• Chilly Chesapeake Bounty: Stripers, Pickerel, and More Amid Shifting Tides

  • Dec 14 2024
  • Length: 3 mins
  • Podcast

Chilly Chesapeake Bounty: Stripers, Pickerel, and More Amid Shifting Tides

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  • Summary

  • For December 14th, 2024, the fishing scene in the Chesapeake Bay, particularly around the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas, is shaping up to be quite interesting despite the cold weather.

    First off, let's look at the tidal conditions. Today, the high tide at Tangier Sound Light is at 10:50 AM with a height of 0.63 meters (2.06 feet), and the low tide is at 5:20 PM with a height of -0.06 meters (-0.2 feet)[2].

    The weather is cold, but this time of year often brings active fish. Sunrise is at 7:11 AM, and sunset is at 4:45 PM, giving you a good window to get out on the water.

    For striped bass, the season is now closed except for catch and release, but anglers are still finding some success. Light tackle guide Pete Dahlberg reports that while the striper bite has been challenging, he's still managing to catch fish on most trips. However, the action has been better in the tributaries, especially for pickerel. Pickerel have been hitting large baits, including 5-inch white Zman paddletails, and this bite seems to be the most consistent right now[1].

    In the lower Bay, trollers have been finding some striped bass in the 30’ to 50’ range, often close to the bottom. Chartreuse baits have been outperforming other colors recently. Light tackle anglers are also working ledges in these depths with side scan technology helping to locate schools of fish[3].

    For other species, sea bass have been caught in very deep waters, with some keepers reported. Cutlassfish are also still being caught in the southern Bay tributaries, even with the cold weather[3].

    If you're looking for hot spots, consider the area between Pooles Island and the Bay Bridge, where you can target bluefish and striped bass. The Middle Grounds near Tangier and Pocomoke Sound are great for bottom fishing, with species like fluke, bluefish, sea trout, and spot available[4].

    In terms of lures and bait, for striped bass, umbrella rigs with five-inch sassy shads are working well. For pickerel, those 5-inch white Zman paddletails are a good choice. If you're after sea bass, deep waters with appropriate tackle are your best bet.

    Overall, while the cold weather might be challenging, the tidal conditions and fish activity make today a good day to get out and try your luck in the Chesapeake Bay.
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