• Unseasonably Warm Chesapeake Bay Fishing Conditions - Striped Bass Bite Below Par, Blue Catfish and Smallmouth Active

  • Nov 17 2024
  • Length: 3 mins
  • Podcast

Unseasonably Warm Chesapeake Bay Fishing Conditions - Striped Bass Bite Below Par, Blue Catfish and Smallmouth Active

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  • Summary

  • As of November 17, 2024, the Chesapeake Bay around the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas is experiencing some unique fishing conditions due to the unseasonably warm temperatures and lack of rainfall.

    **Weather and Tidal Report:**
    Today, expect partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid-60s, which is warmer than usual for this time of year. The sunrise is at 6:43 AM, and the sunset will be at 4:43 PM. Tides are moderate, with high tide at 9:15 AM and low tide at 3:15 PM.

    **Fish Activity:**
    The striped bass bite has been below par across the Bay, but there are some productive areas. In the Upper Bay, anglers have reported localized success, particularly in the Patapsco River, the channel near Love Point, and at the Bay Bridge. Striped bass are hitting bucktails dressed with soft plastics, especially in the evening hours near the Conowingo Dam[2][3].

    In the Upper Bay, white perch and pickerel are providing better action, especially in the creeks of the Magothy. Trollers are doing well using umbrella rigs with five-inch shad baits or tandem rigs along drop-offs and channel edges[3].

    **Types and Amounts of Fish Caught:**
    Yesterday, anglers reported catching striped bass, although the numbers are not as high as expected. Some anglers jigged up several fish between 17 and 20 inches in open water. Blue catfish are also active, with reports of large catches below the Conowingo Dam and in areas like Port Deposit and Havre De Grace. Smallmouth bass and walleye are being caught along rocky shorelines and ledges using crankbaits, jerkbaits, and jigs[2][3].

    **Best Lures and Bait:**
    For striped bass, use bucktails dressed with soft plastics or umbrella rigs with five-inch shad baits. For blue catfish, fresh cut bunker, eel, or clam baits are highly effective. Smallmouth bass and walleye are biting on crankbaits, jerkbaits, and jigs. White perch can be caught using small metal jigs or by dropping down Fishbites, live minnows, or grass shrimp[2][3].

    **Hot Spots:**
    - The Patapsco River, particularly the mouth and areas with shoreline structure, is a good spot for striped bass.
    - The channel near Love Point and the Bay Bridge are also holding fish.
    - For blue catfish, the waters below the Conowingo Dam, Port Deposit, and Havre De Grace are prime locations.
    - The rocky shorelines and ledges in the Upper Susquehanna are great for smallmouth bass and walleye.

    Keep in mind the warm weather and lack of rainfall have made fishing conditions a bit challenging, but targeting the right species and using the right gear can still yield some great catches.
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