4-Hour Shark & Stingray Night Fishing in Lewes
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Evening shark and stingray fishing adventure in Delaware BayProfessional guide provides equipment and teaches various fishing techniquesLand-based fishing from 7 PM to 11:30 PM
Looking for a fishing adventure that's a little different from your typical striper trip? Guide Kevin's got you covered with his top-rated shark and stingray fishing experience right here in Lewes. This isn't your average charter boat deal – we're talking serious land-based fishing from 7 PM to 11:30 PM when these apex predators are actively feeding in Delaware Bay's calm waters. With just 2 spots available per trip, you'll get the personal attention and prime fishing real estate that makes all the difference when you're targeting toothy critters.
Guide Kevin knows Delaware Bay like the back of his hand, and he's dialed in the perfect bite window for sharks and rays. You'll meet up at the designated spot where Kevin and his crew handle all the heavy lifting – setting up multiple rod configurations, rigging the right baits, and deploying everything strategically into the productive zones. This is land-based fishing at its finest, where you can feel every headshake and run without dealing with boat movement or seasickness. The evening timing isn't just for convenience – sharks and stingrays are naturally more active as the sun goes down and water temperatures start to drop. Whether you've been chasing fish for decades or you're just getting your feet wet, Kevin tailors the experience to your skill level while providing all the quality gear you'll need to connect with these incredible fish.
Kevin comes loaded with an arsenal of setups designed specifically for Delaware's shark and ray populations. We're talking heavy conventional reels spooled with braided line, circle hooks to ensure proper hooksets and safe releases, and a variety of natural baits that these predators can't resist. The technique involves deploying multiple lines at different distances and depths – some closer to shore for the smaller blacktips and spinners, others cast way out into the deeper channels where the bigger sand tigers cruise. You'll learn how to read the bottom structure, identify prime feeding areas, and recognize the subtle differences between a ray pickup and a shark hit. Kevin rotates through different bait presentations throughout the night, from fresh bunker chunks to whole spot, adjusting based on what's producing. The beauty of this setup is that once the lines are out, you can relax and enjoy the anticipation while staying ready for that screaming drag when something substantial finds your offering.
Sand Tiger Sharks are the crown jewel of this fishery and exactly why anglers keep coming back to fish with Kevin. These prehistoric-looking predators can stretch 6 to 8 feet and put up an absolutely memorable fight on heavy tackle. Sand tigers are most active during late spring through early fall in Delaware waters, and they're known for their distinctive appearance with protruding teeth and stocky build. What makes them so exciting to catch is their tendency to make long, powerful runs followed by impressive jumps – behavior you don't see from many shark species. They're also surprisingly common in Delaware Bay during peak season, giving you legitimate shots at multiple hookups during a single trip.
Spiny Butterfly Rays are the gentle giants of the stingray world, and landing one is like connecting with a living dinner table. These rays can span 4 feet across and weigh upwards of 40 pounds, providing steady, bulldogging fights that test your endurance more than your drag system. They're most abundant in Delaware waters from June through September, preferring the sandy bottoms where they bury themselves during daylight hours. What guests love about butterfly rays is the sheer size and the fact that they're relatively easy to handle for photos before release – their barb is positioned differently than other rays, making them safer to work with when Kevin's helping with the unhooking process.
Southern Stingrays are the workhorses of this fishery and probably your best bet for consistent action throughout the night. These classic diamond-shaped rays typically run 2 to 3 feet across and are active year-round in Delaware's warmer months, though they're most aggressive from May through October. They're incredibly fun to catch because they make long, sustained runs across the bottom, and you can actually feel them "flying" through the water on your line. Southern stingrays also have a habit of jumping completely out of the water when first hooked, which always catches first-time ray anglers off guard and creates those memorable moments that keep people talking about the trip for years.
Spinner Sharks earn their name from their acrobatic displays, and they're arguably the most exciting sharks you can hook from shore in Delaware. These sleek predators typically range from 3 to 5 feet and are known for their lightning-fast runs and spectacular spinning jumps when hooked. Spinners are most active during the warmer months from June through early October, and they often hunt in schools, meaning when you find one, there are usually others nearby. What makes spinners so popular with anglers is their aggressive feeding behavior and the fact that they're one of the most athletic sharks in Delaware waters – expect multiple jumps and blistering runs that'll test both your equipment and your skills.
Blacktip Sharks round out the target species list and offer some of the most consistent action you'll find in Delaware Bay. These compact but powerful sharks usually measure 3 to 4 feet and are incredibly aggressive feeders, especially during their peak season from late spring through early fall. Blacktips are known for their distinctive black-edged fins and their tendency to feed in relatively shallow water, making them perfect targets for Kevin's land-based approach. They're also notorious for their jumping ability and rapid directional changes during the fight, keeping you on your toes from hookset to release. Many anglers consider blacktips the perfect introduction to shark fishing because they're large enough to provide a real challenge but manageable enough for less experienced fishermen to handle successfully.
Kevin's shark and stingray trips fill up fast, especially during peak season when the bite is most consistent
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the acrobats of the shark world, known for jumping clean out of the water and sometimes even landing in boats during feeding frenzies. They're stocky sharks averaging 5 feet and built for speed, with distinctive black-tipped fins. Despite being excitable around food, they're actually pretty timid and often hang back to watch before committing. You'll find them in waters around 30-100 feet deep, especially near artificial reefs where they patrol for mackerel, herring, and sardines. Summer brings them into our area following the warm water and baitfish schools. They put up a great fight with lots of jumping, which makes them exciting for anglers of all skill levels. My advice: use a heavy braided line rated for 30-50 pounds and bring plenty of oily chum. Once you get them fired up, the action can be nonstop.
Carcharias TaurusSand tigers are some of the most docile sharks you'll encounter, despite their intimidating needle-like teeth. These brownish-gray fish with spotted backs typically run 7-9 feet and can weigh up to 200 pounds. They're bottom dwellers that prefer depths of 6-200 feet in our sandy coastal waters. What makes them special is they gulp air to hover motionless while hunting - it's pretty cool to watch. Summer months bring them into Delaware Bay as they follow the warmer water north. They put up a solid fight without being overly aggressive, making them perfect for newer shark anglers. Here's a local tip: use fresh, bloody bait like rays or bluefish and anchor it to the bottom with some weight. These guys hunt primarily at night, so our evening trips hit right in their feeding window.
Hypanus AmericanusSouthern stingrays are the classic diamond-shaped rays most people picture, with that long whip-like tail and venomous barb. Females get much larger than males - up to 5 feet across and 50 pounds. They love sandy and muddy bottoms in bays, estuaries, and shallow coastal areas where they bury themselves and hunt for crabs, worms, and small fish by flapping their wings to brush away sand. They're patient fighters that don't panic easily, which makes them great for beginners. The key is they detect prey through electrical fields, so they'll find your bait even when buried. Summer through early fall is prime time in our warmer bay waters. Here's what I always tell folks: use live pinfish or cut bait, and when you hook one, reel slowly and steadily. Don't yank - just keep steady pressure and lead them away from your feet when landing.
Carcharhinus BrevipinnaSpinners get their name from their amazing feeding behavior - they rocket through baitfish schools at 46 mph, spinning completely out of the water up to 3 times. These sleek sharks average 6-7 feet and 120 pounds, with a bronze-gray color and black-tipped fins that often gets them confused with blacktips. They're smell hunters with poor eyesight, so they rely heavily on scent to find food like sardines, herring, and bonito. You'll find them in warm waters less than 100 feet deep, and they migrate through our area during late spring and summer following the baitfish. The aerial show when you hook one is what keeps people coming back - pure adrenaline watching them leap and spin. Best bet is fresh oily baits like bonito or bluefish. Here's my go-to trick: if you see birds working baitfish, cast there. The spinners are likely feeding below.
Gymnura AltavelaThese broad, diamond-shaped rays can span over 6 feet across and weigh up to 130 pounds - they're impressive fish. What sets them apart from other rays is the serrated spine at the base of their tail and their unique hunting style. They're active predators that slowly approach prey, then spin around and stun it with their powerful pectoral fins. You'll find them in shallow sandy and muddy areas, typically 16-100 feet deep. They feed on small fish, squid, and crustaceans, making them fairly aggressive biters compared to other rays. The fight is something else - they use those broad wings to pull hard against you. Summer evenings are prime time when they move into shallower water to feed. Pro tip: use fresh cut bait like squid or small fish on a circle hook, and don't horse them in too fast. Let them tire themselves out first.
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