Article by Larry Jock
The big news out of Delaware last week was the new State Record false albacore caught by Tim Parrill of Wellsville, PA. The tuna weighed 20.5 lbs. and was caught in Massey’s Canyon during a trip aboard the “Get Bent” with Capt. Craig Lednum. Tim’s catch eclipsed the previous Delaware state record by a 1/2 pound.
At Hook’em & Cook’em Tackle Shop in the Indian River Marina, Capt. Bert Adams reported that fishing is on the slow side in the back bays and in the Indian River Inlet. Anglers fishing off the rocks in the Inlet are finding short stripers, a few bluefins in the 2 to 4 lb. range and some flounder. Boaters in the Inlet haven’t been doing much with a few flounder and weakfish ending up in coolers.
In the suds off Indian River, surfcasters are finding 12-inch croakers in the early morning and just kingfish the rest of the day. At night it turns into the normal menu of skates and sharks.
Those trolling #2 spoons behind 1 1/2 oz. in-line sinkers around Fenwick Shoal are getting into small, 1 lb. bluefish and Spanish mackerel.
Inshore, the flounder bite was slower last week, but those willing to fish over hard structure, and deal with a lot of snags and lost tackle, are finding their chances pretty good for a limit of flatties. The Old Grounds and between “A” and “B” Buoys continues to be the hottest spot along with the outside edge of the Shipping Channel.
Offshore boats out of Indian River centered their action on Massey’s Canyon where trollers found mainly bluefin tuna, with a few yellowfin and mahi mixed in. It was hit or miss though, with good action on one day and the next day nothing but zeroes. The “Capt. Ike II” did return on Sunday with a limit of bluefins from below the Sausages, near the Fingers.
Headboats continue to target flounder, since sea bass fishing has been slow. Saturday was rough, but the “Capt. Bob II” still managed to pull 49 keeper flatties from the Old Grounds.
Up at Lewes Harbour Marina, Matt said that anglers fishing in the Lewes Canal are focusing their efforts on slot stripers, since that season opened up last Thursday. Most are finding good luck with clams, cut bait and eels during the early morning hours and at dusk. The current striped bass regulations allow anglers to keep 2 fish per person, measuring between 20 and 25-inches, while fishing in the Delaware Bay, Delaware River and their tributaries.
Flounder fishing in the Lewes Canal has been steady but they still haven’t seen any croaker show up yet. Those looking for hardheads have had to head over to the Cape Henlopen Pier.
The Pier has also been producing slot size stripers at night for those soaking clams or tossing cut bait tipped bucktails. Flounder fishing around the Pier has been sporadic.
There has been a pretty good weakfish bite around structure in the Delaware Bay. Site 5 and the Broadkill Slough have been good places to pick up weakies in the 14 to 15-inch range as well as around the Inner Wall. Boats are returning with their limits (1 per person) but have been busy with double digit throwbacks.
Those looking for larger flounder are finding them on inshore reefs and wrecks. The number of 6 and 7 lb. flatties is on the rise with most being boated at the Old Grounds and at Sites 10 and 11 by anglers fishing with squid, shiners, smelt and Gulp! artificial baits.
Although sea bass fishing has slowed, we still are seeing some nice fish hit the scale. Alex Raptapolus landed a beautiful 5 lb. 6 oz. knothead while fishing with squid at Site 10.
Just like those fishing out of the Indian River Marina, most offshore boats in Lewes headed for the Massey’s Canyon area during the later part of the week in search of bluefin tuna. The “Grizzly” handled the rough seas on Sunday and hooked 10 bluefins, keeping 4, along with some yellowfins and mahi.
Shark fishing in the Delaware Bay has been excellent. The “Top Fin” released 23 sand tiger sharks near the Valley one day last week. Most of the fish were in the 6 to 10-foot range. Matt said that a lot of boats had double-digit catches on Sunday.
Until next week, tight lines!
