Bethany Beach—South Inlet Flatson Indian River (Rehoboth/Indian River Inlet)
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.
What to tie on at Bethany Beach—South Inlet Flats
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Clouser Minnow (Saltwater)
A universal baitfish imitation, effective year-round for predatory species on the flats and inshore. Its weighted eyes help it get down to cruising fish. Excellent for Bluefish, Flounder, Striped Bass, Sharks, and Skates.
Buy at AmazonEP Shrimp
Shrimp are a consistent food source year-round inshore. This pattern is effective for Flounder, Tog, Perch, and Bluefish, especially when cast to tailing fish on flats or around structure.
Buy at AmazonCrab Fly (Merkin)
Crabs are a consistent food source on the flats and around structure. This imitation is effective for Tog and Flounder, especially as water temperatures rise in spring.
Buy at AmazonTan Spawning Shrimp
This pattern is specific for the spring spawning season in marshes and estuaries, imitating shrimp. It's effective for Flounder, Tog, Perch, and Bluefish.
Buy at AmazonGurgler (Saltwater)
A topwater pattern that creates disturbance, mimicking a fleeing baitfish or injured prey, which can entice aggressive strikes from Bluefish and Striped Bass, especially on calmer spring days.
Woolly Bugger (Black/Olive)
An essential streamer for enticing aggressive strikes from a wide variety of species including Bluefish, Flounder, Tog, Perch, Sharks, Skates, and Striped Bass, imitating leeches and baitfish active in colder spring water.
Shad Dart
Small, bright attractor flies like the Shad Dart are highly effective for aggressive, schooling Bluefish, especially during their spring migration upriver. Can also entice other predatory species.
Deceiver (Lefty's)
A versatile baitfish pattern that imitates various smaller fish. It's excellent for predatory species like Bluefish, Flounder, and Striped Bass inshore and nearshore, active in spring.
Buy at AmazonGlass Minnow
Excellent for spooky fish in clear shallow water, this pattern imitates small baitfish like glass minnows, which are present in spring. Effective for Bluefish, Flounder, and Striped Bass.
Delaware season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.