Summer 2024 Fishing Report for Delaware and Beyond

    Summer 2024

I was fortunate to spend alot of the summer fishing my favorite                waters from the East Coast in Delaware to the mountains of West            Virginia to the lakes and streams of Michigan and Illinois.  

Some of my highlights of the summer include catching two invasive species.  One inhabiting to Lake Michigan, called a Round Goby, was not larger than a shiner.  It looked like something from a deep ocean trench and puzzled fellow fishermen when I posted a picture.   

The other invasive species I landed -a first for me- was a Northern Snakehead.  An invasive prehistoric looking creature native to Asia and Africa has some serious teeth.  For some time,  I had known a certain stream in Delaware that I'd fished my whole life had a population of snakehead and this bugger grabbed the whole night crawler and provided excellent sport and tablefare.  It's white flaky meat delighted my family that evening for dinner.  You have to google this fish if you have never seen one before.  It's some interesting reading too.  Did you know they can live for some time out of water?

  

As we go into the last month of summer, I'm remembering other highlights like catching Sea Bass and fishing with my dad and sons on Indian River Bay in Delaware.   Also a nice time fishing a pristine West Virginia quarry for beautiful Small Mouth Bass.   As well, I caught several blue claw crab off my local dock and steamed them up with old bay and butter.  In homage to the hit song about Blue Claw Crabs, I suppose. 

In what's becoming a family tradition, I also made a point to take my sons many a morning to our favorite local honey holes on the Appoquinimink River for Catfish and Croaker, as well as White Clay Creek for Rock Bass and Smallmouth.  We caught live leeches for bait as well as crayfish.

And now a word from our sponsors:

If you are looking to discover some new freshwater fishing                          locations in Delaware, you have to download the ultimate fishing               guidebook for the state of Delaware:  Big Bass in the Small Wonder

Or catch our latest fishing expeditions on video by the power of                Youtube at:  Big Bass In The Small Wonder

Finally, if you have already checked out the other ebook, I                         recommend you also check out the new nonfiction guidebook about          the area's local bull shark population.  Available wherever you get           your ebooks:  American Bull Shark

Oh yeah and one more thing... I just got a bass boat!  Hope to fill you in on some new adventures and fishing tales back here again real soon! 

Until then,

Tight Lines

 Delaware Sport Fishing Report:  Spring 2024

Fishing season has arrived!

Freshwater Report

First, I did go trout fishing.   Northern Delaware really has some beautiful streams that rival anything in Southeastern Pennsylvania --well maybe Philly at least!  But still, you can really find solitude wading or hiking alongside some of these Delaware designated trout streams.  I hiked up toward the headwaters of one and did some trout fishing along the way.  Really got on top of a little quarry of some nice sized Rainbows.  Got it to hit a live worm, but it got away into the under structure of the bank.  I didn't have much time but I have heard of other anglers doing well.  I hope to get back out trout fishing.  

I also got a chance to fish a farm pond and the run below the spillway, catching a Bullhead Catfish and Largemouth Bass.   So everything freshwater is biting --time to get out there and enjoy it.  Fishing season is in full swing.

Saltwater

I fished near the mouth of the C&D canal where it enters the Delaware Bay and hooked up with two nice Yellow Perch and an American Eel.  Also fished a brackish tributary that shall remain un named and took my kids.  We had such a blast catching Channel Catfish, White Perch and American Eel.  I really hope they enjoy these memories as much as I do.  I definitely took some pictures as my 3 year old daughter caught her first fish.  Precious.  

In addition to the Canal and Tidal Rivers, anglers are catching the usual mix in the Delaware Bay and I hope to head down to bigger saltwaters to target Tautog, Weakfish, Kingfish, Flounder and Rockfish.  Sharks?  

Who knows what I'll catch using the Surf Fishing tag I got as a Christmas gift from my family.  I'll be sure to update you all when I go.  

As always, don't forget to pick up the ultimate guide to Delaware Sport fishing:  Big Bass in the Small Wonder

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 January-February 2024 Delaware Fishing Report:

Happy New Year Delaware Sport Fishing Blog Readers:

Well, the fishing has been good in regions of the country where you can ice fish.   This is not the case in Delaware.  I have been out 2 or 3 times to the brackish rivers this winter with not very much luck at all.  Still, I am right with the other Delaware anglers who cannot wait for opening day of trout season. 

Freshwater

Delaware will stock two ponds in March, followed by opening day on the trout streams in April.  Some tips for catching them include, using a small hook, light line, using Power Bait or Salmon Eggs, using a three way rig and going near the fish feeder contraptions (if allowed).

Delaware's ponds, brackish creeks and rivers should be giving up bass and catfish but this angler has had no luck, other than a Black Drum and couple perch.

Saltwater

A good friend of mine told me that fisherman are connecting with Tog Bluefish and Winter Flounder down the ocean and bay.  I would like to go down to the sea and try my luck but I will wait until the water warms up as I have never been one to partake in arctic plunges.  I have alot of interest in trying one of the headboats downstate this season to catch a limit of black sea bass, croaker or trout.  

Follow this twitter for the latest on my fishing escapades.  

@BIGBASSINTHESM1

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And hope to see you all out there for Spring trout season!

Delaware Sport Fishing Report 

October/November 2023

Saltwater

Delaware saltwater anglers having luck fishing the Delaware Bay near Lewes for Tautog - or "Tog" as they are called locally.   Tog are certainly some of the most tasty fish in the sea.  I think they taste just like lump crab meat or even lobster.   They can be caught on sandfleas or green crabs.

Most people may not realize that the salt-line in the Delaware Bay goes all the way up to the C&D Canal if not further.   Fishing in the upper bay areas near Woodland or Augustine has been very good for fat White Perch, Black Drum, Catfish, Eel and short Stripers.  Bloodworms, clams and nightcrawlers are the baits of choice.   I have never caught a Sturgeon but was reminded the other day that they are out there too.  What a diverse and amazing estuary the Delaware Bay is.

Freshwater

Besides Perch,  fishermen are also having alot of luck in the creeks in our area for rainbow trout.  I always do well with a nice big nightcrawler on a splitshot sinker but some anglers I know prefer canned trout bait.  In addition to trout, I heard a fisherman saying he and some friends have caught BIG carp in the tributaries of Christiana River using corn and hotdogs.   I had a good day fishing a local state park pond for Yellow Perch and even caught a few white perch.  I heard that Becks Pond is putting up Bass and even the occasional SnakeHead.  I also hear Snake Head are good eating but have never had the pleasure of trying one.   Maybe in 2024??

Safety

Be careful to anyone fishing the jetties this time of year, whether we're talking Reedy Point or the Indian River Inlet.  It can get mighty slippery out there or rocks can roll over your ankle.   Not to mention the rogue waves from passing boats can seem to come out of nowhere.  Be sure to wear cleats and go out there when the tide is very low if you can.  Stay safe everyone!

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Tight Lines Everyone!!!!!

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023 Delaware Fishing Report

 

Delaware Sport Fishing Report for August/September 2023

Delaware has been unseasonably warm in August and I have only gotten out fish once.

In freshwater news, I had a good time catching bass and big bluegill using fat nightcrawlers. All the kids had fun and we enjoyed getting out for a hike too. I saw a lot of fly fisherman trying their luck for trout when I drove up into Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

In Saltwater news,  I  heard reports of fishermen catching sharks on the surf down on the seashore and an old fishing buddy told me now is the time to get out there for trophy fish - whether you're after Tog or Flounder .

Overall, although I did not accomplish my summer goal yet of catching a snake head,  I got the invite to fish down the Brandywine and I would not mind cooking one of those up on the grill with some BBQ Teriyaki sauce sometime. 

More fishing to come as the weather cools I'm sure.  Truth is, fall can be the best time to try life Crayfish in the creeks or blood worms in the title areas. Tight lines everybody good luck fishing!

CONTACT (X): @BIGBASSINTHESM1

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 June-July 2023 Delaware Fishing Report

My fishing adventures took me from the Mid Atlantic to the midwest this summer.  I caught some fish to write home about and some that would be more worthy as live bait.  All the while, enjoying the scenery immensely.  Here's the scoop!  

Saltwater:

I was able to get out and fish the Delaware bay near Dover this June.  Fortunately for me, the green flies were not biting.  For bait, I used some bloodworms that had been left over from another recent fishing excursion to Delaware's Indian River Inlet, where my son caught a beautiful little sea trout (pictured)

In the upper Bay, I had good luck that day catching a big ugly American Eel, which I actually love to eat.  I released him, however, and continued fishing where I caught a small Striped Bass and a Spot (croaker).   I then tried a nearby brackish river that looked pretty spooky as if a bull shark 🦈 could be lurking, but caught nothing and got bit up by gnats.  The Delaware Bay and its tidal tributaries have an abundantly diverse bounty of fish, including many saltwater species.  The salt line for the Delaware bay starts somewhere up around the C&D Canal and sometimes further north near New Castle.  

Freshwater:  

One of the highlights of my summer will be wading out into Lake Michigan with an ultra light rod, rigged with a 1/2 ounce sinker and hook and hooking a Smelt!  I had always enjoyed eating smelt as part of Christmas Eve dinner, a tradition from my Italian grandfather, but this is the first time I caught one.  Smelt are usually caught in nets by the hundreds in Lake Michigan and it's a fishery that has been around for generations in the midwest.  They are so small swimming in Lake Michigan that its almost hard to detect when they hit.

On another day, I took my son fishing in Delaware's beautiful piedmont hill country at two sparkling creeks that also gave up a variety of fish.  Another fisherman caught a monster snakehead and later cooked it up.  This thing peaked its head up out of the water and its gnarly teeth glistened in the sunlight before diving deep under a rock.    

Two of the highlights of the trip were cleaning up trash near our favorite fishing hole and finding a silver fork in the creek --that was neat.  Also we used crayfish and found nightcrawlers to catch a nice smallmouth bass and rainbow trout.  My son had a blast and it was so peaceful being in the middle of a creek on a nice summer day.  Here's a youtube short of the outing -don't forget to like and subscribe to the youtube channel!  #DelawareFishing https://youtube.com/shorts/77tmedDSFr4?feature=share

It can be really hard to break away from the rat race, but if you can, I recommend making time to get away and go fishing.  It can be both rejuvenating and rewarding.   Beneficial for your physical/mental health and a great way to spend time with your loved ones.  

If you are unsure where to start, follow this twitter account for Delaware fishing updates, fishing tips and all-around great angling content. @BIGBASSINTHESM1

Don't forget to subscribe and also pick up a copy of the ultimate Delaware freshwater fishing guide e-book

Big Bass in the Small Wonder

Available on Amazon Kindle or where ever you get your ebooks.

Tight lines! 

May 2023 Delaware Fishing Report

 May 2023 

Delaware Fishing Report

Freshwater

Big bass are being caught in Mill Ponds across the first state.  Some of the larger ponds like Lums and Noxontown are giving up lunkers.  As I have said many times, Spring Largemouth fishing is all about a slow and low retrieval.  Google that for a more thorough description.  Can't go wrong with a jig or a rubber worm. 

River and Bay

Channel and Blue Catfish of 20+ pounds are being caught right now on bloodworms and pepperoni in the C&D Canal.  Spring is a great time to connect with some Perch and Striped Bass in our brackish and bay area rivers.  

Get out there in the bay on a sea kayak if you feel so inclined, but wear your life vest and do it at your own risk!  Though rare, Bull Sharks and a variety of Sea Snakes do occur in the Delaware Bay estuaries.

Don't forget to pick up my ebook, it's practically free for the #BestDelawareFishingSpots and its your premier guide to #DelawareFishing

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Bass-Small-Wonder-freshwater-ebook/dp/B012BZ7OW8

Also be sure to like and subscribe to this youtube channel

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