Delaware Fishing Report



Updated: March 26, 2010

By Eric Burnley Sr.*

DELAWARE BAY Last weekend saw the beginning of what we hope will be a great fishing season in Delaware Bay. Beginning in the upper bay and lower Delaware River, rockfish were caught from Claymont to Woodland Beach. All reports indicate these fish were caught from shore.

Having grown up in Claymont in the 1940s and 50s, I still find it hard to believe that fish now live and spawn in a river that was literally an open sewer with a shoreline covered in oil. In those days the only life along the river were the rats that made their living foraging along the shore where the sewers ran into the river.

All reports indicate bloodworms were the only bait used for catching these stripers. It won’t be long before fresh herring will move into the top spot as these fish begin to migrate up the bay.

Further down the bay we had reports of tog caught at Reef Site 7. These were 5- to 6-pound fish taken on crab. Very few boats were out in spite of the weather, but as more are put into service I think we will find tog holding on most bay structure.

INSHORE OCEAN Tog fishing was on the slow side over the weekend as a lack of current made fishing difficult. Boats that did fish all reported catching tog on inshore structure with Reef Site 10 the most commonly mentioned.

The water temperature in the ocean is still on the cool side and we expect to see gradual improvement as the water warms. Once the temperature on the bottom reaches the mid to upper 40s the tog bite should really turn on.

INDIAN RIVER INLET Fishing at the inlet remains slow, but just inshore at the VFW Slough we had reports of flounder to 22 inches caught last week. This is exciting news as most Delaware anglers target flounder and catching some in late March is a real good sign for the 2010 season.

Flounder success during this early run is dependent on the weather. Warm, sunny days will raise the water temperature and get the flounder in a feeding mood. I like to fish the top of the tide into the outgoing because the sun will heat the water on the flats. I start right in the shallow water drifting live minnows without any weight. Once the current gets running out hard I will move to the channels and sloughs using only enough weight to keep my minnow on the bottom.

FRESHWATER All reports indicate good fishing in the ponds and spillways. Right now pickerel, sunfish, crappie and bass are feeding on live bait, plastic worms and crankbaits. A friend of mine fished the pond on Prime Hook last Thursday catching crappie, bass and pickerel on a small crankbait.

The tidal creeks and spillways hold good numbers of white perch and crappie. A small shad dart with a minnow has been a good bait for both.

BOSTON MACKEREL It has been many years since we had a good run of Boston mackerel, but every spring I get the idea that this may be the year they return. If they do show, boats fishing for tautog in the ocean will be the first to spot them. Once seen, the word will spread quickly and if you hear they are in the area do not hesitate to get on a boat.

If you plan to fish for mackerel in your own boat be ready to spend considerable time trying to clean the scales off of everything on board. I have found the fishing to be better and the cleanup much easier if I fish from a charter or head boat.

Mackerel are usually caught on rig with several small plastic tubes and a Diamond jig for weight. Multiple catches are the norm and filling a cooler is quick work. Take all you need, but be aware these fish have a high oil content and do not freeze well. On the other hand they make a great bait when frozen after a soaking in kosher salt brine.

* 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.