Delaware Bay fishing forecast
Delaware Bay is a saltwater fishing spot in Delaware, United States. Anglers here target Striped Bass, Bluefish, Weakfish, Red Drum. The most productive months are typically April, May, June, September, October, November.
Today’s verdict
Ranks #158 of 409 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today
In line with this spot’s 7-day average
Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals
The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.
Current conditions
| Sea surface temp | 17.3 °C |
|---|---|
| Wind | 28 km/h from N |
| Wave height | 0.6 m at 8 s |
| Current | 0.06 m/s toward SSW |
| Pressure | 1020 hPa |
| Depth | 13 m |
| Cloud cover | 0% |
| Chlorophyll | 5.38 mg/m³ |
| Salinity | 31.0 PSU |
| Mixed-layer depth | 10 m |
| UV index | 0 |
| Wind sea | 0.4 m at 2 s |
| Ground swell | 0.5 m at 8 s from E |
| Current shear (surface vs 50 m) | 0.06 → 0.00 m/s |
The water here is 2.7 °C cooler than the October average of 20.0 °C. Cooler-than-normal water slows the bite for warm-water species and holds cool-water species shallower for longer. The water is mixed to about 45.0 m, so surface temperature carries well down the water column.
Indian River Inlet tide chart & times · 38 km from this spot
Updated 1 h ago.
What the score means at Delaware Bay
Delaware Bay currently scores 79 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 17.3 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.
- Water temperature +25.0
- how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
- Chlorophyll +12.6
- plankton density — the base of the food chain
- Waves +9.0
- swell energy stirring the water column
- Current +6.1
- moving water concentrates bait
- Thermal front +3.6
- temperature edges concentrate bait and predators
- Barometric pressure +3.3
- falling pressure often triggers feeding
What’s biting now
The model expects today: bluefish, striped-bass, bluefin-tuna, weakfish, red-drum, tautog, scup, chub-mackerel
[object Object] — Protected here — release immediately
Bite windows
Best months for Delaware Bay:
Score history at this spot
30 days tracked at this exact location
Best recent day: 2026-09-23, 82/100
26 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period
About this spot
Open coastal saltwater — conditions and safety depend heavily on the live wind, wave, and tide forecast, so check them before you head out.
Approximate bottom depth: 13 m
Access & shore
Fishable from shore · offshore ground
What you can catch
-
Morone saxatilis
-
Pomatomus saltatrix
-
Cynoscion regalis
-
Sciaenops ocellatus
Best months by species at Delaware Bay
| Striped BassMorone saxatilis | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BluefishPomatomus saltatrix | ||||||||||||
| WeakfishCynoscion regalis | ||||||||||||
| Red DrumSciaenops ocellatus |
Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.
Local regulations
| Species | Bag limit | Min size | Open season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Drum | 1/day | 45.7–68.6 cm slot | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| Federal waters Gulf of Mexico: 1 fish/day, 18–27" slot. Atlantic federal rules differ. | |||
| Striped Bass | 1/day | 71.1–78.7 cm slot | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| Federal Atlantic EEZ: 1 fish, 28–31" slot limit. State waters have separate rules. | |||
Licensing:
- saltwater-recreational — residents Federal Recreational Fishing License may be required in addition to state license when fishing federal (EEZ) waters., non-residents Same as residents. Many states require their own license even in federal waters.
Some rules may have changed since our last verification — always confirm with the authority before you fish.
FishRadar regulations are summaries only. Federal and state waters rules overlap — always verify current federal and state agency rules before fishing.
Check Delaware Bay before you go
Live scores update through the day. Get the full forecast, bite windows, and your own saved spots in the FishRadar app.
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Nearby spots
Explore 10 more fishing spots within 299 km of Delaware Bay.
-
Ocean City Maryland Offshore
Barnegat Light NJ
New Jersey Canyon
Potomac River MD
Chesapeake Bay
Norfolk Virginia Beach
Susquehanna River Pennsylvania
James River VA
Shenandoah River Virginia
Long Island Sound
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Delaware Bay?
Anglers at Delaware Bay target Striped Bass, Bluefish, Weakfish and Red Drum.
When is the best time to fish Delaware Bay?
The most productive months at Delaware Bay are typically April, May, June, September, October, November.
What is the fishing forecast for Delaware Bay right now?
Delaware Bay currently scores 79 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.
Is the thermocline set up at Delaware Bay right now?
Not strongly right now — the water column is fairly mixed, so fish are less depth-locked.
How deep is the water at Delaware Bay?
The scored point sits over roughly 13 m of water. Depth shapes which species hold here and how the thermocline forms.
Fishing guides for this spot
- How to Catch Striped BassHow to Catch BluefishHow to Read Tides for Fishing
Forecasts, not guarantees — check local rules before you fish.