Delaware Bay Fishing - How To Bait Up And Catch Saltwater Game

The Delaware Bay is fed by the Delaware River from the Northeastern part of the United States. This bay covers about 782 square miles. The saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean mixes in with the fresh water throughout a large portion of the bay. The state of Delaware and New Jersey borders the Delaware Bay and it is a wonderful place to go fishing.

When fishing in the Delaware Bay you will encounter many different species of fish. The striped bass is probably one of the most popular species found in the lower area of the Bay and one of the main species that attract anglers to this area. Other species include the flounder, sea bass, bluefish, kingfish, and drum to name a few. The more you know about the types of fish found in saltwater the easier it will be for you to find the right baits and techniques to use.

How to Bait Up and Catch Saltwater Game

Since the Delaware Bay consist of saltwater it is important to know a few tips about saltwater fishing that can help you improve your skills. It is recommended that you use equipment that is designed for saltwater fishing. This will prevent you from damaging your freshwater gear and help to increase the amount of success you can have. If you use freshwater gear in saltwater it will corrode and become weak very quickly.

Even when using saltwater gear it is recommended that you rinse off your gear with fresh water after each use to extend its life. Take an assortment of fishing gear with you so you will be prepared for most any situation that you encounter. Since there are several different fish species located in the Delaware Bay it would be beneficial if you have an idea of which type of fish you will be seeking out the most.

When fishing for the striped bass in the Delaware Bay, live bait is a good choice and the same baits will work for many of the other species as well. Below is a list of baits that are most often used in the Delaware Bay area.

Eels
Crabs
Menhaden
Finger Mullet
Fresh Mullet
Mud Minnows
A variety of Artificial Lures

When using cut baits it is recommended that you fish on the bottom of the water for the best results. When using live baits you can fish on the bottom or along the rocks and similar areas. It is recommended that you use smaller hooks when using live baits than what you would use when fishing with cut baits.

When using artificial lures in the Delaware Bay area you should choose something that matches the fish species that you are seeking out. For example, spinnerbaits are a good choice when fishing for bass. The color, shape and size of the artificial lure will be determined by the time of day you go fishing, the species you are fishing for and the depth at which you are fishing.

The more you learn about artificial baits and how to use them, the more productive you will be when using them in the Delaware Bay.