Happy Memorial Day Weekend

First and foremost be safe driving this weekend.  The beach isn’t going anywhere, take your time it will be there when you get here.  We still have bluefish out there.   The Indian River Inlet was hot in the late morning on Thursday and the incoming tides this weekend should be great to fish.  The crowd will look like opening day for trout.  It reminds us of the striper run in 2011 when everyone was shoulder to shoulder at the rail.  Last weekend it was just like that and it will be the same this weekend if not worse.  Be respectful of each other’s space while fishing, no need to get all drama mama, it is fishing. Bluefish are still there (IRI), but striped bass are deep under the blues, you need  to go deep.  Heavy bucktails in the four-ounce plus range will do that job.  Bass Kandy Delights (BKDs) are a great soft plastic to use for striped bass, and are now carried by Diamond State Tackle.  The blues are still in the surf, but random at best for location.  when you get into them they are bum rushing your bait and gear.  Slicing through lines is still an issue,  we have lost a lot of gear.  The fish are fighting over the food in a feeding frenzy and your gear will get shredded in the process.  Shiny or reflective Swivels are part of the issue.  They see that shiny metal and slam it, cutting your rig free of your line.  The fish are also right at your feet int he surf, if you cast past them you have to try to drag your catch through the school and that is cutting lines.  Use black steel leaders and cast short for the blues in the surf.  Unfortunately rigs are not selective, the bluefish will destroy top and bottom rigs set up for smaller fish.  We lost several the other day set up with Fishbites looking for puffers, kingfish, and croaker.  When the blues are swimming along the beach in schools use metals and bucktails on steel leaders

The water temperatures took a dive with the lower air temperatures.  Last week I had the air conditioning on, this morning the heat is running.  Crazy spring, but it is helping keep the fish here.  Masseys Landing was fluctuating ten degrees between tides.  The cooler temperatures are on the high tides and the higher temperatures on the low tides.  Flounder are here and there in the inland bays and Lewes Canal.  Once again the blues are making it tough to catch anything out there but it is possible.  Drifting minnows and Gulp have been the preferred baits.   The Cape Henlopen pier area has been decent for flounder as well but you have to wade, use a kayak or boat.  The water temperatures today were the following …
Masseys Landing temp … 60.8 peaked to 64 at low tide
Delaware Bay … Lewes DE … 62.5
Brandywine Shoal light … 61.7
Ship John Shoal … 69.1
Reedy Point … 68.2
Delaware City … 68.5

Drum are in the Delaware bay in decent numbers but you have to find them.  There have been random catches even from the ocean beaches.  Striped bass are also random in the surf caught on clam.  Hopefully that will pick up as they move north from the Chesapeake bay.  The surf in Assateague has been hot for striped bass.  Night fishing is recommended or just before dawn for the big bass.

FLIES! Run for your lives!  The black marsh flies are starting to get annoying.  The Damn Fly Meter (DFM) yesterday was at a 2, if you were out of the wind you had the ankle biters.  Keep that in mind … wind out of the west, the flies bite the best.  That Gnat Spray we use Gneux More Naughty Gnats works well on the flies.

I would like to Welcome The Delmarva Angler Podcast hosted by Jon Budler to Delaware Surf Fishing.  Everyone is excited about this, we are looking forward to an informative and fun fishing show.  New shows will start next week and air every Thursday morning.  We are open to any suggestions for subjects and Jon is currently looking for sponsors for this show.  Send us an email at admin@delaware-surf-fishing.com for any and all interests in the new Delamarva Angler  Podcast.

Everyone have a safe and Happy Memorial Day weekend.  Remember this weekend is not about barbecues and beach blanket bingo, take time to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice so you could have fun this weekend and every day of your lives.  Honor and remember them.  Thank you all for your service!!  Traffic will be horrible, no sense in complaining, we all know it will be, just take your time, and arrive alive.  Don’t forget to drop by the Fishing and Boating Swap tomorrow at the American Legion on route 24. I will have a table set up with apparel and DSF gear.  Check out the Business Directory for a Bait Shop near you and please support those that support DSF and help make this site possible.

Fish On!

Rich King