UTERLittle tunny fishing in Delaware Bay and Ocean City
In Delaware Bay and Ocean City, little tunny peak September–October and are around July–November, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. September: Albies on the inshore lumps off Ocean City and Indian River.
Fall surf: blues, drum, specks and weakfish. Cut bunker in the Assateague and Delaware surf for drum and blues; jigs at Indian River Inlet for specks and weakfish; the tog bite starts on the rocks.
Little tunny in Delaware Bay and Ocean City, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeakAlbies on the inshore lumps off Ocean City and Indian River.
- OctoberPeakFall surf: blues, drum, specks and weakfish. Cut bunker in the Assateague and Delaware surf for drum and blues; jigs at Indian River Inlet for specks and weakfish; the tog bite starts on the rocks.
- NovemberLeaving
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish little tunny 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 little tunny hold on.
What to use for little tunny
- Glass minnows (bay anchovies)Thrown by the handful as chum for Spanish, trout and ladyfish, or several on a tiny hook.
- 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.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 66–86°F water, best at 70–82°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch little tunny in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Peak season is September–October. Little tunny are in Delaware Bay and Ocean City July–November. September: Albies on the inshore lumps off Ocean City and Indian River.
Where do little tunny hold in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Look on artificial reef, pass / inlet, beach / surf, wreck — around Lewes, Indian River Inlet, Ocean City, Chincoteague, Wachapreague, Cape May.
What is the best bait for little tunny in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Live bait: glass minnows (bay anchovies), pilchards (whitebait). Glass minnows (bay anchovies): Thrown by the handful as chum for Spanish, trout and ladyfish, or several on a tiny hook. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about little tunny · Delmarva & Delaware Bay, the whole year