Rusty Reel Charters 

4.8/5 (23 reviews)
 39415 Inlet Road, Bethany Beach, DE 19971, United States

Rusty Reel Charters 

4.8/5 (23 reviews)
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39415 Inlet Road
Bethany Beach, DE, United States

Make the most of your time in Bethany Beach and go fishing with Rusty Reel Charters. Having logged many hours on these tides, Captain Steve can tell you all about the local fishery.

These waters are known for Bluefish, Mahi Mahi, Flounder, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Black Seabass, Speckled Trout, Tilefish, Albacore Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, and more – with any luck, they'll make your reel scream. For these species, you're likely to troll and bottom fish.

Families making a day of it will be glad to know that kids are welcome aboard! Be sure to ask if child-sized life vests are available, otherwise you should bring your own. Snacks are also a good idea to ward off any mid-trip fatigue!

Your day begins aboard a 36' Topaz sportfishing vessel that can carry up to 6 passengers. It comes with outriggers, downriggers, and all the essentials. There's a toilet on board for your convenience. Rods, reels, and tackle are covered by the charter, along with lures. Live bait is available, but be sure to ask about it so you know if you'll be catching it yourself.

You'll have the help of a First Mate to put you on fish. It's customary to tip the Mate 10–20% to show your appreciation.

The charter boat covers your fishing license, so all you have to do is show up ready for a good time! Have in mind that some fish may have harvest limits or closed seasons. Your captain will help you follow regulations while you fish.

It's recommended to bring sunglasses, sunscreen (non-spray), bottled water, and a hat. If you'd like to bring other drinks, just ask. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, just avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles.

Now, come aboard with Rusty Reel Charters and get hooked!

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Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.8/5
out of 5 stars from 23 reviews
Boat
4.7/5
Crew
4.8/5
Experience
4.8/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (31)

September fishing trip
September fishing trip
September fishing trip
+28

Angler rating

22
0
0
0
1

Anglers claimed

Good experience

93%

Appropriate for children

100%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

96%

Caught fish

100%

Showing 1 - 5 of 23 reviews
Showing: 5 of 23 reviews
Dan T.
Dan T.
5.0/5

Aug 16, 2025

4 Hour Trip (AM)

Birthday Gift went a Drift

VERIFIED

A joint birthday gift to my son and his family. All had a great time. Derick, the first mate, was right on top of taking our catch off the hook, as well as keeping bait on our hooks. Although only catching 18 keepers, we all had a great time, even with the “throw back” ones. Planning another trip already.

A joint birthday gift to my son and his family. All had a great time. Derick, the first mate, was right on top of taking our catch...  

Review media 0
 Dan T. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
1 person finds this review helpful
 Dan T. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
1 person finds this review helpful

Tammy Z.
Tammy Z.
5.0/5

Jul 3, 2025

4 Hour Trip (AM)

Great fun trip

VERIFIED

Captain Steve went out of his way throughout he trip to give us the best experience. We caught over 100 fish and were always getting bites constantly. The equipment was nice and plenty of bait was provided. It was an overall a fun experience and I would recommend others to take this charter.

Captain Steve went out of his way throughout he trip to give us the best experience. We caught over 100 fish and were always getting...  

 Tammy Z. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
3 persons find this review helpful
 Tammy Z. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
3 persons find this review helpful

John C.
John C.
5.0/5

Aug 15, 2025

4 Hour Trip (AM)

Highly recommend

VERIFIED

Captain Steve and his first mate put us on fish as soon as we dropped the lines. Caught close to 100 fish with 24 keepers between three of us. Atmosphere was fun and friendly, making a very fun trip the second we arrived. Will be for sure be booking again!

Captain Steve and his first mate put us on fish as soon as we dropped the lines. Caught close to 100 fish with 24 keepers between...  

Review media 0
 John C. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
1 person finds this review helpful
 John C. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
1 person finds this review helpful

Timothy C.
Timothy C.
5.0/5

Jul 29, 2025

4 Hour Trip (AM)

Fish onnnn!

VERIFIED

Steve and Derick were great! Really patient and instructional with kids. Caught probably 100 fish or more. Around 40 keepers. Kids were ready to go to the ocean versus the bay. Glad we went with this crew. George and Merle on the radio, and plenty of fish! Great trip!

Steve and Derick were great! Really patient and instructional with kids. Caught probably 100 fish or more. Around 40 keepers....  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 3
 Timothy C. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
3 persons find this review helpful
 Timothy C. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
3 persons find this review helpful

Stephen N.
Stephen N.
5.0/5

Jun 18, 2025

4 Hour Trip (AM)

A big two thumbs up for Captain Steve and Mate Derrick

VERIFIED

We had a great morning of fishing with the Rusty Reel crew. We caught a bunch of sea bass, with 20 keepers, along with some small sharks. They moved us to different spots and put us on fish each time. Take a trip with these guys, you will be very happy you did.

We had a great morning of fishing with the Rusty Reel crew. We caught a bunch of sea bass, with 20 keepers, along with some small...  

 Stephen N. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
4 persons find this review helpful
 Stephen N. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
4 persons find this review helpful

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
November 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
4 Hour Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
Seasonal trip May 18 - Dec 31
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US $800 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
8 Hour Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
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US $1,200 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
10 hour trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
10 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
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US $1,800 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
12 Hour Trip – Offshore
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
12 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
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US $2,400 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
There is 1 person looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.8/5
out of 5 stars from 23 reviews
Boat
4.7/5
Crew
4.8/5
Experience
4.8/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (31)

September fishing trip
September fishing trip
September fishing trip
+28

Angler rating

22
0
0
0
1

Anglers claimed

Good experience

93%

Appropriate for children

100%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

96%

Caught fish

100%

Showing 1 - 5 of 23 reviews
Showing: 5 of 23 reviews
Dan T.
Dan T.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Birthday Gift went a Drift

VERIFIED

4 Hour Trip (AM) on August 16, 2025

A joint birthday gift to my son and his family. All had a great time. Derick, the first mate, was right on top of taking our catch off the hook, as well as keeping bait on our hooks. Although only catching 18 keepers, we all had a great time, even with the “throw back” ones. Planning another trip already.

A joint birthday gift to my son and his family. All had a great time. Derick, the first mate, was right on top of taking our catch off the hook, as well as keeping bait on our hooks. Although only catching 18 keepers, we all had a great time, even with the “throw back” ones. Planning another trip already.  

Review media 0
 Dan T. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
1 person finds this review helpful

Tammy Z.
Tammy Z.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great fun trip

VERIFIED

4 Hour Trip (AM) on July 3, 2025

Captain Steve went out of his way throughout he trip to give us the best experience. We caught over 100 fish and were always getting bites constantly. The equipment was nice and plenty of bait was provided. It was an overall a fun experience and I would recommend others to take this charter.

Captain Steve went out of his way throughout he trip to give us the best experience. We caught over 100 fish and were always getting bites constantly. The equipment was nice and plenty of bait was provided. It was an overall a fun experience and I would recommend others to take this charter.  

 Tammy Z. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
3 persons find this review helpful

John C.
John C.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Highly recommend

VERIFIED

4 Hour Trip (AM) on August 15, 2025

Captain Steve and his first mate put us on fish as soon as we dropped the lines. Caught close to 100 fish with 24 keepers between three of us. Atmosphere was fun and friendly, making a very fun trip the second we arrived. Will be for sure be booking again!

Captain Steve and his first mate put us on fish as soon as we dropped the lines. Caught close to 100 fish with 24 keepers between three of us. Atmosphere was fun and friendly, making a very fun trip the second we arrived. Will be for sure be booking again!  

Review media 0
 John C. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
1 person finds this review helpful

Timothy C.
Timothy C.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Fish onnnn!

VERIFIED

4 Hour Trip (AM) on July 29, 2025

Steve and Derick were great! Really patient and instructional with kids. Caught probably 100 fish or more. Around 40 keepers. Kids were ready to go to the ocean versus the bay. Glad we went with this crew. George and Merle on the radio, and plenty of fish! Great trip!

Steve and Derick were great! Really patient and instructional with kids. Caught probably 100 fish or more. Around 40 keepers. Kids were ready to go to the ocean versus the bay. Glad we went with this crew. George and Merle on the radio, and plenty of fish! Great trip!  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 3
 Timothy C. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
3 persons find this review helpful

Stephen N.
Stephen N.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

A big two thumbs up for Captain Steve and Mate Derrick

VERIFIED

4 Hour Trip (AM) on June 18, 2025

We had a great morning of fishing with the Rusty Reel crew. We caught a bunch of sea bass, with 20 keepers, along with some small sharks. They moved us to different spots and put us on fish each time. Take a trip with these guys, you will be very happy you did.

We had a great morning of fishing with the Rusty Reel crew. We caught a bunch of sea bass, with 20 keepers, along with some small sharks. They moved us to different spots and put us on fish each time. Take a trip with these guys, you will be very happy you did.  

 Stephen N. recommends Rusty Reel Charters
4 persons find this review helpful

FAQs about Rusty Reel Charters

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
36 ft
Year built
1983
Restored in
2020
Boat manufacturer
Topaz
Boat type
Sportfishing

Engine model
Yanmar
Powered by
2 x 440HP
Max cruising speed
26 knots
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