Striped Bass Update

Today some boats hit the Delaware Bay, the Bethany lumps area, and places in between.  Everyone hasd been sending messages and asking where should I go this weekend?  Should I even bother to come down there?  Best answer I can give.  If you don’t try you won’t be there when and if it happens, it is fishing.  I know for those that travel long distances to fish don’t want to hear that but it is the reality of the situation.  The surf has been quiet for  the most part all week with skates, dogs, and some short striped bass.  A random keeper or two have been reported.  It could turn on any day in the surf and any day out front.  Then again they could just roll on by after visiting the Delaware Bay and head south. The Jersey shore areas are still on fire,so there is time for them to come close to shore.  Joe Morris at Lewes Harbor Marina put up a photo today of a big striped bass that was caught near the rips at the Overfalls.  The boats have been trolling stretches and some are chunking bunker or dropping live eels.  Whatever your preference keep in mind if you fish New Jersey waters you need a New Jersey Saltwater Registry number, it is free and a good idea to have if you are fishing the Delaware Bay in a boat.  That link has all the information you need for creel limits in New Jersey and Maryland.

Up north the tidal creeks and some bay areas are getting hot for white perch, lot of big ones out there.  My buddies up north are having fun “perchin.”  Bloodworms are the best bait.  Short striped bass are heavy along the bay beaches and inland bays.  Masseys Landing has been good at night and other lit up areas.  Henlopen pier is good, but is closing on the First of December.  Tautog action hasn’t been too bad at the walls, wreck sites and even the Indian River Inlet.  I have seen some nice catches at the cleaning tables.  Charters are still chasing seabass with bluefish and the occasional flounder in the mix.  You don’t have to put all your eggs in one basket targeting striped bass, there are plenty of fish to catch everywhere. Freshwater crappie action is picking up in some of the area waters and the pickerel bite is hot.  The temperatures are steady dropping and we have the full moon this week.  As I write this the water temperature for Lewes in the Delaware Bay is forty eight degrees at 5:45 PM and Masseys Landing is forty eight degrees.

Fish on!!

Rich King

Tides IRI …

Buoy 44009 …