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



By Eric Burnley Sr.*

Updated: Dec. 30, 2011

DELAWARE BAY Between the holidays and the wind it has been difficult to get any consistent reports, but those we did get indicate rockfish and tog remain active in the bay. Rockfish were caught at the mouth of the bay on a variety of baits and lures. Trolling at Overfalls Shoal was very productive and drifting with live eels or spot worked well at the Eights and the Valley. Chunkers have suffered from the lack of fresh bait.

It's always worth remembering that rockfish don’t bite 25/7. It is possible to fish for several hours without a strike and then hook up several in a row. It takes the right combination of tide, current and time of day to put the fish in a feeding mood. Since we never know exactly when those conditions will coincide to produce good fishing we have to keep trying until we get it right.

Tog fishing should remain good unless we get an extended period of cold weather. As always, the problem will be the wind and finding a day when it isn’t blowing too much to fish. The water in the bay will cool off before it does in the ocean and I have had tog fishing into February.

INDIAN RIVER INLET A few more keeper rockfish were caught out of the inlet over the holidays. Very few people were fishing and I would expect better reports after New Years.

Shad were also available on small spoons or bucktails.

Tog fishing should still be good from the rocks. As always, crab is the best bait.

SURF FISHING No reports at all from the surf. But a reminder: You will need the 2012 Surf Fishing Permit to drive on the beach after January 1.

INSHORE OCEAN We had reports of rockfish along the coast from Hen and Chicken Shoal to Fenwick Island. Trolling with plugs has been the top producer. No reports of blitz conditions with birds working over breaking fish, but a slow pick on rock over 30 inches. Remember to stay inside the three-mile-limit.

No doubt tog are waiting on inshore reefs and wrecks, but with the recent high winds few anglers have been able to get out. The tog will be feeding until the water temperature drops into the lower 30s so there is still good fishing to come.

During the winter long range trips are possible on the head boats out of Lewes and Indian River Inlet. These trips can produce good numbers of tilefish, cod and grouper. Check with your favorite captain for the schedule..

FRESHWATER Bass and pickerel are being caught from area ponds on live shiners. Crappie have been taken on small minnows fished on a jig under a bobber.

In the tidal rivers and creeks, catfish, and white perch have been caught on cut bait and bloodworms. A few short rockfish have been taken along with the cats and perch.

Cold-weather anglers will find good trout fishing in White Clay Creek. This activity will be available all winter unless we have a hard freeze.

CLOSE TO HOME With saltwater fishing during the winter difficult at best, those of us who may have lost the love of being bounced around on a winter sea while fighting hypothermia can find fishing opportunities closer to home on much calmer water. Granted, the rewards are not as big, but beyond a certain age, comfort often outweighs ego.

Delaware is blessed with many ponds, spillways and creeks that are always open and always hold fish. Bass and pickerel do not migrate up and down the coast.

During the winter, live bait has the best reputation for producing fish with shiners and minnows topping the list. The ever humble earthworm will also catch fish, even those tricky trout in White Clay Creek.

I happen to live close to Red Mill Pond and can access it from the community dock. I also fish the spillways in Laurel and Milton and the creeks and ponds on Prime Hook NWR. I can go to these locations, fish until I get cold then either quit or get back in the truck until I warm up. Since I release everything I catch, I never have fish to clean when I return home.

I do not go out when the wind is howling or the temperature is likely to produce frostbite. Anything above 40 degrees is tolerable for short periods and I never plan to fish all day. I would not ice fish if they were catching 50-pound rockfish on every drop.

When the weather is mild I might even put my 16-foot boat in a pond. It has an electric trolling motor and works well as a bass boat.
When the football games are over and before pitchers and catchers report, you might find yourself with some time on your hands. Get out and wet a line. It will make the winter pass quickly and before you know it the flounder will be back.

*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.