The Delaware Bay Flounder Tournament happens each fall, drawing anglers who want to compete for prizes while fishing one of the region's most productive waters

The Delaware Bay Flounder Tournament is an annual fall event that runs for several weeks, typically from September through October, though exact dates shift year to year. The tournament is open to recreational anglers fishing from boats, and it focuses on summer flounder — the species Delaware anglers call "fluke." You fish during the tournament window, weigh your catch at an official weigh station, and compete for prizes based on the heaviest fish or the largest total catch, depending on the tournament's rules that year.

The tournament is run by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife in partnership with local fishing organizations and marinas. Entry is free or low-cost, and you do not need to pre-register — you simply fish during the tournament dates and bring your catch to a weigh station before the deadline each day. The weigh stations are located at marinas and fishing access points around the bay, and staff there record your fish and rank the catches.

Key Takeaways

  • The Delaware Bay Flounder Tournament runs for several weeks each fall, with exact dates announced by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife each year.
  • You fish from your own boat during the tournament window and bring your catch to an official weigh station the same day to be recorded and ranked.
  • Entry is free or costs only a few dollars, and you do not need to register in advance — show up with your fish before the weigh station closes.
  • Prizes are awarded for the heaviest single fish and sometimes for largest total catch, with awards going to both resident and non-resident anglers.
  • Summer flounder (fluke) are the target species, and they are most active in deeper bay channels and around structure during fall months.

When the tournament runs and how to enter

The tournament typically opens in mid-September and runs through late October, but the exact dates change annually. Check the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife website or call their main office to confirm the current year's start and end dates before you plan your trip. The tournament runs seven days a week during the window, so you can fish any day that works for your schedule.

Entry requires no advance registration. You simply fish during the tournament dates, keep your catch, and bring your flounder to a weigh station before it closes for the day — usually by late afternoon or early evening. Weigh stations operate at marinas and public boat ramps around the bay; the Division publishes the full list of locations and their hours each year. Bring your fish on ice in a cooler, and staff will weigh and photograph each one, record your name and boat information, and post results daily or weekly depending on the tournament format.

Where the weigh stations are located

Weigh stations are spread around Delaware Bay to make it convenient for anglers fishing from different launch points. Stations typically operate at commercial marinas in Lewes, Slaughter Pen Creek, Bowers Beach, and other traditional fishing access areas. Each station has posted hours — most close by 5 or 6 p.m. — so plan your day to get back in time.

The Division updates the weigh station list each year, and locations or hours may change. Before the tournament starts, download the current list from the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife website or pick one up at a local tackle shop. If you are fishing far from your home marina, call ahead to confirm a station's hours rather than risk arriving after it closes.

How to fish for summer flounder in the bay

Summer flounder — the species most anglers call fluke — are bottom feeders that hunt in channels and around structure. In fall, they move into deeper water as the bay cools, so focus on holes and drop-offs in the main shipping channel and around old pilings, rock jetties, and wreck sites. Fish with live or fresh-dead baitfish: mullet, mackerel, and bunker are reliable choices. Rig a simple two-hook spreader with a bank sinker heavy enough to hold bottom in the current, and work the bait slowly along the structure.

Jigging with soft plastics also works well, especially in shallower areas. Use a 1/2- to 1-ounce jig head with a 4- to 5-inch paddle-tail or shad-shaped lure, and bounce it along the bottom. Flounder are not fast strikers — you will feel a tap or a steady pressure rather than a hard hit — so stay alert and set the hook firmly when you feel weight on the line.

Fall flounder tend to bite best during slack tide or the first hour of moving tide, when they are most active. Early morning and late afternoon are usually more productive than midday. Water temperature matters too: flounder bite most reliably when the bay is between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, which typically means mid-September through mid-October in Delaware.

Prize categories and what anglers compete for

Prize structure varies by year, but most tournaments award prizes for the heaviest single flounder caught during the tournament window. Some years the Division also awards prizes for the largest total weight of three fish or five fish, depending on the rules. Prizes are usually cash or gift certificates to local tackle shops, and they go to both resident and non-resident anglers — there is no separate category based on where you live.

Daily leaders are posted at weigh stations and online, so you can track your standing throughout the tournament. Some anglers fish just for the fun of competing; others are serious about the prize money. Either way, the tournament creates a friendly competitive atmosphere on the water and at the docks.

What to bring and how to prepare your fish

Bring a cooler with plenty of ice — flounder should be iced immediately after you catch them to preserve quality for both eating and weighing. A sharp fillet knife, cutting board, and towels are useful for cleaning fish at the dock if you want to fillet them before heading home. Bring your fishing license (required for all anglers in Delaware), a measuring tape, and a headlamp or flashlight if you plan to fish into the evening.

Keep your fish whole and on ice until you reach the weigh station — do not fillet or gut them beforehand, as the weigh station needs to verify the fish is a legal flounder and record its weight accurately. Once your fish is weighed and recorded, you can take it home and prepare it however you like. A fresh-caught flounder, iced quickly and cooked within a day or two, is mild, sweet, and excellent pan-fried or baked whole.

Regulations and licensing requirements

All anglers fishing in Delaware Bay must have a valid Delaware fishing license, which you can purchase online through the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife or at tackle shops and sporting goods stores. A non-resident short-term license (three days or seven days) is available if you are visiting from out of state.

Summer flounder have a minimum size limit — currently 19 inches in Delaware — and a daily catch limit. The tournament rules may be more restrictive than the state regulations, so read the official tournament rules before you fish. Only fish that meet the size and species requirements will be weighed and counted toward your score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to register before the tournament starts?

No. The tournament is open to all anglers with a valid Delaware fishing license. You simply fish during the tournament window and bring your catch to a weigh station the same day. No pre-registration or entry fee is required, though some years a small voluntary donation supports the program.

Can I fish from shore or a kayak, or do I need a boat?

The tournament is designed for boat anglers, and most weigh stations are located at marinas where boat access is standard. Shore fishing and kayak fishing are possible in Delaware Bay, but you would need to confirm with the Division whether your catch can be weighed at a station near where you launch.

What if I catch a flounder that is close to the size limit — will it still count?

The fish must meet the minimum size requirement to be weighed and counted. Bring a measuring tape with you on the water so you can check your fish before you head in. If a fish is borderline, the weigh station staff will measure it officially, and only fish that meet the requirement will be recorded.

When should I fish — morning, afternoon, or evening?

Early morning and late afternoon are usually most productive for flounder. Slack tide or the first hour of moving tide also tends to produce better bites than the peak of the current. Plan to be back at a weigh station before it closes, usually by 5 or 6 p.m.

Can I keep and eat the flounder I catch in the tournament?

Yes. Once your fish is weighed and recorded at the weigh station, it is yours to take home and cook. Flounder is excellent eating — ice it immediately after you catch it, and it will stay fresh for several days in the cooler or refrigerator.