Blues and Black Sea Bass Keep Biting as Chesapeake Bay Holds Steady
Chesapeake Bay water sat at 66.7°F this morning at NOAA CO-OPS station 8570283, still mild enough to keep both bait and predators moving through the inlet. Blues were on the bite this week, with Old Inlet Bait and Tackle reporting fish hitting metal lures on the incoming tide, per The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake. Boats working ocean structure near the inlet also came back with black sea bass mixed into their catch.
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The next high tide rolls in near 7:37 AM and the next low follows around 1:35 PM, the same incoming-tide window tied to this week's bluefish bite. With water still in the mid-60s, expect that pattern to hold over the next two to three days rather than shut down. Black sea bass should stay available on the same ocean structure near the inlet that produced them this week. Plan trips around the morning high and early-afternoon low rather than the slack tide in between.
Context
Mid-60s water in early October is typical for the Chesapeake Bay as the bay transitions from summer to the fall run. Bluefish and black sea bass holding near inlet structure fits the seasonal pattern of predators stacking up on bait as water cools, and this week's reports put the bay on schedule rather than early or late. Anglers should check current Maryland regulations before harvesting, as seasonal rules can shift through the fall.
Synthesized from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.
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