Delaware River © BGS

About the River:

The tidal section, which is the section that tournaments are run on, is from Trenton, NJ down to the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Most tournament anglers, however, don't go south of Penn's Landing in Philadelphia. I said most. I hear there is some great fishing south of Penn's Landing.

When, Where and with What to fish:

The best time to fish the Delaware is probably Spring and Summer. It is not a bad place to go during mid-summer when most lake bass go deep. Most if not all of the bass migrate to the coves and bays during the winter months. Some locals believe that all bass leave the coves to spawn on the main river. I've caught them in both areas so I know this is not true for all. But the ones that do leave the coves spawn on the main river out of the current. I was told of the ones that leave the coves start to leave when the water temp rises just above 50F. You can find some great piers, sunken barges, etc. that are great cover for spawning. Once the spawn takes place, however, they will be back and forth which is why it is so important to hang out at the mouths of coves/creeks during the changing tides. One of the best times to fish (I think) is when there is an incoming or outgoing tide in the morning or evening hours. There are a host of lures to use. I like the spinnerbaits, crankbaits and 4" worms. Most of the time the water is muddy so I stick with the whites, chartrueses, firetiger and other hi-vis colors. Don't forget to use the spinnerbaits with a colorado (for the noise) and willowleaf (for the grass) tandem blade combo. Watermelon seed is a great color for the 4" worm. During the summer run the spinnerbaits parallel to the piers and old dock pilings. Worms work great too. I concentrate all of my fishing on the weedbeds, wood and rocks in the summer. I think the higher concentration of bass relate to the grassbeds in the main river.

Where to stay:

Call the PA Dept. of commerce at (800) 847-4872

Guide Service:

Although Bill's Guide Service does not provide service on the Delaware River, contact them anyway for a recommended guide.

Maps:

You can get fishing maps from various sources: The Pilot House has NOAA maps. Contact them at (215) 336-6414.

Recommended Boat Ramps:

Mercer County Ramp, Trenton, NJ- One of the better ramps serving the northern tidal section of the Delaware River is located in Trenton off of Rt. 29. It has a dock to tie up to and has two ramps. It is also free. There isn't a gas pump at the ramp, but I believe you can get gas at the Trenton Marine adjacent to the ramp. You may want to get there early since the parking lot is not very big and the overflow goes across the street in a stone parking lot. The parking area is clean and safe and is also paved. Like most ramps on the Delaware it gets a little nuts during the summer. This facility is rather small for most tournaments. Besides, I believe you need a NJ fishing license if you intend to keep any fish and launch from this ramp.

Neshaminy State Park, PA- This is the ramp that I prefer for several reasons. First, it is sheltered from the main river both current and wind. Second it has the most parking and has at least room for 4 boats to launch at once. There is also ample room to tie up boats. It is also free for in-state residents. The ramp is off of River Rd not far from the junction of Rt. 13/ Rt. 413. I believe the Neshaminy State Park discourages bass tournaments of any size out of this marina. Most tournaments were run out of here in years past but I believe there were too many complaints about tournaments tying up the ramp.

Frankford Arsenal, PA- This is the ramp that tournaments are run out of if not out of Neshaminy. It is a big facility with plenty of parking but what I don't like is that the ramp dumps you right out onto the main river into the current and wind. It is a mad house in the summer. There are only two ramps. The fee- free. Beware, cars/trucks/trailers have been either stolen or broken into out of this ramp. The ramp is near the junction of Bridge St. and I-95.