UTERSwordfish fishing in Delaware Bay and Ocean City
In Delaware Bay and Ocean City, swordfish peak July–October and are around June–November, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. July: Daytime deep-drop and night drifts in the Baltimore and Washington canyons.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Swordfish in Delaware Bay and Ocean City, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneArriving
- JulyPeakDaytime deep-drop and night drifts in the Baltimore and Washington canyons.
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberLeaving
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish swordfish 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 1 ledge / hard bottom spots in the Delmarva & Delaware Bay map area — the kinds swordfish hold on.
What to use for swordfish
- SquidStrips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig.
- Leader80–150 lb mono
- Hook8/0–14/0
- Braid65–100 lb
Feeds in 55–75°F water, best at 58–68°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch swordfish in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Peak season is July–October. Swordfish are in Delaware Bay and Ocean City June–November. July: Daytime deep-drop and night drifts in the Baltimore and Washington canyons.
Where do swordfish hold in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Look on ledge / hard bottom — around Lewes, Indian River Inlet, Ocean City, Chincoteague, Wachapreague, Cape May.
What is the best bait for swordfish in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Live bait: squid. Squid: Strips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig. Tackle: leader 80–150 lb mono, hook 8/0–14/0, braid 65–100 lb.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about swordfish · Delmarva & Delaware Bay, the whole year