UTERBluefish fishing in Delaware Bay and Ocean City
In Delaware Bay and Ocean City, bluefish peak May–June and September–October and are around April–November, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. May: Big spring choppers into Delaware Bay and the surf — metal and bunker chunks.
Fall blues off the Delaware and Ocean City beaches.
Bluefish 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.
- MayPeakBig spring choppers into Delaware Bay and the surf — metal and bunker chunks.
- 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).
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberPeakFall blues off the Delaware and Ocean City beaches.
- NovemberLeavingThe striper run reaches the Delaware and Maryland beaches. Bunker chunks and big plugs off the Delaware beaches and Assateague; green crabs on the inlet rocks and the ocean wrecks for tog.
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish bluefish 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 bluefish
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- Pilchards (whitebait)Free-lined or under a cork, hooked through the nose on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook. The one bait that catches everything inshore.
- Threadfin herring (greenbacks)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined, or slow-trolled. Fragile — handle them wet and fast.
- 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 58–80°F water, best at 62–74°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch bluefish in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Peak season is May–June and September–October. Bluefish are in Delaware Bay and Ocean City April–November. May: Big spring choppers into Delaware Bay and the surf — metal and bunker chunks.
Where do bluefish hold in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Look on pass / inlet, beach / surf, fishing pier, channel edge — around Lewes, Indian River Inlet, Ocean City, Chincoteague, Wachapreague, Cape May.
What is the best bait for bluefish in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Live bait: finger mullet, pilchards (whitebait), threadfin herring (greenbacks), sand eels. Finger mullet: Lip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum. 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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