inlet for some consistent action on puppy drum and speckled trout. If you're after striped bass, Cape Charles is a hotspot, and don't forget to try live lining eels.
Stay warm and good luck on the water
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Published on 11 months, 1 week ago