It’s a fishing day

Smith Point Beach fishing conditions · Virginia

Now until Monday 4 amStriped bass

The bite peaks at 100. Water is 63°, close to the 62° striped bass like best, and a solunar period lands on the window.

Log a trip here
Right now: 100 for striped bass, go · inside the best windowTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Striped bass, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 1004 pm
  2. 100
  3. 100
  4. 1007 pm
  5. 95
  6. 95
  7. 9910 pm
  8. 99
  9. 99Sun
  10. 1001 am
  11. 100
  12. 100
  13. 1004 am
  14. 100
  15. 100
  16. 957 am
  17. 95
  18. 95
  19. 9510 am
  20. 99
  21. 99
  22. 1001 pm
  23. 100
  24. 100
  25. 1004 pm
  26. 100
  27. 100
  28. 1007 pm
  29. 100
  30. 100
  31. 10010 pm
  32. 100
  33. 100Mon
  34. 1001 am
  35. 100
  36. 100
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now · best window

Water
63°F

Striped bass range 50–72°

Wind
12 mph

From the northwest

Light
Daylight

Sunset 5:00 pm

Sky
Sunny

No rain expected

Air
59°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
5% lit

Waning crescent

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Virginia tidal (VMRC) regulations for these waters.

Striped Bass

Striped bass

Morone saxatilis

100GoNow until Monday 4 am

Water

63°
40°50–72° · ideal 62°82°

Why

Right in striped bass's ideal range. Striped bass prefers incoming tide. Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Holds 5–35 ft down.

Keep

19" minimum · 24" maximum · 1 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Virginia Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers: 1 fish a day, 19–24", in two seasons, May 16–Jun 15 and Oct 4–Dec 31. Virginia rivers that empty into the Potomac follow PRFC rules. Non-offset circle hooks with bait; no gaffing.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Virginia tidal (VMRC)

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. More on striped bass

Bluefish

Bluefish

Pomatomus saltatrix

100GoTomorrow 1 pm to Monday 1 am

Water

63°
50°60–80° · ideal 70°90°

Why

Bluefish prefers incoming tide. Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 5–50 ft down.

Keep

5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Virginia marine waters: no size limit, 5 a day, including on for-hire trips.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Virginia tidal (VMRC)

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: May–Oct. More on bluefish

Red Drum

Red drum

Sciaenops ocellatus

61MarginalTomorrow 1 pm to Monday 1 am

Water

63°
55°65–85° · ideal 75°95°

Why

Red drum prefers incoming tide. Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

18" minimum · 26" maximum · 3 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Virginia tidal waters: 18–26" slot, 3 a day, open all year.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Virginia tidal (VMRC)

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Jun–Nov. More on red drum

The water

  • Water temperature63°F
  • Seas1.6 ft at the nearest buoy
  • Barometer29.94 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today5:00 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow6:38 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 3:30 pm–4:30 pm
  • Major solunarTonight 10:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Minor solunarTomorrow 5:40 am–6:40 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Virginia DWR has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: VA DWR/VMRC · fish-consumption advisory

About this spot

A Northumberland County beach where the Potomac meets the Bay. The fishing around Smith Point is mostly from boats: striped bass, red drum and bluefish, with cobia and Spanish mackerel in summer.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Point Lookout State Park12 mi · MarylandBest now until 6 pmSmall Craft Advisory
93Go
Belle Isle State Park18 mi · VirginiaBest tomorrow 11 am to Monday 4 am
100Go
Elms Beach Park20 mi · MarylandBest now until Monday 4 am
100Go
Deal Island Wildlife Management Area27 mi · MarylandBest tomorrow 1 pm–9 pm
100Go
Solomons Island Fishing Pier31 mi · MarylandBest now until 8 pmSmall Craft Advisory
97Go
Myrtle Point Park32 mi · MarylandBest now until Monday 4 am
100Go

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Smith Point Beach?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Smith Point Beach you need a Virginia saltwater recreational fishing license issued by VMRC, or a free Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) registration if otherwise exempt. See the agency's current rules: https://mrc.virginia.gov/regulations/recfish-licensing.shtm

What fish are commonly targeted at Smith Point Beach?

Smith Point Beach is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Red Drum. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Smith Point Beach?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Smith Point Beach against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Smith Point Beach have?

Smith Point Beach has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Smith Point Beach?

Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) saltwater regulations apply at Smith Point Beach. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Smith Point Beach tidal water?

Yes. Smith Point Beach sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.