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

You have to figure if you complain about the cold water and air hurting the fishing the weather gods would get even. And boy did they get even! Now we have people complaining about the heat. As my grandfather always said, “Some folks would complain if you hung ‘em with a new rope.”

Delaware Bay

Patty at Captain Bones recorded not one, but two sheepshead citations for 13-year-old Chance Rogers for his 10.34 and 9.28 beauties caught on shrimp and sand fleas from the Outer Wall off of Lewes.

Croaker have been caught from the Woodland Beach fishing pier on bloodworms, Fishbites, shrimp and squid.

At Augustine Beach catfish and white perch are available with the catfish taking cut bait and the perch caught on bloodworms or Fishbites.

Leipsic

Steve at Smith Bait in Leipsic told us most of the local action was on sites 3 and 4 out in Delaware Bay. Sheepshead were caught on sand fleas, shrimp and peeler crab and flounder were taken on minnows, strips of squid and Gulp!.

At the jetty in Bowers Beach, flounder were caught along with a few slot striped bass. The stripers were taken on peeler crab.

Broadkill Beach

Dan at Dan’s Tackle said most of his customers didn’t fish on Wednesday or Thursday because it was just too hot on Broadkill Beach. The few that did found spot and croaker on bloodworms, Fishbites, shrimp and squid.

Early in the week one lady filled a cooler with nice-sized spot from the beach.

Lewes

Lewes Harbour Marina reported that boats that were able to fish ocean structure found flounder and sea bass. It was a steady pick, but limits were rare. Most folks went home with a decent catch.

The head boat Angler caught good numbers of croaker and spot from Delaware Bay.

Private boats that fished the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal with minnows caught the occasional keeper flounder. Those that used bloodworms or Fishbites had plenty of croaker and spot.

Breakwater Tackle on the fishing pier at Cape Henlopen State Park saw spot and croaker as the primary catch during the past week. Bloodworms and Fishbites were the top baits. A few pompano were in the mix as well.

Keeper flounder were hard to come by, but that didn’t stop folks from fishing minnows close to the pilings.

Sheepshead were caught tight to the pilings on sand fleas or green crabs.

Indian River Inlet

Old Inlet Bait and Tackle told us triggerfish have joined the party at the Inlet. They, along with sheepshead, will take sand fleas and green crabs fished tight to the rocks.

Blues still invade the Inlet on incoming water and may be caught on metal lures.

Stripers are caught during night tides on bucktails and plugs.

Indian River Bay

Rick’s Bait and Tackle said flounder are still the main attraction out of Indian River Bay with minnows the top bait.

Summer is here, so fishing after 10 a.m. is pretty much a waste of time.

Surf Fishing

Old Inlet Bait and Tackle told us kings are being caught from the beach along with spot and croaker. Bloodworms and Fishbites with some sand fleas have been used with success.

Ocean

Burt at Hook ‘em and Cook ‘em had some good news from Fenwick Shoal. The Spanish mackerel have arrived and trolling with drone spoons will get their attention.

Blues are there as well and the wrecks produce sheepshead, triggerfish and flounder.

The Old Grounds and the Inshore Reef Sites hold flounder, croaker and sea bass.

Hook ‘em and Cook ‘em reported that private boats have had success in the canyons with yellowfin tuna and tilefish.

Be aware you must have a permit from NOAA to fish for tilefish even if it is from a recreational boat. You also must file a report within 24 hours after returning from a tilefish trip.

Freshwater

Patty at Captain Bones said bass have been caught at Garrisons Lake and Massey’s Pond on chatter and swim baits.

Steve at Smith Bait told us bass and crappie were taken near Silver Lake in Dover. The bass hit minnows and swim baits while the crappie went after minnows and crappie jigs.

Go Early to Beat the Heat

When the weather is going to be hot, get out of bed and on the water at first light. The air will be cooler, the water will be calmer and you will have a much better chance of catching a fish before the descending hoards cover up the water.

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.