Delaware Fishing Report
When, Where, What and How They're Biting



By Eric Burnley Sr.*

Updated: Jan. 27, 2011

DELAWARE BAY The last report I had from the mouth of the bay indicated many more dogfish than rockfish. Drifting with eels took both species.

In the upper bay, small rockfish have been caught from the pier at Woodland Beach, Reedy Point and in the C&D Canal. Cut frozen bunker or mullet has been the top bait. This same bait fished in the same locations will catch catfish..

INDIAN RIVER INLET The warmer weather has brought out more fishermen and they have found a few tog and rockfish. The rock are hitting white bucktails with a white worm, swim shads and flies tied behind a sinker. Tog like green crabs.

SURF FISHING Nothing but dog sharks from the beach. I am surprised that ling have not been caught considering the warmer than normal weather.

INSHORE OCEAN .Tog fishing has been outstanding and, even better; the fish are close to shore. On Wednesday, Captain John Nedelka on the Karen Sue out of Indian River Inlet called me to report he was catching tog at Reef Site 10 just five miles from the inlet. He said this was very unusual because the water inshore is normally too cold in late January. He did fish further off on Tuesday catching tog in the deeper water as well. Crab is the bait of choice.

Rockfish have been scarce here, but are thick off of Virginia Beach. Water temperature there is still above 50 degrees and big bluefin tuna have been caught as close as two miles from shore. This is unprecedented in recent history.

FRESHWATER Freshwater fishing is so good I may even try it myself. Bass have been caught from the ponds on shiners. Crappie are taken on small minnows and big pickerel will take either bait.

The tidal creeks hold white perch, crappie and catfish. Earthworms are best for the perch, cut bunker for the cats and live minnows for the crappie. Spillways at the head of these creeks are good locations for all three species. The Bethel Hole on the Nanticoke River and the spillway in Seaford are giving up some big crappie.

No report from White Clay Creek, but I suspect the hardcore trout fishermen are finding some action here. Bait such as earthworms or mealworms along with flies will get the trout’s attention.

HEAD BOATS With tog fishing very good right now you may wish to give it a try. I strongly suggest fishing from one of the head or charter boats available out of Lewes and Indian River Inlet because of the danger of running a trailer boat in the ocean during the winter. Winter seas are generally larger than in the summer and any wind above 15 knots is going to make for, at the very least, an uncomfortable and wet excursion. Head and charter boat captains have locations in their GPS units where they have confidence the tog will be waiting. They also have mates to handle the anchoring chores.

If you have never fished from a head boat you will find the experience interesting. The patrons will have every level of fishing expertise from novice to old salt. As a rule the old salts will be on the stern or bow where they will guard their territory like a Doberman.

Expect at least a few of the passengers to succumb to mal de mer. To avoid this yourself do not eat a big, greasy breakfast and avoid alcohol on the evening before the trip. Pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and light snacks like cheese crackers. Do not buy subs the night before the trip, store them in the cooler and then break them out around noon. Even if the smell does not make you sick, it is sure to upset weaker stomachs on board.

Should you feel the least bit sick, DO NOT GO INTO THE CABIN! If you do you will be sick and the mess you make will cause others to follow suit. Find the lee side of the boat and stand there. The air may make you feel better and if not, at least the warm spray will not blow back on you or anyone in your range.

Dress for the cold. Even a warm day on shore will be a cold day on the ocean. Put on layers of clothing ending with a foul weather suit and rubber boots. Should you be too warm you can always remove a layer or two. If you get cold it is hard to find a clothing store 20 miles from shore.

Fishing etiquette requires the use of rigs and weights of the same type and size. Fish too light a weight and your rig will drag bottom and tangle with your companions'. This will cause the mate and your new best friends to think poorly of you. Some may even express their displeasure by cutting your line, commenting on your fishing ability and perhaps make disparaging remarks about your intelligence.

I recommend tying a single-hook rig out of 50-pound test monofilament line. Use double surgeon’s loops for the hook and sinker and a perfection loop on the top. The Virginia style hook is a favorite among tog fishermen. I use 60-pound braid on a conventional outfit so the knots on the rig should break in the event of a snag. Make sure you tie or buy at least a dozen rigs before leaving the dock.
Finally, and this is important: Tip the mate. These guys and girls work hard to catch you some fish and they only get paid in tips.

*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.