USWW Delmarva FishCast — Surf reds, Bay perch, and inlet blues lead the midweek Delmarva bite

Overview This Tuesday mid-week FishCast is a snapshot of the Delmarva bite as of 2026-10-13. The water-temperature set is holding in the low-to-mid 60s from offshore through Delaware Bay, and that matches the report mix: surf red drum, Delaware Bay perch/stripers/catfish, inlet bluefish, and a few reef-oriented fish around the rocks and structure. Friday remains the main weekly report; this mid-week update is the check-in between those larger cycles.

🌊 Atlantic & Surf DE DNREC said surf and jetty fishing has generally outperformed boats while the open water stayed unsettled. Old Inlet Bait and Tackle reported the drive-on access reopened on Saturday, October 3, which matters for anglers working the southern Delaware beach ramps this week.

The standout surf catch in the report was red drum at 3Rs Road. Delaware Mobile Surf-Fishermen President Shaun Smith caught a 44-inch red drum and Jr. Griffith landed a 38-incher during a rainstorm with 10 to 15-knot northeast winds. Both fish came on spot chunks on 8/0 or 9/0 circle hooks on fish-finder rigs during an incoming tide. Confidence: good.

🟦 Delaware Bay Delaware Bay continues to offer the most straightforward mixed bag in the Delaware report. Patty at Captain Bones reported white perch, a few small striped bass, and catfish from Augustine Beach down to Dobbinsville. The bait callouts were consistent: bloodworms and Fishbites for the perch and stripers, and chunks of bunker for the catfish.

Steve at Smith Bait in Leipsic added that stripers and white perch have been caught under bridges over small tidal creeks and rivers. His bait list matched the pattern from the bay report: peeler crab, bloodworms, and Fishbites. Catfish may also be found from the banks of the C&D Canal. Confidence: good.

🟩 Chesapeake Bay (MD) MD DNR was unavailable this cycle, so there are no fresh state-report species notes for the Chesapeake Bay section. That leaves the upper-Bay reader to lean on the tide and river data, not a direct fishery update. The best practical read here is limited reports this week rather than a clean pattern from the Maryland side. Confidence: thin.

🟨 Inland Bays The inlet side of the inland zone has the clearest action. Old Inlet Bait and Tackle reported bluefish on metal lures near the Inlet Bridge, depending on the day and current. On the rocks, sheepshead, triggerfish, and tog were taken on sand fleas and crab baits. Rick’s Bait and Tackle added that the fishing pier at Massey’s Landing produced croaker and tog at different times and tides, and that sand fleas, crab baits, and bloodworms all produced at one point or another. Confidence: good.

🟫 Rivers & Freshwater Freshwater reports are lighter, but there are still a few productive notes. Patty at Captain Bones said bass have been caught out of local ponds on live minnows, swim shads, and chatterbaits. Steve at Smith Bait in Leipsic said yellow perch are available from Garrisons Lake, Masseys Mill Pond, and Silver Lake in Dover on live minnows.

For anglers working the tributaries and smaller bodies of water, this is a bait-forward week rather than a lure-only week. Confidence: thin.

Water Temperatures (NOAA NDBC)

• Delaware Bay (44009): 65.8°F (18.8°C) @ 2026-10-13 00:00Z
• Long Island offshore (44025): 63.1°F (17.3°C) @ 2026-10-13 10:10Z
• Cape May, NJ (CMAN4): 65.8°F (18.8°C) @ 2026-10-13 10:18Z

Tides (NOAA CO-OPS)

• Lewes, DE: L Tue 04:30 (0.5 ft); H Tue 11:00 (5.0 ft); L Tue 17:15 (0.6 ft); H Tue 23:20 (3.9 ft)
• Ocean City Inlet, MD: L Tue 03:40 (0.4 ft); H Tue 10:18 (2.8 ft); L Tue 16:36 (0.6 ft); H Tue 22:25 (2.3 ft)
• Reedy Point, DE: H Tue 01:26 (5.7 ft); L Tue 08:01 (0.7 ft); H Tue 13:45 (6.4 ft); L Tue 20:42 (0.7 ft)
• Cape May, NJ: L Tue 04:25 (0.5 ft); H Tue 10:55 (5.8 ft); L Tue 17:07 (0.5 ft); H Tue 23:16 (4.7 ft)
• Cambridge, MD: L Tue 00:48 (0.7 ft); H Tue 06:10 (2.0 ft); L Tue 12:36 (0.4 ft); H Tue 18:43 (2.2 ft)
• Annapolis, MD: L Tue 01:53 (0.7 ft); H Tue 07:07 (1.3 ft); L Tue 13:22 (0.3 ft); H Tue 20:11 (1.7 ft)

Rivers (USGS)

• BRANDYWINE CREEK AT WILMINGTON, DE (01481500): discharge 582 cfs @ 2026-10-13 06:30-0400
• MURDERKILL RIVER AT FREDERICA, DE (01484080): discharge 2500 cfs; water 66.2°F (19.0°C); gauge 4.81 ft @ 2026-10-13 06:06-0400
• POCOMOKE RIVER NEAR WILLARDS, MD (01485000): discharge 24 cfs; gauge 5.27 ft @ 2026-10-13 05:45-0400
• NANTICOKE RIVER NEAR BRIDGEVILLE, DE (01487000): discharge 33 cfs; gauge 4.44 ft @ 2026-10-13 06:15-0400
• CHOPTANK RIVER NEAR GREENSBORO, MD (01491000): discharge 38 cfs; water 63.3°F (17.4°C); gauge 2.66 ft @ 2026-10-13 06:30-0400
• TUCKAHOE CREEK NEAR RUTHSBURG, MD (01491500): discharge 52 cfs; gauge 0.96 ft @ 2026-10-13 05:45-0400

Regulation Notes

• DE DNREC’s report surfaced black sea bass on ocean structure on Wednesday, October 7, but the source excerpt in this bundle is truncated. Verify current Delaware black sea bass size, season, and bag-limit rules before fishing structure.
• ASMFC reported no recent items touching Delmarva species in this cycle.

Closing Conditions can change quickly on the surf line, the inlet rocks, and the tidal rivers, especially when wind and tide start working against each other. Wear a life jacket, check the weather, and review the NOAA marine forecast before you go. This report is compiled from MD DNR, DE DNREC, NOAA, and USGS source material for this cycle. — US Weather Warriors 🌪️