Article by Larry Jock
The big news this week was that the first white marlin of the season was finally caught! Ian Schwing on the “Fish Whistle” caught and released the white marlin while fishing in 250 fathoms in the Poor Man’s Canyon where Capt. Charlie Horning found 67-degree water temperature. Since the “Fish Whistle” is a member of the Ocean City Marlin Club, Ian earns $5,000 from the club for the first released white marlin of the season. Congratulations to Ian, his dad, Stephen Schwing, Capt. Charlie Horning and mate Walt Schrade for their release.
Bert at the Hook’em &?Cook’em Tackle Shop in the Indian River Marina reported small stripers, ranging from 20 to 27-inches, were caught last week by anglers fishing from the rocks of the Indian River Jetty by anglers fishing with sand fleas during early morning hours. On Sunday morning, anglers casting off the rocks also found 21-inch weakfish interested in the sand fleas intended for linesiders.
Flounder fishing in the Indian River Inlet continues to be sub-par with a few boated early in the week before the windy weather on Sunday.
Flatties were also found in the back bays early in the week near the VFW?Slough and Massey’s Ditch. The bite turned off over the weekend with windy conditions having an adverse effect on water quality.
Headboats out of Indian River reported slow sea bass fishing on ocean structure but a definite improvement in flounder fishing. Most boats are fishing 12 to 15 miles off the beach and it seems like the better sea bass fishing is further offshore. Those fishing in 100 to 120-feet of water are having the best luck with knotheads. The Del-Jersey-Land reef hasn’t been as productive as it had been over the last couple of week, but good reports are coming in from those heading out to the San Gil. Clams have been the best bait for sea bass while squid, minnows and Gulp! have been what the flatties have been looking for.
Small bluefish continue to be found on top of Fenwick Shoal, but the action did get progressively worse throughout the week.
Fishing in the surf off Delaware has been slow with sharks at night dominating the bite. A few kingfish have shown up, but nothing to really get excited about.
Offshore, most boats ran to the Poor Man’s Canyon over the weekend before Sunday’s blow and found bigeyes, yellowfins and a few bluefins ready to attack their trolled ballyhoo and spreader bars. There were even a few mako sharks caught by anglers on overnight trips.
Mike Behney at Rick’s Bait & Tackle said that flounder fishing in the Lewes Canal has definitely picked up with a much improved keeper-to-throwback ratio. Weakfish have also been caught in the Canal by anglers fishing near the Roosevelt Inlet with bucktails or pink lures such as Super Flukes and Finesse lures.
Flounder fishing on hard bottom along the Shipping Channel has been good for anglers dropping bucktails with shiners or Gulp!.
Mike said that wreck fishing for flounder picked up last week for his customers. Site 11 was the go to spot but it was also good at Site 10 as well. Spro bucktails tipped with squid, minnows or Gulp! Swimming Mullets did the trick for anglers heading into Mike’s shop.
Mike heard reports of excellent action on the troll at Fenwick Shoal for folks trolling light tackle. Reports came in early in the week about acres of snappers seen roaming the water around the shoal.
The black drum bite in the Delaware Bay is basically done. Anglers in the DE Bay are finding some small weakfish and kingfish on structure.
At Fenwick Tackle, Matt Shoup reported a slow week for his local anglers. A few flounder were caught in The Ditch and in the Thorofare. Surf anglers are finding a few kingfish during the day and sharks at night in the Fenwick surf.
Until next week, keep those lines tight and have some fun! That’s what it’s all about.
