Jim's Bait and Tackle

04/03/2026

We are officially open!

HOURS
Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

03/30/2026

Shop improvements underway. Look forward to seeing everyone for a great 2026 season.

09/15/2025

NEW FALL HOURS!

Sunday 8 AM- 3 PM
Monday 10 AM- 6 PM
Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday CLOSED
Thursday 10 AM - 3 PM (Race Day)
Friday 10 AM - 6 PM
Saturday 8 AM - 6 PM

07/19/2025

🤣❤️

07/04/2025

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!!

07/04/2025

*** FISHY FRIDAY FACTS ***

The holiday weekend is upon us!!
The drive-on beaches will be packed with eager anglers trying to catch the "BIG ONE".

Here are some things to keep in mind when planning your day of surf fishing.

The very first thing you must do is apply for a surf fishing permit. You can access the link and find more information on what permits are available and what information you need to apply. https://www.destateparks.com/passes-permits-and-fees/. You are not allowed to enter a drive-on beach without this permit.

You are required to have a shovel, jack, tow rope, wooden board, and a tire pressure gauge in your vehicle when you are on any drive-on beach.

You are required to be actively engaged in fishing when you are on a drive-on beach!!
This means that you are taking all reasonable and necessary actions to maximize the probability of hooking and landing game fish by rod, reel and line attached to a baited rig, artificial lure or artificial fly.

Please, and I can not stress this enough, think that you can cast a line with an 8-ounce weight with no bait on it and call it fishing. It is not. A person who is doing this is making enemies on the beach and taking up a spot that someone else could have used to fish. If you are caught doing this and a ranger catches you, you will be fined. The fine for the first offense is $50.00 to $250.00. The second offense is $100.00 to $500.00, and your permit can be revoked..ked.

If you do cast your line, and the line is not holding steady, reel it back in and put an extra ounce of weight on it. Continue to do this until the line no longer drifts. This is to ensure that you do not wind up getting tangled with other angler's lines while fishing in your spot.

While on the beach, please be courteous to other people. Do not blast your music for the whole beach to hear. Do not throw trash on the sand or in the water. (All drive-on beaches are a carry in and carry out park.)

When you go to leave the park, please do not leave fishing line and hooks in the sand. Not only is it dangerous for people who are barefoot, you are also endangering the wild life that live at the beach. This is their home and they are allowing us to enjoy it.

Surf fishing can be a great experience! As with any outdoor activity, there are regulations that should be followed to ensure a pleasant experience.

If you are interested in learning the basics of surf fishing and you don't know where to start, stop by Jim's Bait & Tackle! Our friendly, knowledgable staff will provide you with everything you need to know to make your experience a success.

- Jim & Barbi

06/30/2025

06/27/2025

*** FISHY FRIDAY FACTS ***
The popularity of shark fishing has grown along the Delaware beaches. This can be done from a boat or on the surf. Delaware has specific rules for shark fishing. Every Angler should be responsible for knowing all the rules for all types of possible fish species before fishing. With that being said, let’s clarify some of the rules.
PROHIBITED SPECIES: SANDBAR, SAND TIGER, ATLANTIC ANGEL, BASKING, BIGEYE SAND TIGER, SIX GILL, THRESHER, BIG NOSE, CARIBBEAN REEF, CARIBBEAN SHARP NOSE, DUSKY, GALAPAGOS, LONGFIN MAKO, NARROW TOOTH, SEVEN GILL, SMALL TAIL SIX GILL, WHALE, AND WHITE SHARKS.
ALL OF THESE SHARKS MUST BE IMMEDIATELY RELEASED TO ENSURE MAXIMUM PROBABILITY OF SURVIVAL!!
Immediate release means that you should RELEASE THE FISH WITHOUT REMOVING IT FROM THE WATER!! I can not stress how important this is for the probability of survival. The weight of the shark, once breached, will crush its internal organs. The shark may swim away after being breached, but it will swim away to die. The above sharks have an extremely low reproduction rate. The rules and laws are to protect the sharks. Please follow them!!
You should NOT use stainless steel hooks while targeting sharks. This is so the hook can rust out within a few weeks in case the line is cut, or the shark is lost. “Blocker rigs” are also effective in keeping the shark from being throat or gut-hooked.
Releasing the shark from the surf without removing it from the water means that it should be released within the “Whitewash”. The whitewash is usually about knee to hip high for the average person. It is the point where the waves flatten behind the first wave.
If you should happen to catch a shark, please think twice about posing with it and taking a picture. Shark identity can get extremely tricky, and you could be posing with a prohibited species that can bring you lots of fines and plenty of court dates. That’s not even including how dangerous it is for yourself and the shark.
You should NOT use stainless steel hooks while targeting sharks. This is so the hook can rust out within a few weeks in case the line is cut or the shark is lost. “Blocker rigs” are also effective in keeping the shark from being throat or gut-hooked.

06/13/2025

Black cats, broken mirrors, and Friday the 13th! While everyone believes in some form of superstition, anglers can be the most superstitious. We will look at 5 superstitions that sailors and anglers still believe today.

MAKE AN OFFERING
Offerings were made to ensure that the Gods of the seas would protect all ships, catch more fish, or both. Offerings can vary from personal items, drinks, or money. The offering had to be valuable. The most common way to present your offering to the gods was to simply throw the item in the water.

BANANAS
Bananas became bad luck when early sailing ships that would travel long distances for trade had cargo that housed the Brazilian wandering spider. This was known as the most venomous spider in the world and it can be deadly with just a single bite. With bananas carrying the possibility of bringing deadly spiders onboard that would kill sailors with no escape, it becomes very easy to believe this superstition!

PINEAPPLES
Pineapples have a lot of meaning attributed to them throughout history but good luck and hospitality are the two most common when it comes to fishing and sailing the sea. The pineapple is believed to bring good luck, better fishing, and calm seas when brought on a boat. This originally began with island people putting pineapple on the bow of their boats. Pineapples are supposed to be the opposite of bananas which are notorious for being bad luck on boats.

BLACK BAGS
The origin of black bags being bad luck isn’t clear, but it’s fairly popular among fishing guides. The most common explanation for the bad luck is that black bags are associated with body bags, which can be a signal to the seas that you are prepared for someone to drown. It’s a fairly straightforward superstition that applies to most black bags, including briefcases, suitcases, trash bags, backpacks, and more. Whether you believe it or not, it’s probably best to play it safe and leave the black bags at home.

WHISTLING
This belief is that whistling while fishing will bring on bad weather, particularly strong winds. It's commonly referred to as “whistling up a gale” and is actually a fairly popular belief among anglers. Whether you believe in this superstition or just think it’s annoying, this is also a good one to play safe.

While some of these superstitions seem amusing in light of today's technology and science, anyone who spends enough time on the water will respect the history and traditions of those who showed us the way.
Tight lines, everyone!
- Barbi

06/13/2025

** FISHY FRIDAY FACTS **
Of all the species of fish, I personally believe that the Flounder is pretty fascinating.
Flounder are hatched (Fry) by the process of the female flounder releasing her eggs into the water at the same time the male releases its s***m cells. Transformation of larvae into juvenile fish begins a couple of days after hatching.

Flounder are hatched (Fry) by the process of the female flounder releasing her eggs into the water, at the same time, the male releases his s***m cells. Transformation of larvae into juvenile fish begins a couple of days after hatching. Either the left or right eye migrates toward the top of the head. The side of the body where the eyes are located becomes a darker color and represents the top of the fish. The other side starts to fade and becomes the bottom part of the body. The flounder can reach 5 to 25 inches in length. Females are larger than males. In Delaware, the minimum length is 16" from January 1st- May 31st, 17.5" from June 1st- December 31st.

Flounder are ambushing carnivores and their diet consists of shrimp, crabs, and other fish. Flounder respond well to live fish such as minnow, mullet, and croakers. Blood worms and clams are also effective. Hook larger baitfish through the lips, and smaller baitfish through the eye.

You can add some strips of fresh squid or live shrimp to vary the bait mix. Sometimes flounder actually prefer artificial bait, so it's a good idea to have some on hand if you aren't having luck with live bait. "Gulp" swimming mullet and grub are highly recommended for this choice.

Flounder typically stay in one place on the bottom, and you'll need the bait to cross their path to hook one. Squid rigs, jig heads, and bucktails work well.
While it is possible to fish for flounder from a stationary location, you're a lot less likely to catch one this way.

Flounder fishing is easily done from a boat since you can let it slowly drift and entice the fish with your moving bait. Try to find a current that will move you steadily along the surface of the water without carrying you along too quickly for fish to bite.
Make sure you can feel the surface of the bottom. If you can't, you may not be using enough weight.

Flounder is a mild-tasting fish with a slightly sweet undertone. Its texture is delicate and fine with low levels of oiliness and moisture. It can be grilled, baked, or fried.

Happy Fishing!
- Barbi