Jigs
Spro Bucktail Jigs
Durable hair jigs for stripers, fluke, and anything that eats baitfish.
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A busy inlet with jetty fishing for stripers, flounder, and blues.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Indian River Inlet for striped bass, flounder and bluefish. The best months overall are Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov. In October, striped bass, flounder and bluefish are in season, and Clouser Minnow, Lefty's Deceiver and Walking Topwater are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (1 fly, 12 bait and tackle); the closest is Old Inlet Bait and Tackle in Rehoboth Beach, 2 mi away. Cape May is 25 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Best Months
Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov
In October
Striped Bass, Flounder, Bluefish
Methods
Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
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What You'll Catch
Indian River Inlet Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
8 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Lefty's Deceiver #3/0-2
FlyStreamer · Bluefish, Striped Bass
Shop This FlyClouser Minnow #1/0-8
FlyStreamer · Striped Bass
Shop This FlyWalking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Bluefish, Striped Bass
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Flounder, Striped Bass
Shop This LureBucktail Jig 1/4 to 2 oz
LureJig · Flounder, Striped Bass
Shop This LureMetal Jig 1/2 to 3 oz
LureJig · Bluefish
Shop This LureLive Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Flounder · Mud minnows or finger mullet.
Cut Mullet Chunk or strip
BaitNatural Bait · Bluefish
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Striped Bass
Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.
Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.
Flounder
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-light spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid, Carolina rig or bucktail.
Bluefish
Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate line, wire or 40 lb bite tippet.
Spin / Cast 7 to 9 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 20 lb braid with a wire leader.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Indian River Inlet
Reels
Penn Battle III Spinning Reel
A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.
Check PriceMetal Jigs
Deadly Dick Deadly Dick Metal Jig
A small, heavy casting jig for fast-moving albies and mackerel.
Check PriceRods
Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod
A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.
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PowerPro Spectra Braided Line
Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.
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Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ
A tough, stretchy paddle tail that survives toothy fish.
Check PriceFly Rods
Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 10 wt Fly Rod
Backbone for big flies, heavy wind, and fish that run into the backing.
Check PriceTopwater
Heddon Zara Spook
The walk-the-dog topwater that works in fresh and salt.
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Within 45 Miles
Shops Near Indian River Inlet
Bait & Tackle
Old Inlet Bait and Tackle
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware· 2 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Rehoboth Beach, DE.
Bait & Tackle
Fenwick Tackle
Fenwick Island, Delaware· 11 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Fenwick Island, DE.
Bait & Tackle
The Lead Pot Bait & Tackle
Dagsboro, Delaware· 11 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Dagsboro, DE.
Bait & Tackle
Lewes Icehouse Bait & Tackle LLC
Lewes, Delaware· 13 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Lewes, DE.
Make It a Trip
Nearby Water
Saltwater & Coast · New Jersey · 25 mi
Cape May
The southern tip of New Jersey with rips, jetties, and back bays for stripers and fluke.
Striped Bass · Flounder · Bluefish
Saltwater & Coast · Delaware · 31 mi
Delaware Bay
A broad estuary known for spring striped bass and summer flounder.
Striped Bass · Flounder · Bluefish
Saltwater & Coast · Maryland · 72 mi
Chesapeake Bay
Striped bass from the bridges to the flats, plus speckled trout and red drum to the south.
Striped bass · Red drum · Speckled trout