Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, December 5 Update:
Migratory striped bass are making their way back into the Chesapeake Bay. The big fish are beginning to arrive, and December is the best time of year to catch them in the Way South region. Some fish have been caught around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and in the waters off Cape Charles, but we are still waiting on the big push of fish, if they even show up. What the migratory stripers do in the winter tends to vary year by year, but for the past few years, they have pushed up the Bay in December. Eeling is very effective way to catch them, but trolling and light tackle jigging can also work. The eel bite has been good on the James River, and we had a report from an angler who said they caught stripers up to 35” on the river this week. Creeks off the main stem of the James are also holding plenty of slot fish. The striped bass season will remain open in Virginia until December 31st.
The speckled trout bite is beginning to slow down now that we have had some nights below freezing. There are still plenty of fish to catch in the Virginia Beach and Norfolk tidal tributaries, but many of them will be in deeper water and prefer a slower presentation. Lynnhaven Inlet, Rudee Inlet, and the Elizabeth River have been highlighted hot zones lately. Red drum can also be found in these tributaries. The bull reds have pushed either offshore or to the waters south of the Bay, but the puppy drum can be caught throughout the winter months. At the rocky islands of the CBBT, tautog are schooling and can be caught by dropping down crab baits. The nearshore wrecks and reefs off the mouth of the Bay are holding plenty of sea bass and tautog as well. There are still plenty of fishing opportunities, so bundle up and get out there.