Delaware

The many waters of the Diamond State provide anglers with a great range of species and techniques to try out. If there’s one thing to know about Delaware fishing, it’s that no matter what your taste in target or skill level is, there’s a hook-up for you here. Rent a rod for the day and see why Delaware surf fishing is always on everyone’s lips. Before you know it, you’ll catch the bug and head out with a charter to land some really big fish!

Fishing in Delaware is easy to love, easier to enjoy, and easiest when done with a professional captain. That being said, anglers who want to try out fishing for the first time can hit one of the many shores to cast a line on their own for starters. The sandbar stretching from Cape Henlopen State Park down to Fenwick can give you a taste of fishing the Bays and the Atlantic Ocean. Most of the fish you can catch from the surf can be caught from a boat too, only bigger!

The famous Delaware River joins the Atlantic Ocean and the wide Delaware Bay. New Jersey and Delaware anglers alike hit these waters regularly. They fish from Wilmington all the way down to the straits between Cape May Point (New Jersey) and Cape Henlopen State Park (Delaware). A popular launch point is Lewes, as it allows you access to both the Bay and the ocean. You can hook up Triggerfish, Spot, Croaker, Kingfish, Spotted Seatrout, Flounder, and some Striped Bass either in the shallower waters or in the middle of the Bay. One of the new arrivals to the area are numerous Sharks which you can put on your catch list.

The Bays provide anglers with great inshore fishing and easy access to the wide open Atlantic Ocean from the Indian River Inlet. This explains the large inshore and offshore charter fishing fleet that sits at the ready to take you to the best bite! You can find parts of this fleet docked at Millsboro and Rehoboth Beach. The shallower waters of both bays are very suitable to fishing from pontoons – perfect for families with kids who want to get the little anglers hooked on sportfishing. Fishing from the long beach facing the Atlantic Ocean is a very popular past-time, but the catch can’t compare to one reeled in over the side of a boat. Inside the Bays you’ll see Weakfish, Croakers, Sheepshead, and intermittent Flounder action. The other side of the sandbar hides Seabass, Tautog, Big Bluefish, Little Tunny, Kingfish, and even the passing Bluefin Tuna, often over underwater reefs and wrecks.

Delaware fishing charters will head approximately 80 miles out from the Indian River Inlet, to the edge of the continental shelf, where you can hook into pelagics. You’ll get the most out of full day and longer trips. Usual targets in the bluewater are Mahi Mahi, Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Marlin species.

One of the local hotspots for offshore action is Massey’s Canyon. It’s located about 35 miles southwest out of the Indian River Inlet and is one of the best spots to go after Tuna. Local captains report Bluefin Tuna ranging in the 50-100 lb range with specimens tilting the scales at over 300 lbs! Yellowfin Tuna are somewhat more modest, in the 30-80 lb range. Continuing in the same direction after Massey’s Canyon, you’ll hit “The Hotdog.” This is a “lump” (an area of shallow water surrounded by deeper waters) located 55 miles southwest of the Indian River Inlet. The plateau sits at a depth of 18 fathoms with the waters around it reaching 37 fathoms. Slammer Bluefish boil the water on this plateau, with the occasional Bluefin or Yellowfin Tuna strike.

While Delaware boasts many, many small lakes and streams with great freshwater action, there are no larger lakes. The North of the state has excellent Smallmouth Bass action, and big Largemouth Bass lurk in the waters below the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Good fishing for Catfish, Carp, Pickerel, Crappie, and Sunfish is found all across the state. Rainbow Trout fans should know that you can hook them up in Delaware; it’s a rare catch though. The DNR stocks some waters with Rainbow Trout, but in modest numbers. If you hook one up, make sure to release it, so that other anglers can have the same fun you will!

You need a valid Delaware fishing license for fishing, crabbing, and clamming in both fresh and salt waters. Luckily, you can get it from over 100 retailers, as well as online – the price is $8.50 for residents and $20 for non-residents, annually (prices subject to change).

If you want to switch up your fishing trip, the state of Delaware is famous for its crabbing. The agile and tasty blue-claw Crab is the mainstay of crabbing action in the state and you can find these feisty foragers along the sandbars and shores all over the place. Many charter captains are more than happy to combine your fishing trip with crabbing on the way back to the dock – just make sure to have a big bushel ready.

The First State presents anglers with a special challenge: get Tournament citations for five different species and receive the brag-worthy title of “Delaware Elite Angler.” You can catch-and-release two fish out of the five, and any combination of freshwater and saltwater species is accepted. Once your catches are verified, you will receive a plaque to show all of your friends. Book a trip with an experienced captain for the best shot at the title – maybe this is your year to shine?