Article by Capt. BJ Pietryak
Sea Bass
Sea Bass in Delaware continues to be abnormally good in the deeper wrecks. NJ/DE Reef area is the hot zone. Fishing the deeper wreck areas such as the Twin Capes Wreck and Radford are producing some nice fish. Due to the warmth of the water a lighter bite has been seen, so pay attention to your rod. Using braid instead of mono will also help in detecting lighter bites. Clam and sand fleas continue to be the best baits.
Tautog
Tog fishing in this area is also doing well with several keepers being reported by head boats as well as individual anglers. Crab and clam being the best baits. Mark Steelman of the Thelma Dale head boat reported great catches of sea bass and limits of flounder on many of his trips this past week.
Flounder
Old Inlet Tackle reports that the flounder bite has slowed a little bit but anglers are still catching some nice fish along the jetty at Indian River as well as main thoroughfares. The inlet is the best producer according to local charter boats. Using lead heads tight to the rocks tipped with Gulp seems to be the best bait. The Judy V and Capt. Bob are also reporting great catches all along the open bottom near B buoy as well as the inshore coral grounds. Again, jigs with Gulp are working the best, white and fire tiger being preferred colors. Also inshore bluefish and Spanish mackerel are still at the Fenwick Shoals being caught on clark spoons. Some tog are being caught at the outer wall as reported by Lewes Harbor Marina.
They also report that John Skinner fished the Lewes /Rehoboth canal and was limited out on flounder up to 18.75”.
Croaker & Spadefish
Croakers are still being caught in the surf as well as in front of Bethany Beach near the pipe. A few reports are coming in of croakers in the mid bay areas but these seem to be schools passing through. Try fishing just outside the inlet near the red marker as this area often holds larger schools of croaker as the summer gets later. Small pieces of bloodworm or Fishbites are usually the best bait, but small pieces of squid can be used as well. Spadefish are being caught at the mouth of Indian River along the rocks as well as in the deeper ledges just outside of the inlet. Use a small light line and hooks tipped with shrimp or clam to catch these elusive fish.
Sharks
Near shore shark fishing remains strong with reports of big hammerheads and duskys on many wrecks and inshore structures. Fenwick Shoals is producing some nice sharks with many anglers setting up and chumming for cobia in this area.
Cobia
Often overlooked, the Fenwick Shoals offer a great variety of fishing. Flounder, triggerfish, spanish mackerel, cobia and many others are readily available. This area is also a popular diving spot so watch out for dive flags. Cobia have been caught all over the area but a few of the biggest I've heard of are coming from the Fenwick Shoals. Target the area around the boiler or the inner shoal wrecks. The inshore wreck (Reliance) is a great place to set up for cobia and is also a local hotspot for triggerfish.
Triggerfish
Triggerfish tend to live in packs which will follow a hooked fish to the surface, so once you have one hooked leave it in the water to see if any of his friends follow him up to the surface. The triggerfish has some of the toughest skin you will find on any fish. Having a professional fish cleaner like those at Indian River Marina and Lewes Harbor Marina will make your life much easier. If you plan on filleting these fish yourself make sure you have a very sharp knife and resharpen in between fish.
Surf Fishing
The surf fishing has slowed with the summer heat, but reports of small bluefish as well as kingfish are still coming in. Early morning or late evening hours see less people on the beach and gives angers a better chance of catching fish. Bethany Auto reports that they had a great day earlier this week with kingfish. Small kingfish rigs with bloodworms and Fishbites are the bait of choice.
Clams & Crabs
Clams are still being caught but many areas are very picked over. Try going a little deeper or to areas not accessible without a boat. Crabbing remains hot with this week showing much larger male crabs being caught. Pot theft this time of year is high as usual, but I would like to thank whoever accidentally took my pot for returning it. A good way to safeguard against theft is to mark your pots with a specific color or type float. Laundry bottles work well as well as spray painting colors on the floats. This makes your pots stand out from the rest of the white ones out there.
So get out and catch some fish today...
Tight lines and fins up!
