BEACH FISHING CALENDAR

APRIL

Massive schools of Mackerel move up the coast the first half of April.

When the mackerel move out, the first wave of Bluefish move within striking distance of the Delaware-Maryland coast. An outstanding fighter, the first groups of blues are somewhat lean, in the 6- to 10-pound range.

MAY

May marks the beginning of shark season, first for Bluesharks in mid-May and then for Mako Shark in late May. Bluesharks, a cool water shark, head north by June.

JUNE

Serious sharkers do their fishing in June, when nearly every species commonly found here arrives. Avid sharkers will find Makos, Duskies, Hammerheads, Tigers, Blues, Sandbars and Sand Tigers.

Yellowfin and Bluefin tuna move in by mid-June. Though not as large as tuna that arrive later in the year, they travel in very large schools this time of year.

By the end of June, the first White Marlin is taken, signalling the start of the billfish season.

JULY

Nearly every kind of fish is in local waters in July, including Marlin, Tuna, Dolphin and Wahoo.

AUGUST

Marlin, Tuna and Dolphin may be found mostly around the canyon areas offshore while Shark fishermen will find their catches around the shoals and other habitats of bluefish.

The fall runs of Seatrout and Croaker begin late in the month, Bluefish become larger, and wreck fishing for Seabass and Tautog heats up.

SEPTEMBER

Croaker and Trout are plentiful by the middle of the month. Fishing now generally depends on the weather and water temperatures.

Bluefish are quite large and numerous and plenty of small sharks under 100 pounds can be caught this time of the year.

OCTOBER

Bluefish and Bottom Fish abound in October. Seatrout taken by bottom fishermen are very large and account for nonstop action.