Article by Capt. BJ Pietryak
As we start to roll into the month of May and the days begin to warm from the cold bleak of winter, many of us start to look to the upcoming fishing, crabbing, and boating season. Boats are being uncovered and tuned up for the spring. Crab pots cleaned. Rods and reels strung with fresh line. Clam rakes pulled out of the sheds. As a coastal community these tasks become a part of our spring life for both residents as well as vacationers. Hopefully this report can give both the newcomers, as well as experienced anglers, some insight on what’s happening on the bays, beaches, and nearshore to make your experience more productive.
Beginning in the month of May, the water warms into the 50s and for most locals this means the start of crabbing. Traditionally, Indian River sees the first crabs being caught. Ocean City bays tend to get productive 2-3 weeks later. This year was no exception. Crabs were first caught in Indian River in late April with pots yielding 15-20 crabs, a mix of male and females. This past week has shown a build up of bigger crabs and more males. The numbers are around 20-25 per pot with only a few throwbacks. Just a note, we are starting to see females with sponge egg sacks. These females must be returned to water unharmed. The key depths seem to be 6-10 ft. of water, and if you can find small snails in the crab traps and pots you will find larger groups of crabs. Crabbing is a great activity and can be enjoyed by all family members. A simple string with a piece of chicken on the end hung from the dock can entertain children for hours. Simple single traps, crab pots, or trotlines are a great choice for those wishing to harvest a larger amount of crabs for dinner.
Turning to the back bays, they have been producing small rockfish. On Indian River the fish are coming mostly from the Indian River power plant area, as well as the various points along the bay itself. Fish are being caught on small plastic swimbaits, top water plugs, as well as other small artificials.
Assawomen Bay is seeing rockfish being caught around the Route 50 bridge and several coming from the area of the Route 90 bridge. I spoke with Big Bird Cropper who uses his famous Roy Rig and has had several good days on the water, to include a nice 29” rockfish caught by his daughter Patricia Cropper. Both areas seem to be most productive in the 2 hrs. after high tide.
Flounders are also starting to be seen. Fish are being caught using Gulp and squid minnows on a flounder rig. The aqua clear rigs are also a good bet and keep the two hooks separated. Fish are being caught in the main channels of both Indian River and Ocean City, the Commercial Harbor, and back bays of Assateague.
I’m getting a few reports from Lewes that the black drum are in the Delaware Bay. Surf clams seem to be working best. Remember to use a stout rod, as many of these fish are here to spawn and are over 50 lbs. Tim Tribbitt reports from Oyster, VA that he is seeing big red and black drum. If we follow the normal schedule, we should start seeing them on our beaches and bays, in larger numbers, within 2 weeks.
From Rich King, I’m hearing a few fish are being caught on the surf. They are mostly small blues and sharks being caught on cut bait and mullet rigs. Passing rockfish and drum should move into the area over the next weeks.
Sea Bass opens in both states on May 15. I have spoken with most of the head boats and charter captains who say they will start running their trips on that date. Please be aware due to Covid-19 restrictions, only a limited number of passengers are being permitted aboard, and all captains are requiring masks and social distancing. Please make your reservations early due to the limited spots available. The Ocean Princess, Judith M, Judy V, Morning Star, and Thelma Dale will all be running with limited spots so call early!
If going on your private boat, all the regular locations work; bass grounds, B buoy, and Site 10. However, the deeper spots like Site 11, NJ/DE Reef, and Jackspot seem to be producing much better. A simple high-low rig works the best. For those wishing to catch with jigs, this is the time to break out those Butterfly and Lucanus jigs. For bait, squid work moderately well this time of year, but most veterans will switch to fresh or salted clam.
So let’s get out there and start catching some fish!
Feel free to message me on Facebook or email me at [email protected] with any questions or comments.
Tight lines and fins up to all!
