Article by Rick Willman
Hi folks. Well, it’s the end of another season of the Coastal Fisherman and I hope you have both enjoyed and been informed by my column. Over the winter months I plan to do my homework and bring you some more interesting information in next season’s column. For those of you who would like to stay on top of what is happening locally, you can log on to www.ricksbaitandtackle.com to get updated, weekly fishing reports. Over the winter, give some thought to what I said in earlier issues and let’s take our fishing as a way of sport, fun, relaxation and camaraderie rather than just putting food on the table. I am sure there will be changes in the regulations next year and probably some we will like and some we will not. If we look at the sport and not the plate we should be able to find a way to improve fishing over the long haul. Another thing to try over the winter is to get a young person involved in the sport and teach them what fishing is about. It will be a great experience for both of you and will instill ideals in a young mind that may keep them on the right track throughout their life.
It’s the time of year when Mother Nature reminds us she will decide the days we will fish and the days we can’t. Not only do we have to deal with the normal problems encountered with the winds, but we also have to deal with high seas created by storms not even close to our shores. But when she graces us with conditions most can deal with, the fishing continues to be fairly good.
Back bay fishing still centers around good flounder fishing although you need to weed through a lot of throwbacks. Larry Hill of Millsboro fished in the Indian River using live spot to bag a 22-inch flattie that weighed in at 3 lbs. 11oz.
Croakers are still here, just not in the numbers we saw a few weeks ago.
Spot are still being caught and the Indian River Inlet is filling with bluefish on the incoming tide.
Stripers are also being taken in the inlet during the last two hours of the incoming tide.
Inshore action is fair at the inshore wrecks and Reef Sites. Find some structure and you are sure to find some hungry fish. “DB” Buoy to “DA” Buoy areas are providing some sea bass and flounder action. Capt. Chuck Cook of “First Light Charters” took Dan Wellington, John Hernande and Calvin Edson to Reef Site #10 for a real nice catch of flatties weighing up to 6 lbs.
Surf fishing is providing plenty of bluefish, spot, croaker and kingfish.
Offshore action has mostly been around the 30 and 40 fathom lines near the Hot Dog with some yellowfin activity, along with good wahoo action and lots of dolphin. The white bite slacked off and the fish are probably beginning their journey south.
Eric at Rattle and Reel Sporting Center confirmed great bluefish activity in the Indian River Inlet.
From Bill’s Sport Shop in Lewes, we are reminded that their 2010 Striper Tournament will be held from Oct. 15th till Dec. 10th. The entry fee is $75 and an additional $25 for the tautog division. It includes a free T-shirt and free buffet for you and a guest every Friday night. Entry forms are available at www.billssportshop.com. First place for the striper winner this year will be $3,000, 2nd place, $2,000 and third, $1,000.
On the fishing front we received the following email from Brandon Boyer aboard the "My Sanity": “Saturday, me and Dave Keefer went out to Site 10. We got an early start and had lines in the water before sunrise. The croakers were like starving piranhas! As soon as your bait hit the water they were smashing it hard. We had clams and squid on but they weren't hitting the squid, so we switched over to all clams. Croakers were mixed in size with the biggest close to 13-inches.”
Steve Petrone, Raymond Dagle and Phil went to the Hot Dog this past Saturday, trolling ballyhoo skirted with blue and white Ilanders, and picked up a 50 lb. wahoo along with some small skippies and 4 peanut dolphin.
Delaware Bay action included flounder, seabass and croaker. Lots of spot and some flounder are being caught at the Henlopen Pier. Offshore action at the Tea Cup to the 40 line included mahi and wahoo.
At Hook’em & Cook’em Bait and Tackle, Bert reports of plenty of blues in the Indian River Inlet. A few flounder were also captured in and around the inlet over the last few days. A lot of stripers are in the inlet, but most won’t stretch to 28-inches. That will change as the water cools. Inshore fishing is consisting of flounder and sea bass action with Site #10 being the spot for the flatties. Capt Bert said his headboats are seeing more seabass action although most are short. The “Capt. Bob” and “Judy V.” are both seeing plenty of action. Capt. Bert reminded me the “Judy V.” will be running trips year-round.
Joe Morris at Lewes Harbour Marina said good numbers of flounder came from the Old Grounds, but the vast majority were short of the 18 1/2-inch minimum. For example, the guys aboard the “Lil’ Angler II” worked rough bottom between “DB” and “DA” Buoys on Wednesday for 51 flatties, but kept only three. They did have some nice sea bass mixed in, such as Sam Green’s 3.22 pounder. Croakers and snapper blues were also caught on the open bottom. Keeper flatfish came from Reef Site #10, with proper drift conditions. Cut baits such as strips of squid, mullet, spot, bluefish and mackerel worked well, along with shiners and smelt. Bucktails tipped with Gulp! also got bit. Reef Site #10 continued to yield triggerfish too. The triggers, hardheads and bass liked clams and shrimp.
Flounder were still available in the Delaware Bay. Anglers drifting Reef Site #8 reported fluke. Flatfish were also hooked around the Outer Wall and Ice Breakers. Jen Falgowski drifted live mullet near the Inner and Outer Breakwaters to capture some fine flatties weighing 3.0, 3.64 and 5.37 pounds.
Spot action remained good for fishermen in the Lewes Canal and on the Cape Henlopen Pier. Bloodworms and FishBites were favored offerings. Good-sized white perch, some over a pound, were captured at Oyster Rocks on the Broadkill River.
Inshore trollers told of catching false albacore between “DA” Buoy and Delaware Light. It’s likely the scrappy turkeys can be found on much structure between the Shipping Lane and twenty fathoms. The 12 Fathom Lump, the Southeast Grounds, and the Pimple would be good spots to try. Towing cedar plugs, feather jigs or spoons behind in-line sinkers should result in strikes from albies. The little tunny fight hard and are a blast to catch on light tackle. Their dark, oily flesh isn’t much as table fare, but makes great cut bait for bottom fishing or dolphin bailing.
Until next season, have fun and be safe!!!
Rick and his wife Deb are owners of Rick’s Bait & Tackle in Long Neck, DE.