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



By Eric Burnley Sr.*

Updated: October 15, 2010

DELAWARE BAY We finally had some decent weather and the fish showed their appreciation by biting baited hooks. The best fishing was for croaker at sites 6, 7 and 8. Reports of full coolers came from boats fishing out of Lewes, Mispillion and Bowers. Clam was the most popular bait, but squid, crab and Gulp! or FishBites also produced action.

Tog fishing was very good at the Outer Wall and the Ice Breakers. We saw limits that were taken from these locations with green crabs or sand fleas the prime offering. Most of these tog were in the 3 to 6-pound range.

Flounder season is closed until January 1, but we saw very few of these fish caught prior to the closing. I thought flounder aficionados would have been out in droves to catch their favorite fish before the closed season, but either they weren’t out or they couldn’t find any flounder.

There were reports of rockfish in the upper bay around Woodland Beach, the Cross Ledge and Ship John. Right now cut bunker is the top bait. Most of the rockfish being caught are shorts with a few keepers mixed in the catch. The number of keepers will increase as the waters cool and more fish move in from the ocean.

White perch have been available all year and they are still being caught in the tidal creeks. Bloodworms and peeler crab remain the best baits for perch.

INSHORE OCEAN Capt. Mike Pizzolato and I ran out to the Croaker Canyon on Tuesday after an unsuccessful try at running to Site 8 from Roosevelt Inlet. The forecast was north winds 5 to 10 knots and seas less than one foot. By my calculations the wind was a steady 15 knots and after taking five of those less than one footers over my bow I headed to the ramp, loaded the boat on the trailer and drove to Indian River Inlet.

The current at the inlet was running in so we were able to run out. My first stop was in 30 to 40 feet of water opposite the Old Coast Guard Station. After catching nothing there I ran a little further out and hit croakers in 50 feet. We had a good pick of croakers and six trout to 12 inches so long as we stayed in 50 feet.

I wanted to be back through the inlet before the current changed to outgoing so we headed in around noon. We made one drift along the southside of the inlet where Mike caught one very small blue and an equally small flounder.

Boats fishing further out around B Buoy and the Old Grounds reported good catches of keeper sea bass and croaker. The sea bass season is closed until November 1 so I don’t expect to see many boats running to these areas until then.

Tog were caught on inshore wrecks and this is where the action will be until the sea bass season reopens. Unfortunately, anglers will have to cull out the numerous sea bass they will hook while trying to catch tog.

Reports from trollers working the inshore lumps indicate large numbers of false albacore and a few bluefin tuna. Both species will be available for a few more weeks.

OFFSHORE OCEAN Yellowfin tuna made a good showing over the weekend and could provide some action for the next few weeks. The problem will be the weather that seldom allows runs to the canyons. Marlin were caught in 1,000 fathoms at the Norfolk Canyon.

INDIAN RIVER INLET Rockfish are the main draw to the inlet now, but they won’t arrive in numbers for another two or three weeks. A few keepers have been caught on live spot and Bomber plugs, but almost all the rock hooked have been shorts.

Tog fishermen are landing a fair number of keepers fishing sand fleas and green crabs in the rocks. I would expect the occasional sheepshead to be caught in the same location on the same bait.

My reports indicate bluefish travel through the inlet during periods of incoming water. My experience, however, does not verify these reports. I have been to the inlet several times in the last few weeks including Tuesday and have yet to see any bluefish during incoming water. I did see a good run one day last spring, but nothing since.

I would like to lay the blame on my reporters for fabricating their bluefish stories, but I know I can shut down a good run of any fish simply by showing up.

SURF FISHING The surf has been rough on more days than it has been fishable, but when conditions are favorable kings, blues and croaker have been caught. Since the mullet run is underway cut or whole mullet is the best bait for blues and croaker. Bloodworms are tops for the kings.

The Delaware Mobile Surf-Fishermen Tournament was held over the weekend at Cape Henlopen State Park. Chris Fortner was the overall winner, Pamela Merceron took the Ladies Division and Kenny Latch, Jr. won the Youth Division.

FRESHWATER Fishing in the state’s many ponds should be good now that the water temperature is falling. Bass will be feeding to fatten up before winter and the same goes for crappie and pickerel.

White perch continue to provide good fishing in tidal creeks where catfish may also be taken. Small rockfish have been caught along with the perch and cats.

The Brandywine and Christiana will hold smallmouth bass so long as heavy rains do not push the water levels too high. The tidal portions of these rivers should see some rockfish action during the next month or two.

COLD WEATHER FISHING SAFETY As we enter fall, the colder air and water makes fishing a bit more dangerous than it is during the summer. While drowning will still kill you, hypothermia can do you in long before you might have drowned.

Fishing in cold weather creates a situation where you want to dress for the conditions without wearing so many layers you are restricted in movement. I start with a good set of underwear followed with jeans, a flannel shirt, a wool sweater and a set of foul weather gear. You should wear foul weather gear even on sunny days because the outer layer of waterproof clothing will protect you from wind and spray either from the surf or in a boat.

I wear cotton socks and deck boats to keep my feet dry on a boat. Wet and cold feet will make for a miserable day on the water.

I do add one more article to my outfit, an inflatable PFD. I wear mine in warm and cold weather, but in the cold it is even more important. My vest is worn over my foul weather jacket and is so light that it never restricts my movement. In the event I should end up in the drink, the vest will inflate and I will remain on the surface even if hypothermia makes it impossible for me to swim.

Surf fishing requires the addition of waders in place of the foul weather bibs. Waders should never be worn on a boat or out on a jetty. If you fall in; waders can fill with water and pull you under.

I have a wide belt that I wear over my foul weather jacket in case I am knocked down by the surf. The belt would keep water out of my waders until I can regain my footing. It also keeps water from entering under the jacket should I get hit by a large wave.

It is a good idea to take along a complete set of dry clothes when going out in the cold and wet. I keep one in my beach buggy and have another packed with my foul weather gear in a waterproof bag. It can be a very miserable ride home if you are cold and wet.

*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.