Article by Larry Jock
It’s hard to believe we are through Labor Day already. This summer really flew by, but fishing is still going strong with hopes of a good late summer/early fall ahead of us.
Capt. Bert Adams at the Hook’em & Cook’em Tackle Shop in the Indian River Marina said that there are still a few flounder in the Indian River Inlet, but the bite is scattered. As this report was being written on Monday morning, Bert had a report that a 28-inch, 8 lb. 8 oz. flattie was caught in the Inlet. Most of the anglers fishing in the Inlet are finding bluefish in the 8 to 10-inch range around the Bridge and interested in Kastmasters, silver spoons, bucktails and spec rigs. Short stripers are also being hooked around the Coast Guard Wall and near the Jetty, mainly at night, on poppers, bucktails and sand fleas.
Bert hasn’t heard much coming in from the back bays except for some small spot and undersized flounder.
In the suds close to Indian River, surfcasters are still catching kingfish, small bluefish, some spinner sharks and even a few pompano. At night, the normal selection of sharks and rays continue to show up for anglers fishing with cut bait and mullet.
Headboats fishing out of Indian River dealt with rough seas on Friday and decided to stay at the dock on Saturday. The morning trip on Sunday saw slow activity for flounder fishermen, but it did improve in the afternoon. Bert said that anglers are finding bluefish mixed in with flounder while fishing 8 to 10 miles from the beach
Bert’s customers that returned after trolling around Fenwick Shoal reported that bluefish aren’t as thick as they once were but Spanish mackerel are still around to be hooked on trolled spoons.
There was a report of a 36-inch cobia caught at Fenwick Shoal last week.
Further north at Lewes Harbour Marina, Capt. Tommy said that flounder fishing in the Lewes Canal is “so so” right now. It looks like the bigger fish have started their move out of the Canal. However, spot fishing is good for anglers fishing with sabiki rigs and Fishbite bloodworms. Small, snapper bluefish are also being found scattered around the Canal, looking to eat nearly anything thrown their way.
Those fishing Delaware reef sites are hooking into kingfish, croakers and bluefish. Anglers at the Cape Henlopen Pier are finding keeper flounder and a lot of croakers, spot, bluefish and stripers in the 20 to 24-inch range.
Inshore, Tommy said that anglers are still banging big flounder around Sites 10, 11 and at the Old Grounds. Some bigger flatties and sea bass have been caught at the DelJerseyLand reef site, around “B” Buoy and the Lightship.
Offshore, Tommy’s customers found a good dolphin bite in the Poor Man’s Canyon, but right now they are scattered up and down the line and in as close as a couple of miles off the beach.
At Fenwick Tackle, Capt. Matt said that fishing off the beach near Fenwick is pretty good right now. Croakers, kingfish, spot, bluefish and some pompano have been caught recently by anglers fishing with Gulp, mullet, strips and cut bait.
Not too much is coming from the Fenwick Ditch right now, but Matt chalks that up to dirty water conditions.
Dirty water has also hampered flounder fishing around the Rt. 90 Bridge, but flatties are snapping good for Matt’s customers out on ocean structure.
Matt said that sea bass fishing looks like it is picking up. He ventured out to the Bass Grounds last week and caught some nice size knotheads with fish measuring up to 18-inches.
At Rick’s Bait & Tackle, reports came in from excited anglers about catching dolphin at both “A” and “B” Buoys last week. One group said they returned with a good haul after tossing bucktails to mahi cruising around pots.
There were also reports of 4 black drum, in the 15 to 20 lb. range, caught at the Haystacks. Anglers also found triggerfish there interested in their offerings.
Until next week, tight lines!
