Smith Point Beach fishing conditions · Virginia

Tonight, 12 am–8 amStriped bass

The bite peaks at 90. Water is 61°, close to the 62° striped bass like best, and a solunar period lands on the window.

Right now: 80 for striped bass, worth the tripTap 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.

803 am
80
82
826 am
82
72
729 am
80
80
7212 pm
72
82
823 pm
80
80
806 pm
80
82
829 pm
82
82
90Tue
90
90
903 am
90
90
906 am
90
75
759 am
75
75
7512 pm
75
80

Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Water: 61°F
Wind: 2 mph
Light: Dark
Sky: Clear
Air: 48°F
Barometer: Falling
Moon: 100% lit

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

Morone saxatilis

90GoTonight, 12 am–8 am

Water

61°

40°50–72° · ideal 62°82°

Why

Right in striped bass's ideal range. Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. 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)

Season here: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Likes an incoming tide. More on striped bass

Bluefish

Pomatomus saltatrix

78Worth the tripTonight, 12 am–8 am

Water

61°

50°60–80° · ideal 70°90°

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside bluefish's active range. 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)

Season here: May–Oct. Likes an incoming tide. More on bluefish

Red drum

Sciaenops ocellatus

37Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

61°

55°65–85° · ideal 75°95°

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Below red drum's active range (65–85°F). 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)

Season here: Jun–Nov. Likes an incoming tide. More on red drum

The water

Water temperature61°F
Seas0.3 ft at the nearest buoy
Barometer30.42 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

Sunrise today7:24 am
Sunset today6:13 pm
MoonFull, 100% lit
Minor solunarToday 7:30 am–8:30 am
Major solunarToday 12:00 pm–2:00 pm
Minor solunarToday 5:40 pm–6:40 pm

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.

WaterChesapeake Bay
AccessPier, shore and ramp
RulesVirginia tidal (VMRC)
WhereNorthumberland County · 37.8883, -76.2969

Nearby

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

Point Lookout State Park12 mi · MarylandBest tonight 11 pm to tomorrow 3 pm

100Go

Belle Isle State Park18 mi · VirginiaBest today 2 pm–3 pm

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Elms Beach Park20 mi · MarylandBest tomorrow 3 am–3 pm

100Go

Deal Island Wildlife Management Area27 mi · MarylandBest now until tomorrow 8 am

100Go

Solomons Island Fishing Pier31 mi · MarylandBest tomorrow 1 am–3 pm

100Go

Myrtle Point Park32 mi · MarylandBest tomorrow 5 am–3 pm

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.