Article by Larry Jock
Every year we have a week where I could write the fishing report on the back of a napkin and unfortunately last week was that week. I don’t think it is because we are lacking fish in our waters, it’s just that Mother Nature wouldn’t cut us a break. The wind blew, and I mean really blew, all week and is still puffing a good amount on Monday as I am writing this report.
At Hook’em & Cook’em Tackle Shop in the Indian River Marina, Capt. Bert Adams said that the back bays were loaded with bluefish over the weekend, especially in 2 to 4-feet of water. Anglers, including his son Christopher, had their boats surrounded with choppers that were eager to go after the poppers being thrown their way.
Bluefish action in the Indian River Inlet and off the beaches in Lower Delaware was not as good as it was prior to the stretch of bad weather last week, but those that braved the conditions were still able to muster up good catches of big blues with some weighing more than 10 lbs. On Sunday, Bert said they saw the opposite of what they typically see with choppers being hooked north of the Indian River Inlet in the morning during the outgoing tide and the bite moving south in the afternoon down to 3R’s Road throughout the incoming tide.
Surfcasters are also dealing with their fair share of skates and landing the occassional striped bass. Striper action along the coast is not as good as we normally see at this time of the year and with pictures showing up of nice fish being caught in New Jersey, I wonder if they are scooting by us a little further offshore. Typically during their spring run to the north, they hug the beach much more than they do when they are heading south in the fall.
Bert said that there were rumors of a 45-inch striper being caught off the South Jetty on Friday but we haven’t seen any pictures, so it might just be a tale.
Unfortunately, with all the windy weather the ocean was nasty all week, preventing headboats from getting out to the tautog grounds. Prior to the blow, Indian River boats were having good results out at Site 10.
Down at Fenwick Tackle, Matt reported seeing mainly bluefish coming off the beaches along with a few pufferfish. He didn’t see any striped bass at all. Some short stripers that haven’t been terrorized by maurading bluefish are still being caught and released in The Ditch.
Matt also said that a few flounder were caught in the Thorofare, but most were too small to keep.
Tommy up at Lewes Harbour Marina said that flounder haven’t shown up in the Lewes Canal yet, but hopefully they will arrive in good numbers for the Joe Morris Memorial Canal Flounder Tournament on Friday, May 19th. Their goal is to raise $10,000 from the event.
Bluefish are being caught in good numbers around the Cape Henlopen Pier, in the Roosevelt Inlet and Broadkill River. Tommy said that he hasn’t seen any black drum in the past 2 weeks. Prior to that, some were hooked in the Broadkill.
Short stripers have mainly been found on the Rehoboth side of Herring Point.
Until next week, keep those lines tight and have fun! That’s what it’s all about.