As we step into the last day of September 2024, the Chesapeake Bay around Baltimore and Washington D.C. is offering some exciting fishing opportunities. Here’s what you need to know for today.

### Weather and Tides
The weather is expected to be moderate with limited rain, making for comfortable fishing conditions. Water temperatures in the main Chesapeake Bay have cooled to the lower 70s, which is ideal for fall fishing. Tides for today will see a high tide around 8:30 AM and a low tide around 2:30 PM, with the sun rising at 6:54 AM and setting at 6:43 PM.

### Fish Activity
Fall fishing is in full swing, and the bay is teeming with life. Striped bass, or rockfish, are becoming more active, especially during morning and evening hours. There have been reports of breaking schools of striped bass at the mouth of the Severn River and good topwater action in the Patapsco River from inside the Key Bridge to the inner harbor fishing structure.

Weakfish are also biting well, with some large fish in the mix, particularly in the inshore areas around Ocean City. Sheepshead and tautog are active in the bays, and flounder fishing has been good in the inlet and back bay channels, especially when using live spot, finger mullet, or Gulp baits in pink or white.

Bluefish are plentiful, with larger ones in the 8-10 pound range found along the main channel edges, and smaller ones, known as "snappers," in shallower waters. Trolling Drone spoons and surgical tube lures behind planers is effective for catching these bluefish.

### Best Lures and Bait
For striped bass, using paddletails, soft plastic jigs, and topwater lures like Heddon spooks has been successful. For weakfish and sheepshead, a tandem tied with a Gulp and a GobieZ can work well. Bluefish are biting on metal jigs and small metal spoons when trolling. Flounder are best caught with live spot, finger mullet, or Gulp baits in white or pink.

### Hot Spots
- The Severn River and Patapsco River offer great spots for striped bass, especially during tide changes.
- The area around the Target Ship is excellent for bluefish and occasionally larger species like bull red drum and cobia.
- The back bay channels and areas leading towards the inlet are good for flounder and other species like sheepshead and tautog.

With the cooler temperatures and active fish, today is a great day to get out on the Chesapeake Bay and enjoy some fantastic fall fishing.