• Chesapeake Bay Fishing Update: Striped Bass Catch-and-Release, Patapsco Hotspot, and Pickerel Championship

  • Dec 20 2024
  • Length: 3 mins
  • Podcast

Chesapeake Bay Fishing Update: Striped Bass Catch-and-Release, Patapsco Hotspot, and Pickerel Championship

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  • Summary

  • For December 20, 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 closing of the striped bass season in Maryland waters on December 10th. Though the season is closed, catch and release fishing is still permitted.

    ### Tidal and Weather Conditions
    Today, the tidal conditions are as follows: low tide at 5:07 AM with a height of 1.23 meters (4.05 ft), high tide at 10:04 AM with a height of 1.42 meters (4.67 ft), low tide again at 4:10 PM with a height of 1.19 meters (3.92 ft), and finally, high tide at 10:53 PM with a height of 1.55 meters (5.09 ft). Sunrise is at 7:21 AM and sunset at 4:45 PM. The weather is expected to be cool, which is typical for this time of year.

    ### Fish Activity
    The fish activity has been somewhat inconsistent, but there are still some promising spots. The Patapsco River has been one of the hotspots, with anglers catching striped bass and white perch. These fish are often found in deep channels, particularly in the 40’ to 50’ range. Blade baits have been particularly effective for catching both striped bass and white perch, with most of these fish holding close to the bottom[1].

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For targeting striped bass and white perch, umbrella rigs and blade baits are highly recommended. Trolling along the main river channel edges, especially in the Patapsco River, has yielded recent bites. Additionally, the rock piles at the Bay Bridge and the ledges along the shipping channel on the main stem of the Bay are other areas worth exploring[1].

    ### Hot Spots
    One of the best areas to fish right now is the Patapsco River, where deep channels are holding schools of white perch and some striped bass. Another promising spot is around the rock piles at the Bay Bridge and the ledges along the shipping channel. For those looking to target pickerel, the upper reaches of creeks and shorelines with fallen trees and other structure in tributaries like the Magothy River are excellent choices[1].

    ### Other Notes
    Pickerel fishing has been quite consistent and will remain a great option throughout the winter season. Anglers interested in pickerel might want to consider participating in the CCA Pickerel Championship, which runs until the end of February 2025[1].

    Overall, while the striped bass bite has not been as strong as hoped, there are still plenty of opportunities to catch a variety of fish in the Chesapeake Bay, especially with the right lures and knowledge of the best spots.
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