5.0(1 Reviews)8-Hour Shark & Stingray Night Fishing in Lewes
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Shore Fishing
Eighthour evening shark and stingray fishing adventure in LewesAll equipment, bait, dinner, and drinks provided by guideMosquitoproof shelter with chairs for comfortable beach fishing
Picture this: you're sitting comfortably on the Delaware Bay shoreline as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and purples. Your rod is loaded with fresh bait, positioned perfectly in the surf, and somewhere out there in the dark water, sharks and stingrays are starting their nightly hunt. This isn't your typical fishing trip – it's an eight-hour nighttime adventure with Guide Kevin "Catterman" that runs from 6 PM to 2 AM, giving you prime time access to some of the most exciting fishing Delaware waters have to offer. You'll be targeting everything from feisty blacktips to massive southern stingrays, all while staying comfortable in our mosquito-proof enclosure with dinner and drinks included.
This top-rated shore fishing experience puts you right where the action happens – the productive waters off Lewes where Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic. Kevin sets up a complete basecamp operation that feels more like glamping than roughing it. We're talking comfortable beach chairs, a fully enclosed area to keep those pesky mosquitos at bay, and even fresh coffee brewing throughout the night. The timing couldn't be better either – starting at sunset gives you that magical golden hour photography opportunity, then as darkness falls, the predators start moving into the shallows to feed. You'll watch Kevin work his magic with bait placement, reading the water conditions, and positioning your lines exactly where these fish like to cruise. The eight-hour window means you're not rushed – there's time to relax between bites, enjoy the meal service, and really soak in the coastal atmosphere while waiting for that next screaming reel.
Kevin brings decades of local knowledge to every aspect of this fishing operation, from the heavy-duty surf rods capable of handling big sharks to the circle hooks that ensure safe catch-and-release practices. We're fishing with fresh bait – think chunks of bunker, bluefish, and other oily baits that create scent trails sharks can detect from hundreds of yards away. The technique here is all about patience and proper presentation. Rods are positioned in sand spikes at strategic intervals along the beach, with each line set at different distances to cover various depth zones where different species patrol. Kevin's team uses kayaks to paddle baits out beyond the breakers, getting your offerings into that prime 100-200 yard zone where bigger predators feel comfortable hunting. The reel drags are set perfectly – tight enough to set the hook but loose enough to let a big fish make its initial run without snapping your line. Between the professional-grade equipment and Kevin's expert guidance on fighting techniques, you'll be ready when that shark decides to grab your bait and head for deeper water.
"There are not enough stars to rate this trip. I booked it for my fiancée 40th birthday. Kevin and Jayden were so amazing. We were hooking sharks from the time we started til we left at 2am. Kevin was so knowledgeable about the sharks. Jayden was on top of it taking the bait out in the kayak. We also had our 7 year old daughter and they made sure she was catching fish, also she said it was the best trip of her life. Fishing with Kevin and Jayden felt like we had been friends for years. This is now going to be our yearly vacation booking a trip with Catterman Adventures. Can't wait to see you guys again next year." - Alicia
The Sandbar Shark is your most likely encounter on these Delaware waters, and for good reason – they're the perfect combination of size and fight that gets every angler's heart pumping. These sharks typically run 3-6 feet long and are incredibly common in the bay during summer and early fall months. What makes sandbars so exciting to catch is their initial run – they'll rip drag off your reel like nobody's business, then settle into a steady, grinding fight that tests your endurance. They're also one of the most photogenic sharks you'll catch, with that classic shark profile and bronze coloring that looks amazing in photos.
Blacktip Sharks bring pure adrenaline to the table with their signature aerial displays when hooked. These acrobatic fighters will launch themselves completely out of the water multiple times during a fight, spinning and tail-walking in a spectacular show. They're typically smaller than sandbars, running 2-4 feet, but what they lack in size they make up for in pure energy. Peak blacktip season runs from late spring through early fall, and they're particularly active during those twilight hours when we start fishing.
Spinner Sharks live up to their name with dramatic spinning jumps that can reach 20 feet in the air. These are the fish that create those viral fishing videos you see online – they're absolutely relentless once hooked and will put on an aerial show that leaves everyone on the beach cheering. Spinners are slightly larger than blacktips, often reaching 5-6 feet, and they're known for their speed and endurance. When you hook one, be ready for a long fight that combines power runs with spectacular jumps.
The Dusky Smooth-Hound might not sound as intimidating as the others, but don't let that fool you – these are scrappy fighters that provide excellent action on medium tackle. They're smaller sharks, typically 2-3 feet, but they're abundant in Delaware Bay and provide consistent action throughout the trip. Smooth-hounds are also great for beginners or younger anglers since they're easier to handle but still give you that authentic shark fishing experience.
Southern Stingrays are the wildcards of this fishing adventure, and landing a big ray is something special. These flat fighters use every inch of their wingspan to battle you, creating a completely different fishing experience than the sharks. Large rays can span 4-5 feet across and weigh
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are exciting targets because they're known for their aerial displays and spirited fights. These sharks typically run 4-5 feet but can get up to 9 feet, and they're easily identified by those distinctive black-tipped fins. You'll find them in relatively shallow water under 100 feet, often around structure and muddy bays where they patrol for schools of baitfish. They're most active during warmer months and are pretty social, sometimes showing up in groups. What makes them fun to target is their excitable nature - they can jump 21 feet per second and sometimes even land in boats! They rely heavily on scent, so oily baits like mackerel, herring, or live sardines work great. Pro tip: set up a good chum line with ground mackerel to draw them in, and use circle hooks on braided line to handle their energetic runs.
Mustelus CanisDusky Smooth-hounds are perfect for folks new to shark fishing. These smaller sharks average around 4 feet and put up a decent fight without being overwhelming. You'll find them cruising the bottom in shallow waters along Delaware Bay, usually in less than 60 feet. They prefer sandy or muddy bottoms where they hunt for crabs, shrimp, and small fish using their flat, blunt teeth. Best fishing happens from May through October when water temps are warmer. What makes them great targets is their willingness to take bait and their manageable size - plus they're completely harmless to handle. My go-to trick is using fresh squid strips or mackerel on a 30lb mono rig with enough weight to keep your bait right on the bottom where they feed.
Carcharhinus PlumbeusSandbars are the heavyweights of our local shark fishing, with females reaching over 8 feet and packing serious muscle. They're built thick and powerful, preferring deeper water around 60-200 feet near continental shelves and sandy bottoms. These sharks are most active during warmer months when they move into our area to feed. What draws people to target them is the serious fight they put up - they'll grab your bait and make long, powerful runs that test your equipment and your drag. They're also one of the safest sharks to handle, being completely non-aggressive toward humans. The trick with sandbars is using heavy tackle - at least 65lb line - and really fresh, smelly bait like bluegill or sea bass. Once hooked, let them tire themselves out before attempting to bring them to the beach.
Hypanus AmericanusSouthern Stingrays are crowd favorites because of their unique diamond shape and impressive size - females can reach nearly 6 feet across and weigh 50 pounds! They love sandy flats and muddy bottoms in bays and estuaries, often burying themselves while waiting for crabs and small fish to pass by. Summer and early fall are prime time when they're most active in warmer water. What guests really enjoy is the challenge of the fight - these rays have serious pulling power and will test your drag system. They're also fascinating to see up close with their whip-like tails and electric field detection abilities. The key to landing one is patience - don't horse them in. Use live pinfish or fresh cut bait, let them take it and run, then slowly work them toward shore with steady pressure.
Carcharhinus BrevipinnaSpinners are the acrobats of the shark world and absolutely spectacular to watch when hooked. They average 6-7 feet and got their name from their feeding behavior - charging through baitfish schools and literally spinning out of the water up to 46 mph. You'll find them in waters less than 100 feet deep, especially during their spring migration when they follow baitfish up the coast. What makes them special is their jumping ability - they can leap and rotate up to 3 times before crashing back down, giving you one hell of a show. They're strong fighters with that typical shark endurance. They hunt by smell more than sight, so fresh, oily baits work best. My secret weapon is fresh bonito chunks - the high oil content drives them crazy and gets them fired up from long distances.
5.0 out of 5.0There are not enough stars to rate this trip. I booked it for my fiancée 40th birthday. Kevin and Jayden were so amazing. We were ...
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