As of November 3rd, the Chesapeake Bay is offering some fantastic fishing opportunities, despite the cooling water temperatures. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Conditions
- **Tidal Report**: Expect a high tide around 10:30 AM and a low tide around 4:30 PM. The changing tides, especially the incoming tide, have been particularly productive.
- **Weather**: Today's forecast shows partly cloudy skies with a gentle breeze, making it ideal for casting lines.
- **Sunrise and Sunset**: Sunrise is at 6:43 AM, and sunset will be at 5:03 PM, providing ample daylight for your fishing trip.

### Fish Activity
The fish are actively feeding as the water temperatures drop into the low 60s. Here are some of the species you can expect to catch:
- **Speckled Trout**: These are biting very well inside the bay and its tributaries, such as Lynnhaven, the Piankatank River, and the Elizabeth River. Anglers have reported excellent catches in Linkhorn Bay and Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlet.
- **Puppy Drum**: These are abundant in the tributaries and have been caught in significant numbers. The southern Chesapeake Bay, particularly around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT), is a hot spot for these.
- **White Perch**: As the water cools, white perch are moving into deeper waters but are still accessible. Fly anglers in the Elizabeth River have had success catching these along with other species.
- **Flounder and Sheepshead**: These are still present around the CBBT and the bridges in the Virginia Beach area. Sheepshead have been biting well at the Great Neck Bridge.

### Best Lures and Bait
For a successful catch, consider the following:
- **Lures**: Topwater lures are working well in the shallows during low light hours. Jigs with paddle tails or popping corks with shrimp lures are excellent options. Jerkbaits and Mirr-o-lures are top picks for enticing trout, drum, and rockfish.
- **Bait**: Fresh shrimp is currently the bait of choice for many anglers. Bloodworms, fishbites, and cut mullet on fish finder rigs are also effective, especially for drum.

### Hot Spots
- **Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlet**: These areas are producing good catches of speckled trout.
- **Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel**: This is a reliable spot for puppy drum, flounder, and sheepshead.
- **Elizabeth River**: Fly anglers have reported an excellent bite here with various species including small speckled trout, striped bass, and white perch.

With the right gear and knowledge of these hot spots, you're set for a great day of fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. Tight lines