Article by Rick Willman
Hi folks. Even though most fish are still on the small side, there are some nice fish cruising around the back bays. There are plenty of spot to be caught in 10 to 15 feet of water. All you need is a piece of bloodworm or FishBites artificial bloodworm on a #8 or #10 hook. They can be a load of fun on light tackle and a great way to keep kids busy. They also make great bait for a trip to the Inlet.
Plenty of flounder are scattered about, but most are on the short end of the measuring device.
Croakers are still around according to reports coming in to the store.
Some stripers are being landed in the Indian River Inlet, and the end of incoming tide remains the most productive, with nighttime or early morning being prime time.
In the ocean you can find some keeper flatties at Site #10 along with the “DB” Buoy area and the Old Grounds. When fishing for the flatties, be sure you are on the bottom and don’t forget the “big bait, big fish” rule.
Some sea bass are also being caught, but the pickins are slim.
We had a pretty good turnout for the Rick’s Bait & Tackle / Sea Side Gas & Grill Offshore Tournament with 16 boats entered. First place in the marlin release category went to the boat “JOKEN” with 3 releases. The “STACEY” finished second with 3 releases also, but released their last white marlin after the “JOKEN”. Third place went to the “MOONDAWG”. In the Dolphin Division, the “REELENTLESS” won 1st and 2nd place with mahi weighing 19.4 lbs. and 18.4 lbs.
Third place went to “MOONDAWG” with a 17.8 pounder. The “STACEY” won 1st and 2nd place in the Tuna Division with fish weighing 53.6 lbs. and 50.8 lbs. The “MOONDAWG” won 3rd place with a 50.2 pounder. Congratulations to all involved and we look forward to a bigger and better tournament next year. Keep checking on our Striper Tournament, which will run from October 1st through November 30th. I would also like to thank Scott and Cathy Fluharty and Ron and Andrea Krause from Sea Side Gas & Grill. It is always a pleasure to work with a group of fine folks. When you are fishing the back bays be sure to stop in and fuel up the boat and the belly. They have the best gas & grub on the water!
Pat at Rattle & Reel Sporting Center reported that fishing remains the same with small flounder, some croaker and a few blowfish being caught in the bay.
Capt. Bill Baker at Bill’s Sport Shop reports keeper flounder, lingcod and sea bass southwest and southeast of "B" Buoy. Croakers and spot are being caught at the Cape Henlopen Pier, and croakers and kings are being landed from the surf. The Indian River Inlet is giving up croakers, flounder and spot. Linda and Jack Brzoska caught 6 keeper flounder measuring up to 23-inches and weighing up to 5.34 lbs. in the Rehoboth Bay.
Minnows and John Gunderman's bucktails did the trick.
Fishing off the beach seems to be picking up. At 3 R's, Don Perrot picked up a nice 22-inch flounder and some keeper bluefish.
Bill Baker, Jr. went to the entrance of Baker's Channel on the Indian River end with Ellen, Mikey and Sarah. They hooked a total of 16 flounder with 1 keeper on spec rigs and Gulp! Alive.
David Koster called in to say, "You were right on your reports. Bluefish were hitting on the incoming tide. My boat broke, so I mounted a rod holder on the wave runner and fished off the point of Cape Henlopen. The birds were diving all over and the bluefish were right there. The Point is still closed for the beach access, but you can get there by boat. Have a great weekend and happy fishing!"
Capt. Joe Morris at Lewes Harbour Marina said croakers cooperated for Delaware Bay bottom fishermen. Anglers had been picking at hardheads over the past few weeks, but finally, appreciable numbers were caught. Boats fishing the northwest portion of Reef Site 8 had the most success with decent sized fish. Clams, bloodworms, shrimp and FishBites were favored offerings. Spot, blowfish, kingfish and snapper blues, along with an occasional keeper flounder were mixed in with hardheads. Captain Charlie’s group on the “Tranquila” enjoyed good action Thursday, putting 70 tasty panfish in the box. Patrons on the “Angler”, “Indian” and “Pirate King” had plenty of croakers over the weekend.
Anglers seeking spot have done well from the Cape Henlopen Pier and in the Lewes Canal and Broadkill River. Bits of bloodworms and FishBites on small hooks or sabiki rigs did the trick.
Bay boaters targeting flounder found fair numbers of flatties on Reef Sites 6, 7 and 8. However, there were
limited windows when wind and current combinations allowed favorable drifting.
In the ocean, where the effects of current weren’t so strong, Reef Sites 9 and 10, and rough bottom at the Old Grounds continued to yield flatfish. Bob Bryant, Sr., Bob Bryant, Jr, Brad Hawkes and Steve Reynolds drifted Site 10 on Monday for 12 keepers, including a 5.5 pounder for Bob Sr. Joe Walker and crew worked Site 10 on Tuesday and wound up with 9 quality fish in the box. Among the catch was a 7.14-pound citation fluke for Tom Coyle, and a 6.05 lb. doormat for Bob Bryant. Captains Brent and Dave took the “Katy Did” to Site 10 on Wednesday where their flukers captured 12 keepers while bouncing bucktails.
In offshore action, billfish were reported by boats trolling in the Baltimore and Washington Canyons. The “Katy Did” had 4 white marlin and a yellowfin in the Baltimore on Sunday, then rounded the day off with deep dropping for some nice golden tilefish. Captain Alan Steele and the guys on “Big Herring” trolled the Hot Dog last Tuesday for 9 yellowfins and a pair of dolphin. A few wahoo have been showing up inshore. Adam Grove got a 27.6 pound ‘hoo while trolling near the Tea Cup.
Bruce at Capt. Mac’s on RT. #54 reported bigger flounder being caught. The keeper/throwback ratio is starting to turn in the angler’s favor. That’s a good thing! More mullet are starting to show up which should improve overall fishing. Surf fishing is also picking up with more kingfish, spot and bluefish showing up. Offshore action is spread out all over the place for trollers. Chunkers can find the bite at the Hot Dog or Hambone using butterfish or sardines.
‘Til next week, have fun and be safe!
Rick and his wife Deb are owners of Rick’s Bait & Tackle in Long Neck, DE.
