Fishing the Delaware Bay

[Shellback CVA59]

Hello All, New member here and am interested in any information folks could share about fishing the Bay from the Delaware shores. I'm moving to S.E. PA from upstate mid summer and have a 2001 Wellcraft Sportsman 180 with a F115 Yamaha. Most of my fishing has been on the Finger Lakes of NY and Ontario. It's mostly a trolling game, downriggers, dipsy divers, planner boards, leadcore etc. I hear folks talk about a boat license, is that something different from your standard state registration? Would it be a fishing license for all those on the boat, or is each person responsible for an individual license? Does Delaware have a website that would give me any needed info for operating a boat and fishing the bay? I fish mostly with the wife, and would love to get into some good eating fish. Personally Salmon and trout taste like s**t. I do enjoy perch and crappie. Is there decent fishing for flounder and weakfish on the bay east of the Dover area? It's probably been almost 40 years since I fished the bay, I guess I got alot of catching up to do. Thanks in advance, Ron W

[skeller001]

I am new to the DE bay myself so I really can't help you much. If you fish in DE waters you need a DE boat license. If you fish on the NJ side you don't. you may want to try the bass barn forum for advise.

[gotboost]

you don't need a license to fish in De. tidal waters,there is no boat license in De.,Md has one which covers everyone fishing on the boat because Md has a tidal water license none in De.,out of state you will need a state ramp permit to use any of the public ramps one permit covers all the ramps state wide..
here is the De. web site Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control

[Shellback CVA59]

Thanks for the info. Is the ramp permit something that's available at the ramp, or is it by mail or online? Thanks, Ron

[gotboost]

any De State park office,some of the tackle shops around Lewes also have them try Bill's another place that may have them is Eastern marine in Newark,de.

[Lead Head]

Shellback

I live in Carlisle, PA and in past years have driven to Lewes to fish around the rock structure there. The DE State Ramp on the Lewes-Rehobeth Canal is a good ramp to use. I agree with the other responses, you need a launch permit to use any DE ramp. Just be aware you need to be Coast Guard Legal- Throw Pillow, Flares, Horn, Fire Ext, Life Vests- in these waters, and on the Susquehanna Flats.

Hope you enjoy the move.

Lead Head - 85 Welcraft Steplift V-20

[Art Wilson]

Hi Ron
I'm from Baltimore Md and love fishing Delaware Bay better than the upper Chesapeake for the variety in the fish I catch. Flounder , line side, drum, sea bass and tog not to mention trout. Your sign in is also familier to me as I was was on CVA 59 for to shelback intications.
Good Fishing
Art Wilson

[backup plan]

hello all, just a quick reminder that bills is not selling state park beach permits or ramp sticks as of this year . he said it was to much hassel

[Capt.Nick]

Hello All, New member here andI fish mostly with the wife, and trout taste like s**t. It's probably been almost 40 years since I fished the bay, I guess I got alot of catching up to do. Thanks in advance, Ron W

The fishing in Del.Bay has gone gone down hill big time since you fished it.The trout taste about the same,how does your wife fix them?

[Good Chance]

If you in DE and your vehicle is registered in DE, you don't need a "ramp stamp" as it is called. Only out-=of-staters need a "ramp stamp". And you do not need a boat license to fish DE tidal waters . MD does, DE does not although the State legislature is now considering a saltwater fishing license in DE so all of this may change soon.