June 2018 Delaware Fishing Report

June 2018

Freshwater:   

The rivers around Delaware have been a hotbed of summer fish activity.  In most upstate tributaries of the New Castle County Delaware river and bay, the bait fisherman can score abundant Yellow Perch, Catfish, White Perch and American Eel.  I have not made it to White Clay Creek yet, but when I do, I am looking forward to loading up on Rock Bass (redeyes), Smallmouth Bass and perhaps even a trout.


Flyfishing can be really peaceful this time of year, check out how I make my own flies.  Personal Fly Tying Station You can DIY too! Here are a few pictures:

Yellow Perch.  Odessa, Delaware

American Eel, caught on nightcrawlers

Saltwater: 
It has been a few summers since I have caught a keeper flounder.  The minimum size in Delaware this season is posted as 17".  Me and my friend have caught a few flounder this season.  I recommend jigging using bucktails, squid or bloodworm.

Delaware Fishing Report (Late Spring) -May 19th, 2018

Delaware Fishing Report (Late Spring) - May 19th, 2018

 A sizable largemouth bass caught by Chris in Kent Co. Delaware.  

Freshwater:  Fishing for largemouth bass, panfish, catfish, pickerel and perch has continued to be good across the state of Delaware from the Swamps of Sussex County to the Yorklyn hills.  Rainbow/Brown Trout and Smallmouth Bass fishing can be excellent in the deep holes of White Clay Creek and other coldwater streams in the area.   Wax worms, night crawlers and crayfish have worked well for me in the past.  Brackish fishermen have been striking it big with Striped Bass in the C and D Canal and upper Delaware bay.  Perch and catfish continue to take bottom fished baits.

Salt Water:  I am aiming to do a considerable amount of fishing the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays for the remainder of spring.  My Dad also just bought a Pontoon so I am looking forward to being his first mate in the Indian River Bay this summer.  Beyond that, I am lured particularly to Bowers and Broadkill beaches for the possibility of a few good Weakfish, Rocks or Bluefish.  

Tog (Black Fish) are another example of an exceptional food fish and can be caught easily from the rocks of the Indian river inlet using green crabs.   You do need to be quick in setting the hook lest the Tog snag your line up on the rocks as it dives deep for cover with your bait.  Though I have yet to catch a Tog this season,  I had the chance to surf fish at Delaware seashore state park and caught a very nice 21 inch Striped Bass on a bloodworm.  After releasing this fish, I stayed a few minutes longer in the hopes of connecting with a kingfish, but caught none. 

Tip of the month:

Now is the time to get geared up -if you have not already done so.   Take a ride to Walmart or your local tackle shop and get everything you need for the next few outings.   You can even save a bit of coin if you check out pinterest and google for creative ways to save money on fishing gear.  I particularly recommend taking your kids or grandkids outdoors to find your own bait.  Be sure to look under rocks and logs in your yard for nightcrawlers after a good rain.  Bait can be an expensive part of your hobby so that is one area to focus on if you are looking to minimize the costs of this enjoyable activity!  

Lately, I have been gearing up recently by making own lures and flies using a custom built  Fly Tying System.   Also, I continue to do my research by reading books about Delaware fishing.   Here is one great source chock full of information about the best, under the radar bass fishing spots in Delaware.   Download this excellent Ebook Big Bass in the Small Wonder today.  Best of luck for the remainder of Spring.  Be safe!

Delaware Sport Fishing - Early Spring Fishing Report

Delaware Sport Fishing - Early Spring 2018 Fishing Report

Saltwater

As water temperatures begin to rise, following an exceptionally cold and snowy month of March, fishing is beginning to pick up.   Reports are coming in from around the state of anglers catching the first Rockfishes of the fall.  One friend of a friend hooked up with a monster Rockfish in the upper Delaware bay this past week.  Other anglers are reporting success with smaller rockfish close to shore.  Bloodworms are the bait of choice.  Didn't get any tog out of the inlet this month, but conditions were not ideal. Charter boats will be running soon and I hope to get onboard for a trip out of Lewes or Ocean City in the coming months.  Anglers targeting weakfish, seabass, bluefish and flounder in the bay will be sure to have some luck as soon as Delaware gets past this last round of early April snow!

Freshwater

Lots of reports of white perch, yellow perch and catfish being caught in the tidal creeks and rivers of Delmarva.  Can't go wrong with a big fat, juicy nightcrawler or shrimp as a bait.  Bottom fishing with a 1 oz sinker usually does the trick.

In the ponds and creeks of Kent County, a couple of buddies of mine had a heyday with some crappie, bluegill and the first largemouth bass of the year (pictured here).  Anglers would still be wise to work their artificial lures at a slow rate, given the water temperatures.  Another trick is to find a slow moving creek with a bridge or other cover.   Try to catch a small to medium sized bluegill and hook it as bait for hungry Chain Pickerel.

Speaking of creeks, another friend of mine caught several nice trout up in Pennsylvania, while we Delaware anglers excitedly await the 2018 Delaware trout season.  Red Clay Creek will be stocked with trout this year for the first time since the 1980's!  Good luck to everyone out there and if you are in need of a list of Delaware's best kept secret bass fishing spots, check out the critically acclaimed ebook Big Bass in the Small Wonder

December 2017 Delaware Fishing Report

December 2017 Delaware Fishing Report

I've fished twice this month but have only caught Bluegill down at a ditch
near Clayton Delaware.  Though I didn't catch a fish on the most recent trip,
I had a HUGE hit while jigging from a bridge over top of Appoquinimink River. 
I suspect it may have been a jumbo yellow perch as I have caught
them at this spot before.

Saltwater
So, although the weather has been too cold for comfort, some saltwater anglers are still out there hitting the water, trying their luck.  I didn't get out there for the Rockfish run this year.  Fishermen I've talked to have told me that Tautog and Rockfish have been caught at the Delaware seashore state park.  I am looking ahead to the Spring run of rockfish and kingfishing on the surf.


Freshwater
Didn't get out there trout fishing in White Clay this fall, but talked to an angler who caught several rainbows near the PA line.  He actually caught them on ties that he tied himself in the comfort of his living room, using this fly tying vice and work station system from Ebay. 

In ponds around Delaware, largemouth bass fishermen are still connecting with large bass in the winter but not as often as they did in the summer.  During the winter, many bass fishermen are wise to switch to targeting yellow perch which tolerate coldwater well.

Walleye and Muskies can actually be caught in the Brandywine and Susquehanna Rivers this time of year if you know where to find them. Of course, winter is also a great time to read up on new fishing holes ahead of the Spring season.  You can find all the best fishing spots in Delaware right here in this e-book Big Bass in the Small Wonder.

Happy Holidays to everyone and here's to wishin' fantastic fishin' in 2018!

November 2017 Delaware Fishing Report

November 2017 Delaware Fishing Report

Bay

The word is that the Rockfish are still off the coast of New Jersey.  Watermen I know are trying anyway.  While everyone is waiting for the run of rockfish to arrive, there is always a chance  that a big resident Rockfish may bite a bloodworm if you fish the right spots like Reedy Point, Augustine or Rock Hall.  Don't limit yourself to Striped Bass either.  Their relative the white perch can be good eating and catfish will bite just about any time.   Here's a nice channel catfish caught by one of my readers who fished the Upper Bay. 

Freshwater

The fall trout stocking took place in White Clay Creek and fishermen 
are still connecting withgood size Rainbows near the deep holes and 
waterfalls along the creek.  Powerbait, minnows and waxworms tend 
to work quite well.   Crayfish are the best bait if you want to target 
Smallmouth Bass along the creek.

A friend of mine sent me a picture of a citation sized crappie that he caught 
in a mill pondnear Clayton, Delaware.  Definitely the biggest crappie I have 
seen caught in a while in the First State.  He was fishing from a canoe using 
artificial worm, hoping to catch a largemouth bass.  If you, too, are looking 
to catch largemouth bass, here is the best guide to secret bass ponds in 
Delaware Big Bass in the Small Wonder

Ocean

A very rare Opah fish was caught off of Ocean City this week.  Word is 
that it took the lucky fisherman 1 hour to reel it in.  If you haven't heard 
of Opah, it is not a talk show host.  It isa deep, ocean fish uncommonly 
caught in our waters.  Rare catch for sure.    If you are looking to fish 
saltwater off the Delaware coast, now is a great time to connect with Tautog, 
Kings and Rockfish.   Good luck to everyone out there fishing.  Stay safe and 
have a happy Thanksgiving.

October 2017 Delaware Fishing Report

Delaware Fishing Report - October  2017

Saltwater

Tautog are biting well off Cape Henlopen and in the Indian River Inlet.  Green Crabs and Sandfleas tend to work well.  Most saltwater anglers I know are preparing their tackle for the fall Rockfish and bluefish Season. Bloodworms and bunker are  great bait to use if you plan to fish the inner harbors and bays.  Dogfish and Sea Bass are also biting near the rocks and piers of Lewes and the Delaware Bay.

Freshwater

Freshwater fishing is very productive in the Delmarva region right now.
As the temperatures start to decline, anglers are still catching lots of channel catfish, white/yellow perch, and Big Bass in the Small Wonder . Big pickerel can be caught using both live bait and artificial lures. Rivers like the Christina, St. Jones and both the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays are good for Rockfish.  If fly fishing is more your thing, then be advised that Fall trout season is right around the corner.  Hopefully, I may get to take a trip up to Pennsylvania trout country before the season is out.  Tight lines!

September 2017 Delaware Fishing Report

September 2017 Delaware Fishing Report



Freshwater Fishing

This past summer marked the two year anniversary of
the release of the Big Bass In the Small Wonder E-book, the definitive guide to the top "best kept secret" freshwater fishing locations in Delaware.  Currently, anglers are reporting great Largemouth Bass fishing action in local ponds like Noxontown, Lums and Becks.  The water temperatures are still warm and predatory fish are hungry and on the move.  Most fishermen will tell you that the best fishing is had in the early morning hours or at dusk. Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Crappie and Perch fishing continues to be good in local rivers, creeks and ditches.  Remember to get your copy of the Big Bass In the Small Wonder Ebook right here: Big-Bass-Small-Wonder-freshwater-ebook


Bay Fishing

Striped Bass (Rockfish)

I had the opportunity to fish the Chesapeake Bay and Sassafras River
in September.  Excellent fishing could be had if you caught the right tide.  I went dusk fishing for Channel Catfish on one occasion.  On another day I fished the open bay and landed numerous White Perch and my son caught a small Rockfish.  Short striped bass were reported by anglers in Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. Crabbing also continues to be good.  I had a great time steaming my own fresh caught blue claw crabs last week.  Check out the informative "how to" video I made here: How to Steam Blue Claw Crabs Delaware Style


Saltwater Fishing

Coastal Saltwater fishing continued to be good in Delaware during the month of September both from the surf and by boat.  Anglers reported catching limits of croaker, Northern Kingfish, bluefish and short Rockfish.
Flounder are said to be biting well in the Lewes Canal.  It won't be long until the Tautog are biting again and you can bet your bottom dollar this angler will be out there with green crabs as my bait.  Looking forward to fall surf fishing and sharing some new fish photos with all of you.  Be safe out there and, if you want to tie your own flies and lures, be sure to pick yourself up a Handcrafted Fly Tying Station which are for sale on ebay.