Article by Rick Willman
Hi folks. Fishing slowed a bit after “Hurricane Bill” but it looks like the fish are getting back on track. Back bay flounder fishing is still fair to good, mostly on the outgoing tide. Minnows, squid, frozen shiners, live spot, and of course Berkley GULP! have all been good choices of bait. Fishing the deeper holes and channels will lead to a more successful outing.
Fishing in the Indian River Inlet is also producing its share of flounder. Stripers are being caught in the inlet, although most of the success has been at night or early morning hours.
Bluefish seem to be quite plentiful, especially during the incoming tide. Croakers are also scattered throughout the iInlet and back bays. If you are getting a lot of hits but can’t get a hook in a fish, try switching to a #6 or #8 hook and smaller bait because you are probably into the croakers.
Anglers fishing the suds from the beaches are picking up kingfish, spot, croaker, and blues. Sharks are still in the surf at night. Bottom bouncers are picking up croakers, flounder, blues, and sea bass anywhere from just off the beach to Site #10, Site #11 and around “DB” and “DA” Buoys. I know that’s a big area, but fish have been scattered throughout and fisherman have been successful in all those areas.
Offshore action has been slow unless you are fishing the canyons for white marlin or dolphin. Inshore action has been more productive as dolphin, Spanish mackerel, false albacore, and bonito have been trolled up anywhere from Site #10 to the Delaware Lightship. John Klerlein trolled around Site #10 and caught Spanish mackerel and false albacore.
After talking to Dan at Henlopen Bait and Tackle on Savannah Road in Lewes, DE, I was informed things are pretty much the same with croakers scattered everywhere and flounder being in all the usual spots. The Anchorage and areas of structure are the most productive. There has been a bit more bluefish action for those fishing from the sand.
Ron at Rattle & Reel Sporting Center reported plenty of croaker throughout the back bays and flounder in the Indian River Inlet. Massey’s Ditch is still giving up flounder along with croaker and spot. Nighttime fishermen will find stripers on the prowl during the late night hours. Ron also reported that stripers are cruising the inlet at night and in the early morning hours.
While talking to Bert at Hook’em & Cook’em Bait and Tackle at the Indian River Marina, I was informed that the white marlin action has been pretty hot in the Baltimore and Wilmington Canyons. Anglers on the “Boys Toy” released 5 whites, and the “Fish Whistle” released 6 during a trip this past week. Dolphin are also being caught in the canyons.
Inshore action had croaker being found just about anywhere that was wet. Reef Site #10 and Site #11 are producing keeper flounder and the sea bass sizes are improving. The buoy line from “DB” Buoy to “DA” Buoy is also providing good flounder action and improving sea bass. Headboat fishing on the “Judy V.” and the “Capt. Bob” has given patrons some much-improved activity. Bert said that there are lots of fish so now is the time to get on board. The Indian River Inlet is giving up flounder, stripers, and bluefish. John Bowman on the “Reef Runner” captured an 11.2-pound flattie using bunker for bait. According to Bert, the surf fishing action has picked up a bit with fair to good action on the blues, kingfish, and spot.
Sharks are being taken at night.
From Bill’s Sport Shop on RT #1 in Lewes we are reminded fishing should be on the upswing and the recent storms could change things and make fishing even better than it has been.
Gary Cook and his dad, James, caught 40 flounder with 5 keepers, all at 19" in the Indian River Inlet using Gulp! Alive new Penny Shrimp and chartreuse Swimming Mullet. Flounder and croaker are being caught by anglers fishing Sites 6, 7 and 8, in the Anchorage near “G” Buoy and around the Outer wall.
The Canyons are producing dolphin and marlin on ballyhoo and plastics but the tuna were scarce.
Charter and headboat action has been fairly productive. Capt. Carey Evans on the “Grizzly” headed to the tilefish grounds and had a nice mixed bag of golden and blue line tiles up to 30 lbs. Captain John Nedelka of the "Karen Sue" out of the Indian River Inlet has boated a mixed bag including false albacore, bonito, Spanish mackerel and dolphin. Captain John was fishing the ridge east of “A” Buoy. Captain Paul Henninger on the "Amethyst" went to Site #10 and the Old Grounds and boated croaker, sea bass and flounder. Captain Paul trolled outside “A” Buoy for false albacore, bonito and Spanish mackerel. On another charter, the "Amethyst" went to the 19 Fathom Line and hooked into tons of skipjack.
The surf is producing kingfish, spot, croakers, and blues on small hooks with finger mullet, Fishbites and bloodworms.
Joe Morris at Lewes Harbour Marina said Tropical Storm Dan didn’t have much of a punch, but its passing still slowed fishing activity over the weekend due to a lingering large southerly swell. A few boats made it out onto the Delaware Bay on Saturday afternoon, and reported croakers and some flounder at the Star Reef Site. Spot were plentiful and cooperated in the Lewes Canal, Broadkill River, and around the Cape Henlopen Pier. Pieces of bloodworms, nightcrawlers or Fishbites on sabiki rigs did the trick. Earlier in the week, flounder catches were good. Larry and Tom Coyle worked Reef Site #10 in the ocean Tuesday, and were rewarded with their limit of nice flatties, including Larry’s 6.2 pounder and Tom’s 6.9 lb. fluke. Joe Walker and crew drifted Site #10 on Wednesday, and returned with a 16 flatfish limit. Bobby Bryant boated the biggest, a 6.2 pounder.
Inshore wrecks have been holding triggerfish. Captain Tony Vansant and friends hit a snag on Fenwick Shoal for 30 triggers, and then stopped by Site #10 for nine quality fluke to top off the box.
Trollers pulling spoons in clean water between “DA” Buoy and Delaware Light found a mix of false albacore, bonito and Spanish mackerel. Many inshore lumps and structure changes between 10 and 20 fathoms held the same assortment of gamefish that could be tempted by trolling small, flashy lures.
Offshore trolling boats encountered good numbers of billfish. White marlin were numerous between 60 and 70 fathoms inshore of the Baltimore Canyon. Crews told of several shots and multiple releases on many trips. Whites showed up at other locations along the edges of the Wilmington, Poor Man’s and Washington Canyons as well. This is about the same time that last year’s fantastic white marlin action took place, and maybe we’re in for a repeat performance.
‘Til next week, have fun, be safe and have a great Labor Day weekend!!!
Rick and his wife Deb are owners of Rick’s Bait & Tackle in Long Neck, DE.
