Fishing Season: ALL YEAR

Greater Chesapeake Bay & Tributaries - MD

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Inshore Temp:

67

Offshore Temp:

69

Rock On Charter Fishing's Tip of the Week

The hurricane came through and has concentrated bait and pushed in a larger class of stripers. Focus on areas with active bird life or tight menhaden schools. Surface feeds are strongest during tide movement and low‑light windows.Sea trout respond best to subtle presentations along deeper structure.

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Map of Greater Chesapeake Bay & Tributaries

Tide data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 10/13/26

Expect good mixed‑species action this week. Cooler temperatures and stable post‑storm conditions should keep stripers and bluefish active from the mid‑Bay south toward the Virginia line. Sea trout activity should improve during dawn and dusk periods. With redfish mostly gone, the primary focus will be stripers, bluefish, and trout. Both floating and sinking lines will be productive depending on depth and bait concentration.

Techniques & Tips as of 10/13/26

Topwater (May–December): Floating line, 9‑ft 20‑lb fluorocarbon leader, Blados Crease or Mylar Popping Fly. Rod tip low, slack removed immediately, 1–2 ft strips. Spanish Mackerel: Cowen’s Silverside, floating line, 20‑lb tapered leader. Double‑handed retrieve — as fast as possible — keeping the fly just under the surface. Bluefish: Fast, erratic strips on floating lines or shallow sinking lines. Deep Fish (mixed species): Sinking line with 4‑ft 20‑lb leader. 3" Clouser Minnow. Count down to depth (e.g., 15–18 seconds in 20 ft) and strip 1–2 ft at a steady pace.

Current Conditions as of 10/13/26

Fishing conditions remain good across the Maryland sector of the Chesapeake Bay. Striped bass in the 21–30 inch class are holding around menhaden schools and shifting through the water column from just under topwater down to 30 feet. Bluefish up to 30 inches continue to mix in, especially along tide rips and current seams. Sea trout are showing in scattered lower‑Bay structure and should improve during dawn and dusk periods. With redfish mostly moved out of the area, the primary focus this week will be stripers, bluefish, and trout. Expect steady action with both floating and sinking lines depending on depth and bait concentration.

Local Species Available ALL YEAR

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    Striped Bass

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    Sea Trout

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    Redfish (seasonal)

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    Cobia (seasonal)

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    Bluefish

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    Spanish Mackerel

Rock On Charter Fishing's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Mylar Popper BLUE/WHITE 2/0 Hook
Blados Crease Fly OLIVE/PEARL 3/0 Hook
Clouser Minnow YELLOW 2/0 Hook
Half N Half TAN/WHITE 2/0 Hook
Lefty’s Deceiver CHARTREUSE 2/0Hook
Burk’s Hot Flash Minnow ANCHOVY 1/0 Hook

Mylar Popper

Make a splash and land a winner with this colorful popper fly.

8.99

Item #3R7C

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Rock On Charter Fishing's Recommended Gear

Description: About Greater Chesapeake Bay & Tributaries

The Greater Chesapeake Bay offers year‑round access to striped bass, the primary species throughout the Maryland sector. Spotted sea trout are found mainly in the lower Bay from April–November, holding around deeper structure and current seams. Bluefish/Spanish Mackerel getting the hottest June-October or when water temps start dropping. Redfish enter the lower Bay from August–November, though their presence varies seasonally. Cobia migrate into the lower Bay from June–December, favoring warm water and open flats.

Nearest Airport:

Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Bait Recommendations:

Menhaden, Spot, Perch, Eels, Crabs and Blood worms