Article by Larry Jock
Hard to believe we are into August already. It’s been a great season so far, although it looks like, outside of the billfish scene, we may be heading into the summer doldrums.
Flounder
Bert at Hook’em & Cook’em said that anglers are still pecking away at a few flounder in the Indian River Inlet, but those heading to the ocean reefs and wrecks are doing much better. The ocean bite has been consistent, but some days you really have to look for them. Site 10 may be producing one day, but you have to head to “A” or “B” Buoy the next day to get your bites.
The big news on the flattie scene was the 11 lb. 6 oz. doormat landed by Joe Walker, Jr. at Site 10. Joe used a bucktail tipped with squid to fool the 32-incher which was his personal best.
Joe Morris at Lewes Harbour Marina reports that even with the strong currents surrounding the full moon, Delaware Bay flounder fishing was decent. Reef 7, near Brown Shoal and Site 8, only 4 miles from the Roosevelt Inlet, were all productive last week. Fish up to 5.8 lbs. were caught on half-day trips.
Congratulations go out to the crew on the charter boat, “Katydid” who pulled in their 500th keeper flounder of the season!
Croaker
Croaker fishing in the Delaware Bay and in the Indian River Inlet has been good. In the bay, hardheads were found at the Star Site reef and considerable numbers have also shown inside and outside the Outer Wall and off Cape Henlopen, according to Joe at Lewes Harbour Marina.
In the Indian River Inlet, croakers have been hooked along the wall at the Coast Guard Station and on the south side along the rocks. Anglers are targeting the fish while using Fishbites, clams, Gulp! or squid for bait. Most of the fish are in the 10 to 12-inch range, with some stretching to 14-inches.
Paul at Rick’s Bait & Tackle reported that the Rehoboth Bay is full of croaker, spot and snapper bluefish, so now is a great time to get some small hooks and Gulp! artificial baits and take a kid fishing. The action can be fast and furious!
Striped Bass
Joe at Lewes Harbour Marina said that slot-sized stripers were caught last week by anglers drifting pencil eels around the Drawbridge. They were also landed at night in the Indian River Inlet on live eels and Storm shads.
Bluefish
The bluefish bite has been good at the end of the incoming tide in the Indian River Inlet. They have also been plentiful in the rips around the Outer Wall in the Delaware Bay. As always, anglers tossing bucktails, metal lures or anything shiny have been getting hook-ups.
In the Surf
At Rick’s Bait & Tackle, Paul said that the beaches are giving up skates, sharks, Norfolk spot and kingfish. Bluefish are also being caught on mullet rigs and those looking to hook into larger sharks are having better luck at night.
Offshore
Marlin dominated the offshore scene last week with incredible bites deep outside the Poor Man’s and Washington Canyons in 1,000 to 1,500 fathoms. White marlin, blue marlin and even some sailfish were released with double-digit days common among the fleet.
The catch that had everyone talking at the Indian River Marina was the 156.3 lb. yellowfin tuna caught by Phil Young aboard the “Not Right”. The crew was trolling ballyhoo in 1,200 fathoms outside the Poor Man’s Canyon when they not only hooked the big Allison tuna, but also caught 3 other yellowfins, between 40 and 50 lbs., in addition to releasing 4 white marlin.
After an incredible run, the chunking bite at the Hot Dog has definitely slowed during the last couple of weeks, but a few yellowfins and wahoo were caught in 30 fathoms near the Tea Cup.
Tilefish
On Saturday, the “Swordsfish” ventured out to the Washington Canyon for a deep dropping trip and came back with 11 golden tilefish, including Jake Kaplan’s 43.5 pounder. They also had 6 gray tilefish and 35 big sea bass.
With the White Marlin Open being held this week, it’s going to be a busy one.
Until next week, tight lines!
