September 2025 — Chesapeake Bay: Fall Rockfish Season Begins, Bluefish, Excellent Transition Fishing. September is a early fall month with water in the 66-74°F range — false albacore and bonito arrive; fall striper begins; cobia continues. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — September 2025
Primary targets this month: Red Drum, Speckled Trout, Striped Bass, Flounder.
Red Drum
Red drum (bull redfish) at the lower Bay (around the Bay mouth), the Eastern Shore creeks, and the Tangier-Pocomoke area in summer/fall. The OBX surf fishery — cut menhaden, mullet, or shrimp on heaver tackle (10-12′ surf rod, 6500-class reel). 6/0-9/0 circle hooks. Falling tide concentrates bait.
Speckled Trout
Summer trout in the lower Bay grass flats, the Eastern Shore creeks (Magothy, Mobjack), and the marsh edges in fall — focus on deeper grass edges and potholes early and late. Live shrimp and pinfish under popping corks; trolling MirrOlures over grass flats.
Striped Bass
Striper around the Susquehanna Flats (catch-and-release spring trophy fishery), the Bay Bridge pilings, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT), the rips at Smith Point, and the deeper channels — Eastern Bay and Choptank in fall. Live and chunked bait; bucktails and soft plastics on lighter tackle.
Flounder
Flounder around the lower Bay sandy bottom, the CBBT pilings, the inlets, and the bayside channels. Bucktails with Gulp! trailers, live mud minnows, finger mullet on Carolina rigs. Slow on bottom.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 66-74°F. False albacore and bonito arrive; fall striper begins; cobia continues. The Bay’s tidal range is modest (1-3 feet) but the volume of moving water creates strong currents at choke points — Bay Bridge pilings, the CBBT, the Susquehanna Flats, and the major river mouths. Two hours either side of high tide produce best on most structure.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Fall blitz season. Striped bass and bluefish push schools of bait — surface action everywhere. Carry topwater plugs.
- False albacore arrive. Light tackle and epoxy jigs — chase breaking fish for explosive runs.
September Outlook
Transition month — snook season reopens, false albacore arrive, bait migrations begin.
Regulations Reminder
Seatrout/Speckled Trout: FL: 15-19″ slot, 3 per day (verify zone). TX: 15-25″ slot, 3 per day. LA: 12″ minimum, 15 per day (verify current). Flounder: 14″ minimum, 5 per day (FL). State-specific elsewhere. Striped Bass: Federal slot typically 28-31″ with state variations; verify ASMFC and state rules annually. Red Drum: 18-27″ slot, 1 per day in most states. Some states allow one trophy fish over slot. Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Tochterman’s (Baltimore, 410-327-6942); Anglers Sport Center (Annapolis); Bunky’s Charter Boats (Solomons); Salt Pond Tackle (Cape Charles).
Public Boat Ramps: Sandy Point State Park (Bay Bridge area), Susquehanna State Park (top of Bay), Solomons Island, Crisfield (Tangier Sound), Kiptopeke State Park (Cape Charles).
Charter Fishing: $500-$800 light tackle striper; $700-$1,100 cobia and big game (lower Bay); $500-$700 catfish (Potomac); $400-$650 inshore mid-Bay.
More Chesapeake Bay Resources
Chesapeake Bay Fishing Guide · Chesapeake Bay Seasonal Calendar · All Chesapeake Bay reports →
Reports updated every Thursday on fishing.digital.