Delaware Sport Fishing : 2024

Monday, September 2, 2024

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

Friday, April 19, 2024

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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Monday, February 19, 2024

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.