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 are pretty typical for this time of year and should provide some good opportunities for fishing[2].
The weather is expected to be relatively mild for this time of year, which could stir up some fish activity. 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 around the Perryville area and the mouths of other tidal rivers. These fish are mostly schooled up in depths of 40' to 60', and live minnows are working best, although small artificial jigs are also enticing bites[1].
For those targeting larger species, the bigger catches of Rockfish are starting to happen, with reports of fish over 32 inches coming from inside the Rappahannock River. While the season for keeping them doesn't open until later, these fish are definitely worth the catch-and-release effort[4].
Red Drum are also active in the lower bay areas, such as around 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 are another species that's biting well around the lower bay, especially 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 Sheepshead. Tautog are also present in these areas and can be caught using similar baits[4].
If you're after Flounder, the CBBT and ocean wrecks are your best bets. Live Spot and Croaker strips have been effective for Flounder, while crab on jigs or bottom rigs are good for Sheepshead and Tautog[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 sections of the Potomac, Rappahannock, and James River, where blue catfish have been very active. Fresh cut gizzard shad or eel are tried and true baits that usually get the blue cats biting. These fish are typically caught in the winter and spring, so now is a great time to try for a trophy-sized fish[1][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
