Article by Larry Jock
Unfortunately, the run of miserable weather continues to hamper fishing activity along the Delmarva coast. Not only aren’t we seeing the action typical for this time of year, anglers seem to be finding it tough to get motivated. When we do see a break in the weather, it’s like an all out blitz of folks working on their boats or heading out on the water. Otherwise, everyone is just frustrated.
With a local surf fishing tournament last weekend, there were a lot of surfcasters fishing from the beach. Black drum have been the primary bright spot (if you can call it that) for anglers fishing with clams up and down the shoreline. It’s a shame we aren’t seeing the run of bluefish like we did last season. That really kept anglers busy and extremely happy for almost a month. This season, not so much.
At Hook’em & Cook’em in the Indian River Marina, Capt. Bert Adams said that anglers continue to see some small stripers while fishing off the North Jetty at the Indian River Inlet. There have also been a few small bluefish mixed in, measuring in the 14-inch range. Those who are fishing with shad darts or spec rigs caught a good amount of shad throughout the week.
Although there haven’t been many flounder caught in the Inlet, Bert said that flounder pounders hitting the VFW?Slough and Massey’s Ditch have been able to catch some flatties and some even returned home with their limit.
As mentioned earlier, black drum in the 6 to 10 lb. range were caught off the beach last week in the suds off Conquest and 3R’s Roads. Surfcasters have also landed a few short stripers there as well.
The headboat, “Capt. Bob II” had a good tog fishing day on Sunday. There were limits around the rail by anglers fishing with green crabs on ocean structure 10 miles off the coast.
Matt Shoup at Fenwick Bait & Tackle reported a few black drum caught in the surf off Fenwick Island along with some kingfish hooked by anglers fishing with bloodworms and Fishbites. Matt also reported a few bluefish being caught off the beach at 3R’s Road. Fishing at The Ditch in Fenwick continues to be quiet.
At Lewes Harbour Marina, Tommy reported black drum being caught from the beach at Herring Point and Broadkill Beach. The Outer Wall and the Ice Breakers are producing catches of tautog for anglers baiting with green crabs.
With water temperatures moving into the upper 50’s, flounder are finally starting to snap in the Lewes Canal and other local spots. Junior angler, Vaughn Robinson (pictured on left), caught a couple of good size keepers while fishing a combination bait at the Cape Shore Pier. On Sunday, Hunter Walsh captured a 21-incher while drifting bucktails tipped with Gulp in the Lewes Canal.
Until next week, tight lines!
