Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Cobia, Mackerel, and Stormy Conditions Await Anglers

It’s Artificial Lure checking in with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for Wednesday, August 20th, 2025. First light broke at 6:26 this morning, and we’re looking at sunset just before 7:47 tonight. That gives us a solid stretch to chase fish, especially with the strong tidal swings rolling through. The first low was around 4:14 AM and our morning high tide hits at 9:18, with a second low coming in just after 4 in the afternoon—prime windows for action according to Tide-Forecast.com.

Weather’s riding a northeasterly pattern this morning, with winds building up to 20, maybe even 25 knots as we get further into the day. Up to 4 or 5 footers in the main channel, with a stiff chop—be careful if you’re venturing out, especially off New Point Comfort or crossing to Cape Charles. National Weather Service puts us under a Tropical Storm Watch, so if you see the squalls building, tuck in and stay safe.

Fish-wise, the late-summer bite is strong across the Lower Bay. Big cobia are still thick—Coastline Supply Co says the slam’s still wide open on the oceanfront and right inside the mouths of the Bay. Folks are sight-casting with live eels, but don’t overlook a lively menhaden or chunked cut bait, especially if the chop makes spotting bells tough.

Span of the Bay from Smith Point to the Bridge Tunnel has been kicking up heaviest catches of Spanish mackerel and bluefish if you’re trolling Clark spoons or small Drone spoons behind #1 planers. The macks are feeding pretty heavily along channel edges; if you find breaking fish, toss a metal jig and hang on.

Striped bass—resident schoolies and some keeper-sized slot drum—are schooling early mornings and evenings off the mouths of the James and York Rivers, especially on moving tide. Outta Line Charters reports plenty of keeper-size rockfish and a mixed bag: red drum running 24–30 inches, plus good catches of sea trout and even some flounder on the deeper drop-offs.

For tackle, finesse swimbaits like a 3" Rapala CrushCity “The Mayor” paired with a VMC Hybrid jighead are dynamite for both bass in the creeks and stripers around grass edges and oyster bars. As always for Chesapeake’s late summer, try Gulp! Swimming mullet for trout and flounder, and don’t sleep on the classic bucktail tipped with a strip of menhaden or squid for targeting bigger species.

If you prefer bait, fresh-cut menhaden and live mullet remain the tournament standby. Goofish Rod Co recommends rigging a “Stealth Rig” (¼ oz egg sinker, 24” fluorocarbon leader, 5/0 circle) for subtle presentation—especially critical with these pressured late-season fish.

Couple of hot spots to circle today:
- The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel pilings, especially on the outgoing tide—prime for cobia, mackerel, even schoolie stripers.
- On the west, drop the anchor or drift through the mouth of the York River and the grass flats just inside Poquoson Flats. Look for diving terns and breaking schools for easy mackerel and bluefish, plus the occasional bull red drum pushing up with the bait.

Conditions are sporty and the bite’s on. As always, make sure you’re keeping an eye on the weather and don’t take unnecessary risks. Keep your radio handy and be ready to duck in if the wind gets rough.

Thanks for tuning in to the Chesapeake Bay fishing report. Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest updates, tips, and on-the-water action—this has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.

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