Updated: December 25, 2009
By Eric Burnley Sr.*
DELAWARE BAY Fishing was great right up until the weekend storm. Rockfish continued to hit at the Eights and Overfalls Shoal on eels, metal jigs and trolled Stretch 25s. Friday was the last time anyone fished due to the strong northwest winds that followed the storm.
The question now is what to expect in the next few weeks. The rockfish were here before the storm and I believe they will still be available after the holidays. I expect the bite to move south with best action found under birds that follow the fish and the bait. The mouth of the bay could still hold some fish, with Hen and Chicken Shoal a good place to start.
Tog fishing will come into its own once the rockfish bite slows. Up until now, most boats have been hitting the rockfish, but tog will be the primary target in January. The Outer Wall will be a gathering place for tog fishermen since it is close to Lewes and is somewhat sheltered from the weather.
INSHORE OCEAN The weekend storm prevented anyone from fishing in the ocean, but once the seas settle down the boats will be back out on the tog. This fishery will last all winter and anglers can choose from several head and charter boats that will run from Indian River and Lewes.
INDIAN RIVER INLET Nothing to report from here as the weather combined with the holiday season has all but stopped fishing. Tog will be available all winter for the hardy souls who choose to fish for them.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 I cleaned all the surf fishing stuff out of my truck this week and called it a season. We only had three good days this fall and I was in Cape Hatteras for two and had to work during the other. As a former friend of mine said, the first day of winter means spring is only three months away.
FRESHWATER I am sure we will have good freshwater fishing all winter, but right now Red Mill Pond has a covering of skim ice and don’t think ponds to the north are in any better shape.
WINTER TOG FISHING Tog will be available all winter and finding a good weather day is more difficult than finding the fish. I am sure some trailer boat owners will try to fish from their boats, but for me, fishing in the winter is best done from a charter or head boat.
The first thing you must do is dress for the cold. Unless you can figure a way to fish from the heated cabin you are going to end up outside and it will be nasty. Keep in mind that you will be on a boat and the boat will be on the very cold water so keeping dry is the only way to keep warm.
I am old and I have circulatory problems in my feet, so warm boots and socks are my best friend. I even carry an extra pair of socks just in case the first pair gets wet. People who may suffer from seasickness should take every precaution as even a good day in the winter can be pretty rough.
Once fortified against the cold, tackle is the next consideration. This is no place for light tackle. You must use a sturdy rod and a conventional reel filled with 50 to 60-pound braid. Tie six to 10 feet of 50-pound mono line to the braid to keep the braid from chaffing against the structure and to break when you get hung on the bottom.
Tog are the only fish that I can’t say a circle hook will improve your catch to bite ratio. A tog eats by crushing the bait in the front of its mouth and spitting out the shell and the hook. Since the hook seldom enters the mouth a circle hook cannot do its job correctly. Most tog experts use a Virginia style hook and develop very quick reflexes.
When you finally get tired of watching football and need a little outdoor recreation, get together a party and charter a boat or make a reservation on a head boat, and put some fresh tog on the table.
* 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.