Virginia · Mid-Atlantic / Virginia Eastern Shore · Shore
Approximately 15.3 miles away
Predicted Tides
Predicted
Falling
Next low tide
Sep 5, 2026, 9:05 AM
In 5 hr 14 min
0.5 ft MLLW
Previous
High · Sep 5, 2026, 2:57 AM · 2.4 ft MLLW
Following
High · Sep 5, 2026, 3:42 PM · 3.2 ft MLLW
Tide station at destination
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel · NOAA 8638863
Predicted Tidal Current
Predicted
No representative tidal-current prediction station is configured for this destination.
Tidal-current timing can differ from high and low tide timing.
Fishery Profile
Fishery Overview
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel boat structure fishery
A lower-Chesapeake boat-oriented structure fishery at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel islands, trestles, and rock. CBBT states the Sea Gull Fishing Pier remains closed during Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel construction, with renovation and public reopening expected around 2027–2028. Current public fishing is boat fishing around the islands and pilings, not a walk-up pier. Catalog locationType=shore describes tide geography, not current fishing access.
Fishery type
Boat bridge tunnel structure
Fishing modes
Inshore boat
Habitat and structure
Four manmade rock-and-sand islands anchoring the tunnels · Bridge trestle pilings and rock armor · Thimble Shoal and Chesapeake shipping channels adjacent to the islands
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Aug 16, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Fishery Targets
VMRC's Angler's Guide treats CBBT as a focal lower-Bay artificial reef for striped bass, tautog, flounder, weakfish, cobia, and black drum. This profile does not encode month windows because available evidence is occurrence-level, not a destination fishing calendar, and does not treat listed targets as typical every-month fishing quality. VMRC harvest seasons are not biological calendars. Seasonal notes, where present, describe typical presence, not a legal harvest season.
This reflects typical biological/fishery timing, not a legal open season. Check current regulations before fishing.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Striped bass
PrimaryRegulations vary annually
Morone saxatilis
Typical seasonal opportunity: SPRING AND FALL
VMRC Angler's Guide names the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel among the best striped bass concentrations in Virginia, including casting and trolling around CBBT. Exact-destination occurrence; harvest dates are not encoded as windows.
Tautog
Primary
Tautoga onitis
Typical seasonal window begins in October
Typical seasonal window: MARCH — JUNE; OCTOBER — DECEMBER
May also be present outside this peak window.
VMRC describes tautog over wrecks and obstructions in the lower Chesapeake Bay year-round when water is cool, and treats CBBT as the Bay's focal artificial-reef structure. Structure occurrence; qualitative cool-water timing is not converted to month endpoints.
Summer flounder
Secondary
Paralichthys dentatus
Currently in a typical seasonal window
Typical seasonal window: JULY — OCTOBER
VMRC names big flounder presentations along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and lists the CBBT area among flounder locations. Occurrence-level only.
Weakfish
Secondary
Cynoscion regalis
Typical seasonal window: MAY — JUNE
VMRC lists large weakfish at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, especially between 4th Island and the High Level Bridge. Occurrence-level only.
Cobia
Seasonal
Rachycentron canadum
Currently in a typical seasonal window
Typical seasonal window: MAY — SEPTEMBER
VMRC names CBBT among cobia locations in the lower Bay and at the mouth. Seasonal presence language is not converted to month endpoints.
Black drum
Seasonal
Pogonias cromis
Typical seasonal window: JUNE — AUGUST
VMRC names the 2nd and 3rd islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel among black drum locations. Occurrence-level only.
Typical Seasonal Targets
Striped bass — SPRING AND FALL
Tautog — MARCH — JUNE; OCTOBER — DECEMBER
Summer flounder — JULY — OCTOBER
Weakfish — MAY — JUNE
Cobia — MAY — SEPTEMBER
Black drum — JUNE — AUGUST
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
How to Fish Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Typical September approaches include island-rock and piling bottom fishing and island and piling boat casting for Summer flounder and Cobia.
Island-rock and piling bottom fishing
Hold or drift tautog jigs, fluke bucktails, and structure jigs on island rock and piling toes for tautog, flounder, and black drum.
Best for
Summer flounder
Modes
Inshore boat
Setup
CBBT structure bottom setup
Island and piling boat casting
Cast bucktails, swimming plugs, and paddle tails around island rock and trestle pilings for striped bass, weakfish, and cobia.
Best for
Cobia
Modes
Inshore boat
Setup
CBBT boat casting setup
Common Tackle Setups
CBBT structure bottom setup
Heavy boat tackle to hold on island rock for tautog, flounder, and drum.
Rod
Heavy conventional or spinning rod for rock and current
Reel
Reel with a strong drag
Main line
Heavy abrasion-resistant braid
Leader
Heavy leader for barnacles and rock
Terminal tackle
Tautog and structure jigs heavy enough to hold
Presentation
Keep baits on island rock and piling toes
Used for
Island-rock and piling bottom fishing
CBBT boat casting setup
Boat spinning or jigging tackle for striped bass and cobia around the islands.
Rod
Medium-heavy spinning or jigging rod
Reel
Reel with a strong drag
Main line
Heavy braid for rock and current
Leader
Heavy abrasion-resistant leader
Terminal tackle
Jig heads and plugs matched to current
Presentation
VMRC: cast bucktails and plugs around CBBT structure; This profile does not score a trip window
Used for
Island and piling boat casting
Typical September Lures and Flies
Common lure and fly families associated with this month’s techniques.
Soft-plastic jig head
Lure
Summer flounder
Midwater, Bottom, Variable · Jig, slow, drift
Keep intermittent bottom contact around structure and soft edges
Fluke bucktail presentation
Lure
Summer flounder
Bottom to shallow · Drift, jig, slow
Maintain intermittent bottom contact across edges and transitions
Minnow-style swimming plug
Lure
Cobia
Shallow to midwater · Steady, twitch, pause
Cast across seams and let the plug track with the current
Soft-plastic paddle tail
Lure
Cobia
Shallow, Midwater, Variable · Steady, twitch, jig
Swim steadily through seams or hop lightly near bottom transitions
Hop, swim, or drift depending on depth and current speed
General seasonal guidance, not a live recommendation, product endorsement, or guarantee of success.
Access, Safety and Regulations
Access
There is no current public walk-up fishing pier. CBBT states the Sea Gull Fishing Pier remains closed while Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel construction is ongoing, with renovation and public reopening expected around 2027–2028. The scenic overlook at Wise Point is a viewing stop, not a fishing pier. Birding access to the northernmost island requires advance application and is not treated as fishing access. Current fishing is by boat around the islands and trestles. Stopping on the span is limited to the scenic overlook and emergency pull-offs. Confirm current construction, security, and navigation warnings before you go.
Primary hazards
Shipping channels, tunnel-island construction, open-Bay current, and a gated toll facility with no public pier are the primary hazards. Do not fish from the roadway or closed islands. This profile does not change recommendation or rating scoring.
Fishery considerations
Currents and waves are unsupported. Open-Bay current around the islands is the fishing context. This profile does not score currents or change the coastal rating.
Open mouth-of-the-Bay wind can make the islands unfishable. CBBT may restrict or close the crossing in high wind.
Regulations
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
