Episode Details

This is Artificial Lure coming to you with your on-the-spot Chesapeake Bay fishing report for October 11, 2025, covering the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., corridor with a local perspective. Today’s weather is classic early fall: partly cloudy, mild temps, and a southeast breeze picking up a bit as we move into the weekend. Marine forecasts from the National Weather Service predict light winds this morning increasing to 5–10 knots by early afternoon, with waves between 1 and 2 feet — comfortable for most craft. Keep an eye out: some rain is in the forecast late Saturday and into Sunday, and conditions could get unsettled with tides pushing higher than normal as a lingering coastal system approaches.

Sunrise hit at 7:07 a.m. and you’ll see sunset wrap up the action today at 6:35 p.m. According to tide-forecast.com, we had a high tide around 6:17 a.m., low around 1:24 p.m., with the next high at 6:40 this evening. That means the bite should be hot around those moving waters, especially for anglers drifting bait or working lures near the edges.

Top water this week has been all about cooling temps and the fall mix moving in. Maryland DNR reports striped bass action is heating up across the region — particularly near Pooles Island, the mouth of the Patapsco, and the always reliable Sandy Point Light. Anglers are seeing steady numbers on live-lining spot or eels, with solid fish coming for early risers working the rocks and drop-offs. Jigs and paddletails are getting hit hard along the Bay Bridge pilings, especially on the eastern side during a good running tide.

There’s been a good run of slot-sized red drum and speckled trout, too, especially farther south around the Route 301 bridge on the Potomac and below the Route 4 bridge on the Patuxent. Look to Cornfield Harbor, Thomas Point, and Cedar Point for mixed bags of trout and reds. Bluefish are still in the mix — look for frenzies near the Target Ship and around Point No Point, where bluefish blitzes are pushing bay anchovies to the top.

White perch and spot are holding on local hard bottom and knolls, especially in the Chester and Magothy Rivers. Shrimp and bloodworms are your best bets for the perch. Spot are thick and large right now — this is peak season before they head south. And don’t ignore the catfish bite — both blue and channel cats are loaded up in the Elk, North East, and upper Patapsco. Nightcrawlers, fresh cut bunker, or chicken liver on a simple bottom rig will keep lines tight.

For largemouth fans working the tidal tributaries and marsh edges, the cooling water has them on the feed throughout the day — frogs, spinnerbaits, and wacky rigs are pulling nice fish from grass beds and structure. Up on the Susquehanna Flats, the jam for smallmouth is real: try Bitsy Bug mini jigs and soft plastics in the current seams for best results.

Best lures this week for striper and blues have been white or chartreuse 5-inch paddletails on 1-ounce jig heads; for live-lining, use spot or eels. Surface action is calling for poppers and jerkbaits at first and last light. For blues, silver spoons and small surgical tube lures trolled in the deeper water off channel edges are top producers.

Hot spots to target this weekend:
- East side of the Bay Bridge up to Sandy Point Light for sunrise striper and perch.
- Cornfield Harbor and Thomas Point for mixed action on stripers, red drum, and speckled trout.
- The mouths of the Magothy and Chester Rivers for spot, perch, and reliable catfish.
- Target Ship/Point No Point for classic October bluefish blitz action.

As always, mind local weather updates and be careful if forecasts worsen. Good luck and tight lines to everyone out chasing that October magic!

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