Indian River (Rehoboth/Indian River Inlet)
river in Delaware
The Indian River Inlet and Rehoboth/Bethany back bays produce strong tide-driven fly fishing for stripers, bluefish and occasional red drum, with top action around inlet jetties, channel edges and docks.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Baitfish
- 01Baitfish, shrimp, and crabs are the primary food sources for predatory fish this fall.
- 02Mild fall temperatures around 61°F are conducive to active feeding.
- 03Focus on inlet jetties, channel edges, docks, back-bay flats, and marsh cuts for concentrated bait and ambush points.
- 04Vary your retrieve speed, starting slower to entice lethargic fish in cooling waters.
- 05Look for subtle signs of feeding activity like nervous baitfish or surface disturbances.
Past reports week by week
11 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Clouser Minnow (Saltwater)
A versatile baitfish imitation, ideal for targeting a wide array of predatory species from Striped Bass to Bluefish and Flounder. The weighted eyes help it get down to cruising fish, mimicking fleeing baitfish.
Buy at AmazonEP Shrimp
Shrimp are a consistent food source in the Indian River's estuaries and back bays during fall, making this pattern particularly effective for Flounder, Tog, Perch, and Red Drum.
Buy at AmazonGurgler (Saltwater)
When conditions are right and fish are looking up, this popper can trigger explosive topwater strikes. It's particularly effective for Bluefish and aggressive Striped Bass, imitating injured baitfish on the surface.
Deceiver (Lefty's)
This classic baitfish pattern mimics larger baitfish, appealing to aggressive fall predators like Bluefish and Striped Bass, especially around channel edges.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Black/Olive)
This classic streamer is a dependable all-rounder. Its movement effectively imitates leeches and baitfish, making it a good searching pattern for species like Perch, Kingfish, Spot, and smaller Striped Bass throughout the water column.
Blue Crab (Saltwater)
Crabs are a staple in the diet of many species here. This pattern is effective for bottom feeders like Tog, Flounder, and even Striped Bass cruising the flats.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Bethany Beach—South Inlet Flats
Back-bay flats and tidal creeks producing sight-fishing for smaller stripers and bluefish.
Indian River Inlet Jetties
Primary tidal-confluence fishery where bait and baitfish concentrate — excellent for moving flies on tides.
Rehoboth Bay—Lewes/Sea Colony Edges
Shallow bay edges and marsh cuts that hold cruising stripers and speckled trout in season.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Bills Sport Shop
Delaware River Club Online Fly Shop
TCO Fly Shop
Dette Flies
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Delaware season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Quick answers
Common questions about Indian River (Rehoboth/Indian River Inlet).
What flies work best on Indian River (Rehoboth/Indian River Inlet)?
Our top scored fly patterns for Indian River (Rehoboth/Indian River Inlet) right now are Clouser Minnow (Saltwater) (80% confidence), EP Shrimp (80% confidence), Crab Fly (Merkin) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Indian River (Rehoboth/Indian River Inlet)?
Indian River (Rehoboth/Indian River Inlet) holds Bluefish, Flounder, Tog, Sharks, Skates, Perch. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Indian River (Rehoboth/Indian River Inlet) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Indian River (Rehoboth/Indian River Inlet) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.