Current bay conditions (CBIBS Gooses Reef buoy)

Water temp 81.4°F steady (-0.19°/day)
Barometer 1021.6 mb steady (-0.3 mb/12hr)

Latest MD DNR Fishing Report

Maryland Fishing Report July 8 2 — Jul 8 2026

Rustin Moore holds a beautiful speckled trout he caught recently in the lower Bay. Photo courtesy of Rustin Moore Milder temperatures are welcoming anglers to enjoy fishing across Maryland from the freshwater areas to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic waters. There is a wide variety of adventures waiting for anglers to explore.…

Monday · Mon Jul 13

Sunrise 5:50 AM · Sunset 8:29 PM · New Moon (4%) ⚡ Spring tide

Dawn

No picks for this window (already passed today).

Mid-morning

No picks for this window (already passed today).

Mid-afternoon

#1

Cook Point (Choptank Entrance)

Choptank Mouth · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 6:00 PM 77.0

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Popper (Yo-Zuri 3DB / Storm Chug Bug)

🎨 Color: Bone / white

Light chop hides line and prop — poppers excel here. Mixed conditions — bone is the all-around safe pick.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 64 min from change
  • Current: moderate (54/100) — 2.9 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 8 mph
  • Sky: 50% covered
  • Air temp: 81°F
  • Moon: New Moon (1%) · spring tide
  • Structure: South-side point at the Choptank River mouth; shoal extends offshore with channel drop.

Incoming tide, 64 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (54/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 8 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Major river-mouth point; bait flushes out on outgoing tide. Classic topwater location.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 54, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 65, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

⚠️ Nearby obstructions (1 within 1 nm)
  • Obstruction (snag/stump)1623 yd WSW · depth unknown

Source: NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (≤15 ft / unknown depth). Always verify on chart before navigating.

#2

Hill’s Point (Little Choptank Entrance, N)

Little Choptank Mouth · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 5:59 PM 77.0

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone / white

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Mixed conditions — bone is the all-around safe pick.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 63 min from change
  • Current: moderate (53/100) — 2.9 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 7 mph
  • Sky: 50% covered
  • Air temp: 82°F
  • Moon: New Moon (1%) · spring tide
  • Structure: North-side point at the entrance to Little Choptank; shoal extends with channel edge.

Incoming tide, 63 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (53/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 7 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: River-mouth point with current; first-light topwater on a moving tide is the play.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 53, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 65, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

Dusk

#1

Ragged Point (Little Choptank N shore)

Little Choptank · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 8:14 PM 78.7

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone / white

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Overcast sky — bone or white shows up against grey water.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Overcast — neutral white stands out against grey backdrop. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 146 min from change
  • Current: peak (94/100) — 2.9 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 8 mph
  • Sky: 75% covered
  • Air temp: 79°F
  • Moon: New Moon (1%) · spring tide
  • Structure: North-shore point of Little Choptank with shoal extending south and channel close by.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 146 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is peak (94/100, ~2.9 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 8 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Sky 75% covered — fish feel safer in low light and roam shallower. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Point with shoal and adjacent channel — moving water topwater spot at dawn/dusk.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 94, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 82.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

#2

Howell Point

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 8:14 PM 78.4

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone / white

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Overcast sky — bone or white shows up against grey water.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Overcast — neutral white stands out against grey backdrop. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 100 min from change
  • Current: moderate (41/100) — 1.7 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 75% covered
  • Air temp: 79°F
  • Moon: New Moon (1%) · spring tide
  • Structure: South-shore Choptank point with extensive sandbar; channel edge approachable from boat.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Outgoing tide, 100 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (41/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Sky 75% covered — fish feel safer in low light and roam shallower. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Long shoal pushes bait toward the drop-off; stripers cruise the edge at dawn.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 41, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 82.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

Tuesday · Tue Jul 14

Sunrise 5:51 AM · Sunset 8:28 PM · New Moon (1%) ⚡ Spring tide

Dawn

#1

Poplar Island — West Rip-Rap

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 6:06 AM 76.0

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 63 min from change
  • Current: moderate (46/100) — 2.6 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 74°F
  • Moon: New Moon (0%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Restored island perimeter with engineered rip-rap. Sharp drop into the bay channel along the west side.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 63 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (46/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Rip-rap holds bait; drop-off lets stripers ambush from depth into shallows on a moving tide.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 46, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 63.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

#2

Poplar Island — South Point

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 6:06 AM 76.0

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 63 min from change
  • Current: moderate (46/100) — 2.6 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 74°F
  • Moon: New Moon (0%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Southern point of restored island complex; current sweeps around the tip.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 63 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (46/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Points concentrate bait in current; classic topwater ambush feature at dawn/dusk.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 46, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 63.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

Mid-morning

#1

Poplar Island — West Rip-Rap

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 8:21 AM 69.2

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 163 min from change
  • Current: peak (86/100) — 2.6 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 74°F
  • Moon: New Moon (0%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Restored island perimeter with engineered rip-rap. Sharp drop into the bay channel along the west side.

Incoming tide, 163 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is peak (86/100, ~2.6 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Rip-rap holds bait; drop-off lets stripers ambush from depth into shallows on a moving tide.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 86, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 25, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

#2

Poplar Island — South Point

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 8:21 AM 69.2

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 163 min from change
  • Current: peak (86/100) — 2.6 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 74°F
  • Moon: New Moon (0%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Southern point of restored island complex; current sweeps around the tip.

Incoming tide, 163 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is peak (86/100, ~2.6 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Points concentrate bait in current; classic topwater ambush feature at dawn/dusk.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 86, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 25, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

Mid-afternoon

#1

Howell Point

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 5:58 PM 68.0

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Popper (Yo-Zuri 3DB / Storm Chug Bug)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Light chop hides line and prop — poppers excel here. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 91 min from change
  • Current: weak (39/100) — 1.7 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 88°F
  • Moon: New Moon (0%) · spring tide
  • Structure: South-shore Choptank point with extensive sandbar; channel edge approachable from boat.

Outgoing tide, 91 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is weak (39/100) — bait isn't being pushed; bite typically slower. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Long shoal pushes bait toward the drop-off; stripers cruise the edge at dawn.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 39, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 25, moon 90, structure 80, wind 70

#2

Bolingbroke Sands

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 5:58 PM 68.0

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Popper (Yo-Zuri 3DB / Storm Chug Bug)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Light chop hides line and prop — poppers excel here. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 91 min from change
  • Current: weak (39/100) — 1.7 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 89°F
  • Moon: New Moon (0%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Broad shallow flat on north side of Choptank with channel edge along south margin.

Outgoing tide, 91 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is weak (39/100) — bait isn't being pushed; bite typically slower. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Bait pushes onto flat at high tide; stripers feed on the edge at first light.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 39, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 25, moon 90, structure 80, wind 70

Dusk

#1

Ragged Point (Little Choptank N shore)

Little Choptank · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 8:14 PM 74.4

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 138 min from change
  • Current: peak (95/100) — 3.0 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 12 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 82°F
  • Moon: New Moon (0%) · spring tide
  • Structure: North-shore point of Little Choptank with shoal extending south and channel close by.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 138 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is peak (95/100, ~3.0 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 12 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Point with shoal and adjacent channel — moving water topwater spot at dawn/dusk.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 95, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 63.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 70

#2

Poplar Island — West Rip-Rap

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 8:15 PM 73.4

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Pencil popper (Cotton Cordell / Stillwater Smack-It)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Wind 15+ mph — pencil poppers cast far and call fish through chop. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 3/4–1 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 139 min from change
  • Current: peak (95/100) — 3.0 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 15 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 82°F
  • Moon: New Moon (0%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Restored island perimeter with engineered rip-rap. Sharp drop into the bay channel along the west side.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 139 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is peak (95/100, ~3.0 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 15 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Rip-rap holds bait; drop-off lets stripers ambush from depth into shallows on a moving tide.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 95, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 63.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 50

Wednesday · Wed Jul 15

Sunrise 5:51 AM · Sunset 8:28 PM · New Moon (0%) ⚡ Spring tide

Dawn

#1

Castle Haven Point

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 6:07 AM 70.3

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 135 min from change
  • Current: moderate (55/100) — 1.9 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 77°F
  • Moon: New Moon (0%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Point on north shore of Choptank between Oxford and Tred Avon. Sandbar extends; channel runs close.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 135 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is moderate (55/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Classic point with shoal and adjacent channel; stripers patrol the edge at light changes.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 55, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 63.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 70

#2

Benoni Point (Tred Avon mouth)

Tred Avon · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 6:07 AM 70.3

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 135 min from change
  • Current: moderate (55/100) — 1.9 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 77°F
  • Moon: New Moon (0%) · spring tide
  • Structure: South-side point at the Tred Avon River mouth; current sweeps the tip on tide changes.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 135 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is moderate (55/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Tributary-mouth point with current convergence — strong dawn/dusk topwater spot.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 55, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 63.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 70

Mid-morning

#1

Black Walnut Point (Tilghman north tip)

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 8:22 AM 69.8

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 77 min from change
  • Current: moderate (41/100) — 2.3 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 76°F
  • Moon: New Moon (0%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Northwest tip of Tilghman Island; rip line forms off the point on running tide.

Outgoing tide, 77 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (41/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Point with strong tidal rip — stripers stack on the down-current side waiting for bait.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 41, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 25, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

⚠️ Nearby obstructions (1 within 1 nm)
  • Daymark1750 yd SW · depth unknown

Source: NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (≤15 ft / unknown depth). Always verify on chart before navigating.

#2

Knapps Narrows — East Entrance

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 8:22 AM 69.8

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 77 min from change
  • Current: moderate (41/100) — 2.3 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 76°F
  • Moon: New Moon (0%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Narrow channel between Tilghman and main shore; strong current both directions through narrows.

Outgoing tide, 77 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (41/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Funnel for tidal current; bait gets swept through and predators feed at the mouth.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 41, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 25, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

Mid-afternoon

#1

Cook Point (Choptank Entrance)

Choptank Mouth · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 5:59 PM 63.3

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 51 min from change
  • Current: weak (39/100) — 3.1 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 7 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 90°F
  • Moon: New Moon (1%) · spring tide
  • Structure: South-side point at the Choptank River mouth; shoal extends offshore with channel drop.

Outgoing tide, 51 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is weak (39/100) — bait isn't being pushed; bite typically slower. Wind 7 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Major river-mouth point; bait flushes out on outgoing tide. Classic topwater location.

Score breakdown — tide 75, current 39, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 25, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

⚠️ Nearby obstructions (1 within 1 nm)
  • Obstruction (snag/stump)1623 yd WSW · depth unknown

Source: NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (≤15 ft / unknown depth). Always verify on chart before navigating.

#2

Hill’s Point (Little Choptank Entrance, N)

Little Choptank Mouth · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 5:58 PM 63.3

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 52 min from change
  • Current: weak (39/100) — 3.1 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 7 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 90°F
  • Moon: New Moon (1%) · spring tide
  • Structure: North-side point at the entrance to Little Choptank; shoal extends with channel edge.

Outgoing tide, 52 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is weak (39/100) — bait isn't being pushed; bite typically slower. Wind 7 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: River-mouth point with current; first-light topwater on a moving tide is the play.

Score breakdown — tide 75, current 39, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 25, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

Dusk

#1

Poplar Island — West Rip-Rap

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 8:14 PM 77.0

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 83 min from change
  • Current: strong (71/100) — 3.0 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 89°F
  • Moon: New Moon (1%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Restored island perimeter with engineered rip-rap. Sharp drop into the bay channel along the west side.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 83 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is strong (71/100, ~3.0 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Rip-rap holds bait; drop-off lets stripers ambush from depth into shallows on a moving tide.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 71, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 63.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 70

#2

Sharps Island Light

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 8:15 PM 77.0

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 84 min from change
  • Current: strong (71/100) — 3.0 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 89°F
  • Moon: New Moon (1%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Standing caisson lighthouse on remnants of Sharps Island shoal. Sharp depth changes around the base.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 84 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is strong (71/100, ~3.0 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Isolated structure in open water concentrates fish; topwater works at first light over the shoal edge.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 71, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 63.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 70

Thursday · Thu Jul 16

Sunrise 5:52 AM · Sunset 8:27 PM · New Moon (2%) ⚡ Spring tide

Dawn

#1

Poplar Island — West Rip-Rap

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 6:08 AM 76.3

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 65 min from change
  • Current: moderate (43/100) — 2.7 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 25% covered
  • Air temp: 82°F
  • Moon: New Moon (2%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Restored island perimeter with engineered rip-rap. Sharp drop into the bay channel along the west side.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Outgoing tide, 65 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (43/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Rip-rap holds bait; drop-off lets stripers ambush from depth into shallows on a moving tide.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 43, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 68.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

#2

Poplar Island — South Point

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 6:08 AM 76.3

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 65 min from change
  • Current: moderate (43/100) — 2.7 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 25% covered
  • Air temp: 82°F
  • Moon: New Moon (2%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Southern point of restored island complex; current sweeps around the tip.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Outgoing tide, 65 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (43/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Points concentrate bait in current; classic topwater ambush feature at dawn/dusk.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 43, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 68.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

Mid-morning

#1

Ragged Point (Little Choptank N shore)

Little Choptank · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 8:23 AM 73.3

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 69 min from change
  • Current: moderate (54/100) — 2.7 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 25% covered
  • Air temp: 80°F
  • Moon: New Moon (3%) · spring tide
  • Structure: North-shore point of Little Choptank with shoal extending south and channel close by.

Incoming tide, 69 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (54/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Point with shoal and adjacent channel — moving water topwater spot at dawn/dusk.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 54, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 40, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

#2

Poplar Island — West Rip-Rap

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 8:23 AM 73.2

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 69 min from change
  • Current: moderate (53/100) — 2.7 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 25% covered
  • Air temp: 80°F
  • Moon: New Moon (3%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Restored island perimeter with engineered rip-rap. Sharp drop into the bay channel along the west side.

Incoming tide, 69 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (53/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (New Moon) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Rip-rap holds bait; drop-off lets stripers ambush from depth into shallows on a moving tide.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 53, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 40, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

Mid-afternoon

#1

Poplar Island — West Rip-Rap

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 5:59 PM 73.4

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Popper (Yo-Zuri 3DB / Storm Chug Bug)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Light chop hides line and prop — poppers excel here. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 101 min from change
  • Current: strong (70/100) — 3.0 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 25% covered
  • Air temp: 88°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (4%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Restored island perimeter with engineered rip-rap. Sharp drop into the bay channel along the west side.

Outgoing tide, 101 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is strong (70/100, ~3.0 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Spring tide (Waxing Crescent) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Rip-rap holds bait; drop-off lets stripers ambush from depth into shallows on a moving tide.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 70, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 40, moon 90, structure 80, wind 70

#2

Poplar Island — South Point

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 5:59 PM 73.4

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Popper (Yo-Zuri 3DB / Storm Chug Bug)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Light chop hides line and prop — poppers excel here. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 101 min from change
  • Current: strong (70/100) — 3.0 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 25% covered
  • Air temp: 88°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (4%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Southern point of restored island complex; current sweeps around the tip.

Outgoing tide, 101 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is strong (70/100, ~3.0 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Spring tide (Waxing Crescent) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Points concentrate bait in current; classic topwater ambush feature at dawn/dusk.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 70, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 40, moon 90, structure 80, wind 70

Dusk

#1

Howell Point

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 8:12 PM 77.5

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 109 min from change
  • Current: moderate (43/100) — 1.7 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 50% covered
  • Air temp: 90°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (5%) · spring tide
  • Structure: South-shore Choptank point with extensive sandbar; channel edge approachable from boat.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Outgoing tide, 109 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (43/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (Waxing Crescent) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Long shoal pushes bait toward the drop-off; stripers cruise the edge at dawn.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 43, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 75.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

#2

Bolingbroke Sands

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 8:12 PM 77.5

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 109 min from change
  • Current: moderate (43/100) — 1.7 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 50% covered
  • Air temp: 88°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (5%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Broad shallow flat on north side of Choptank with channel edge along south margin.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Outgoing tide, 109 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (43/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (Waxing Crescent) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Bait pushes onto flat at high tide; stripers feed on the edge at first light.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 43, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 75.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

Friday · Fri Jul 17

Sunrise 5:53 AM · Sunset 8:27 PM · Waxing Crescent (5%) ⚡ Spring tide

Dawn

#1

Cook Point (Choptank Entrance)

Choptank Mouth · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 6:09 AM 78.8

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 118 min from change
  • Current: strong (74/100) — 2.8 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 8 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 81°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (7%) · spring tide
  • Structure: South-side point at the Choptank River mouth; shoal extends offshore with channel drop.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Outgoing tide, 118 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is strong (74/100, ~2.8 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 8 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (Waxing Crescent) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Major river-mouth point; bait flushes out on outgoing tide. Classic topwater location.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 74, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 63.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

⚠️ Nearby obstructions (1 within 1 nm)
  • Obstruction (snag/stump)1623 yd WSW · depth unknown

Source: NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (≤15 ft / unknown depth). Always verify on chart before navigating.

#2

Hill’s Point (Little Choptank Entrance, N)

Little Choptank Mouth · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 6:09 AM 78.8

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 118 min from change
  • Current: strong (74/100) — 2.8 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 8 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 81°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (7%) · spring tide
  • Structure: North-side point at the entrance to Little Choptank; shoal extends with channel edge.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Outgoing tide, 118 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is strong (74/100, ~2.8 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 8 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (Waxing Crescent) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: River-mouth point with current; first-light topwater on a moving tide is the play.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 74, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 63.0, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

Mid-morning

#1

Choptank River Light

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 8:23 AM 71.9

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 89 min from change
  • Current: moderate (40/100) — 1.9 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 25% covered
  • Air temp: 79°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (7%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Lighthouse marking shoal in lower Choptank; abrupt depth changes around base.

Outgoing tide, 89 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (40/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (Waxing Crescent) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Isolated structure with bottom contour change — magnet for migrating bait and predators.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 40, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 40, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

#2

Castle Haven Point

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 8:23 AM 71.5

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 98 min from change
  • Current: weak (36/100) — 1.5 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 25% covered
  • Air temp: 79°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (7%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Point on north shore of Choptank between Oxford and Tred Avon. Sandbar extends; channel runs close.

Incoming tide, 98 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is weak (36/100) — bait isn't being pushed; bite typically slower. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (Waxing Crescent) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Classic point with shoal and adjacent channel; stripers patrol the edge at light changes.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 36, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 40, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

Mid-afternoon

#1

Howell Point

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 5:57 PM 69.7

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 84 min from change
  • Current: moderate (40/100) — 1.6 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 92°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (10%) · spring tide
  • Structure: South-shore Choptank point with extensive sandbar; channel edge approachable from boat.

Incoming tide, 84 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (40/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (Waxing Crescent) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Long shoal pushes bait toward the drop-off; stripers cruise the edge at dawn.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 40, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 25, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

#2

Bolingbroke Sands

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 5:57 PM 69.7

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 84 min from change
  • Current: moderate (40/100) — 1.6 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 10% covered
  • Air temp: 91°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (10%) · spring tide
  • Structure: Broad shallow flat on north side of Choptank with channel edge along south margin.

Incoming tide, 84 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (40/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Spring tide (Waxing Crescent) — stronger currents pull more bait through structure. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Bait pushes onto flat at high tide; stripers feed on the edge at first light.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 40, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 25, moon 90, structure 80, wind 100

Dusk

#1

Castle Haven Point

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 8:12 PM 66.0

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 141 min from change
  • Current: weak (39/100) — 1.2 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 50% covered
  • Air temp: 85°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (10%)
  • Structure: Point on north shore of Choptank between Oxford and Tred Avon. Sandbar extends; channel runs close.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 141 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is weak (39/100) — bait isn't being pushed; bite typically slower. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Classic point with shoal and adjacent channel; stripers patrol the edge at light changes.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 39, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 75.0, moon 60, structure 80, wind 70

#2

Benoni Point (Tred Avon mouth)

Tred Avon · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 8:12 PM 66.0

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 141 min from change
  • Current: weak (39/100) — 1.2 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 50% covered
  • Air temp: 85°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (10%)
  • Structure: South-side point at the Tred Avon River mouth; current sweeps the tip on tide changes.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 141 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is weak (39/100) — bait isn't being pushed; bite typically slower. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Tributary-mouth point with current convergence — strong dawn/dusk topwater spot.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 39, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 75.0, moon 60, structure 80, wind 70

Saturday · Sat Jul 18

Sunrise 5:54 AM · Sunset 8:26 PM · Waxing Crescent (11%)

Dawn

#1

Howell Point

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 6:09 AM 71.9

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 92 min from change
  • Current: moderate (44/100) — 1.8 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 25% covered
  • Air temp: 77°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (13%)
  • Structure: South-shore Choptank point with extensive sandbar; channel edge approachable from boat.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 92 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (44/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Long shoal pushes bait toward the drop-off; stripers cruise the edge at dawn.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 44, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 68.0, moon 60, structure 80, wind 100

#2

Bolingbroke Sands

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 6:08 AM 71.9

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 93 min from change
  • Current: moderate (44/100) — 1.8 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 25% covered
  • Air temp: 76°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (13%)
  • Structure: Broad shallow flat on north side of Choptank with channel edge along south margin.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 93 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (44/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Bait pushes onto flat at high tide; stripers feed on the edge at first light.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 44, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 68.0, moon 60, structure 80, wind 100

Mid-morning

#1

Castle Haven Point

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 8:24 AM 60.8

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Popper (Yo-Zuri 3DB / Storm Chug Bug)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Light chop hides line and prop — poppers excel here. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 144 min from change
  • Current: weak (39/100) — 1.2 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 25% covered
  • Air temp: 79°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (14%)
  • Structure: Point on north shore of Choptank between Oxford and Tred Avon. Sandbar extends; channel runs close.

Incoming tide, 144 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is weak (39/100) — bait isn't being pushed; bite typically slower. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Classic point with shoal and adjacent channel; stripers patrol the edge at light changes.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 39, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 40, moon 60, structure 80, wind 70

#2

Benoni Point (Tred Avon mouth)

Tred Avon · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 8:24 AM 60.8

Swimbait 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Topwater 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Popper (Yo-Zuri 3DB / Storm Chug Bug)

🎨 Color: Chrome / bunker

Light chop hides line and prop — poppers excel here. Bright sun, clear water — chrome flashes like a real baitfish.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 144 min from change
  • Current: weak (39/100) — 1.2 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 25% covered
  • Air temp: 79°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (14%)
  • Structure: South-side point at the Tred Avon River mouth; current sweeps the tip on tide changes.

Incoming tide, 144 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is weak (39/100) — bait isn't being pushed; bite typically slower. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Tributary-mouth point with current convergence — strong dawn/dusk topwater spot.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 39, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 40, moon 60, structure 80, wind 70

Mid-afternoon

#1

Choptank River Light

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 5:57 PM 71.5

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Popper (Yo-Zuri 3DB / Storm Chug Bug)

🎨 Color: Bone / white

Light chop hides line and prop — poppers excel here. Overcast sky — bone or white shows up against grey water.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Overcast — neutral white stands out against grey backdrop. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 142 min from change
  • Current: moderate (56/100) — 1.7 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 95% covered
  • Air temp: 86°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (17%)
  • Structure: Lighthouse marking shoal in lower Choptank; abrupt depth changes around base.

Heavy overcast extends the topwater window past first light. Incoming tide, 142 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is moderate (56/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Sky 95% covered — fish feel safer in low light and roam shallower. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Isolated structure with bottom contour change — magnet for migrating bait and predators.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 56, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 100, moon 60, structure 80, wind 70

#2

Howell Point

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 5:56 PM 71.5

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Popper (Yo-Zuri 3DB / Storm Chug Bug)

🎨 Color: Bone / white

Light chop hides line and prop — poppers excel here. Overcast sky — bone or white shows up against grey water.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Overcast — neutral white stands out against grey backdrop. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 143 min from change
  • Current: moderate (56/100) — 1.7 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 95% covered
  • Air temp: 91°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (17%)
  • Structure: South-shore Choptank point with extensive sandbar; channel edge approachable from boat.

Heavy overcast extends the topwater window past first light. Incoming tide, 143 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is moderate (56/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Sky 95% covered — fish feel safer in low light and roam shallower. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Long shoal pushes bait toward the drop-off; stripers cruise the edge at dawn.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 56, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 100, moon 60, structure 80, wind 70

Dusk

#1

Black Walnut Point (Tilghman north tip)

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 8:12 PM 69.7

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone / white

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Overcast sky — bone or white shows up against grey water.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Overcast — neutral white stands out against grey backdrop. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 154 min from change
  • Current: moderate (55/100) — 1.8 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 95% covered
  • Air temp: 82°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (17%)
  • Structure: Northwest tip of Tilghman Island; rip line forms off the point on running tide.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Outgoing tide, 154 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is moderate (55/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Sky 95% covered — fish feel safer in low light and roam shallower. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Point with strong tidal rip — stripers stack on the down-current side waiting for bait.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 55, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 88.0, moon 60, structure 80, wind 70

⚠️ Nearby obstructions (1 within 1 nm)
  • Daymark1750 yd SW · depth unknown

Source: NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (≤15 ft / unknown depth). Always verify on chart before navigating.

#2

Knapps Narrows — East Entrance

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 8:12 PM 69.7

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone / white

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Overcast sky — bone or white shows up against grey water.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Overcast — neutral white stands out against grey backdrop. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 154 min from change
  • Current: moderate (55/100) — 1.8 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 95% covered
  • Air temp: 82°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (17%)
  • Structure: Narrow channel between Tilghman and main shore; strong current both directions through narrows.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Outgoing tide, 154 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is moderate (55/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Sky 95% covered — fish feel safer in low light and roam shallower. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Funnel for tidal current; bait gets swept through and predators feed at the mouth.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 55, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 88.0, moon 60, structure 80, wind 70

Sunday · Sun Jul 19

Sunrise 5:54 AM · Sunset 8:25 PM · Waxing Crescent (19%)

Dawn

#1

Bolingbroke Sands

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 6:09 AM 70.6

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone / white

Calm to light wind — the classic walk-the-dog presentation. Overcast sky — bone or white shows up against grey water.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Overcast — neutral white stands out against grey backdrop. Rig with 3/8–1/2 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 139 min from change
  • Current: moderate (49/100) — 1.5 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 5 mph
  • Sky: 95% covered
  • Air temp: 75°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (21%)
  • Structure: Broad shallow flat on north side of Choptank with channel edge along south margin.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 139 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is moderate (49/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 5 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Sky 95% covered — fish feel safer in low light and roam shallower. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Bait pushes onto flat at high tide; stripers feed on the edge at first light.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 49, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 88.0, moon 60, structure 80, wind 100

#2

Choptank River Light

Choptank River · Chart NOAA 12266

🕒 6:10 AM 69.1

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Chartreuse / yellow

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Stained water — high-vis chartreuse cuts through the murk.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Paddle-tail shad on jighead (Z-Man PaddlerZ / Bass Assassin Sea Shad)

🎨 Color: Chartreuse / yellow with dark back

Stained water — paddletail's vibration helps fish find it. High-vis pattern in murky water. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: incoming — 138 min from change
  • Current: moderate (49/100) — 1.5 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 95% covered
  • Air temp: 79°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (21%)
  • Structure: Lighthouse marking shoal in lower Choptank; abrupt depth changes around base.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Incoming tide, 138 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is moderate (49/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Sky 95% covered — fish feel safer in low light and roam shallower. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Isolated structure with bottom contour change — magnet for migrating bait and predators.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 49, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 88.0, moon 60, structure 80, wind 70

Mid-morning

#1

Poplar Island — West Rip-Rap

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 8:25 AM 71.4

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Popper (Yo-Zuri 3DB / Storm Chug Bug)

🎨 Color: Bone / white

Light chop hides line and prop — poppers excel here. Mixed conditions — bone is the all-around safe pick.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 82 min from change
  • Current: moderate (58/100) — 2.9 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 50% covered
  • Air temp: 78°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (22%)
  • Structure: Restored island perimeter with engineered rip-rap. Sharp drop into the bay channel along the west side.

Outgoing tide, 82 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (58/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Rip-rap holds bait; drop-off lets stripers ambush from depth into shallows on a moving tide.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 58, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 65, moon 60, structure 80, wind 70

#2

Poplar Island — South Point

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 8:25 AM 71.4

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Popper (Yo-Zuri 3DB / Storm Chug Bug)

🎨 Color: Bone / white

Light chop hides line and prop — poppers excel here. Mixed conditions — bone is the all-around safe pick.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 82 min from change
  • Current: moderate (58/100) — 2.9 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 10 mph
  • Sky: 50% covered
  • Air temp: 78°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (22%)
  • Structure: Southern point of restored island complex; current sweeps around the tip.

Outgoing tide, 82 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is moderate (58/100) — workable but not peak. Wind 10 mph — workable but breezier than ideal. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Points concentrate bait in current; classic topwater ambush feature at dawn/dusk.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 58, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 65, moon 60, structure 80, wind 70

Mid-afternoon

#1

Poplar Island — West Rip-Rap

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 5:57 PM 69.9

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Popper (Yo-Zuri 3DB / Storm Chug Bug)

🎨 Color: Bone / white

Light chop hides line and prop — poppers excel here. Mixed conditions — bone is the all-around safe pick.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 142 min from change
  • Current: strong (78/100) — 2.5 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 8 mph
  • Sky: 50% covered
  • Air temp: 65°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (25%)
  • Structure: Restored island perimeter with engineered rip-rap. Sharp drop into the bay channel along the west side.

Outgoing tide, 142 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is strong (78/100, ~2.5 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 8 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Rip-rap holds bait; drop-off lets stripers ambush from depth into shallows on a moving tide.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 78, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 65, moon 60, structure 80, wind 100

#2

Poplar Island — South Point

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 5:57 PM 69.9

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Popper (Yo-Zuri 3DB / Storm Chug Bug)

🎨 Color: Bone / white

Light chop hides line and prop — poppers excel here. Mixed conditions — bone is the all-around safe pick.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: Pearl white with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. All-around favorite — pearl body, accent tail color. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 142 min from change
  • Current: strong (78/100) — 2.5 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 8 mph
  • Sky: 50% covered
  • Air temp: 65°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (25%)
  • Structure: Southern point of restored island complex; current sweeps around the tip.

Outgoing tide, 142 min from change — still moving but past the strongest flow. Current is strong (78/100, ~2.5 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 8 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Points concentrate bait in current; classic topwater ambush feature at dawn/dusk.

Score breakdown — tide 80, current 78, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 65, moon 60, structure 80, wind 100

Dusk

#1

Poplar Island — West Rip-Rap

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 8:12 PM 75.0

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 102 min from change
  • Current: strong (63/100) — 2.5 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 8 mph
  • Sky: 50% covered
  • Air temp: 65°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (26%)
  • Structure: Restored island perimeter with engineered rip-rap. Sharp drop into the bay channel along the west side.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Outgoing tide, 102 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is strong (63/100, ~2.5 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 8 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Rip-rap holds bait; drop-off lets stripers ambush from depth into shallows on a moving tide.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 63, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 75.0, moon 60, structure 80, wind 100

#2

Poplar Island — South Point

Chesapeake Bay · Chart NOAA 12270

🕒 8:12 PM 75.0

Topwater 🎣 Primary pick

Lure: Walking bait (Zara Spook / Lonely Angler Doc)

🎨 Color: Bone with red head

Light chop + low light suits a walking bait’s subtle side-to-side action. Dawn/dusk silhouette — bone with a contrasting head is a classic.

Swimbait 🔄 If primary isn’t producing

Lure: Soft plastic shad on jighead (Storm WildEye Live Shad / Tsunami Holographic Shad)

🎨 Color: White with chartreuse tail

Soft plastic shad — the bread-and-butter Chesapeake striper bait. Dawn/dusk — pale body with high-vis accent. Rig with 1/2–3/4 oz jighead. 4–6" body — most versatile.

Conditions & rationale
  • Tide: outgoing — 102 min from change
  • Current: strong (63/100) — 2.5 ft cycle range
  • Water temp: 81.4°F (steady)
  • Barometer: 1021.6 mb (steady)
  • Wind: 8 mph
  • Sky: 50% covered
  • Air temp: 65°F
  • Moon: Waxing Crescent (26%)
  • Structure: Southern point of restored island complex; current sweeps around the tip.

Prime low-light window — stripers cruise shallows feeding on bait silhouettes. Outgoing tide, 102 min from the change — water is moving and bait is on the move with it. Current is strong (63/100, ~2.5 ft cycle range) — moving water concentrates bait through pinch points. Wind 8 mph — calm to light breeze; quiet presentation, fish less spooky. Structure: drop-off — stripers ambush from deep water into the shallows. Water 81.4°F (steady) — warm; bite shifts to dawn/dusk and deeper water. Barometer 1021.6 mb and steady — neutral weather, no trigger or shutdown. Spot notes: Points concentrate bait in current; classic topwater ambush feature at dawn/dusk.

Score breakdown — tide 100, current 63, water_temp 45, pressure 50, cloud 75.0, moon 60, structure 80, wind 100