UTERWeakfish fishing in Delaware Bay and Ocean City
In Delaware Bay and Ocean City, weakfish peak May–June and September–October and are around April–November, spawning in May, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. May: Tiderunners spawn in Delaware Bay; squid strip or Gulp on a jig head at night on the lumps.
Fall weakfish at the Indian River Inlet.
Weakfish in Delaware Bay and Ocean City, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilArrivingTog on the inlet rocks; Delaware River striper spawn; first fluke. Green crabs on the Indian River Inlet rocks; minnow-and-squid drifts in the back bays for early fluke; first drum and blues show in Delaware Bay late in the month.
- MaySpawningTiderunners spawn in Delaware Bay; squid strip or Gulp on a jig head at night on the lumps.
- JunePeak
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberPeakFall weakfish at the Indian River Inlet.
- NovemberLeaving
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish weakfish 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 weakfish
- 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.
- Mud minnows (killifish)Lip-hooked on a jig head or a 1/0 hook dragged along the bottom — the flounder 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.
- 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 55–80°F water, best at 60–74°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch weakfish in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Peak season is May–June and September–October, with fish spawning in May (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Weakfish are in Delaware Bay and Ocean City April–November. May: Tiderunners spawn in Delaware Bay; squid strip or Gulp on a jig head at night on the lumps.
Where do weakfish hold in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Look on channel edge, pass / inlet, bridge, fishing pier — around Lewes, Indian River Inlet, Ocean City, Chincoteague, Wachapreague, Cape May.
What is the best bait for weakfish in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Live bait: live shrimp, mud minnows (killifish), bloodworms, sand eels. 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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