• Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Perch, Rockfish & Drum Biting, Lure Tips for Trout, Mackerel & Pickerel

  • Feb 12 2025
  • Length: 4 mins
  • Podcast

Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Perch, Rockfish & Drum Biting, Lure Tips for Trout, Mackerel & Pickerel

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  • Hey there, fellow anglers, this is Artificial Lure here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene in and around Chesapeake Bay for today, February 12th, 2025.

    First off, let's talk about the tides. Today, we're looking at a high tide of 2.61 feet at 8:11 AM and another at 2.26 feet at 8:28 PM, with low tides of -0.4 feet at 1:44 AM and -0.29 feet at 2:24 PM. These tidal conditions should provide some good movement and activity for the fish[2].

    The weather is expected to be relatively mild for this time of year, which is great news for us anglers. Sunrise is at 6:55 AM, and sunset will be at 5:41 PM, giving us a good window to get out on the water.

    In the Chesapeake Bay, particularly in the Virginia waters, we're seeing some promising action. Yellow perch are very active right now, especially in the upper parts of the Bay. They're being caught around the Perryville area and in the mouths of other tidal rivers. Live minnows are working best, but small artificial jigs are also enticing bites. These perch are mostly schooled up in depths of 40 to 60 feet[1].

    If you're targeting bigger game, the lower Bay areas are producing some great catches. Rockfish, although not yet in season for keeping, are starting to show up, with reports of fish over 32 inches coming from inside the Rappahannock River. While you can't keep them yet, they're definitely worth the catch-and-release effort[4].

    Red Drum are also active in the lower Bay, particularly around areas like Sandbridge surf, Buckroe Pier, Lynnhaven Inlet, and Rudee Inlet. Fresh shrimp, cut mullet, crabs, and other forms of cut bait are working well for these Drum. The windy conditions we've been having actually strengthen the Drum bite, so don't let that deter you[4].

    Sheepshead and Tautog are biting well around structures like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) and artificial reefs. Fiddler crabs, cut Blue Crab, and even sand fleas are excellent baits for these species. If you're after Flounder, the CBBT and ocean wrecks are your best bets, with live Spot and Croaker strips being effective[4].

    For a hot spot, I recommend checking out the Lynnhaven Inlet. This area has been producing multiple species, including Flounder, Spot, Croaker, Trout, and Rockfish. The grass flats inside the inlets and rivers are also great for Speckled Trout and Puppy Drum, where shrimp and minnows are plentiful[4].

    In terms of lures, topwater baits are still effective for Trout, especially with the cooler weather. For Spanish Mackerel, smaller Drone and Clark spoons in the 2 to 2-1/2 inch sizes work well. If you're after Pickerel, suspending minnows on shad darts and small bucktails under a bobber can be very effective in the chillier waters[4].

    Another area worth mentioning is the upper parts of the tributaries, where crappie action has been good. Areas like Oxon Cove on the upper Potomac River, with its abundant fallen wood, are great spots for crappie. Live minnows will likely be the best bait to use while water temperatures are still cold[3].

    So, grab your gear and head out to the Chesapeake Bay. With the right baits and lures, you're in for a great day of fishing. Tight lines, everyone
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