Feel Like Fishing From the Beach? Get Started Today with a Delaware Surf Tag

With more than two dozen miles of Atlantic coastline, three inland bays and numerous rivers, lakes and streams, water-related activities are certainly a part of everyday life at the Delaware and Maryland beaches.

And that, of course, includes fishing, be it from a boat in the Delaware Bay, from the jetty at the Indian River Inlet, from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, or anything in between.

But for today's purposes, we're going to talk about Delaware's fantastic state park system and how you can actually utilize a Delaware surf tag to fish from your vehicle, while within the confines of Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware Seashore State Parkand Fenwick Island State Park.

Now, before we give you tips on how to best use your coveted Delaware surf tag, let's discuss what these tags actually are, as well as the how and the where to actually purchase them.

Since we're located here in Sussex County, that's what we're going to focus on. And let's face it - this is where most of the great fishing in the First State is located anyway, right?

So, what exactly is a Delaware surf tag? Well, simply put, these are annual permits that allow you to take your four-wheel drive vehicle onto designated spots within Delaware's state parks.

Pay special attention to the "designated spots" portion of that sentence. Purchasing and owning a Delaware surf tag does not, contrary to what many people think, give you the right to drive onto any beach in southern Delaware, nor does it allow you to access any areas of the state parks that you wish.

Due to shore erosion and the possible damage to vegetation and wildlife, surf fishing is only allowed in designated areas of the state parks. These areas are well marked, however, so there should be no confusion when you want to grab your fishing pole and have a day of fun with your family and/or friends.

It's also important to note that accessing the beach using your surf tag is only good for fishing. Unlike the Outer Banks of North Carolina or other spots along the Atlantic coast, you can't just drive onto the beach and enjoy a picnic lunch with your significant other. You MUST be actively engaged in fishing or you will be asked to leave the area.

You also want to remember to properly display your surf fishing vehicle plate, as well as your annual decal, in plain sight at all times. It's also a good idea to keep your permit receipt in the glove box or in your wallet, in case a park official asks to see it.

Read the rest of our feature on Delaware Surf Tags by clicking here