UTERSummer flounder fishing in Delaware Bay and Ocean City
In Delaware Bay and Ocean City, summer flounder peak May–September and are around April–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. July: Big fish move to the ocean wrecks and the Old Grounds; bucktails with Gulp.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Summer flounder in Delaware Bay and Ocean City, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilArrivingFirst keepers in the Ocean City and Indian River back bays on minnow-and-squid drifts.
- MayPeakThe Delaware Bay black drum run — and tiderunner weakfish. Fresh surf clams off Slaughter Beach and the Broadkill Slough at dusk for drum; squid-and-Gulp at night for weakfish; post-spawn stripers and big blues in the surf; bull reds on Virginia's barrier islands.
- JunePeakFluke in the back bays; school tuna and makos offshore. Drift the Ocean City and Indian River channels for fluke; troll bars on the Jackspot and Hambone for school bluefin; chum the 20-fathom line for makos (release them).
- JulyPeakBig fish move to the ocean wrecks and the Old Grounds; bucktails with Gulp.
- AugustPeakThe White Marlin Capital at its peak. August is the white marlin month off Ocean City — dredges and ballyhoo on the canyon edges; mahi under the pot floats; big fluke on the ocean wrecks; night stripers under the inlet bridges.
- 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 summer flounder 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, 52 artificial reef spots in the Delmarva & Delaware Bay map area — the kinds summer flounder hold on.
What to use for summer flounder
- Mud minnows (killifish)Lip-hooked on a jig head or a 1/0 hook dragged along the bottom — the flounder bait.
- SquidStrips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig.
- Menhaden (pogies)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined or slow-trolled; cut in chunks for the bottom.
- Sand eelsFree-lined or on a light jig head for stripers, fluke and bluefish; strips teased on a fluke rig.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 56–80°F water, best at 62–74°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch summer flounder in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Peak season is May–September. Summer flounder are in Delaware Bay and Ocean City April–October. July: Big fish move to the ocean wrecks and the Old Grounds; bucktails with Gulp.
Where do summer flounder hold in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Look on channel edge, pass / inlet, beach / surf, artificial reef, wreck, bridge, fishing pier, grass flat — around Lewes, Indian River Inlet, Ocean City, Chincoteague, Wachapreague, Cape May.
What is the best bait for summer flounder in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Live bait: mud minnows (killifish), squid, menhaden (pogies), sand eels. Mud minnows (killifish): Lip-hooked on a jig head or a 1/0 hook dragged along the bottom — the flounder bait. Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about summer flounder · Delmarva & Delaware Bay, the whole year