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



By Eric Burnley Sr.*

Updated: Oct. 21, 2011

DELAWARE BAY Tog have been the primary target for bay anglers and most are finding good action. The head boats out of Bowers Beach had tog to over five pounds on mid-bay reef sites. Lower bay sites also produced tog for boats out of Mispillion and Lewes. Crab remains the best bait.
The Outer Wall and the Ice Breakers not only held tog, but some impressive sheepshead. A few fishermen were surprised by black drum to 25 pounds along the Inner and Outer walls.

Rockfish were caught from Woodland Beach, the Bull Pen and the Yellow Can on bloodworms, eels and cut bunker. This is the first sign of the fall run and fishing will only get better as the water continues to cool.

Little blues continue to roam the lower bay and are often seen chasing bait to the surface. When spotted under diving birds they may be caught on small metal lures or bucktails.

INDIAN RIVER INLET The fall run of rockfish got underway and should improve as the water temperature continues to cool. Not a lot of keepers, but a fair number of 20 to 26-inch fish will keep anglers entertained until the larger fish arrive. Bucktails, eels and live spot have all attracted strikes.
One technique that has proven effective is trolling Stretch 25s at night. It takes a good deal of boat handling skill to fish anywhere after dark let along while trailing a couple of lines off the stern. Other anglers will not be prepared for this and I can foresee problems once the inlet becomes crowded.
Light tackle and fly fishermen will be happy to hear that hickory shad and small blues are in the mix here. Look for diving birds and cast small spoons, jigs or flies to the fish underneath. Hickory shad will give you plenty of fight and while not great table fare they do make an excellent bait for big rockfish.

Jetty jockeys are finding blues, rock and hickory shad while casting a variety of lures and flies. Those who soak green crabs or sand fleas are catching small tog.

SURF FISHING Surf fishing is on the verge of breaking loose. Beach rats to our north report big rockfish in the suds on clams, bunker and plugs. I plan to spend even more time on the beach as the weather turns colder.

Right now it is still small blues with the occasional king and small trout. The mullet run continues and small cut chunks of this bait is still the top offering.

INSHORE OCEAN Tog action has been good over inshore wrecks and reefs. With sea bass season closed until November 1, the only available species for bottom fishermen is the tog.

A few keeper flounder were caught, but that season will close next week. Boats fishing further offshore are finding a few cod.

OFFSHORE OCEAN The Spencer Canyon had a great yellowfin bite on the chunk last weekend. Since then the weather has prevented any more offshore fishing.

FRESHWATER Pond fishermen are finding a variety of species to target. Bass, as always, lead the list and right now they will eat just about anything as they feed before the water becomes too cold. Crappie are being caught on jigs baited with a live minnow. Pickerel are also on the feed and will take a variety of lures and live baits.

The tidal creeks and rivers hold good numbers of white perch and some short rockfish. Both will take minnows, bloodworms and peeler crab.
Catfish are available as far up the Delaware River as Claymont with bloodworms, earthworms, cut bunker and peeler crab all taking a share of these fish. A few cats are pushing 10 pounds and that is pretty big for Delaware catfish.

The Nanticoke River and Broad Creek are giving up good action on bass with the best fishing as always on a falling tide. White perch and catfish are also available here and Phillips Landing is one of the best locations for shore fishermen. Both waterways hold big pickerel and they too will become more active during the fall.

Fall trout fishing in White Clay Creek should be good as the state has restocked this popular area. Fly fishermen can concentrate on the upper part of the creek while the rest of us will find less crowded conditions in the remainder of the stream.

INDIAN RIVER INLET ROCKFISH Rockfish will begin filtering into Indian River Inlet this month and will reach their peak sometime in November. This run attracts more fishermen every year and safety is not always their top concern.

The inlet is by far the most popular location for fishermen and conditions can become quite crowded, especially on the weekends. Unfortunately, this is when the majority of fishermen have time to practice their sport and the presence of so many boats tends to put the rockfish off their feed.

If you are serious about catching rockfish out of the Indian River Inlet you may have to burn some vacation time to have a decent shot at success. If you must fish on the weekends there are alternatives to fighting the crowds.

One alternative is Massey’s Ditch. Fish there at dawn and dusk when boat traffic is down and work along the shoreline with bucktails or plugs. The shore directly opposite the ramp can be productive and the rips at the Rehoboth Bay end of the ditch may also hold fish.

The backside of Burton’s Island is another place where boat traffic is not too great. his location is best during high tides and has not only the shoreline, but some bars and holes back towards Massey’s.

Going up the Indian River Bay the wide expanse in front of Oak Orchard can be good for rockfish. We troll Tony Accetta 141 spoons behind a 1-ounce sinker searching for action. Once a concentration of rock is located it is possible to catch them by casting with spoons or bucktails.

It is possible to find rockfish under birds anywhere in the Indian River Bay. It is always a good idea to run to the action and give it a try. The fish under the birds may turn out to be blues or shad, but you won’t know if you don’t go.

No matter where you decide to fish for rock, an early start can be the key to success. Rock are notorious for being active in low light conditions and early morning usually finds fewer boats on the water.

*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.