Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report - May 23, 2025: Stripers, Flounder, Spot, and More!

Hey y'all, Artificial Lure here with your Chesapeake Bay fishing report for this beautiful Friday morning, May 23rd, 2025.

Folks, we're hitting that sweet spot where the water's warming up nicely across the Bay, sitting right around 70 degrees. The striped bass season has been open for about a week now in Virginia waters, with a 20-28 inch slot limit and one fish per day. Anglers have been having good luck at the Bay Bridge, Patapsco River, and Chester River. If you're working the shallows, focus on shoreline points, docks, and rip-rap, especially during strong tidal movements.

Speaking of tides, we've got a falling tide through mid-morning today, so plan accordingly. Sunrise was around 5:50 AM and we'll have sunlight until about 8:20 PM, giving you plenty of time on the water.

Flounder fishing has really picked up in the past week or so, particularly around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. They're hitting squid and cut bait pretty well. Bring your minnows if you want the bigger ones.

The spot are running strong right now, especially around the Bay Bridge, river mouths, and Six and Seven Foot Knolls. They're perfect size for live lining, mostly 3-6 inches. Bottom rigs or Chesapeake sabiki rigs with Fishbites or bloodworms are your best bet.

Croakers have also shown up, though they're running on the small side, under the 9-inch minimum. Look for them mixed in with the spot.

For you offshore folks, there's been good news with Mahi and Yellowfin Tuna being caught in decent numbers. King Mackerel have been making a strong showing too.

Don't sleep on those Chesapeake Channa - they're feeding aggressively right now in the tidal rivers and creeks of the upper Bay. Look for them near grass beds and structure. For you tournament anglers, don't forget about the "Snakes on the Dundee" tournament coming up June 7th at Gunpowder Falls State Park.

Gray trout (weakfish) action has been steady, with some nice catches reported using squid, peeler crabs, and live spot.

Hot spots this week: Definitely hit the CBBT if you're after flounder, the Bay Bridge area for spot and stripers, and any of the grass beds in the tidal rivers for those Channa.

Weather's looking mighty fine today, so get out there and wet a line. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and full coolers to y'all!