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 veteran Delaware angler Eric Burnley, Sr.

Delaware Bay

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Patty at Captain Bones in Odessa told us croaker, spot, white perch and catfish have all be caught from the fishing pier at Woodland Beach. The croaker and spot will take bloodworms or Fishbites while the white perch like grass shrimp or bloodworms and the catfish will take cut bunker or baits made just for them.

The tidal creeks and rivers and the shoreline from Augustine Beach down to Woodland Beach give up white perch and catfish as well.

Steve at Smith Bait in Leipsic said a few good-sized trout and croaker have been caught from Bowers beach on peeler crab. Reef Site 4 and the oyster beds have also seen bigger croaker and trout also on peeler crab.

Dan at Dan’s Tackle in Milton was having phone problems but said fishing has remained about the same at Broadkill Beach in spite of the rain. Spot, croaker and kings have been caught at Broadkill Beach on bloodworms, squid and Fishbites.

In the Broadkill River, flounder are found by those using live minnows or Gulp! Keepers however, are few and far between.

At Lewes Harbour Marina it has been a difficult time for the charter fleet since the flounder minimum size went to 17.5 inches. Some boats are fishing for tog and sheepshead. Others continue to fish for flounder. The head boats fished bay structure for kings, croaker and spot.

Jules and Billy Mister caught several flounder to 6.04 pounds on Bay structure — a personal best for Jules.

Breakwater Tackle on the fishing pier at Cape Henlopen State Park said for the most part spot and croaker made up the catch for pier patrons. A few keeper flounder were taken during the week and one angler managed to take two in one day. Bloodworms or Fishbites were the top baits for the spot and croaker, but on the pier, you can expect to find anything from cut spot to hot dogs.

Indian River Inlet

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Old Inlet Bait and Tackle said striped bass in, below and above the 28 to 31-inch slot were caught on Sunday and Monday evening by drifting sand fleas. The action was steady and while it slowed a bit on Wednesday evening more stripers were still caught on sand fleas.

Blues continue to be caught on white bucktails with a white worm during incoming water. It is not a blitz, but the fish are there, you just have to place your bucktail in front of them.

Flounder have been caught on live minnows or Gulp! fished on a jig and worked close to the rocks or in the slower water. Croaker are also found in the slower water and will take bloodworms or Fishbites on a top-bottom rig.

Surf Fishing

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Old Inlet Bait and Tackle said spot, croaker and kings were caught from the beach on bloodworms or Fishbites.

Last Friday I fished the surf just south of Herring Point and happened to be next to my friend Roy Miller. Between the two of us we caught spot, croaker and kings on Fishbites.

Back Bays

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Rick’s Bait and Tackle on Long Neck reported that the flounder fishing in the Back Bays is best early or late in the day.

With summer here there are too many boats on the water during the day to get a good drift. Spot and croaker are around and are fun to catch on light tackle.

Inshore Ocean

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Lewes Harbour Marina said flounder fishing has been poor in the ocean with lots of shorts and few keepers. There are a few triggerfish to take up the slack.

Burt at Hook ‘em and Cook ‘em told us the rain has made for a light rail on the Judy V and slow fishing for sea bass and flounder.

Frank Tucker, Brad and Vickey caught 20 flounder for four keepers to 19 inches at B Buoy on Saturday.

Inshore boats are finding dolphin on the sea bass pots.

Offshore Ocean

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Hook ’em and Cook ‘em said a private boat had a two-man limit of 16 golden tilefish on Wednesday.

Another private boat ran an overnight trip and brought back some tuna.

The Under Taker went four for four on white marlin on Tuesday.

Freshwater

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Patty at Captain Bones in Odessa said bass have been caught on Rat-L-Traps and crank baits early or late in the day at Garrisons Lake or Silver Lake in Dover.

Taylored Tackle in Seaford told us the rain has improved the fishing in the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek. More crappie are showing up in the catch reports and they are caught on small minnows fished under a bobber.

The always-present blue catfish will still take cut bait such as bunker, bluegill or white perch.

Take a Friend Fishing

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So, we all hear about taking a kid fishing, so how about taking a friend fishing? Does a neighbor show an interest when you come back from a trip? Perhaps someone at work asks questions about your fishing. These are perfect folks to ask on the next trip.

Their first trip should not be to the canyons on a 20-foot center console. Perhaps a run to the Old Grounds for sea bass and flounder or out to Site 8 for kingfish.

If you surf fish, try 3Rs Road. Stay away from Indian River Inlet until your friend learns how to use the equipment.

Using the equipment is very important. Try to explain how to use a spinning and conventional reel before you get on the boat. If possible, practice casting before you go up on the beach for the first time.

Most important of all, make sure your friend has a good time!

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