Fishing Cape May & Delaware Bay: Complete Guide

Cape May Rips

The Cape May Rips are legendary among striper anglers. These dynamic sandbars stretch from Cape May toward Cape Henlopen (Delaware), creating turbulent water as tides rush through. The rips concentrate bait and attract striped bass, particularly during fall migration. Drift fishing with live bait or trolling produces consistent action.

Timing is critical—the rips fish best on moving water, especially the last few hours of outgoing tide. Boat positioning matters; experienced captains know exactly where to set up.

Brandywine Shoals

For weakfish, Brandywine Shoals in Delaware Bay is the destination. This expansive shallow area holds the species through the season, with May through August offering peak action. Early morning trips produce best, though fish bite into afternoon. Soft plastics on jig heads and shedder crabs are proven producers.

Delaware Bay

Beyond Brandywine, Delaware Bay offers extensive fishing opportunities. The shipping channel edges hold stripers. Various wrecks produce sea bass, tautog, and sheepshead. The bay side of Cape May holds fluke. Night fishing around lighted structures—bridges, docks, the ferry terminal—produces weakfish and stripers.

Cape May Reef & Wildwood Reef

These artificial reef complexes provide excellent structure fishing. Sea bass, tautog, and fluke congregate around the deployed materials. The reefs lie within easy range of Cape May and Wildwood charter fleets. Vertical jigging and bait fishing both produce.

Cold Spring Inlet

The inlet at Cape May provides year-round fishing access. The jetties hold tog, stripers, and bluefish. The inlet rips attract bait and predators. Shore anglers work both sides; boats fish the mouth and nearby structures.

Wildwood Beaches

The extensive Wildwood beachfront offers surf fishing for stripers, bluefish, and summer fluke. The wide beaches provide plenty of room. Fall run stripers push through in October and November.

Weakfish Renaissance

Once the dominant species in Delaware Bay, weakfish populations crashed decades ago but have shown signs of recovery. Current regulations (13" minimum, 1 fish limit) protect the resource while allowing harvest. The bay remains the best weakfish destination in New Jersey.

Target weakfish at dawn or after dark for best results. High tide typically produces better than low. Shedder crabs, grass shrimp, and soft plastics on light jig heads all work. Fish slowly along the bottom—weakfish don't chase.

Bay Stripers

Striped bass use Delaware Bay throughout the season, with spring and fall seeing the heaviest concentrations. The shipping channel edges, wrecks, and rips all hold fish. Live-lining bunker or eels produces, as does trolling. Night fishing around lighted structure can be exceptional.

Black Drum

Delaware Bay is one of the few places on the East Coast where anglers can target black drum. These powerful bottom-feeders move into the bay in spring (May-June) to spawn. Clams are the traditional bait, fished on the bottom in bay waters.

Sheepshead

Structure-oriented sheepshead inhabit Delaware Bay wrecks and pilings from late spring through fall. Fiddler crabs and sand fleas are go-to baits. These fish have impressive teeth and steal bait readily—a sensitive rod tip helps detect bites.

Fluke

Fluke fishing is excellent on both sides of Cape May—Delaware Bay and the ocean. Bay fishing tends to produce smaller fish but more consistent action. Ocean drifts over sandy bottom from Wildwood to Cape May can produce trophy-class fish. Bucktails, Gulp! baits, and live killies are standard presentations.

Offshore Access

Cape May's charter fleet runs to offshore grounds including nearby wrecks for sea bass and tog, mid-range grounds for variety, and canyon trips for tuna and mahi. The run to the canyons is longer than from northern ports, but productive grounds like Wilmington Canyon are accessible.

Surf Fishing

The Wildwood and Cape May beaches produce stripers and bluefish during spring and fall migrations. Summer sees kingfish and the occasional fluke in the wash. Sunset Beach at Cape May Point is a local favorite. The jetties at Cold Spring Inlet offer structure fishing from shore.

Cape May

Cape May hosts the region's largest charter fleet, with boats ranging from bay specialists to offshore sportfishers. The Miss Chris Fleet and other operations run from the harbor. Bay trips target fluke, weakfish, and stripers. Offshore trips chase tuna, mahi, and bottom fish.

Wildwood

Wildwood offers additional charter options, particularly for back bay and near-shore fishing. The Cape May Lady and other head boats provide affordable access. Fluke trips are popular summer options.

Fortescue

On the Delaware Bay side, Fortescue provides access to bay fishing without the ocean run. Small boat and charter operations target weakfish, stripers, and drum. The shorter run makes half-day trips practical.

Party Boats

Several party boats operate from Cape May and Wildwood, offering affordable trips for fluke, sea bass, and other species. Half-day and full-day options available with tackle rental included.

Drifting the Rips

Fishing the Cape May Rips requires understanding the current. Drift with live bunker, eels, or large soft plastics. Position matters—work the edges where current creates seams. Fall produces the most consistent action, but spring fish move through as well.

Weakfish on Jigs

Light jig heads (1/4-1/2 oz) with soft plastic tails or shedder crabs worked slowly along the bottom is the Delaware Bay standard. Weakfish mouths are delicate—light hooksets and steady pressure prevent tear-outs. Dawn and dusk produce best.

Night Bridge Fishing

Lighted bridges and docks throughout Cape May and Delaware Bay attract bait and predators after dark. Stripers and weakfish patrol the shadow lines. Soft plastics, live bait, and small plugs all produce. The ferry terminal area is particularly popular.

Structure Fishing

The artificial reefs and bay wrecks hold sea bass, tog, and sheepshead. Anchor up and fish vertically with jigs or bait rigs. Green crabs dominate for tog; clam and squid work for sea bass. Sheepshead require finesse with fiddler crabs.