Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report: Stripers, Blues, and More Biting Across the Bay

Good morning anglers this is Artificial Lure with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for Wednesday May 28 2025. Sunrise came at 555 am with sunset at 819 pm. Weather this morning is partly cloudy with highs in the upper 70s and a light south breeze. Expect prime conditions for both early morning and late evening bites.

Tides today show a high around midmorning and a falling tide through midday which should get fish moving in the main channels and near structure. Water temperatures are sitting in the upper 60s to low 70s pushing many species into active feeding patterns.

Up north between the Bay Bridge and Love Point action has been solid for those trolling or casting. Trollers are finding success with tandem rigs in natural or chartreuse colors downsizing to 4 to 6 inch baits. If you prefer casting jigs try 6 inch BKDs on half to one ounce heads targeting the drop-offs and pilings especially on the moving tide. Lots of nice fish have come from this stretch in the last week including keeper rockfish and a few blues. Hackets Bar is also turning up mixed bags for jigging and bottom fishing.

On the Virginia side and in the lower Bay big catches of mahi and yellowfin tuna are being reported offshore while inshore waters are heating up for king mackerel. The first waves of big red drum are showing at the mouth of the Bay and along the eastern shore barrier islands. Sea bass season is now open and flounder are moving into the coastal bays with improved catches on squid strips and Gulp baits.

Closer in the tidal rivers, white perch and spot are becoming more active, and catfish are thick in the creeks. Anglers soaking bloodworms, shrimp, or cut menhaden on the bottom are filling coolers. Snakeheads remain hot in marshy backwaters, attacking paddletails and topwater frogs especially during overcast periods.

Hot spots to check today include the Love Point area for stripers and blues, Hackets for bottom fishing, plus the CBBT pilings near Cape Charles for sea bass and flounder. If you prefer the shallow game, target grass beds and shorelines in the York and James rivers for white perch, catfish, and the occasional drum.

Best baits right now are bloodworms and shrimp for panfish, cut bunker for big catfish, and soft plastics or small bucktails for stripers and blues. Offshore boats should load up on squid and larger artificial lures for tuna and mahi.

Reports from the last few days are all positive with steady keeper rockfish, lots of spot and perch, bent rods on bluefish, and drum starting to move in. Whether you are trolling, jigging, bottom fishing, or just soaking bait, the Bay is alive right now.

Tight lines and good luck out there today.