Fresh Delaware Bay Fishing Reports

Top Delaware Bay destinations

Fishing Seasons & Latest Fishing Photos and Videos

Fresh Fishing Reports from Delaware Bay

Fun reef trip!
Fun reef trip!
July 24, 2023
Ran out this morning with Randy, his son Sean, and buddy Matt. The weather prognosticators finally got it right today, we had the calm seas they called for. The water was clear and warm too. Perfect conditions. We ran to the reef and set up our drift over some rubble. These guys were new to salt water fishing. So I explained the finer points; bounce your rod, give line to the fish when they hit, feel the weight and set the hook, don't reel all the way up, don't lift the fish out of the water,...and so on. It's a lot if you don't do it often. Getting the feel takes time. So, we drifted over the rubble, they got hits, missed, and gave out free meals to hungry fish. You're welcome PETA. Eventually they got the hang of it and started to pull up fish. Matt started things off with a sea robin. Then Sean got a sea bass and a sea robin. Around that time I decided to make a move and switch up tactics. We set up over a really large piece and I back trolled to hold us over various parts. The drift was slow anyway, but I figured it was worth a shot. It worked. Sean got a flounder. Then Matt got a keeper, but due to a SNAFU, it shook the hook. I won't mention any names...Matt! As was his usual today, Matt reeled up way too far and lifted. He was also tangled in Randy's line. The flounder saw it's chance and bolted. It was of course a nice sized keeper. To Matt's credit, he did land another keeper on a subsequent drift. He listened this time and it went into the box. Things slowed up on the rubble piles so we took a ride and spot locked over a wreck. We picked at sea bass and fed a bunch. While sitting there a school of striped fish took up residence beneath the boat. Not sure if they were pilotfish or banded rudderfish. We dropped small baited hooks down, even a jig, but they wouldn't touch anything. Would've been nice to catch one to see what they were. We called it a day when the bite slowed. I think a few of the boys were feeling a bit green beneath their gills too. But they endured the entire trip and did very well. We had a blast, and a lot of laughs. We won't discuss the ride behind Avalon in the no wake area... let's just say, there are some serious idiots driving boats out there. And I can't always hold back my 12 Guage, hair triggered mouth. The Coast Guard had a word with them, so all is right in the world. And overall, it was a great day! Tight Lines!
Continue reading
Fun times!
Fun times!
July 23, 2023
What a fun day! I had the pleasure of guiding CJ, Kim, Chase, and Lucia. We ran out into the ocean to see if we could spot some dolphins. It was a bit on the choppy side ( again), but manageable. Chase and Lucia were laughing their heads off enjoying the wild ride. CJ was a bit worried the kids wouldn't enjoy the ride, let alone the fishing. We had planned on going for two, maybe three hours. Suffice to say, we made it a bit over four. I offered the opportunity to fish one of the near shore wrecks, to see how the kids might like it. We spot locked over some structure and dropped our lines down. We were marking fish, or my sounder is a massive lying twat. We couldn't get them to bite though. They'd steal the baits, but you never felt a touch. We moved around to different pieces, but it was always the same. The wind kicked up a bit more and Kim decided it was time for us to head into the back to see what we could find. We drifted a few different areas and again encountered bait stealers. I put a Brown Dog Bomb kingfish rig on one of the rods and we finally broke the ice. Lucia, and then Chase hauled up a croaker each. And just that fast the bite turned off in that spot. We hit another area and drifted a sod bank. We started catching again. Lucia pulled up a few little sea bass, as did Chase. Then CJ finally kept his bait on long enough to pull up a flounder. It was short, but he had bragging rights for biggest fish. It was short lived. Chase hooked and landed a bigger flounder! It was about an eighth of an inch short of keeper size. There were a few more sea bass and croakers in the mix. But Chase ended up as the high hook on the day. The fishing wasn't stellar, but the fun and memories were beyond worth the time spent on the water. Lucia and Chase will be pestering mom and dad for a boat for sure. I hope they get one. They'll enjoy it for years! Tight Lines!
Continue reading
Shorts, but fun...
Shorts, but fun...
July 22, 2023
Ran out front with my friend Keith and his son Keith Jr. The maritime forecast was a bit off, imagine my surprise. It called for 2' at 12 seconds, which would've been a dream. Instead it was 2' with occasional 3's at maybe 1 second. It was manageable though. We had planned on going out to try our hand at trolling to see what we might find. Given the conditions we decided to stay closer and play with flounder. When we arrived on the reef we were greeted by an 8' hammerhead shark cruising along. It came up to the boat then slowly slid back down into the depths before we could get our phones out for a photo. Not sure how effective throwing a baited hook would've been, but that thought crossed our minds briefly. We set up on our first drift over some heavy rubble piles and found that the drift was rather fast. Spent the rest of the time backtracking rather than using the trolling motor. It worked as we picked at the flounder, sea bass, and weakies. All of which were short, of course. After we made a few drifts over that pile we moved on the next. Of course some nimrod in a blue boat decided that I knew where the fish were and followed me. And closely, never mind etiquette. I normally don't care if someone is close, it's usually crowded on the reefs. But I was one of six boats, not counting the two head boats there. Spread out! So Mr. Blue kept following me and staying close. Finally I said something, he acted like he couldn't hear me, but must've gotten the message as he moved away. Anyway, we continued to pick at shorts. We made one more move over a wreck. I spot locked over some choice structure and we tried for sea bass. It was dead at first, but then we started to pick at them. Then it died out again. We took a ride out to check out a buoy, but nobody was home. The wind was coming up some and the white caps were getting more pronounced. We called it a day and ran it back in. Really fun day out there catching up with Keith and I trouncing Jr. to inshore fishing. Pretty sure he's now hooked... Tight Lines!
Continue reading

Delaware Bay Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

What anglers said about fishing in Delaware Bay

Know before you go. Research your charter and have an idea what you want out of the trip.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Know before you go. Research your charter and have an idea what you want out of the trip.
David  C.
David C. Rockaway, NJ
We fished in the Bay and it was like glass on the water which was great for our family and kids
Excellent
4.7 / 5
We fished in the Bay and it was like glass on the water which was great for our family and kids
Mahesh  G.
Mahesh G. Great Falls, VA
If you're not used to fishing in the ocean, bring dramamine to be on the safe side.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If you're not used to fishing in the ocean, bring dramamine to be on the safe side.
Chris  D.
Chris D. New Market, MD
Fishing in the canal is pretty good this time of year. Be patient and have fun. Make sure to have blood worms, squid and power bait.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Fishing in the canal is pretty good this time of year. Be patient and have fun. Make sure to have blood worms, squid and power bait.
Jeffrey  P.
Jeffrey P. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
It’s an awesome time to go in July with the exception if there is any type of turbulence in the atmosphere such as what was encountered by us, some Highwinds thunder and lightning I would recommend exactly what our captain recommended. Wait an extra day if need be, and I have an amazing day the next, when things are calm, it’s the best experience ever hands-down.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It’s an awesome time to go in July with the exception if there is any type of turbulence in the atmosphere such as what was encountered by us, some Highwinds thunder and lightning I would recommend exactly what our captain recommended. Wait an extra day if need be, and I have an amazing day the next, when things are calm, it’s the best experience ever hands-down.
Jenna  P.
Jenna P. Nesquehoning, PA
Hire a charter with a captain eager to work hard to find fish so everyone on board catches fish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Hire a charter with a captain eager to work hard to find fish so everyone on board catches fish.
Dale  P.
Dale P. Wellsboro, PA
Be prepared for some ups and downs from the waves, and a bit of a ride out into the ocean (40-50 minutes) before you get to where the fish are. But all in all it was a lot of fun.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be prepared for some ups and downs from the waves, and a bit of a ride out into the ocean (40-50 minutes) before you get to where the fish are. But all in all it was a lot of fun.
Daniel  S.
Daniel S. Evanston, IL
Inshore fishing expect: flounder, sea bass, blue fish, croaker, Mahi Mahi, and ocean trigger fish. Offshore fishing expect: yellowfin tuna, big eye tuna, blue and white marlin, Mahi Mahi, and shark
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Inshore fishing expect: flounder, sea bass, blue fish, croaker, Mahi Mahi, and ocean trigger fish. Offshore fishing expect: yellowfin tuna, big eye tuna, blue and white marlin, Mahi Mahi, and shark
Damon  C.
Damon C. Chadds Ford, PA
Ask a lot of questions about how the fishing is set up on the boat so that you'll be prepared to either fish with your Pole or have the crew fish with the pole for you
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Ask a lot of questions about how the fishing is set up on the boat so that you'll be prepared to either fish with your Pole or have the crew fish with the pole for you
Eric  H.
Eric H. West Wyoming, PA
Try switching between bait and jig for bottom fishing, some days one type of lure works significantly better than the other.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Try switching between bait and jig for bottom fishing, some days one type of lure works significantly better than the other.
Arkadiy  N.
Arkadiy N. Philadelphia, PA
Morning was cooler and hot hotter during the day. I would recommend the 6 hours or full day. We were hitting bigger fish around 11am. Could have been the storm from the night before but fishing is good in these waters. Others coming in had good luck as well. 90 feet was a good depth.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Morning was cooler and hot hotter during the day. I would recommend the 6 hours or full day. We were hitting bigger fish around 11am. Could have been the storm from the night before but fishing is good in these waters. Others coming in had good luck as well. 90 feet was a good depth.
Rob  T.
Rob T. Depew, NY
ABSOLUTELY. CAPT DAVE KNOWS WHERE THE FISH ARE LOCATED. GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
ABSOLUTELY. CAPT DAVE KNOWS WHERE THE FISH ARE LOCATED. GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL
Rene  T.
Rene T. Georgetown, DE
Easy to find the docks. Lots of parking. Shop right next to the docks available to clean your fish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Easy to find the docks. Lots of parking. Shop right next to the docks available to clean your fish.
Aaron  P.
Aaron P. New Castle, IN
If you might get sea sick take some Dramamime about an hour before you go. Make sure to wear sun screen and bring water to drink and some hand wash or wipes if you like to hold your own fish for pictures. ;o)
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If you might get sea sick take some Dramamime about an hour before you go. Make sure to wear sun screen and bring water to drink and some hand wash or wipes if you like to hold your own fish for pictures. ;o)
Kym  R.
Kym R.
The fish were there but water was about 3-4. Foot whaves the fish where down deep it's called fishing some day you win some you don't
Excellent
5.0 / 5
The fish were there but water was about 3-4. Foot whaves the fish where down deep it's called fishing some day you win some you don't
John  S.
John S. Hamburg, PA
Be open minded to the fish you catch but with a great caption, you will have a great time and get lots of action!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be open minded to the fish you catch but with a great caption, you will have a great time and get lots of action!
John  C.
John C. Malvern, PA
Yes, the location is easy to get to. There is ample parking, a restaurant (not open in the winter), and other amenities.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Yes, the location is easy to get to. There is ample parking, a restaurant (not open in the winter), and other amenities.
Pamela  S.
Pamela S. Essex, MD
Go far offshore if you can. May be spotty close to the reef at this time of year. Better to spend 2x and go big than 1x and go home unsatisfied.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go far offshore if you can. May be spotty close to the reef at this time of year. Better to spend 2x and go big than 1x and go home unsatisfied.
Alexander  S.
Alexander S. Katonah, NY
Make sure you take your motion sickness pills before you go LOL but most importantly just having a good time
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Make sure you take your motion sickness pills before you go LOL but most importantly just having a good time
Israel  G.
Israel G. Philadelphia, PA
Ask to see what is in season and target that. Work the location in with the targeted fish as well.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Ask to see what is in season and target that. Work the location in with the targeted fish as well.
Paul  S.
Paul S. Lysander, NY