What the Nanticoke River Striper Tournament Is
The Nanticoke River Striper Tournament is an annual fishing event held on the Nanticoke River in Delaware, where anglers compete to catch striped bass. The tournament draws both local and visiting fishermen who fish from boats and shore, competing for prizes based on the weight and number of fish caught. It runs for a set period each year — typically a few days in spring or fall — and is organized by a local fishing club or community group that sets the specific dates, entry fees, and rules each season.
The river itself, which forms part of the Delaware-Maryland border, is a productive striper fishery with a strong population of keeper-size fish. Stripers in the Nanticoke run from schoolies (smaller fish under 18 inches) to fish over 30 pounds, and the tournament structure usually rewards both the heaviest single fish and the largest total catch by weight.
Key Takeaways
- The Nanticoke River Striper Tournament is a seasonal event where anglers compete for prizes by catching striped bass, with dates and entry fees set by the organizing group each year.
- You can fish from a boat or from shore, and most tournaments run for two to four days during spring or fall when stripers are most active.
- Before you enter, confirm the current year's dates, entry cost, and weigh-in location by contacting the tournament organizer directly, as details change annually.
- Stripers in the Nanticoke respond well to live bait (bunker, herring, eels) and artificial lures like topwater plugs and swimbaits, fished near structure and current breaks.
- You will need a valid Delaware fishing license and must follow state size and creel limits even during the tournament.
When the Tournament Runs and How to Enter
The Nanticoke River Striper Tournament typically takes place in spring (April or May) or fall (September or October), when stripers are feeding heavily and moving through the river. The exact dates vary year to year and depend on when the organizing group schedules the event. To find out this year's tournament dates, contact the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife or reach out to local fishing clubs and bait shops near the Nanticoke — they will have the current schedule and entry information.
Entry usually requires paying a fee per angler or per boat, and you register before the tournament begins. Some tournaments allow you to fish the entire event period and weigh in your catch at the end; others run a single day or require daily check-ins. Ask the organizer whether you can enter on the day of the event or whether pre-registration is required, as some tournaments fill up and close entry early.
What You Need to Fish the Tournament
You must have a valid Delaware fishing license before you fish the tournament. You can purchase a license online through the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife website, at bait and tackle shops, or at some sporting goods stores. A three-day temporary license is available if you do not want to buy a full-year license, and it costs less than a day's entry fee.
Bring a boat or plan to fish from shore — the Nanticoke has public access points and boat launches where tournament anglers typically fish. If you are boating, make sure your vessel is in good working order and that you have a kill switch, life jackets, and navigation lights if you plan to fish at dawn or dusk. A cooler with ice is essential for keeping your catch fresh and in tournament-legal condition through weigh-in.
You will also need a scale or a way to measure fish, since most tournaments require proof of size before weigh-in. Bring a measuring board or tape measure to confirm that every fish meets the tournament's minimum size limit — usually 18 inches for stripers in Delaware waters.
Bait and Lures That Work on the Nanticoke
Live bait is often the most productive choice for stripers on the Nanticoke. Bunker (menhaden), herring, and live eels all draw strikes from feeding stripers, especially in deeper holes and near current breaks where fish hold. Fish live bait on a simple rig — a single hook through the nose or back — and let the current work for you. Cast uptide and let the bait drift naturally, or hold position and cast to structure like fallen trees, pilings, and rocky banks.
Artificial lures work well too, particularly topwater plugs and swimbaits that mimic the baitfish stripers hunt. Throw plugs early and late in the day when stripers are most aggressive, and work swimbaits slowly along the bottom in deeper water. The Nanticoke has good current in many sections, so lures that move with the flow and create vibration tend to outfish static presentations.
Timing matters as much as bait choice. Fish the moving tide — either incoming or outgoing — when stripers are most active. Dawn and dusk are prime hours, but stripers will bite throughout the day if the tide is running and the water temperature is in the 50s to 70s Fahrenheit range.
Tournament Rules and State Regulations
Every angler in the tournament must follow Delaware's state fishing regulations, even though you are competing for prizes. The minimum size for stripers is 18 inches, and the daily creel limit is two fish per angler. If the tournament has its own rules — such as a different minimum size, a limit on the number of fish you can weigh in, or a requirement to fish only certain sections of the river — those rules apply within the tournament but do not override state law.
Ask the tournament organizer for a copy of the rules before you fish. Most tournaments require that all fish be caught during the official tournament period, that you weigh in at a designated time and place, and that you provide proof of size for each fish. Some tournaments disqualify anglers who fish outside the designated area or who arrive late to weigh-in.
Where to Launch and Fish Access Points
The Nanticoke River has several public boat launches and shore access points where tournament anglers typically fish. The main launch areas are near Seaford, Delaware, and along the river's lower reaches toward the Delaware Bay. Check with the tournament organizer for the official weigh-in location and any launch points they recommend — some tournaments designate a specific launch to keep the event organized.
Shore fishing is also popular on the Nanticoke, particularly along public rights-of-way and at bridges. The river has good structure — deep holes, current breaks, and woody cover — that holds stripers year-round. If you are new to the river, ask local anglers or bait shop staff where the productive spots are; they can point you toward areas that consistently hold fish during the tournament season.
What Happens at Weigh-In and Prize Structure
At the end of the tournament, you bring your catch to the designated weigh-in location at the scheduled time. The organizer will weigh each fish, measure it to confirm it meets the minimum size, and record your total weight or number of fish. Prizes are usually awarded for the heaviest single fish, the largest total weight, and sometimes for the most fish caught. Prize amounts and categories vary by year, so ask the organizer what prizes are offered before you enter.
Most tournaments award cash or merchandise prizes, and some donate a portion of entry fees to local conservation efforts or fishing education programs. After weigh-in, you can keep your fish or release them, depending on the tournament's rules and your preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a boat to fish the tournament, or can I fish from shore?
You can fish from shore or from a boat — the tournament does not require one or the other. Shore access is available at several points along the Nanticoke, though boat anglers often have an advantage because they can cover more water and reach deeper holes where larger stripers hold.
What is the minimum size for stripers in the Nanticoke River?
Delaware's minimum size for stripers is 18 inches. All fish you weigh in must meet this size, and you must follow the state's two-fish daily creel limit even during the tournament.
When should I contact the organizer to find out this year's dates and entry fee?
Contact the organizer two to three months before the typical tournament season (spring or fall). Local bait shops, the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, and fishing clubs near the Nanticoke can tell you who runs the tournament and how to reach them.
Can I fish the tournament if I have never caught a striper before?
Yes. Tournaments are open to anglers of all skill levels. If you are new to striper fishing, ask the organizer or local anglers for advice on where to fish and what bait works best — most fishing communities are welcoming to newcomers.
What should I do if I catch a fish that is close to the minimum size?
Measure it carefully on a board or with a tape measure before you decide to keep it. If it is under 18 inches, release it immediately. At weigh-in, the organizer will measure each fish again to confirm it meets the size requirement.