Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Palometa are grayish-blue-green on top with silvery sides that have 4 narrow dark vertical bars (stripes).

They have elongated dorsal and anal fins with a deeply forked tail, all tipped in black.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year-Round
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	No Limit
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Uncommon - this species is more common south of Delaware.
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Schools of Palometa are most common in clear water along sandy beaches and bays. They feed on very small fishes, shrimps, and marine worms.
Did You Know?	If the waves are calm and the water is clear at the beach, sometimes you can see schools of Palometa swimming in very shallow water.
Common Lures and Baits	For Palometa, think light and small. Light spinning outfits with bits of cut shrimp or fish on tiny hooks work well. They also readily strike small artificial lures.
Typical Sizes Caught	In general, Palometa caught by anglers weigh less than 1 pound.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Palometa are not currently eligible for a Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament or Live Release award.
Delaware State Record	Palometa are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

Delaware's Government