Deep Sea Fishing in Delaware, DE

Deep Sea Fishing in Delaware

Fishing in Delaware is a tale of two halves. You’re either going to spend your day in a few inches of water, or head out a hundred miles in search of the biggest fish on the planet. Delaware deep sea fishing is often overlooked by East Coast anglers searching for big game hookups. Their loss can be your gain, though, with Blue and White Marlin, Bigeye, Yellowfin, and Bluefin Tuna, and some of the meanest Sharks you’re ever likely to see. All this, and none of the fishing pressure you’d expect for such awesome angling!

What to Expect from a Deep Sea Fishing Charter

Whether you’re leaving from Rehoboth Beach in the North or Fenwick Island in the South, you’re looking at at least a 10-hour trip to get to the big game grounds. The action starts at spots like the Hambone and the Elephant Trunk, some 50 miles from shore. Here, you’ll find Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and lots of tasty Tuna. You can also encounter White Marlin here during the heat of summer. These spots can be hit and miss, though, and the risk of coming up short drives many seasoned anglers further out to sea.

For the very best big game action, you’ll need to go over 100 miles out to the edge of the continental shelf. Deep canyons scar the side of the shelf and make for possibly the best bluewater action on the entire Eastern Seaboard. Massive Mako and Hammerhead Sharks patrol Wilmington and Baltimore Canyons, joined in the summer by monster Bluefin Tuna and 600-pound-plus Blue Marlin. You’ll need an overnight charter to get here, but it’s well worth it when you do!

Fishing Techniques

Delaware charter captains aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to billfishing. Trolling around the 20 fathom mark can win you double-digit catches even on a slow day during the August White Marlin rush. Blue Marlin don’t come as close to land, and the best way to target them is to zig zag over the canyons, trolling lures or chugger-headed baits to let you cover more ground at speed.

The most exciting way to target Tuna has to be chunking. This all-adrenaline fishing style is popular out at the canyons, and can be enjoyed both day and night for Bluefin, Yellowfin, and monster pelagic Sharks. During the night, you will often be chumming and chunking at the same time, staying put and creating a feeding frenzy all of your own. During the day, you’ll be following seabirds for run-and-gun chunking action, hitting the fish where they’re already feeding and throwing baits to make sure they stay put.

Need to Know

Fishing licenses are usually provided on Delaware deep sea fishing trips. Limits for Highly Migratory Species (like Tuna, Sharks, and Billfish) can change throughout the season. Your captain will be able to inform you of the current regulations ahead of your trip, so you know what to expect. Bluefin Tuna measuring over 73 inches stay with the boat by federal regulation, but your guide will usually give you a hefty discount or a share of the profits if this happens.

Delaware

4.5 / 5

Based on 29,146 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

It was a great day not many people out couldn't ask for a better trip, we caught many different kinds of fish .

5.0 / 5

It was a great day not many people out couldn't ask for a better trip, we caught many different kinds of fish .

Crab Burner Charters

Don't hesitate--book your trip and enjoy your time on the water with experts!

5.0 / 5

Don't hesitate--book your trip and enjoy your time on the water with experts!

Captain Jack Fishing Charters

Listen to your captain. He knows the waters and the conditions. If you let them they will put you in the fish

5.0 / 5

Listen to your captain. He knows the waters and the conditions. If you let them they will put you in the fish

Truetolife Outdoors

Expect a good experience but don't expect a lot of keeper fish. Timing, fishing conditions, arrival of the fish are all variables no one can control.

5.0 / 5

Expect a good experience but don't expect a lot of keeper fish. Timing, fishing conditions, arrival of the fish are all variables no one can control.

Miss Ene III

Use a guide and research ahead of time for best fishing months for type is species you want to catch.

5.0 / 5

Use a guide and research ahead of time for best fishing months for type is species you want to catch.

Captain Jack Fishing Charters

Lots of places for a knowledgeable Captain to take you. We caught lots of flounder, but unfortunately we couldn’t get any in the 17” keeper size. That’s just the way fishing goes though.

5.0 / 5

Lots of places for a knowledgeable Captain to take you. We caught lots of flounder, but unfortunately we couldn’t get any in the 17” keeper size. That’s just the way fishing goes though.

Lost Sailor Guide Service

We fished in the Bay and it was like glass on the water which was great for our family and kids

4.7 / 5

We fished in the Bay and it was like glass on the water which was great for our family and kids

Master Sportfishing Great Falls, VA

If you're not used to fishing in the ocean, bring dramamine to be on the safe side.

5.0 / 5

If you're not used to fishing in the ocean, bring dramamine to be on the safe side.

Makai Charters 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.

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.

Captain Jack Fishing Charters Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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

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

Michael D Sport Fishing Charters West Wyoming, PA

Try switching between bait and jig for bottom fishing, some days one type of lure works significantly better than the other.

5.0 / 5

Try switching between bait and jig for bottom fishing, some days one type of lure works significantly better than the other.

Shooter Dog Fishing Charters 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.

5.0 / 5

Makai Charters Depew, NY

ABSOLUTELY. CAPT DAVE KNOWS WHERE THE FISH ARE LOCATED. GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL

5.0 / 5

ABSOLUTELY. CAPT DAVE KNOWS WHERE THE FISH ARE LOCATED. GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL

Truetolife Outdoors Georgetown, DE

Easy to find the docks. Lots of parking. Shop right next to the docks available to clean your fish.

5.0 / 5

Easy to find the docks. Lots of parking. Shop right next to the docks available to clean your fish.

Michael D Sport Fishing Charters New Castle, IN

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

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

Dorado Loco Hamburg, PA

Cpt Skip was great, water was still a little cold so fish were not as active. Late April-May should be great

5.0 / 5

Cpt Skip was great, water was still a little cold so fish were not as active. Late April-May should be great

Lost Sailor Guide Service

Yes, the location is easy to get to. There is ample parking, a restaurant (not open in the winter), and other amenities.

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.

Makai Charters Essex, MD

Nice weather, good fish activity. Good for children to get out on the water and enjoy the sport.

5.0 / 5

Nice weather, good fish activity. Good for children to get out on the water and enjoy the sport.

Truetolife Outdoors Lewes, Delaware

Delaware Deep Sea Fishing Charters

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Sea Monkey Charters

Master Sportfishing

Action Jackson Sportfishing

Fishing & Crabbing - 27'

Makai Charters

Bottom Line Sportfishing

Michael D Sport Fishing Charters

On Delivery Sportfishing

Deep Sea Fishing in Delaware