Delaware Fishing Report - February 2019

Delaware Fishing Report - February 2019

Freshwater


While old man winter continues to do his thing, I have been inside preparing for the
upcoming spring trout season. The state of Delaware stocks two ponds down state
before stocking several piedmont stream with rainbow and brown trout.  While waiting
it out, I did have the chance to catch a few catfish from a river tributary to the Chesapeake
bay.  I also caught a few yellow perch when I could find water that was not covered in ice.
There are probably good chances of also catching largemouth bass, chain pickerel, redear
sunfish and crappie in many of the state's spillways and millponds.  You just can't go wrong
with a big fat nightcrawler.  Check out this ebook for more Delaware sport fishing tips and
get the low down on the best lakes and ponds for fishing Delaware.   Visit the following link
to purchase  Big Bass in the Small Wonder

Saltwater

Not much news coming from the beaches.   I stopped into the Delaware Shipwreck Museum
in Fenwick and heard some great stories about treasure, not to mention noticing the large
Bull Shark hanging from the ceiling.  I also visited a tackle shop to ask if anyone had been
catching anything on the beach, but the response was "No."  Warmer days are ahead and
I lookforward to those nice summer evenings loading the cooler with Kingfish and Blues. 

Til then, tight lines!

January 2019 - New Year Delaware Fishing Report: Chesapeake Bay, Winter Catfish and Appalachian Brook Trout

January 12th, 2019 - New Year Delaware Fishing Report

Chesapeake Bay, Winter Catfish and Appalachian Brook Trout

Freshwater Report:

With Winter Storm Gia bearing down on most of the eastern United States, many fishermen have put their fishing gear away for the season.  But this author experienced good fishing during the past month and it is expected to continue.

Channel Cats, White and Yellow Perch are running in the brackish rivers of Delaware and eastern shore Maryland.   Also, consider targeting Bullhead Catfish.   They are small but delicious to make into I will keep a few bullheads to make cajun fried catfish nuggets.  It will still be sever months time before I will be targeting rockfish in the bay.   I prefer them grilled.    

The bay may freeze completely over this winter before the spring thaw occurs.   And though it is very unsafe to attempt to ice fish anywhere in the Delmarva area, winter bank fishing can be great for Bluegill, Yellow Perch and Crappie.   They are all beautiful fish to catch and photograph, especially during the winter when a pond lays surrounded by a blanket of fresh snow.  

Also, don't forget that in early March, the first trout stocking of Delaware freshwater ponds will be underway.   If you can't wait until then, try heading up to the Pennsylvania Wild Lands for some hike-in only brook trout fishing.    If trout aren't your bag,  know that white sucker, bass and creek chub bite through the winter in Delaware's piedmont creeks and Muskies and Walleyes can occur in Delaware and further into Pennsylvania... if you know the spots to find them.

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Saltwater Report

I have not been down the beach in a couple months.  Sussex County Delaware is 

getting hit the worst with the snow during this winter storm, however when the ice thaws, 

I plan to travel down to the Delaware coast to see what can be caught on shad, green crab 

and clams.  Artificial bloodworms can also be very effective.  I look forward to the warm 

late spring and summer days when I will be targeting my limit of Kingfish from the surf.   

I may venture out onto the surf in the coming January weeks and maybe a few dogfish 

or skate will provide some fun action.  

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December 2018 Delaware Fishing Report: Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass and Winter Cast Netting

December Delaware Fishing Report

Freshwater:  The weather has been bitter cold for the first half of December but as I
write this, the rain has brought temperatures up into the 50's.   This makes for good
winter time fishing in Delaware's thawed out ponds, rivers and creeks.  Anglers can
pick from bottom fishing for catfish or spinner fishing for Rainbow Trout in White
Clay Creek.  Most recently,  I had the chance to visit the Appoquinimink River near
Townsend and caught a Largemouth Bass, thick Bluegill and a 3/4 lb. Yellow Perch
(pictured below). 

Yellow Perch are running in the
tidal rivers of Delmarva now. 
Deliciously deep fried
with lemon and tartar sauce,
Perch are a major food fish
in Chicago and often found on
the menu in seafood, pizzerias
and grocery stores in that
region.  Here in Delaware's
rivers, the best setup is a
double hook or jig rig
with a slow but steady retrieve. 

Yellow Perch will bite best on minnows and mini bluegills both of which can be fun
to catch on river docks with a Cast Net.   I just visited Captain Bones Bait & Tackle
and, though the Captn. did not deem my perch heavy enough for a Delaware Citation
award, I did purchase a fun Christmas gift for my wife.  So much fun fishing gear in
that store.  I would recommend you check out Captain Bones if you are ever in Odessa.

Saltwater:  I have not had the opportunity to saltwater fish in December, but I
am hearing that there are some Tog and Rockfish being caught around the Indian River
Inlet, DE Bay and Atlantic Beaches.  You can rely on dogfish and skates any time of
year, but I am longing for the return of Speckled Trout and Kingfish in the warm water
months.  Surf Anglers don't forget that you need to renew your drive-on beach tag when
December ends.  DO IT HERE https://www.destateparks.com/Know/PassesTagsFees
Surf tags can also make a great Christmas gift idea for someone.

Another great Christmas gift is the critically acclaimed ebook, Big Bass in the Small Wonder , complete with all the best kept secret fishing spots in the state of Delaware. 

November 2018 Delaware Fishing Report (Appoquinimink River; Sassafras River; Northern Snakehead, Indian River Inlet, Big Bass in the Small Wonder)

November 2018 Fishing Report Delaware

October ended with a Noreaster and then some very mild weather in Delaware.  On November 1st, Delaware temperatures were higher than 75 degrees throughout the day. Needless to say, I hit the water with hook and line in hand.

Freshwater Report:

Not Delaware, but in nearby Maryland, I fished the Sassafras River with much luck.  Catfish were biting one after the other.  I had at least 2 catfish break my line.  They were huge and would probably not have fit into my hand net. I caught a nice big catfish after about an hour on ultra light tackle.  Took it home and enjoyed it Cajun Style.   In other freshwater news, largemouth bass and panfish were biting in Appoquinimink River. I harvested a large bluegill.  The Bass are hungry right now and feed on these blue gills also.  If you are looking to check out some new bass fishing spots, I'd encourage you to read the critically acclaimed ebook Big Bass in the Small Wonder today on kindle for only 0.99 cents.  If it is trout you seek, White Clay Creek was stocked recently and one angler I talked to recommended giving it a try.  The fishing pressure should be nothing like it was during the Spring stock. 

Saltwater Report:

Anglers fishing the Indian River Inlet report tog, rockfish and blues are available.  I know that sharks, skates, blues and kingfish are biting down in the surf so I may take a trip down to the beach to soak some squid or maybe clams.  Must get my fishing in before it gets too cold.

Invasive Fish:

A word about one of Delaware's most recently invasive predatory fishes, Northern Snakehead.  I have observed snakehead swimming in the Brandywine and I know of other guys who have caught them in mid-Delaware ponds.  They are here for sure.  While I lament the introduction of a new fish that might outcompete native gamefish like the Largemouth Bass and Chain Pickerel, I am intrigued by this fish and I admit I would really like to catch my first snakehead. I hear they are excellent eating and a good fighting fish.  

And now I ask you: Have you caught a Northern Snakehead fish in Delaware? Be sure to comment below if you'd care to share your Snakehead fishing tips, techniques or recipes.  They are clearly an invasive species, so the more people fishing for them the more we can remove from the ecosystem.  Tight lines everyone!

October 2018 DE Fishing Report (Japanese Eel, Homemade Flies, Big Bass in the Small Wonder, Surf Fishing, Delaware Ghost Stories Supernatural Tales)

October 2018 Delaware Fishing Report

Freshwater

I have enjoyed several nights of freshwater fishing on the Eastern Shore
 during the month of October, catching dozens of white perch and
a few channel catfish.   One fish I know are present are American Eel.  If you ever decide to
harvest catfish and eel I recommend you try cooking the Catfish Cajun Style. For Eel I like
to cook using an old Japanese Recipe.

Trout fishing is on the agenda once again, as the state is doing a final
2018 stocking of White Clay Creek this month.  I have been stocking my
freezer with fish filets for the past several months and would very much like
to add some Rainbow Trout to enjoy with a baked potato this winter.
Powerbait and homemade flies will probably work early on and then I will
switch to minnows as the temperature cools.

Bass fishing in Delaware ponds continues to be hot and I expect the action
will carry on late into November.  Some of the biggest bass I saw caught in
my experience came after Halloween.   Not to change the subject from Big Bass 
but I encourage you to check out this ebook Ghost Stories of Delaware you
are interested in some spooky tales about Delaware this Halloween.  By the
way, did you hear that Lums Pond, a great bass fishing hole, is purported to
be haunted?


Saltwater

I had caught another nice
kingfish at the Indian River
Inlet and scores of Spot.  I
know that Tog season must
be in full swing and I will be
giving it a shot with Green
Crabs if I can slip away to
the beach for the night.   Out
in the bay, I am hearing reports
of bluefish, seabass, trout and
flounder also.   Too bad my Dad's
 boat is getting winterized this
weekend.  It was a wonderful
season though.  So many great
times!

I don't want to end the blog entry without a word about.  Surf fishing has been
good during the past 30 days fishing for kingfish with the occasional bluefish
caught as well.  Squid, clams and bloodworms are all excellent surf fishing
baits this time of year.   While Hurricane Season continues to churn away,
anglers should remember that although it can be productive to fish in the
days following a hurricane (ample natural baits scattered in the surf) you
must be very careful.  The waves are rough and can easily carry an angler
away.  Everyone be safe out there and, until next time,  tight lines!

September 2018 Delaware Fishing Report (Shad, DIY fly fishing, Big Bass in the Small Wonder, and Fall Saltwater Techniques

September 2018 Delaware Fishing Report

Freshwater

Fishing has been excellent at spillways across New Castle County.  Most people
don't think that fishing is worthwhile following a driving rain, however on the right
river, fish can be caught by the bucket.  This blogger has had great luck in September
targeting Rockfish, Shad, Bullhead Catfish, Crappie, and White Perch in local
freshwater rivers and creeks.  Big Bass in the Small Wonder continue to hit a variety
of lures.  Largemouth/Smallmouth and Bluegill fishing remains hot in Delaware's
sluggish creeks and millponds at morning and dusk.  Try tossing out a rubber power
worm, buzzbait, nightcrawlers or even make a DIY fly fishing lure to make the big
ones bite.


  Gizzard Shad




Saltwater

This blogger has been out twice to fish saltwater during the month of September.  On one occasion, I fished the mouth of the Millsboro River on a boat originating from Ocean View.  No flounder were caught this time, however my wife and I had a great time catching Spot and Croakers on light tackle, before heading over to the Paradise Grill. 

The second fishing trip took place the surf of Delaware Seashore State Park.  This time last year, I was landing large bluefish on spoon lures from this particular stretch of beach, but recently I was fishing light tackle and easily filled up a small cooler with fresh seafood (Kingfish) using bloodworms and sandfleas.  Regarding the latter, I saw a recent youtube video of a local kid eating steamed sandfleas and it did not look appetizing.  No need to eat the bait.   Delawareans have plenty of delectable seafood choices to pick from and I recommend heading over to Jessop's Tavern in New Castle some time to try the fish and chips.

                                                              Sandfleas and Crabs

August 2018 Delaware Fishing Report (Rockfish, Bayside Girls and Delaware Coyotes)

August 2018 Delaware Fishing Report


Freshwater 

I haven't made it up to White Clay yet, but friends tell me that you can catch your share
of Black Bass, Rock Bass and Sunfish.   Some of the deeper holes are likely to have
some holdover trout. 

Try tossing out a juicy nightcrawler along with a couple split shots and you'll be likely
to entice whatever big guys are on the bottom.  I look forward to Delaware's fall trout
stocking season in October.  I am looking forward to trying out one of my new flies
that I tied on my handmade fly tying devices see here   . One other freshwater spot that
I want to mention is the Appoqunimink River.  Based on a few trips to this location, I
can report that Rap Shads in the early morning are the ticket if you want to catch a good
fighting rockfish or white perch.  Crappie, bass and pickerel are biting well at all the
millponds throughout Kent and Sussex Counties.  For more information about the best
freshwater fishing ponds in the state don't forget to purchase the critically acclaimed
Ebook BIG BASS IN THE SMALL WONDER


Bays

I had the chance to join a charter trip out of Rock Hall MD over the weekend.  The
boat was called Bayside Girls and the fishing was incredible.  Our crew very quickly
caught the limit on rockfish (charter boat cooler total catch pictured below).  A really
enjoyable experience if you ever get the chance.  Live spot brought on the bite.  Spot
and White Perch were also present on the trip.

Ocean

One Friday night in August, I took a ride down
to South Bethany Beach and threw out a line
for Kingfish.  Using bloodworms and light
tackle, I quickly loaded the cooler with three
nice Kings and headed home to grill them up. 

You want to talk about a good tasting fish? 
Kingfish is flaky white meat and I enjoy it
more than cod or haddock.   At the Indian
River inlet, I had some luck catching
Croakers and small Black Sea Bass but
threw them back as I was hoping to hook
a flounder.


Of note: Coyotes in Delaware 

Many of us who fish the waters also hike or hunt the land. 
As an outdoorsman, I wanted to share the following picture
with my readers.  A family member sent me this photo of a large Coyote/Coy
Wolf taken by a trail camera in Pike Creek.  Having been out west, I have
encountered many coyotes in the wild.  They are typically skiddish, but can be bold
around children, small pets and even tiny women.  While, I wouldn't worry about
coyotes being a significant danger to the local neighborhoods (plenty of deer to eat), I
wanted to share this photo to document that, yes, the Coyote population is expanding
in Delmarva. 

Coyote in Delaware 2018