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.

Delaware Bay

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Patty at Captain Bones in Odessa had nothing new to report as the usual white perch and catfish remain along the shoreline from Augustine Beach down to the fishing pier at Woodland Beach.

More croaker are showing up as the water warms, but the heavy rain has slowed their arrival by keeping the salt level low.

Leipsic

Steve at Smith Bait told us that Port Mahon has seen trout, flounder and sheepshead caught on peeler crab, minnows, and squid.

The jetty at Bowers Beach has seen a lot of croaker and a few sheepshead on peeler crab, shrimp and minnows.

Broadkill Beach

Dan at Dan’s Tackle told us Broadkill Beach saw slow action last week. The thunderstorms and oppressive heat, not to mention the flies, did not make for a pleasant fishing experience. `

Lewes

Lewes Harbour Marina told us on days when sea conditions allowed boats to sail to ocean structure they found plenty of sea bass and flounder, just not many that made the minimum size. It took a good bit of catching and sorting to cull through the shorts and put together a catch of keepers.

The Lewes and Rehoboth Canal gave up some nice flounder on bucktails, minnows, FishBites and Gulp!

Breakwater Tackle on the fishing pier at Cape Henlopen State Park told us spot and croaker plus some nice-sized kings were caught on bloodworms, FishBites and Gulp! The occasional flounder is caught on minnows fished close to the pilings.

Indian River Inlet

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Old Inlet Bait and Tackle told us striped bass, with a few in the 28- to 31-inch slot, have been caught from the jetties early in the morning on swimshads, eels and SP Minnows.

Blues, some in the 7- to 8-pound class, come through on incoming water and will hit metal lures such as a Hopkins.

A few flounder have been caught on live minnows worked in the slow eddies.

Indian River Bay

Rick’s Bait and Tackle said flounder have been caught out of Indian River Bay on minnows and Gulp!

Surf Fishing

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Old Inlet Bait and Tackle reported blues, spot, kings and croaker caught from the surf, but most of the fish caught there are dogs and skates.

Inshore Ocean

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All the boats that fished from Site 10 to the Old Grounds on out to the Del-Jersey Land Reef had the same report — lots and lots of short sea bass and flounder with just enough keepers to make the trip worthwhile.

One charter boat took extra money for fuel and ran out further. They boxed a six-man limit of sea bass in just three hours of fishing.

Offshore Ocean

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Once again Hook ‘em and Cook ‘em saw several yellowfin and bigeye tuna on their cleaning table during the week.

Freshwater

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Patty at Captain Bones told us bass have been caught out of Garrisons Lake on chatter and swimbaits.

Taylored Tackle said the hot weather has kept the number of fishermen down, but those who fish for blue catfish are still active. They find them in the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek. Baits include cut bunker, white perch and chicken liver.

Steve at Smith Bait said snakeheads are available from Massey’s Mill Pond on surface frog lures or large minnows.

Thunderstorms

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Getting caught in a thunderstorm is no fun. Have all on board don their PFDs. All you can do is try to head into the wind and rain after you drop all of your antennas, fishing rods and outriggers.

Visibility will be zero, the radar is no help and this is where you get to find out just how good a captain you really are.

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