UTERBlue shark fishing in Delaware Bay and Ocean City
In Delaware Bay and Ocean City, blue shark peak June–July and are around May–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. May: Blue sharks on the chum slick offshore in cooler water.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Blue shark in Delaware Bay and Ocean City, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayArrivingBlue sharks on the chum slick offshore in cooler water.
- JunePeak
- JulyPeak
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish blue shark near Lewes, Indian River Inlet, Ocean City
Delaware Bay's big, shoaly estuary with the lumps and sloughs off Slaughter Beach and the Coral Beds; the Delaware, Maryland and Assateague surf; the inland bays and back bays behind them (Rehoboth, Indian River, Assawoman, Sinepuxent, Chincoteague); Virginia's wild seaside barrier islands; and the offshore lumps (Jackspot, Hambone) out to Baltimore, Poor Man's and Washington canyons.
Fish Scouter charts 150 wreck, 1 ledge / hard bottom spots in the Delmarva & Delaware Bay map area — the kinds blue shark hold on.
What to use for blue shark
- Menhaden (pogies)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined or slow-trolled; cut in chunks for the bottom.
- Bonito (cut)Whole on cable for tiger and bull sharks; fillets and chunks on the bottom for grouper and snapper; strips trolled for wahoo.
- SquidStrips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig.
- Leader80–150 lb mono
- Hook8/0–16/0
- Braid65–150 lb
Feeds in 54–72°F water, best at 58–68°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch blue shark in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Peak season is June–July. Blue shark are in Delaware Bay and Ocean City May–October. May: Blue sharks on the chum slick offshore in cooler water.
Where do blue shark hold in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Look on ledge / hard bottom, wreck — around Lewes, Indian River Inlet, Ocean City, Chincoteague, Wachapreague, Cape May.
What is the best bait for blue shark in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Live bait: menhaden (pogies), bonito (cut), squid. Menhaden (pogies): Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined or slow-trolled; cut in chunks for the bottom. Tackle: leader 80–150 lb mono, hook 8/0–16/0, braid 65–150 lb.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about blue shark · Delmarva & Delaware Bay, the whole year