Delaware Bay Fishing Charters & Guides

Delaware Bay

Delaware Bay, located on the East Coast of North America, serves as a watery boundary between parts of the states of Delaware and New Jersey. It’s one of those “places that possess a beauty that isn’t brash or flashy but still has the power to leave us in awe,” according to the local tourism folks. Delaware Bay is huge, covering about 780 square miles in a mix of freshwater and Atlantic Ocean saltwater. The bay is bordered by New Jersey and Delaware and covers parts of six counties — New Castle, Sussex, and Kent in Delaware and Salem, Cumberland, and Cape May in Jersey. There aren’t any major cities on the bay, but places like the quaint seaside village of Cape May and Dover have everything a visitor could want, including food, lodging, and entertainment. Or check out the NASCAR races at Dover International Speedway. Historic Lewe’s has three main attractions: the sea, sand, and sun. These coastal communities along the shores of Delaware Bay are the kinds of places families love to call home, whether for a lifetime or just a few days. Low-lying landscapes create beautiful views and opportunities abound for outdoor activities, including fishing. Areas such as Bowers Beach allow fishermen numerous choices for head or charter boats at local wharfs. The water calls others as well: paddleboarders, surf fishermen, sailboaters, crabbers, and bird watchers. Slaughter Beach offers the same opportunities and is close to the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and DuPont Nature Center. Pickering Beach is a favorite of bird watchers as well, and St. Jones Reserve offers unlimited eco-tourism options. At Broadkill Beach, the 1930’s cottages seem to make time stand still but also blends in with modern homes of all types. It’s a unique collection of old new, slow and exciting.

Delaware Bay Inshore Fishing

The Delaware Bay and River are known for a mix of freshwater and saltwater species, from muskellunge, trout, striped bass, and perch to triggerfish, croaker, kingfish, flounder, Mahi, and tuna out in the Atlantic. If there is one go-to fish that visitors almost always want to tackle, it’s the striped bass. Popular areas like “the Rips” allow anglers to drift their bait through the current caused by the falling and rising tide. There are also some great spots in the bay, including the 20-foot Slough, Tussey’s Slough, Horseshoe, and Bug Light. Buoy markers 19, 32, and 34 are good producing spots, but remember these fish travel in schools and can end up anywhere. There are several reasons why having a good captain comes in handy. Not only can they put you on fish quickly, but they will also have all the gear and know what the fish will bite. If you don’t go in the boat, there is some good surf action for stripers at places like Coral Beds off Slaughter Beach and Broadkill Slough, or from bulkheads in Fortescue and East Point. The further you go up the Delaware River, the more diverse the fishing gets. Although it’s far, a side trip north of Philadelphia to the outstanding trout fishing part of the river is also always an option if you have the time. One note about the bay: Its channel is a busy commercial waterway and can also get pretty rough when the current and wind mix just right.

Delaware Bay Offshore Fishing

Going offshore here doesn’t mean you have to spend half your time boat riding. There is some pretty good fishing not far off the shore for popular sea bass, bluefish, tautog, and tilefish. Sea bass is an exceptionally tasty fish and will not only put a bend in your rod, but they also put some “yum” on your dinner table. You can also go offshore for big tuna and marlin, or still catch striped bass and croakers, triggerfish, flounder, an occasional Mahi, and a host of other saltwater species. Flounder fishing here is superb. Flounder often move in close and even into the bay in numbers, but they can also be caught at certain times of the year offshore. Hard bottom areas like reefs 10 and 11, the Jersey Land Reef, the Old Grounds, and other similar spots are good producers. If you like trolling, there are several great places to slowly pull a small spoon or even live bait behind the boat for bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Delaware Bay private charters are popular because you and your party are in charge of the day’s fishing. There are also some pretty amazing head boats that take groups of anglers out together to fish, usually bottom fishing, on some of the area’s fertile fishing grounds.

Book a Delaware Bay Fishing Charter

A bay, a river, and an ocean beckon anglers to try their hand at some fantastic fishing in this location. It’s away from a lot of activities, but still right in the middle of a quaint, relaxing atmosphere with all the modern amenities. Book a Delaware Bay charter with FishAnywhere.com and you will be paired with the perfect captain and trip for you and your friends or family to have a memorable trip. There are loads of fish to be caught and views that can’t be matched. Add the Delaware Bay to your fishing bucket list and you won’t regret it.