Article by Larry Jock
The waters off the Delmarva coast are known for it’s offshore fishing. Marlin, tuna, mahi and wahoo are often the stars of the show, as well they should be. They are the “Big Game” of the fishing world...sitting at the top of many bucket lists for sure. However, putting flags on the riggers or heavy fish in the box is a big undertaking and those who enjoy offshore fishing will tell you that this type of fishing often requires leaving early and coming in late. But, there is a whole nother side to our local fishing scene that may not get the attention it deserves, and that is our bottom fishing, which is as good as it gets. It’s also a bit easier, less costly, less intense and just plain fun. And it’s pretty much available year round.
Our area is blessed with many great spots to catch flounder and sea bass, the mainstays of the bottom crowd. Tautog fishing during the early part of the year is often world class (the Ocean City charterboat “Fish Bound” currently holds the world record at 28.8 lbs.) with anglers from New York and New Jersey routinely traveling south in January to get in on the action. Throughout the season, we see catches of cod and even a cobia or two, but flounder and sea bass hold the attention.
As an example of just how good our bottom fishing can be, one of our better known outdoor writers joined me and a friend for a trip two seasons ago. He was surprised that we left the dock at the crack of ten (AM, that is) and used Gulp artificial baits on Aqua-Clear rigs (he’d only used minnows and swore by them). We ended our trip with 11 keepers out of a 12 fish limit (several over 5 lbs.) and were back at the dock by 2:00. He then wrote a story in the Delaware Gazette entitled “A Different Kind of Fishing” where he marveled at the quality and quantity of our inshore fishery.
Where to fish and how to fish are pretty easy. From the Delaware Bay to south of the Ocean City Inlet, anglers will find numerous reefs, wrecks, lumps and areas that hold fish, with the most popular locations can be easily found on charts and GPS systems.
Probably, the most well known and most well fished area is the Old Grounds, located between buoys “A” and “B” in the Delaware shipping lanes leading into Delaware Bay. With depths ranging from 75 to 110-feet and a good amount of rocky bottom, anglers will find lots of fish holding structure.
Artificial reef sites 10 and 11 are also within fishing distance for those sailing out of Lewes, Indian River and Ocean City and it isn’t uncommon to find boats from New Jersey as well drifting here every day throughout the summer - and they catch fish...lots of fish! Headboats, charters and private boats are all in the area almost every day trying for doormat flounder and limits of sea bass, sometimes on structure and other times on open bottom. Typically, boats will arrive back at the dock with the bigger fish seen that day (5 lbs. and up) along with the average eating-size flatties in their coolers.
Fishing for these fish has evolved over the years, becoming as much art as science. Make no mistake, the standby rigs of a weight, longish leader and strip of squid or belly still work, and work well. It’s the same with the minnow sandwich (strip of squid and live minnow combined) or a bounced bucktail. But, the larger fish and the most fish seem to be caught on two more refined rigs.
For the folks who like spinning rigs and enjoy working the baits, the “ go to” rig is now a 36-inch length of fluorocarbon leader with a good size Spro-type bucktail on the bottom and a dropper loop about 18 to 20-inches above the bucktail that extends about 6-inches out from the main leader with a 1/4 oz. white bucktail teaser. Tip the teaser with a 4-inch Gulp Swimming Mullet and the bucktail with a 6-inch Gulp Grub. Gently bounce the bottom with this rig and there is a good chance that fish will hit both baits and often be the larger fish of the day. And, it’s not unusual to get a double header!
For those who are less inclined to “work the baits”, a double hook Aqua-Clear rig dressed up with Gulp artificial baits is deadly on spinning or conventional tackle. For this rig, it’s important to use relatively heavy weight to keep your line as vertical as possible, giving you more bites and fewer snags. Another benefit is that it works well in the rod holder with a cold one in your hand. As the rod tip dips than bounces, gently set the hook. If you missed, drop back a few feet and wait. Often times the fish come right back.
Many days are good for limits and almost all days will provide a solid opportunity to come home with enough for family dinner. Headboats and charterboats are on top of the daily information and often head straight to hot spots. The daily, online Coastal Fisherman Fishing Report will also keep you up-to-date on the best spots to target.
Often enough there will be one or two other types of fish in the bag to add a bit of spice to the day. Inshore fishing is really a quiet gem for Delmarva anglers. It’s fun, easy, productive and can usually be done in half a day.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Ocean City Reef Foundation Not only do they do exceptional work building structure for fish habitat using concrete blocks and whatever else they can get their hands on to provide structure for growing coral and holding bait, but it is all done with volunteers. The Foundation is superbly run by Capt. Monty Hawkins, Captain of the headboat “Morning Star”. The cost to join is minimal. For only a $50 donation you receive an up-to-date booklet showing the diagram and coordinates for their entire reef system. This minimal investment will provide you the opportunity for many days of fishing fun and support a worthwhile organization!
We are blessed with waters that are wonderful fishing grounds for the big stuff and the not so big stuff. Take some time to discover our inshore fishery. You’ll be happy you did!
Maryland Fishing Report now available as Amazon Alexa Skill
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that it is expanding its communications channels and services to include Amazon Echo.
Through an innovative partnership with NIC Maryland, the department will now offer the Maryland Fishing Report, which provides anglers with the latest fishing hotspots, catch of the week, water and weather conditions and more, as an Alexa Skill.
Anglers can use the new Skill on a desired Amazon device by simply saying “Alexa, open Maryland Fishing Report.” Then they can choose to hear the entire fishing report or information for specific areas or regions, including the upper, middle or lower Chesapeake Bay, freshwater fishing or Atlantic Ocean and coastal bays.
“Go Fish Delaware!” Family Fishing Festival set for May 12th
Visitors of all ages are invited to learn all about fishing at the Go Fish Delaware! Family Fishing Festival to be held, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 12th, at the Aquatic Resources Education Center, a DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife facility located off Route 9 east of Smyrna. Admission is free and open to the public.
This event aims to show kids and adults how much fun fishing can be and to encourage them to take up the sport as a regular outdoor activity. The festival will include basic fishing instruction for kids at the center’s two catch and release fishing ponds, as well as introductory lessons in fresh water fishing, fly fishing, surf fishing and bass fishing for adult beginners who would like to learn the basics.
In addition to fishing, the center will offer children’s activities and crafts, a touch tank, traditional net making demonstrations, salt marsh tours on the center’s 940-foot boardwalk trail and tours of the new building with aquariums and aquatic-themed exhibits.
Individuals age 16 and older who are not license exempt who wish to fish at the festival must have a current Delaware fishing license and a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number.
Big Rock donates $200k to Domestic Violence Program
The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament made one of their largest donations to date when they presented a $200,000 check to the Carteret County Domestic Violence Program (CCDVP).
The capital campaign, in conjunction with the CCDVP, is now underway to raise funds to build a new shelter and family empowerment program, known as SAFE. The goal is to raise $1,500,000 to build a 5,000 square foot home to provide living quarters for victims in need of crisis assistance.
For more information on the SAFE campaign or to make a donation visit thesafecampaign.com