Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, January 29 Update:
Mmmm… we’re drawing a blank here, people. Water temps at the CBBT have dropped down into the low 40s and if the tog are still wiling to bite, we weren’t able to find anyone who went out for ‘em. There may still be a shot at finding a speck or two in one of the inlets, but again, we can’t confirm any solid catches. If you get out and find ‘em, shoot us an email and a pic and let us know! Meanwhile, remember that black sea bass become an option once again starting next month. Don’t forget to get your VA permit here, so you can partake in the action.
We realize that this week's reports are unusually thin, but that sometimes happens in the middle of the winter. The following is a public service announcement that has nothing at all to do with us trying to come up with more than a single sad paragraph for the entire report. Nothing at all (ahem): Please remember as we’re experiencing frigid temperatures, wearing a life jacket and paying attention to boating safety have an incredible level of importance. Make sure your life jacket is suited for your size and the appropriate buoyancy rating for your excursion. Additionally, always, always, always go fishing with a buddy and make sure that someone is aware of your plan for the day. in low-40-degree water temperatures, individuals who fall in generally have only 10 to 20 minutes depending on their age, gender, weight, and submersion level before losing all coordination and muscle strength. It’s important to be able to spot the signs of hypothermia: sleepiness, clumsiness, confusion, slurred speech, shivering, a weak pulse, low blood pressure, and a body temperature below 96 degrees. Stay safe out there - and we're hoping you'll find some fish.
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, January 21 Update:
With the dropping water temps and often gusting winds, things have grown a bit quiet in this neck of the woods. At the CBBT the water’s bouncing between 43 and 44 degree, and we didn’t have any solid reports of tog this week (though we’d note that due to wind there have been plenty of tough days recently, which has surely hampered effort). That said, dropping crab baits on the structure there’s always the chance for a bite or three. We were also unable to find anyone with firsthand experience coming from the inlets. There are reports of (very) large stripers being caught and released in the mouth of the Bay, but not of keeper-sized slot fish from the open ocean area.
Remember, Virginia’s special sea bass season opens up on February 1st but to partake in it, you need to get the extra sea bass permit. If you hope to head out to the wrecks and enjoy those winter bass, get your VA permit here.
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, January 15 Update:
Ocean’s East let us know that striper fishing has slowed, with only a few reported by their community this week. The frigid weather we had during the early part of this week was certainly a deterrent for anglers who normally would’ve been quicker to head out. Striper fishing in Virginia closed for the Bay on January 1st, so with all of the fishing happening farther afield right now, reports will naturally be a little more weather-dependent and thinner in general, until we get some nice days.
A few reports of tog around the CBBT came in; all were caught on cut fresh crab, but the water’s now dropped below 44-degrees and the bite’s likely to become stunted if that cooling trend doesn’t reverse itself. While it’s nice that the tog haven’t shut down completely as of yet, Virginia’s special sea bass season opens up on February 1st for anglers who choose to obtain a sea bass permit. If you’re interested in the February sea bass season, you do need to get your VA permit here.
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, January 7 Update:
Trolling seems to the most reliable way to hone in on the slot rockfish (28- to 36-inches) that can be targeted just outside the Bay, and most are striking Mojos, umbrellas, Stretch 25s, or live eels. Those who stick with trolling are having the most success pulling their offerings close to bottom in 35 to 45 feet of water, using white, pearl, or chartreuse, or black and purple on overcast days. There’s a good number of fish being caught that are too large to keep – get ‘em back in the water quickly and safely, after snapping off your picture!
Tautog can still be found on the feed at the CBBT on crab baits, but with the water temperature hovering around 45-degrees the action is a bit slower than in recent weeks and may be on the cusp of stopping altogether; just a few degrees lower, and the fish will go into semi-hibernation mode. There are also stripers around the structure but note that rockfish are now off-limits inside the demarcation line, regardless of size.
We didn’t get word from anyone who tried hitting the inlets or the Elizabeth for specks in the past week, but if you’re willing to tough out the weather and make a go of it there’s a decent shot at success. Again, with these water temperatures we’re right on the edge of a probable shut-down, but aren’t there quite yet.
As we move into 2021, we’d like to thank all of our readers who have contributed their reports to FishTalk and those that have supported us by reading them. We love hearing from you and featuring the photos and reports from our readers who make FishTalk possible. If you’d like to send in your own reports, feel free to email [email protected]!
Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, January 1 Update:
Welcome to 2021, anglers! We’re looking forward to another year of great fishing and time spent on the water. Unfortunately, this week saw reduced reports thanks to weather, the holidays, and reduced tackle shop hours. Currently, fishing around the CBBT remains steady with a fair tog bite on crab baits. Anglers fishing for stripers this past week also reported fair success to close out the 2020 season, including some very large catch-photo-release trophy-sized rockfish, both on eels and on the troll with Stretch 25s, tandems, and Mojos. Speckled trout reports have dropped out; this could be the end of the action for the winter, or just a lack of reports due to the festive season.
