Delaware Fishing Report


Updated: December 18, 2009

By Eric Burnley Sr.*

DELAWARE BAY The rockfish bite just keeps on keeping on. The lower bay around the Eights and Overfalls Shoal has seen steady action when weather conditions permit boats to reach the grounds.

Three of us fished this area on Tuesday arriving around 8 a.m. and departing in mid-afternoon. When we got to the Eights the current was slack full so we tried trolling until the current began to run out. It has been my experience that dog sharks like to feed on slack water so drifting eels can be a waste of time and bait.

We had one rockfish on the troll and missed another. Once the current started out we switched to drifting eels and put four more rock in the cooler. The fish were scattered and we had our best luck away from the fleet drifting over rips.

Right after lunch we were boarded by the Coast Guard for a safety inspection. The captain had everything in order and the Coasties were very efficient. It has been awhile since I was checked by the Coast Guard and they now do everything electronically. One officer has a small computer about the size of a book and he checks off the various safety items and enters the information about the boat. Once the inspection is complete, the computer prints out a receipt that is similar to what you would get in the supermarket. I asked how the computer was working out and was told it does fine until the salt environment begins to cause problems. I suspect bouncing around in an open, hard-hull inflatable could also create some difficulties.

The weekend weather does not look promising, but if we can wring out a few more good days before the New Year I think the rock will still be available. The water temperature Tuesday was in the upper 40s and we should have rockfish until it falls into the lower 40s.

Tog fishing has taken a backseat to the rockfish action, but once the rock are gone the boats will concentrate on tog. The Outer Wall will be a favorite as will the wrecks and reefs in the lower bay. Head boats and a few charter boats will still be fishing during the winter.

INSHORE OCEAN There were good reports from the charter boats that fished for tog during the weekend. The best bite was over wrecks within 20 miles of the beach. This fishing will remain good for most of the winter and there are charter and head boats sailing for tog from Indian River Inlet.

INDIAN RIVER INLET A few rockfish were caught out of the inlet on eels and white bucktails. I still think there is a possibility that a school of rockfish could invade the inlet on their way south. It will take an east wind like we are supposed to have on Friday and Saturday to move the fish into the inlet.

Tog continue to be caught from the rocks on crabs. While fishing pressure will be light from now until spring, the fish will be there for those who brave the conditions.

SURF Reports from the surf indicate a few short rock and one or two flounder. I still hold out hope for some larger rockfish, but I must admit that hope is fading fast.

FRESHWATER We continue to get reports of good bass and crappie fishing in the ponds and in the Nanticoke River. Live shiners for the bass and small minnows for the crappie has been the bait pattern. We did hear that plastic lures such as Senkos are also producing bass.
Small rockfish and white perch have been caught in the tidal creeks on bloodworms and grass shrimp. This fishing will be available all winter.
A few pickerel and yellow perch were caught out of the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek. Both will hit a live minnow or shiner.

COLD WATER ACCESS I am not a big fan of going out to sea in a small boat during the winter. Once the water drops into the low 30s what would have been a bad experience in the summer turns into a fatal accident in the winter.

I either go out on a charter or head boat or fish from shore. The boats are more seaworthy than a trailer boat and the captains more experienced than I am, and while bad things may still happen, the chance of serious problems is considerably reduced.
Head and charter boats will run all winter out of Indian River and Lewes. With sea bass season closed, they will target tog and perhaps run to the canyons for some tilefish.

Land based access may be found in many locations throughout Delaware. One of the more popular places is the fishing pier at Massey’s Ditch. Wintertime anglers catch tog and short rockfish here on crab and bloodworms.

Freshwater fishermen can use the excellent pier at the Laurel spillway where crappie and yellow perch will be available all winter and the herring run begins in the spring. I have fished this spot since I was a child; long before the pier was built, catching everything from bass to rockfish.

The spillway at Garrison’s Lake is another easy access spot. Crappie and perch make up most of the catch here.

Hardy trout fishermen work White Clay Creek catching the fish that spend the winter there. While flies are always popular, a piece of garden hackle, mealworm or other fresh bait is more likely to produce action.

If you launch your boat at Lewes, the Eights are a short run from the ramp. In addition the Inner and Outer walls provide some protection from the weather for more than halfway out.Do not wear waders on a boat. If you fall overboard you might as well have an anchor around your neck.

* Eric Burnley Sr. is a native Delawarean who has fished the waters of his home state for more than 60 years. He has been a full-time outdoor writer since 1978, with articles appearing in most national magazines as well as many regional publications. He has authored two books, Surf Fishing The Atlantic Coast and The Ultimate Guide To Catching Striped Bass.