Article by Larry Jock
The entire weekend was forecasted to be a blowout, and kept almost all boats at the dock from late Thursday through Saturday. Sunday ended up being much nicer than the weatherman predicted and both inshore and offshore boats were able to break the Inlet. It’s unfortunate because fishing is good right now on ocean wrecks and in the offshore canyons. You just need the seas to cooperate so you can get out there.
At the Hook’em & Cook’em Tackle Shop in the Indian River Marina, Capt. Bert Adams reported slow picking in the Indian River Inlet. Only a few flounder have been caught recently and they really aren’t seeing them roll in like anglers are seeing in the Ocean City Inlet.
Most of the action in the Indian River Inlet is coming from anglers looking for striped bass, while either tossing sand fleas from the rocks or drifting by boat at night. Bert said that the better of the two has been casting off the rocks.
When it comes to flounder action, the inshore reefs and wrecks are the place to be. The Old Grounds, in 80-85 feet of water, and the area around “B” Buoy continues to be the hot spots for ocean flatties. On Sunday, we saw a couple of whoppers hit the scale. John Daveler caught a 27-inch, 8 lb. flounder as part of a doubleheader he boated at the Old Grounds while fishing on the headboat, “Capt. Bob II”. Mike Volz went fishing on the charter boat, “Fish Whisperer” and caught a 28 1/2-inch flattie that tipped the scale at 9 lbs. 8 oz. John used a white Gulp! artificial bait and Mike fished with cut bait and squid.
Because of the windy weather and rough seas, Bert said that he didn’t see any Indian River boats venture offshore over the weekend and the northeast wind really shut down the bite from the beach. Earlier in teh week, the marina was buzzing when the “Tail to Tale” arrived on Wednesday with a 557 lb. blue marlin caught while fishing in 500 fathoms between the Washington and Norfolk Canyons. They also had a 78 lb. bigeye tuna in the box.
Up at Lewes Harbour Marina, Matt said that founder fishing has really picked up in the Lewes Canal. Good water clarity has been the key to getting bites with the best ones coming in during the incoming tide.
Anglers out of Lewes are having much better luck with catching flounder on ocean structure. Anglers on the charter boat, “Katydid” are picking up where they left off last season, coming back on multiple days last week with their limit of fatties.
The Lewes Canal is also producting catches of smaller striped bass in the 20 to 26-inch range around the Railroad Bridge and the Roosevelt Inlet.
Croakers have not yet shown up in the Canal but are being caught around the Cape Henlopen Pier by anglers fishing with bloodworms and Fishbites. Those looking for croakers around the Inner Wall and on Delaware Bay structure are also hooking into sand tiger sharks.
Kingfish are being caught on bloodworms and Fishbites by anglers fishing from the Pier and in the surf up and down the beach around Cape Henlopen.
Upcoming Tournament
This weekend is the 2nd Annual Indian River Marina Kids Catch-All Tournament. Last year’s event was cancelled due to bad weather and there seems to be much anticipation for this years tournament that is open to junior anglers age 3 to 18. Registration is on Friday, June 26th and anglers can fish one of two days on Saturday or Sunday from land or by boat in the ocean, bay or inlet. It should be a great event with a lot of smiling faces at the dock.
Until next week, tight lines!
