UTERSpot fishing in Delaware Bay and Ocean City
In Delaware Bay and Ocean City, spot peak June–September and are around May–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: Spot on bloodworms in the Delaware Bay and the inland bays.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Spot in Delaware Bay and Ocean City, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayArriving
- JunePeak
- JulyPeakCanyon season opens up: yellowfin, mahi, white marlin. Run to Poor Man's, Baltimore and Washington canyons for marlin and tuna; fluke move to the ocean wrecks; croaker and spot in the bay and inland bays.
- AugustPeakSpot on bloodworms in the Delaware Bay and the inland bays.
- SeptemberPeakMahi and marlin offshore; albies and trout inshore. Some of the best mahi of the year in the canyons; false albacore on the inshore lumps; specks in the inland bays and the inlets.
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish spot 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.
What to use for spot
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- Sand fleas (mole crabs)On a small circle hook or a pompano rig, digger-end first — the pompano and whiting bait.
- BloodwormsA piece threaded on a #2 to 2/0 hook on a hi-lo or fish-finder rig — the striper, spot, croaker and white perch bait of the Chesapeake and the surf.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 56–86°F water, best at 62–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch spot in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Peak season is June–September. Spot are in Delaware Bay and Ocean City May–October. August: Spot on bloodworms in the Delaware Bay and the inland bays.
Where do spot hold in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Look on channel edge, fishing pier, bridge, beach / surf — around Lewes, Indian River Inlet, Ocean City, Chincoteague, Wachapreague, Cape May.
What is the best bait for spot in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Live bait: live shrimp, sand fleas (mole crabs), bloodworms. Live shrimp: Under a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait. Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
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