The first surf tags were registered in 1969. These were numbered steel license plates and could be purchased for $2.00.
Each year, a new license plate needed to be purchased and it soon became popular for collectors to match up their plate number with their car license plate,
and even sometimes their house number, hunting license number, and other important numbers for the individual. Eventually, the steel plates were replaced by lighter, aluminum plates.
These were less expensive to reproduce and look very similar to the ones that are seen today.

These surf fishing plates from 1969, 1973, 1978, 1982, 1988 and 1993 show a few of the many designs over the years.
With the growth of surf fishing in the 1970s, the number of vehicles coming onto Delaware beaches continued to increase.
To restrict this surge in volume, a new odd/even plan was implemented where vehicles could only access the area on specific days of the week. However, the idea was not popular and only lasted for a few years.

While surf fishing along Delaware’s coastline has been enjoyed by many generations of visitors,
it would be impossible for this sport to prosper today if not for the past and current efforts of Delaware State Parks,
the Delaware Mobile Surf Fishermen, elected officials, and other concerned citizens.
To learn more about surf fishing at Delaware State Parks – including permits, rules, and education – check out the links in the blue box on the right side of this page.