If you’re looking for an adrenaline-fueled fishing experience, then fishing in Delaware is where it’s at. With miles of pristine coastline, fishers can cast their lines into the salty surf for a chance to hook into a variety of popular gamefish species, including striped bass, bluefish and flounder. So grab your rod and get ready for some serious angling adventure.
BLUEFIN TUNA These fish are migratory and can be found in offshore waters. Anglers often use specialized fishing gear and techniques such as trolling with lures or bait, chunking, or live bait fishing to hook into one of these powerful and elusive fish. If you’re up for the challenge, a successful tuna fishing expedition can result in a lifelong memory.
ATLANTIC COD These fish are known for their mild, sweet and delicate meat. They can be found off the coast of Delaware in deep waters. Cod are caught with baits like clams, squid, or herring. It is important to use strong fishing gear as cod can be quite heavy and can put up a tough fight. When you catch a cod, it is important to bleed and gut it immediately to preserve the quality of the meat.
STRIPED BASS Stripers can be caught using a variety of natural baits such as clams, squid and sandworms, or with artificial lures and jigs. They make for a tasty meal with their firm, white meat. They typically live near estuaries, bays and coastal waters, and are known to migrate to spawning grounds in the spring. Striped bass are carnivorous and feed on a variety of prey including bait fish, crustaceans and squid.
BLACK SEA BASS These fish can be found around offshore rock piles, reefs and wrecks and can be caught dragging a jig or using bait like squid or clams. The best time to fish for black sea bass is typically during the summer months when they are most active. There are also rules in place for catching black sea bass, such as size and possession limits, so double-check before you venture out.
PERCH Known for their delicious mild, flaky meat (and very similar to cod), they provide an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. When fishing for perch, it’s important to use strong fishing gear and a sturdy rig as they can be large and feisty. They can be caught using baits such as squid, clams, or mussels.
BLUEFISH Fishing for bluefish is quite popular for many anglers as these fish are known for their aggressive nature and hard-fighting abilities. Bluefish can be caught using trolling, casting and jigging. They are often found in the deeper waters of the Atlantic and the Delaware Bay. Delaware has regulations in place to protect the bluefish population, so please fish responsibly.
MACKEREL These fish are known for their fight and their tasty, flaky flesh. Anglers can target them by using different methods including trolling, casting, or jigging. Some of the best places to catch mackerel are the Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier and the Indian River Inlet. Mackerel are also popular bait fish, so fishers can use them as bait for other fish like striped bass or bluefish.
FLOUNDER Anglers typically target flounder in the areas surrounding the Delaware and Indian River bays. Popular baits for catching flounder include live minnows and squid. When you hook a flounder, it’s important to keep your line tight and reel in the slack quickly to avoid losing the fish.
Remember to always follow Delaware’s fishing rules and regulations and practice catch and release whenever possible to protect the local ecosystem.
