Article by Capt. BJ Pietryak
Here in Delaware, the heat is still with us. This past week along with next week will again be hot leading to afternoon pop up thunderstorms. The tropical depression continues to close in on us Friday, so be careful when out on the water as these storms can come up quickly causing dangerous conditions for boaters.
Seabass, Tog & Croaker
Sea bass continues to be slow. Most keeper fish are coming from waters over 100 ft. Clams still remain as the best bait. Tog reopened this past week and several anglers were at the Indian River Inlet fishing the rocks for them. I heard of only two keepers. Many shorts were caught. On the wrecks just offshore, the tog are as hard to find as keeper sea bass. Target the deeper wrecks with crab or sand fleas. The near shore wrecks are holding lots of triggerfish making for happy anglers. Triggerfish, much like mahi, are schoolies, and if you keep one on the line alongside the boat the school will follow it up and become easy to catch. Triggerfish are excellent eating fish but one of the hardest fish to filet. The skin of these fish have the consistency of thick leather. Keep your knife very sharp for best results. Squid and sand fleas are your best bait for these fish.
Flounder
Flounder is into our summer mode. You can find them on all inshore coral and wrecks. The bigger fish are still being found on the wrecks in deeper water. Large Gulp and spot are becoming the go-to bait. Targeting the flounder with a live spot also gives you a great opportunity to catch a cobia on the way down. Lewes Harbour Marina reports that several limits are coming in both on their headboats as well as charters. As a note, the famous Flounder Pounder tournament of Paradise Grill has been cancelled. This tournament always brought the best flounder fishermen from as far away as NJ and Virginia.
Cobia
Cobia fishing is really getting hot. Fish are all over from the shoreline out to the deeper wrecks. I spoke to the Burbage boys who are out most days trying to break their dads state record. The best baits for cobia are live eels, however, any cut bait will work. Alec Burbage likes to sight fish for this species, driving around until they are spotted on the surface and casting to them. He caught his first one ever this past week down in Cape Charles, VA. Alec is now focusing up here off Delaware. Good luck Alec I know Dad’s getting nervous!
Bluefish & Rockfish
Bluefish and rockfish remain strong in the inlets at Indian River as well as Lewes areas at night. Many reports from Old Inlet are saying that many of the rockfish being caught at night from Indian River are over slot size and have to be thrown back. Live eels are the best bait for these fish at night.
Sharks
Inshore sharking is doing well. Several hammerhead sharks have been showing up inshore catching anglers by surprise. These sharks are very powerful and put up a great fish even on a heavy outfit. Bluefish and bonito are still being caught at the Fenwick Shoals while trolling spoons and stretch 25. Remember to check the shark regulation and please release any undersize or regulated fish in a healthy condition.
Crabs & Clams
Crabbing remains very good in Delaware waters. Most pots average 12-14 keepers per pot. I’ve begun to get a lot of reports of pots being emptied or stolen. Back areas of Indian River are still producing the best. Clamming is slowing down and many areas are still very muddy. Maybe this tropical depression will wash some of the mud out and bring the sand back again.
Many areas are picked over but nice clams can still be found but you have to work a little harder for them.
Surf Fishing
Rich King reports kingfish are all over the surf. Blood worms are the best baits. Spot are also being caught on these rigs. Many fish this time of year are right off the beach so make sure not to over cast. The surf beaches are busy on weekends so target them on weekdays. You can also go to del-surf-fishing.com and register for the free online surf fishing weekly tourney which is sponsored by DS Custom Tackle and Fishbites. This is free and has some great prizes for weekly winners.
So get out, enjoy the warmth, and catch a fish today.
Tight lines and fins up!
Captain B.J.Pietryak
