UTERScup fishing in Delaware Bay and Ocean City
In Delaware Bay and Ocean City, scup are around May–October but never at the peak of their run, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. July: Porgies mixed in with sea bass on the ocean wrecks.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Scup in Delaware Bay and Ocean City, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAroundPorgies mixed in with sea bass on the ocean wrecks.
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish scup 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, 1 ledge / hard bottom spots in the Delmarva & Delaware Bay map area — the kinds scup hold on.
What to use for scup
- SquidStrips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig.
- 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.
- Leader30–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook2/0–7/0
- Braid30–65 lb
Feeds in 50–78°F water, best at 58–72°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch scup in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Scup are in Delaware Bay and Ocean City May–October, but the calendar never marks a peak here. July: Porgies mixed in with sea bass on the ocean wrecks.
Where do scup hold in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Look on artificial reef, wreck, ledge / hard bottom, fishing pier, channel edge — around Lewes, Indian River Inlet, Ocean City, Chincoteague, Wachapreague, Cape May.
What is the best bait for scup in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Live bait: squid, bloodworms. Squid: Strips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig. Tackle: leader 30–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 2/0–7/0, braid 30–65 lb.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about scup · Delmarva & Delaware Bay, the whole year