• Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Stripers, Perch, and Ideal Conditions for December Anglers

  • Dec 1 2024
  • Length: 3 mins
  • Podcast

Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Stripers, Perch, and Ideal Conditions for December Anglers

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  • Summary

  • As of December 1, 2024, the fishing scene in the Chesapeake Bay, particularly around the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas, is shaping up nicely with the onset of cooler weather.

    ### Weather and Tidal Conditions
    Expect cooler weather to dominate the first week of December, with main Bay surface water temperatures already in the low 50s[2]. Tidal currents will be above average due to the new moon on December 1, which should enhance fishing conditions. Sunrise today is at around 7:00 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 4:30 PM.

    ### Fish Activity
    Striped bass activity has seen an uptick with the recent cold fronts. Anglers are reporting decent action around the Bay Bridge, particularly on both the east and west sides, where trolling along the edges of the shipping channel and jigging in the eddies behind the pilings have been productive[1].

    In the Upper Bay, the mouth of the Patapsco River is a hot spot, with fish being caught at depths of around 30 feet in the main channel. Jigging and trolling are the preferred methods here, with soft plastic jigs and umbrella rigs with 5-inch shad baits working well[2].

    White perch have moved to deeper waters, typically 30-35 feet deep, and can be found schooled up near the mouths of the Patapsco and Chester rivers. Metal jigs, especially those with a firetiger pattern, are effective for catching these perch[1].

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For striped bass, soft plastic jigs and umbrella rigs with 5-inch shad baits are highly recommended. Trollers should use heavy inline weights to get down to the suspended fish. For white perch, shiny metal jigs are the way to go, as they are attracted to the reflective surface[1][2].

    ### Hot Spots
    - **Bay Bridge**: The rockpiles and edges of the shipping channel are excellent spots for both striped bass and white perch.
    - **Mouth of the Patapsco River**: This area is seeing good action for striped bass at depths of around 30 feet.
    - **Mouth of the Chester River**: Another good spot for white perch and striped bass, especially with the fish moving into deeper waters.

    Overall, the cooler weather and increased tidal currents are making for some exciting fishing opportunities in the Chesapeake Bay. Keep an eye out for bird shows, as they can indicate active schools of fish.
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