Episode Details

This is Artificial Lure with your Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore/Washington D.C. fishing report for Tuesday, November 4th, 2025.

It’s a brisk morning with sunrise at 6:31 AM and sunset at 5:03 PM. Today’s tide action is solid for anglers: low tide hits just after midnight with a minor negative dip, then a nice high tide rolls in at 6:35 AM peaking at 3.57 feet, followed by another low at 12:56 PM, and an evening high around 6:57 PM up to 2.95 feet, according to Tide-Forecast.com. That early morning high tide right into first light is prime time for stripers on the move.

Weatherwise, the National Weather Service Marine Forecast has us with west winds around 10–15 knots this morning, tapering to 5–10 knots by the evening, with a chilly autumn air and stable, pressure—comfortable for both fish and angler.

All eyes remain on the striped bass bite. Reports from The Fisherman and the Southern Maryland Chronicle say the migration is underway, but catches remain hit or miss. The ASMFC’s recent decision not to change harvest regs reflects the ongoing challenge: the Bay’s striped bass population is stressed after several subpar spawning years, with the young-of-year index again well under average. On the water, most anglers are finding a mixed bag—lots of schoolies with an occasional fish making the 19–24" slot. Night time and dawn have been best, with paddletails in white or bunker color drawing strikes, especially fished over channel edges from the Key Bridge to Fort McHenry and on the flats near Tolchester—the outgoing tide turning slack to ebb is producing some of the sharper feeds.

Tautog, or “tog,” action remains good on structure—think pilings, reefs, rockpiles near the Bay Bridge and Severn River mouth. The Fisherman says green crabs and half-hard sand fleas on bottom rigs are the go-to bait. If you bring your own, keep baits small and presentation natural—these fish are fussy this late in the year.

White perch are hanging in deeper holes—find them near bridge abutments, pier pilings, or the drops outside the Magothy and Patuxent rivers. Bloodworms and grass shrimp on dropper rigs or small jigs tipped with Gulp are the ticket.

Bluefish are tapering off but still possible, especially near the mouths of the Potomac and Chester during outgoing tides. Try metal spoons or epoxy jigs if you’re targeting those last few.

Top lures for stripers right now are five-inch white Z-Man Diesel Minnows on half-ounce jig heads, the classic blue and chrome Rat-L-Trap, and Chartreuse Bomber Long A’s for nighttime. Soft plastics with paddle tails and a slow retrieve are out-producing aggressive jerks or topwaters, though keep a spook handy if there’s surface activity, especially at sunup.

Baitwise, fresh bunker—if you can get it—is always king for bigger stripers; cut menhaden, live eels, and soft crab have also produced. For tog, fresh green crab or pieces of clam are your best bet. For perch, bloodworms and grass shrimp.

Hot spots today:
- **Key Bridge to Fort McHenry**: early morning high tide, drifting live eels or paddle tails along the channel edges.
- **Sandy Point Shoal and Severn River mouth**: tog on green crab near bridge pilings, striper at dawn on soft plastics.
- **Baltimore Harbor deep holes**: white perch loaded up and reliable as ever on drop-shot worms.
- **Poplar Island and Bloody Point Light**: stripers and the rare late bluefish found deep trolling or vertical jigging.

With water temps dropping, fish are transitioning to winter patterns—look for them holding deep, pay attention to those tide swings, and don’t be afraid to downsize your presentation.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Bay report. Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates and local tips from yours truly, Artificial Lure.

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