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.

Current Conditions

While the rain held off a bit it was replaced by the wind. This did not have a bad effect on the local spot and croaker fishing but did cause a few trips out to the ocean to be cancelled. On days when boats could reach ocean structure, they caught sea bass, flounder and dolphin (mahi-mahi).

Delaware Bay

Patty at Captain Bones had nothing new to report as the fishing for catfish and white perch remains decent from Augustine Beach to Dobbinsville and along the banks of the C&D Canal.

The white perch will take bloodworms or grass shrimp while the catfish like a nice chunk of bunker or shad.

Leipsic

Steve at Smith Bait in Leipsic had reports from the tidal creeks and rivers of white perch and croaker. The croaker will take bloodworms or Fishbites.

Boats that fish the reef sites from Port Mahon find blues, croaker and flounder. The blues will take cut bait, bucktails or metal lures. The flounder are partial to live minnows or a bucktail with a Gulp! crawfish.

The Bowers Beach jetties see flounder, trout and croaker. Try a peeler crab bait or a yellow bucktail with a yellow worm for the trout.

Broadkill Beach

Dan at Dan’s Tackle said Broadkill Beach was so crowded over the holiday weekend that the park service closed it down at noon. Now that the rush is over, we should see bigger croaker here as the fall progresses.

The Broadkill River saw some nice, fat crabs and the occasional keeper flounder over the weekend.

Lewes

Aaron at Lewes Harbour Marina had nothing new to report since the boats that plied ocean structure brought back flounder and sea bass.

Those who stayed in Delaware Bay had spot and croaker. A few boats worked the Outer Wall and the Ice Breakers with sand fleas or crab baits and caught sheepshead or triggerfish.

Breakwater Tackle on the fishing pier at Cape Henlopen State Park did have one day when big spot ruled the boards, but most days it was a mix of spot and croaker with small flounder.

The occasional keeper flounder was caught close to the pilings where a few sheepshead were also taken.

Indian River Inlet

Old Inlet Bait and Tackle didn’t see much change in the fishing at the Inlet. One day the blues that usually only show up in the morning were active for much longer.

The night shift still uses live eels to catch and release over-slot stripers.

During the day sheepshead, tog and triggerfish have been caught on sand fleas and crab baits close to the rocks. Flounder are available from the down-current area of structure.

Rick’s Bait and Tackle gave the Eric Crossin family instructions on how to catch dolphin (mahi-mahi) along the bass pots. They followed those instructions and hooked a 36.8-pounder. When the big fish reached the boat, they had no net or gaff, so one of the kids grabbed the dolphin’s tail and the rest of the family helped him put the fish in the boat.

Indian River and Rehoboth Bays

Other than that excitement, croaker and flounder have been caught at Massey’s Ditch. Flounder are available at Bubblegum Beach.

Surf Fishing

Old Inlet Bait and Tackle said beach fishing saw kings, spot, croaker and sharks caught between skates and dogs.

Ocean

Burt at Hook ‘em and Cook ‘em said the Judy V and the Captain Bob had flounder and sea bass plus some croaker from the Old Grounds when the wind let them sail.

The structure at Fenwick Shoal provided Spanish mackerel and small blues for those who trolled Drone or Clark spoons.ottom fishing the wrecks there can produce sheepshead, flounder and triggerfish.

Hook ‘em and Cook ‘em said with the price of fuel not many boats have been going to the canyons. Those that do find tuna and tilefish.

Freshwater

Patty at Captain Bones said most of the of the ponds had bass on minnows and soft plastics.

Steve at Smith Bait in Leipsic told us bass have been caught from Silver Lake on live minnows.

Deep-Drop Charter

If you can afford it, now would be a good time to book a deep-drop charter or head boat trip.

The cost will be north of $400, but you will end up with a freezer full of the best eating fish in the sea.

Plus, you will enjoy one of the most exciting fishing experiences there is.

Eric Burnley, Sr. is a native Delawarean who has fished local waters for more than 60 years. Eric Burnley has been a full-time outdoor writer since 1978, with articles appearing in most national magazines and many regional publications. He has written three books: Surf Fishing the Atlantic Coast, The Ultimate Guide to Catching Striped Bass and Fishing Saltwater Baits.