The Delaware Fishing Report offers information on when to fish, where to fish, which species are biting, and how to catch them. It is written weekly by Eric Burnley, Sr.

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Heads-up if You Fish Around Indian River Inlet: Sand Bypass Testing Begins

Beach visitors — and anglers — at Delaware Seashore State Park and in the Indian River Inlet must stay clear of designated areas around the Inlet starting Monday, July 14, as testing of the sand bypass system begins. Entering these active work zones during pumping operations is dangerous and strictly prohibited.

Learn More

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Delaware Bay

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Patty at Captain Bones in Odessa said not much has changed from last week. Spot, croaker and white perch are still available at the fishing pier in Woodland Beach. Bloodworms, FishBites and peeler crab will catch all three.

Leipsic

Steve at Smith Bait told us the striper action continued at the Augustine Wall where slot fish were caught on peeler crab at night, from one hour before until one hour after high tide.

Big white perch are there at the same time and will also take peeler crab.

Out in the Delaware Bay, the reef sites are covered up with croaker. There are lots of shorts, but plenty of 9- to 11-inch fish to fill your cooler. Bloodworms, peeler crab and FishBites.

Broadkill Beach

Dan at Dan’s Tackle said fishing has stayed pretty much the same along Broadkill Beach. Croaker, spot and kings pretty much fill the day as they chomp away on bloodworms, peeler crab or FishBites.

The Broadkill River gives you the best chance for a keeper flounder. Try a large minnow or a live spot on a fish-finder rig. The river also holds spot and croaker.

Lewes

Lewes Harbour Marina had several charter and private boats run to ocean structure during the week and return with sea bass and flounder. No one had anywhere near a limit as they had to cull out the few keepers from the numerous shorts.

Boats that stayed in the bay had lots of action from croaker, kings and spot that jumped all over bloodworms, peeler crab and squid strips.

Breakwater Tackle on the fishing pier at Cape Henlopen State Park said spot, croaker and kings made up most of the catch from the pier last week. Bloodworms, peeler crab and FishBites were the most common baits.

A few anglers did try to catch flounder by working minnows on jigs or bucktails close to the pilings. For the most part their efforts were without result.

Indian River Inlet

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Old Inlet Bait and Tackle told us not much has changed at the Inlet. There are still a few stripers around at night and they will take a drifted sand flea or eel.

During the day on incoming water the occasional bluefish will pass by and take a metal lure or bucktail. Sheepshead and tog are available from the rocks on sand fleas.

Indian River Bay

Rick’s Bait and Tackle reported spot and croaker caught at Massey’s Landing on bloodworms.

Flounder are available in Indian River and Rehoboth bays for those who drift fish with minnows or Gulp! on a bucktail.

Important Safety Reminder

Pay close attention to designated work zone areas associated with testing of the sand bypass system. Entering active work zones during pumping operations is dangerous and strictly prohibited.

Surf Fishing

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Old Inlet Bait and Tackle reported spot, croaker, kings and blues have been caught from the beach between the numerous skates and dogs.

Inshore Ocean

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Quick Draw Sportfishing had a good catch of blues and Spanish mackerel while trolling down at Fenwick Shoal over the weekend.

Rick’s Bait and Tackle checked in a 6.4-pound flounder for Patrick Thomas that he caught at Fenwick Shoal.

Offshore Ocean

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Once again Hook ‘em and Cook ‘em saw several boats return from the canyons with yellowfin and bigeye tuna. It’s all matter of being in the right place at the right time.

Freshwater

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Steve at Smith Bait heard about snakeheads being caught out of Garrison’s Lake and Massey’s Mill Pond on chatterbaits and artificial frogs.

Patty at Captain Bones told us about eleven-year-old Easton Pruitt who caught a 10.01-pound snakehead out of the Appoquinimick River.

Six-year-old Hunter DiLeo caught a 5.71-pound catfish, also from the Appoquinimick River.

Catchin’ Croaker

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When I began to fish Delaware Bay with my grandfather in the 1950s all we caught were croaker and we were happy to have them. Then the trout came on and we forgot all about croaker.

Now the trout have been gone for years and the croaker are making a comeback. I love catching croaker and they make for some good eating.

Let’s be thankful for what we have and catch ‘em up.

Related Topics:  delaware bay, dfw, fishing, freshwater, indian river inlet, ocean and coasts, outdoors and recreation, surf fishing, wildlife