UTERWhite marlin fishing in Delaware Bay and Ocean City
In Delaware Bay and Ocean City, white marlin peak July–September and are around June–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: The White Marlin Capital — Poor Man's, Baltimore and Washington canyons; August is peak, the Open is the first week.
No note for October — see the months around it.
White marlin in Delaware Bay and Ocean City, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneArriving
- JulyPeakCanyon season opens up: yellowfin, mahi, white marlin. Run to Poor Man's, Baltimore and Washington canyons for marlin and tuna; fluke move to the ocean wrecks; croaker and spot in the bay and inland bays.
- AugustPeakThe White Marlin Capital — Poor Man's, Baltimore and Washington canyons; August is peak, the Open is the first week.
- SeptemberPeakMahi and marlin offshore; albies and trout inshore. Some of the best mahi of the year in the canyons; false albacore on the inshore lumps; specks in the inland bays and the inlets.
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish white marlin 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 white marlin hold on.
What to use for white marlin
- BallyhooRigged on a wire or mono trolling rig, skipping or swimming, behind a skirt or naked.
- 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 72–86°F water, best at 76–82°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch white marlin in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Peak season is July–September. White marlin are in Delaware Bay and Ocean City June–October. August: The White Marlin Capital — Poor Man's, Baltimore and Washington canyons; August is peak, the Open is the first week.
Where do white marlin 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 white marlin in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Live bait: ballyhoo, pilchards (whitebait). Ballyhoo: Rigged on a wire or mono trolling rig, skipping or swimming, behind a skirt or naked. 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 white marlin · Delmarva & Delaware Bay, the whole year