Mylar Balloon Grab Of The Year
I have seen countless pictures of mylar balloons spotted offshore. This is hands down, the coolest mylar balloon grab offshore I have ever seen. Captain Sharon Dounce on the Kalmar Nyckel retrieved a mylar balloon while the ship was underway. This is hands down the balloon grab of the year! If you are offshore and see mylar balloons please grab…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: July 2-8
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: July 2-8
Reminder for the week: Entering after hours on state wildlife areas continues to be an issue
DOVER (July 13, 2018) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure…
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DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section announces year’s first finding of West Nile virus in wild birds
DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section announces year’s first finding of West Nile virus in wild birds
DOVER (July 12, 2018) – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Mosquito Control Section, in conjunction with Delaware’s Division of Public Health and Department of Agriculture, has announced the first detection this year of…
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Governor Carney Signs Sunday Hunting Bill into Law, Expanding Hunting Access and Opportunity
Governor Carney Signs Sunday Hunting Bill into Law, Expanding
Hunting Access and Opportunity
July 12, 2018 (Washington, DC) - On July 11, Delaware Governor John Carney, a member of the Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (GSC), signed Senate Bill 198 into law, expanding Sunday hunting opportunities on both private and public lands throughout the state.…
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Fishing In The Age Of Pizza Rolls And Wi-Fi
Fishing in the Age of Pizza Rolls and Wi-Fi
Mike Schwander
It is without a doubt that we live in a society of instant gratification. A full meal can be cooked in just a few minutes or a snack in 65 seconds. Data can be sent across the earth in the blink of an eye and received on a handheld device anywhere that there is signal. Many of us cannot…
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Post Heat Wave Fishing
The weather is back to hot, but at least not as hot as the first heat wave. Summer ain't over yet so be prepared for more hot days. Best to go fishing in the early morning and evenings when it is cooler, and the fish are more active. We have a lot of large dragonflies and cicadas everywhere, time to make some noise with top water action for…
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DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Artificial Reef Program benefits from rock removed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during deepening of Delaware River’s navigation channel
DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Artificial Reef Program benefits from rock removed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during deepening of Delaware River’s navigation channel
DOVER (July 9, 2018) – When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers struck rock bottom during deepening of the Delaware River navigational channel, the state’s artificial reef…
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Boat ramp and parking lot at Holts Landing State Park will be closed July 9 and 10
Boat ramp and parking lot at Holts Landing State Park will be closed July 9 and 10 by DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation for final phase of construction upgrades
MILLSVILLE (July 7, 2018) – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation will close the boat ramp and adjacent parking lot at Holts Landing State Park Monday, July 9, and Tuesday,…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: June 25-July 1
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: June 25-July 1
Reminder for the week: Anglers need fishing license, FIN Number
DOVER (July 6, 2018) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and…
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Pop Up Weather Weekend, Going To Be Nautical On The Water
Bill Dorey took a shot of this cloud dropping rain over Broadkill Beach this afternoon. Pop up storms have been drenching areas with quick heavy rain, but nothing too bad so far. The thunder and lightening have been isolated. This heat wave is going to end with a pressure system moving in tomorrow. We are going to see strong winds over the…
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The “Modern Fish Act” How You Can Fight It
To your readers ...
The U.S. House of Representatives delayed the vote on H.R. 200 until July 11, giving you time to take action! The passing of H.R. 200 could lead to undermining our hard-won progress toward ensuring healthier oceans and more sustainable fish populations.
Characterized as the “Modern Fish Act,” it is anything but, H.R. 200:…
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Striped Bass Summer Slot Season Started July 1st
Summer striped bass slot season started July 1st, and will last until August 31st. You can keep striped bass or rockfish in the size range of twenty to twenty five inches.
These are are my favorite size to eat, they are all male fish so you are not hurting the population or eating a heavily polluted fish. This slot is only allowed in the…
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Road Rage Stops Firework’s Traffic In Lewes
Everyone online is complaining about the town of Lewes getting all jammed and jacked up with traffic last night after the fireworks. Some people sat for over two hours in their cars in the park (Cape Henlopen) and an hour and a half at the Ferry terminal. Traffic was at a standstill. All day people have been complaining about it.
This si why…
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Fifth Annual Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta On The Nanticoke River
Fifth Annual Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta, co-sponsored by DNREC’s Reclaim Our River program, set for Aug. 4 in Blades
BLADES (July 5, 2018) –The fifth annual Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta – presented by the Town of Blades in conjunction with DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Reclaim Our River Program, Delaware Nature Society’s…
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Northern Diamondback Terrapin … Delaware Nature 101
Northern Diamondback Terrapin ...
Malaclemys Malaclemys
Status: Species of Special Concern
Delaware Nature 101 ... Kara Okonewski
The Northern Diamondback Terrapin is one of Delaware’s most unique turtles. This species is native to our waters and depends on our beaches for nesting. Delaware has 15 different species of turtle but only…
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Part of Castle Trail on C&D Canal Conservation Area to close for additional repairs July 9
Part of Castle Trail on C&D Canal Conservation Area to close for additional repairs July 9
GEORGES (July 5, 2018) – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that a portion of the Mike Castle Trail west of the Lums Pond trailhead on the C&D Canal Conservation Area will be temporarily closed beginning Monday, July 9…
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Fishing The Fourth, Longest Weekend Ever
Someone reported there are over 300,000 people in the Ocean CIty area. Hope everyone has a safe holiday week, which for many is not over yet. Talk about a long weekend, like nine days of fishing and fun in the sun. The fishing has picked up a little bit, which is much better than it has started out this year. Everyone keeps saying it, "this is…
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You Can Help Clean Up A Beach Without Even Going To One
We had 24 people come to the beach clean up today. That is one of the bigger turnouts we have had this past year. I want to thank everyone for coming out today despite the heat, and kudos to all the kids that came. A great way to teach stewardship is through a beach clean up. They can learn about all kinds of issues with trash…
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Superior Court dismisses lawsuit against DNREC challenging Delaware’s participation in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Superior Court dismisses lawsuit against DNREC challenging Delaware’s participation in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
DOVER (July 3, 2018) – Delaware Superior Court Judge Richard F. Stokes has dismissed a lawsuit that challenged Delaware’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cooperative program among nine states…
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18 Wheeler Winds Up On Beach After Missing His Turn Around
For all of you that have been stuck on the beach and laughed at, this is for you. We all get stuck on the beach, even the most seasoned beach drivers. many of us saw that issue this weekend and it is continuing today, the sand is just too hot and loose to make driving easy, especially for this guy in the Outer Banks.
This picture and a…
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Tropicals Are Showing Up And Some Are Freaky Looking
Juvenile lookdown fish close up of head
We get a lot of tropicals when they move up with the gulf stream, many are showing up early this year.. They follow the warm water of the gulf stream and get pushed to shore with easterly winds. In the summer time you can run seine nets and find all kinds of gulf tropical fish. …
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: June 18-24
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: June 18-24
Reminder for the week: Have a safe holiday weekend on Delaware waterways
DOVER (June 29, 2018) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and…
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Tautog Sizes Limits and Seasons Change In Delaware Starting July 1st
DNREC Secretary Garvin signs Emergency Order
making changes in minimum size, limits and season dates for tautog
DOVER (June 28, 2018) – DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin today signed an Emergency Order making changes in Delaware’s tautog fishing regulations that go into effect July 1. The changes were adopted through an emergency regulation…
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Dover PD Fireworks PSA Breaks The Internet
Yesterday the Dover PD put up a PSA about legal fireworks in Delaware. That's right certain fireworks are now legal in Delaware, but only on the 4th of July and New years. The Dover PD's post is hilarious and broke the internet. This is what they posted on Facebook ...
"We have had a lot of questions regarding the use of fireworks in…
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DNREC Operation Dry Water June 29-July 1
DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police promoting Operation Dry Water June 29-July 1
DOVER (June 27, 2018) – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police today announced their active participation in Operation Dry Water, an annual nationwide enforcement and education campaign aimed at preventing alcohol and drug-related boating…
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Offshore Wind Exchange In Delaware And The Mid-Atlantic
Sorry this is such late notice, but there are two meetings so you still have a chance to plan to attend one of them. TOMORROW ... Wednesday, June 27, 2018, 8:00 AM 12:00 PM Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Avenue. The second is on July 12th in Bethany Beach, I will have details for that one soon. You can register for either workshop…
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DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife asking public to report dumping, vandalism at Nanticoke Wildlife Area
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife asking public to report dumping, vandalism at Nanticoke Wildlife Area
LAUREL (June 25, 2018) – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife needs help from the public to stop dumping and vandalism at the Robert L. Graham Nanticoke Wildlife Area near Laurel, notably at an unpaved crossroad connecting Phillips…
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Fireworks Schedule for July 4th Weekend
Fireworks on Rehoboth bay for Dewey beach will occur on the 4th of July. Lewes has also acquired funding to have fireworks off Lewes Beach on the 4th of July. This is a first for Lewes Beach. Rehoboth Beach will have fireworks on Sunday July 1st. Bethany Beach will have their display on the 4th of July. I would suggest getting to…
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The Kalmar Nyckel Is Not Coming To Lewes This Summer
Every year in August Delaware's tall ship, the Kalmar Nyckel comes to Lewes and offers tours sailing around the area. Last year she was "laid up" getting fixed. This year she is not coming due to the pier where she berths is no longer deep enough. Silting has filled in that area and it is only nine feet deep at low tide. The…
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The Atlantic Portuguese Man-o’-War … Delaware Nature 101
The Atlantic Portuguese Man-o’-War
The Atlantic Portuguese man-o’-war (physalia physalia) has recently been spotted washed up on a Delaware beach. Normally, these animals are found in warm, tropical to subtropical waters. So how did this one end up on a Delaware beach? We will take a closer look at how this venomous marine animal found its way…
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Man O Wars Washing Up On Delaware Beaches
Yesterday that east wind pushed in a lot of bait and a few Man O Wars. Mark Fisher ... "Hi, I saw a bunch of these Friday morning at Fenwick island park. Scary stuff, I didn't know if anyone else saw them but maybe you could warn people that these guys are around. Looks like a man-o-war to me, it would be bad to wander into one. I saw several of…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: June 11-17
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: June 11-17
Reminder for the week: Anglers need fishing license, FIN Number
DOVER (June 22, 2018) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public…
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Atlantic Striped Bass Benchmark Stock Assessment Workshop Scheduled for September 11-14, in Arlington, V
Arlington, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Stock Assessment Workshop will be conducted September 11-14, 2018 at the Commission’s office, 1050 N. Highland Street, Suite 200A-N, Arlington, VA. The assessment will evaluate the condition of Atlantic striped bass stocks from Maine to North Carolina and inform…
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Bethany Beach Replenishment Covers Fenwick Island With Dead Marine Life
(June 20, 2018) ... We had our weekly beach clean up yesterday at Fenwick Island and the good news is the amount of trash was minimal for that size of a beach. We had one full trash bag and maybe half a bucket by the end of the clean up. The trash was typical, bottle caps, straws etc. What was not typical was the amount of dead sand fleas,…
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This Is NOT How You Drive On The Beaches In Delaware
Never Drive Through The Water At The Beach
(2018) ... Jeep in the surf on Tuesday .. photo by Tamaron D'Ignoti
Sandy and Tamaron were on Conquest Beach not long ago looking for shells. "This Jeep came flying down the beach weaving all around and driving like a maniac (not the word she used). Next thing you know he drives the jeep right…
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Scoping Hearing In Dover For A New Bluefish Allocation Amendment
Delaware will host a joint Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council/Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Scoping Hearing for a new Bluefish Allocation Amendment in the Dover Public Library, 35 E. Loockerman Street, Dover, DE 19901 on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 6 PM.
The amendment will involve a comprehensive review of the Bluefish Fishery…
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The Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier Is Open
Dave Beebe received a lot of calls last week asking if the Cape Henlopen State Park fishing pier was open. Due to the end of the pier being closed, and some media hype, many thought the entire pier was closed. It wasn't and is not. Now the end of the pier has been restored to a short fence and you can fish the old structure out…
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Beach Clean Up Schedule For The Summer Of 2018
We have moved the beach clean ups to Tuesday mornings at 9 AM. Reason being is the beaches are the least crowded on a Tuesday. We have several people who come help regularly and we welcome more help anytime. If you have a child that needs community hours we can sign any paperwork. We provide gloves and water, you are welcome to bring your own…
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Important Facts About The Artificial Reef MV Twin Capes
The video of the sinking of the MV Twin Capes has brought up a few points. I am actually surprised that a video that received such a huge amount of traffic didn't have too many misinformed comments. Usually a video or picture on social media will get a lot of "assumption" comments that are way off base. These are some of the facts you don't…
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DNREC Results From The 32nd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament
DOVER (June 7, 2018) – Under mostly cloudy skies that some would call good fishing weather, 213 young anglers and their families gathered Saturday, June 2 at three Delaware ponds for DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 32nd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament. All fish caught in the tournament were weighed and released, as young…
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The MV Twin Capes Is Now Part of the Del-Jersey-Land Reef
(June 2018) ... Friday June 15th was the end of the final journey of the MV Twin Capes. We met the Delaware Bay Launch boats at Slaughter Beach around five that morning. We loaded onto one of the launches with the crew of the Coleen Marine company, headed by Tim Mullane. My buddy Dallas Nagle came along for the ride so he could dive the MV Twin…
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Thunderbirds Practice Thursday For The OC Air Show
The Thunderbirds are here for the OC Air Show this weekend and they are practicing Thursday afternoon. They will stat around 2:30 and end at 3:30 PM. It is always cool to watch them practice.
You can purchase tickets for the OC Airshow here. Just about anywhere on the beach should be a good place to watch the practice.
Fish On!
Rich…
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Angler Catches Record Warmouth in Charles County
June 13, 2018
Dezi Collins Hauls in 10.72-ounce Fish
A 24-year-old St. Mary’s County man is now the official state record holder for the warmouth in Maryland’s nontidal waters. Avid angler Dezi Collins of Mechanicsville reeled in his record 10.72 ounce catch June 11 at Gilbert Run Lake in Charles County.
Collins, along with a few…
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MV Twin Capes Embarks For The Last Time
If you haven't heard the MV Twin Capes is being added to the artificial reefs off of Delaware's coast. The pictures below do not due justice to the size of this vessel. The Del-Jersey Land Reef will be one heavy, tomorrow. Due to the weather, the sinking of the MV Twin Capes in the Del-Jersey Land Reef has been delayed a…
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Overcast Weekend Could Be Good Fishing
Mother nature never ceases to amaze, it is now April in June. What is up with this crazy weather? I have no idea, but the water temperatures are holding at great levels. The cooling off is keeping the water temperatures below seventy degrees. The afternoon bite is much better than normal. Usually this time of year the morning and evening bites…
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Water Advisory For Lewes, Broadkill, and Slaughter Beaches
DNREC issued a water advisory today for Lewes, Broadkill, and Slaughter beaches. Water is tested near swimming beaches usually weekly, and after heavy rains. The following is from the DNREC website about their monitoring. Also it is important to note that there is a 24/7 swimming advisory for the inland bays.
The Delaware Department of…
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Stay Off The Dunes
Delaware State Park Beach Access and Regulations ... "Dune Crossings ... Dunes are a fragile resource that provide important habitat for a host of plants and animals and protect the coastline during severe storms. While dunes and the plants and animals found there usually survive storms, they are easily damaged by the harmful impact of pedestrian …
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Gone Fishing Rod/Reel donation on June 7th For Kids’ Groups At Cabellas
Hello Rich!
This is the information about the donation rods. Pass it along if you will. I will try to give each non-profit group about 10-15 rods a piece.
Gone Fishing Rod/Reel donation on June 7th between 3-7pm. Group representatives and group members are welcome to come by Cabela’s in that time frame. Media coverage may be present. Photos of…
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Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier Loses A Section
The end of the Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier has been closed for several months due to safety concerns with some of the pylons. The casing has cracked on several pylons. After evaluation the state has decided to remove a section of the Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier. Originally I was told it would just be the last twenty feet, or two sections, that has…
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Fish Gut Friday
Fish Gut Friday
by SuzanneMartin
TGIF!
Yesterday sitting at my desk and having a poopy lip over the weather forecast for the weekend and thinking it will be a wash out, I saw a post from Fenwick bait and tackle of a beautiful striper ! That was enough to get me motivated to get the Jeep packed and ready for some Friday fishing.
…
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Weekend Outlook For Fishing
Fishing has been good during the overcast days. Despite the crappy weather fish still have to eat. This weekend will be just as bad with the incoming weather. The surf has a variety of fish to catch: Flounder, Striped Bass, Bluefish, Northern puffers, Burrfish, Kingfish, and of course skates, rays, and sharks.
Catching has been good in the…
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Dewey Beach Says Shape Up Or Ship Out To All Visitors
From the desk of TJ Redefer, Mayor of Dewey Beach
Most people work all year for their week in Dewey Beach. Others work their entire lives to live in Dewey Beach. Those are the people we will protect as we make Dewey Beach the best it has ever been. Please come and enjoy all our town has to offer - there is something for everyone to enjoy.…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: May 14-20
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: May 14-20
Reminder for the week: Have a safe Memorial Day holiday weekend
Don’t drink and boat!
DOVER (May 25, 2018) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe…
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Route 30 Grave Hill Road Is Closed
If you are planning ontakingroute30 to Delaware you won't get farther than Huff Road. The crossroad pipe has failed and DelDOT has that section closed. Plan accordingly for your travels.
DelDOT Traffic Alert: Crossroad Pipe Failure Requires a Portion of SR 30/Gravel Hill Road to be Closed.
WHEN: Now until 7 PM on Tuesday, June 5, 2018,…
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National Geographic Just Broke The Internet About Plastics
If you want to know why I organize beach clean ups then read the article "Plastic" in National Geographic that just came out it is very eye-opening. Stop using plastic as much as you can. We have become so dependant on plastic it is unreal. I honestly feel like a hypocrite telling you this by using my plastic computer. It isn't that plastic is…
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Have A Safe And Fishful Memorial Day Weekend
One of the best parts about fish showing up late is you get to fish for them a little longer or so it seems. At least the rain is not as bad and we have Memorial Day weekend coming. Okay honestly I have no idea how the weather is in Delaware I am in Florida. I'm just watching my friends complain on the interweb so it must be true. Down here it is…
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Tidal Tables Meet and Greet at Icehouse Bait and Tackle
This Saturday from 7am till ??? Tidal Tables will be at Lewes Icehouse Bait Tackle. Plug this address into your favorite navigation tool to find us 110 New Rd, Lewes, DE 19958.
On display and for sale are a number of first edition Tidal Tables to choose from hand burned and signed by the artist. Follow and like our Facebook page to see…
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Boaters Check Your Bilge Pumps
Captain Clarke Droney of Tow Boat US Indian River wants everyone to remember to check your bilge pumps. It doesn't take much to fill up a boat with enough water and then some heavy storm surge to drop her. An over worked bilge pump can also drain a battery pretty fast too if not kept in check. I have seen this happen too many times, even to one…
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Lionfish tournaments remove 15,000 lionfish, including 5 tagged Lionfish Challenge fish
Lionfish tournaments remove 15,000 lionfish, including 5 tagged Lionfish Challenge fish
FWC photo by Bekah Nelson.
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission sent this bulletin at 05/22/2018 10:54 AM EDT
For immediate release: May 22, 2018
More than 15,000 lionfish were removed from Florida waters thanks to…
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Don’t Drink And Boat On Delaware Waterways
For a safer Memorial Day holiday weekend, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police advise:
Don’t drink and boat on Delaware waterways
DOVER (May 23, 2018) – For the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters that drinking and boating don’t mix – and that boat operators…
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Delaware Offshore Wind Working Group to hold public workshops May 29 and 31
Delaware Offshore Wind Working Group to hold public workshops May 29 and 31
DOVER (May 22, 2018) – Delaware’s Offshore Wind Working Group will host two public workshops in May for input on the working group’s draft recommendations to the Governor.
Workshops will be held at 6 p.m. on the following dates and locations:
Tuesday, May 29,…
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Lionfish Removal And Awareness Day 2018 Results
This year the 4th annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day was held at a new venue, The Flora-Bama on Perdido, Key. The venue was a big hit with the crowd, organizers, sponsors, shooters, and vendors. One of the best features of the Flora-Bama was using the marina for boats to bring in fish and teams of shooters. After all a fishing…
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You Can’t Get There From Here
We all see the madness at the boat ramps on the weekends. However this is a first for me. This morning a boater from New Jersey trying to back his boat down the Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier. You can't make this stuff up. I don't know what deranged Google maps this guy was using, but you can't launch a boat from the Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier. I…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: May 7-13
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: May 7-13
Reminder for the week: Crabbers should review the laws before placing your pots
DOVER (May 18, 2018) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating…
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The Bite Is Getting Better
Wacky weather, meteo tsunamis, and storm fronts are making for some rough fishing. I know one guy who had to beach his boat to avoid being blown across the Delaware Bay to New Jersey. Other than some heavy winds it wasn't so bad and the fishing has been decent.
Black Sea Bass season opened on Tuesday and several boats went out and loaded the…
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Meteo Tsunami Hitting Delaware Coast
Delaware Beaches-Eastern Monmouth-Atlantic Coastal Cape May-
Coastal Atlantic-Coastal Ocean-
Including the cities of Rehoboth Beach, Sandy Hook, Ocean City,
Atlantic City, and Long Beach Island
854 PM EDT Tue May 15 2018
...Abnormal ocean water surges are expected along the oceanfront,
inlets, and back bays through the overnight hours...…
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Hunting Migratory Mylar Balloons In Delaware
We held our last weekend beach clean up on Mother's Day. It was a windy, rainy, crappy day, but that didn't stop the mylar balloons from blitzing the surf and emerging from the ocean to live in the dunes. We drove the beaches from Keybox to Faithful Steward looking for balloon signs, and there were plenty. The mylar balloons as they move up the…
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$6 million for Clean Water??
From the Center of the Inland Bays ...
THE $6M BOND BILL
Right now, Governor Carney's Bond Bill includes $6 million for clean water funding for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY2019). While we are thrilled this funding has been included in the Governor’s budget proposal, it is up to Delaware’s Joint Committee on Capital Improvement to actually write the…
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DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to host Peace, Love & Horseshoe Crab Festival on May 19
DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to host Peace, Love & Horseshoe Crab Festival on May 19
SLAUGHTER BEACH (May 15, 2018) – The DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion Harbor Reserve, a DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife facility, will host its ninth annual Peace, Love & Horseshoe Crab Festival, celebrating the spring arrival of spawning…
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Maryland’s New Striped Bass Regulations Effective May 16
New Striped Bass Regulations Effective May 16
May 14, 2018
Enhanced Conservation Rules on Use of Bait and Hooks; Minimum Size Reduced to 19 Inches
The opening of regular striped bass season May 16 begins with new conservation-minded regulations pertaining to the use of bait, gear and hooks.
The Maryland General Assembly Joint…
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DNREC to host Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission public hearing on proposed addendum to eel fisheries management plan
DNREC to host Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission public hearing May 17 on proposed addendum to eel fisheries management plan
DOVER (May 9, 2018) – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife will host an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) public hearing on Draft Addendum V to the commission’s Interstate Fishery Management…
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The Blues Are Biting But It is Random
This time last year we were slamming bluefish like it was going out of style. This year has been much different thanks to water temperatures. As soon as it looks like we are going to warm up mother nature takes a turn and cools down again. The fog that moved in last night really put a damper on the temperature. We figured last…
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Protecting Your Fingers From Braided Line
Casting braided line and even thin mono-filament can cut your finger to the bone, especially when you are constantly casting lures with hard or heavy casts.
Now you have braided line and you find out the hard way you need finger protection. Braid can literally cut your finger to the bone if you try to cast it too hard like mono-filament. A…
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The MV Twin Capes A Sneak Peak At Her Insides
If you haven't heard yet, the MV Twin Capes is scheduled to be sunk at the Del-Jersey-Land Artificial Reef off the Delaware coast by May 31st. As of right now she is in final EPA inspection and will be sunk next week. In order to sink a ship of any kind it must be stripped of anything that is harmful to the…
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Banging The Drum
Black drum fishing has really picked up this past week. Anglers from Fenwick Island to Slaughter beach are seeing decent catches. The surf has really picked up for the smaller sized drum. Assateague for the most part has quieted down a bit, but some are still being caught. Clam is the key for big drum, but sand fleas are also working and can be…
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Striped Bass Catching Is Picking Up
We saw a lot of short striped bass in the surf at the Chillaware Island Spring Surf Fishing Tournament, but not many keeper bass. Only one was landed on the beach at 3Rs. Not for lack of trying either, there was a buffet of food out there for any fish to dine on. Clams has been the ticket for bait this spring. Bloodworms work well too,but clam…
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Chillaware Island Spring Surf Fishing Tournament Results
Saturday was a great day despite the little bit of weather we had. We had 290 anglers in the first annual Chillaware Island Spring Surf Fishing Tournament. I want to thank our sponsors, without them this would not have been possible. Sweetwater Brewery, Big Chill Beach Club, Liquid Board Shop, WBOC, Diamond State Custom Tackle, Helly Hansen,…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: April 23-29
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: April 23-29
Reminder for the week: Harvest of river herring is unlawful in Delaware
DOVER (May 4, 2018) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and…
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May The Fourth Be With You
Fish Gut Friday ... May The Fourth Be With You
By Suzanne Martin
This morning I fished the incoming tide on Cape. It was a beautiful morning with a SW wind , and very warm. The beach was not packed, but more people than last Friday when I caught a drum and would have liked someone around to take a good picture. The water was a little dirty this…
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Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board Revises Northern Region Recreational Management Measures
Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board Revises Northern Region Recreational Management Measures
Arlington, VA – Upon the direction of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Interstate Fisheries Management Program (ISFMP) Policy Board, the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board (Board) approved…
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Fourth Annual Kids Catch-All Fishing Tournament At The Indian River Marina, June 22 – 24
Rehoboth Beach, DE – The staff at the Indian River Marina in Delaware Seashore State Park are excited to invite children ages 3 to 18 to participate in this fun event. During the tournament, kids have many choices for where and how they want to fish: from the beach or jetties, private boat or charter boat, in the ocean, inland waterways or try deep…
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Measuring And Aging Striped Bass
(May 2018 updated 2022) ... DNREC and all the other state enforcement agencies are checking striped bass. Make sure you measure your striped bass correctly or you could be in violation. Striped bass or Rockfish have to be measured to overall length. Pinch the tail together and measure from the closed mouth to the end of the…
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Here Comes The Boom! Navy Doing Supersonic Test Flights
NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – Residents of communities along the Atlantic coast from Delaware to the Eastern Shore of Virginia are advised that four supersonic flights previously scheduled for April 23-April 27 are scheduled to take place between May 3 and May 11, 2018 within the Atlantic Test Track. These events could generate a loud…
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Slaughter Beach Mayor Happy To Make Lemonade Of PETA’s Lemons, Promotes Town’s 5K
Mayor happy to make lemonade of PETA’s lemons, promotes town’s 5K
By Shauna McVey
The last thing Slaughter Beach Mayor Harry Ward expected this week was to make national news. Calls from reporters flowed into the his home shortly after the Delaware State News broke the story that the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent him a…
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ASMFC To Notify the Commonwealth Of Virginia Of Potential Noncompliance Action
ASMFC to Notify the Commonwealth of Virginia of Potential Noncompliance Action
Arlington, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board initiated a noncompliance finding in response to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s failure to fully implement the mandatory provisions of Amendment 3 to the Interstate…
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Time For Some Fishing
Well it looks like mother nature kicked old man winter to the curb. The water temperatures are finally holding over fifty degrees and we have fish! It has been a long slow spring and the majority of fish are about three weeks late. There have been random catches but nothing like it was this time last year.
Flounder started showing up a…
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PETA’s Letter To Slaughter Beach
Press release from PETA sent out May 1st ...
PETA Asks Mayor to Rename Town in Honor of Its Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary
Slaughter Beach, Del. – Today, PETA sent a letter to the mayor of Slaughter Beach suggesting that the town’s name be changed to the kinder, positive, and more appropriate “Sanctuary Beach.” PETA points out that not only…
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PETA Wants To Change The Name Of Slaughter Beach
So this just happened ... PETA sent a letter to the mayor asking to change the name of Slaughter beach to Sanctuary Beach.
Has anyone at PETA ever used the Google? Because Slaughter Beach does not mean what they think it means. The most popular origin is it was named after the original postmaster. Wait till they find out what…
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Toggin With Seals
One of the best things about fishing on the days of the skunk are the sites you see. The wildlife in Delaware is really diverse this time of year. Spring fish showing up, migratory birds in transition (coming and going), and of course our favorite mammals, the seals, and whales. You can much more diversity in nature this time of year.
You…
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DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center to host ‘Go Fish Delaware!’ family fishing festival Saturday, May 12
DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center to host
‘Go Fish Delaware!’ family fishing festival Saturday, May 12
SMYRNA (May 1, 2018) – Visitors of all ages are invited to learn all about fishing at the Go Fish Delaware! Family Fishing Festival to be held, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at the Aquatic Resources Education…
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Rules For The 2018 Chillaware Island Spring Surf Fishing Tournament
I would like to thank everyone for joining us this year for the first annual Chillaware Island Spring Surf Fishing Tournament. First off we increased the fishing area to all of Delaware Seashore State parks drive on beaches. You will be able to fish from Keybox to Faithful Steward. Parks has allowed us again to extend the fishing…
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Fish Gut Friday
Fish Gut Friday .. Finally Back In The Surf
By Suzanne Martin
It has been way too long since I hit the surf with a mission . Today I started my day at Ice House in Lewes with Jasper my lab in tow. We picked up our fresh bunker, clams , and bloods and headed to CHSP. The beach was foggy , and the water rough, perfect! I was just…
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Surfing With Striped Bass
(April 26, 2018) ... You just never know how or where you are going to get a fishing update. This morning at Herring Point the surfers were out for a "sesh". Mike Powell was there taking pictures of his buddies in the line up. When he got home and looked at his pictures he was very surprised.
"I took the shot at 9 AM…
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Seal Watching In Rehoboth Bay
(April 2018) .. There are a lot of seals here this year. Seems like we have more here every year. A few years ago they were hanging out in groups around Masseys Landing on the banks of the ditch. Yesterday Matt trucks was out scouting some places to flounder fish in his kayak when he spotted a few seals on one of the small islands.
"Once in…
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A Chunk Of Whale Washed Up On The Beach
Yesterday some friends were fishing Beach Plum Island State park and this large piece of whale washed upon the beach next to them. "We pulled it up and set it near the truck." I called MERR to let them know a chunk of whale blubber washed up in case they wanted to check it out.
We are just putting this out there in case anyone…
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Go Fish Delaware A Family Fishing Festival
Check it out on May 12th, 9 AM to 2 PM ...Go Fish Delaware! Family Fishing Festival at the Aquatic Resources Education Center. This is located on route 9 at 2520 Lighthouse Road, Smyrna, DE. This is a great facility to learn all about Delaware's waterways. This year they are adding this Fishing Festival for families. We have been invited up…
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Fishing Report For What It’s Worth
The weather is crazy, what is up with Mother Nature? Hot , cold, rain, wind ... it is like three seasons in one day. The fishing is all messed up the inland bays are hitting about fifty-six at low tide, and dropping to fifty-three at high tide. The surf is just above fifty degrees,and so is the Delaware bay. That is good news for…
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Finding Pottery Beach Combing
(April 2018) ... I was surf fishing tonight and my friend wanted to do some beach combing. Good combination when you fish like I do on an empty beach. The opportunities are extensive, fish for a bit at a cut and then drive to the next spot. She moves cut to cut beach combing. We travel in the same direction, I fish the cuts. "The shells out…
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Fishing Has Finally Picked Up
This weekend I wouldn't say it went off, but people have been catching fish and this is just the fringes of the action to come. From Jersey to Assateague the action has picked up. First and foremost, trophy striped bass season didn't start out so well for many anglers. The catches were low this year for opening day. Either due to lack of fish…
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The Delmarva Outdoors Expo Activities List Is Extensive.
First responders and military active or retired receive a 20% discount at the gates on weekend passes only to the Delmarva Outdoors Expo
Whenever you do a large event like this you want it to have more than just vendors and some food trucks. Activities for the whole family are great entertainment. This year the Delmarva Outdoors Expo…
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Overfalls Lightship Will Arrive Back In Lewes This Week
The tide is about right, the weather is looking good. The crew of the Northstar 10 tugboat owned by Phil Risko and captained by Billy Fehn, will start towing the Overfalls Lightship from the Maurice river in New Jersey, and across the Delaware bay to arrive near Lewes at 7 PM, Thursday evening, April 26th. Tow Boat Us Indian River with Captan…
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Sunday Funday Earth Day Beach Clean Ups
"Sorry I am late to the beach clean up" ... "No Worries we have yet to start." ... "Okay so when I get there do I just get out and start picking up shit?" "Yaaasssssssssss" ... Actual conversation I had yesterday with a friend of mine.
Good to see so many people volunteer to clean up areas around Delmarva on Earth Day. Some folks just…
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A Dozen Quick And Easy Ways To Celebrate Earth Day
A dozen quick and easy ways to celebrate Earth Day
Shauna McVey
For most people, Earth Day is just a blip on the calendar that environmentalists and hippie folk might chime in on every April 22. But for us environmentalists and/or hippie folk, it’s much more.
We as a society tend to take our home planet for granted, despite the fact that…
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Friday Fishing Report … Bass, Birds, But Where Are The Blues?
Bunker are in thick at the beach and the inland bays. So thick they brought a whale into the pier in Ocean City, Maryland. Otherwise it is a little quiet out there. There are a lot of rats, or short striped bass in the surf being caught on bloodworms and bucktails. Mostly on the incoming tide is the best action which is about now (2PM) into the…
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Whale Hits Ocean City Pier
Troy Bickle is fishing the Ocean City pier and just had a whale of a close encounter. Check out the video below. A small whale came towards the pier and literally ran into the pier pole and then headed back out to sea. I would assume it is chasing all of the bunker we have in the surf right now.
Troy Bickle ... "A little before noon we…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: April 9-15
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: April 9-15
Reminder for the week: Start the boating season off right by wearing your lifejacket
DOVER (April 20, 2018) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe…
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DNREC Announces Summer Flounder Minimum Size Reduction To 16.5 Inches For Recreational Anglers
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announces summer flounder
minimum size reduction to 16.5 inches for recreational anglers
DOVER (April 20, 2018) – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced that the summer flounder minimum size has been reduced to 16.5 inches for recreational anglers, half an inch less than the previous…
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MV Twin Capes Will Be Sunk Next Month
The tugboat, Justin, maneuvers the MV Twin Capes out of her berthing slip at the Cape May Ferry terminal.
The MV Twin Capes is scheduled to be sunk at the Del-Jersey-Land Artificial Reef off the Delaware coast by May 31st. We learned this last night at the Tidal Finfish advisory board meeting. Delaware needs the ferry sunk…
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Catching Pickerel In The Spring
Catching Pickerel In The Spring
By John Kwoka
I like catching Chain Pickerel….there I said it! To me it’s the most underrated and far too often dismissed freshwater fish in the Delmarva area. Why this hard-fighting fish gets such dismissive treatment by a lot of anglers is a mystery to me especially since most freshwater fisherman practice…
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DNREC’s New Online Interactive Pond Maps For Delaware Anglers
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announces new online interactive pond maps for Delaware anglers
New maps provide current information for fishing
DOVER (April 17, 2018) – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife today announced the release of newly-interactive online maps that allow anglers and other users to easily locate…
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Bluegilling
Bluegilling
By John Kwoka
At this time of the year; most of my time is spent thinking about last hunting season and the upcoming fishing season which is the case for a lot of Delmarva outdoorsmen and women. But hunting season is over till turkey season in April and the weather isn’t nice enough to go fishing. So you are limited to…
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The Lyrid Meteor Shower Starts Tonight
Aprils’s shooting stars, the Lyrid meteors tend to be bright and often leave trails and is active each year from about April 16 to the 25th. You should be able to see about ten to twelve meteors per hour at the peak, which is on the mornings of the 22nd and the 23rd. Sometimes a rare surge will increase during the peak viewing times and you…
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DelDOT Proposes To Widen Sections of Route 24
There was a workshop tonight at the Beacon Middle School about the possibility of widening route 24. We all know how bad traffic is on route 24 not only in the summer but at certain times of the day. I avoid it completely on weekdays when the schools are letting kids in and when kids get out of school. It is a mess, and we all…
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Tidal Tables Are The Best Beach Table Ever
Chris Gibbons has started making Tidal Tables available to the public. He painstakingly does these by hand and it is all original artwork. Not only are they gorgeous tables but very functional at the beach. He recently added a bait table to this line and I have been informed they will have a ruler on them. He wood burns all of the designs…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: April 2-8
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: April 2-8
Reminder for the week: It’s opening weekend for Delaware’s turkey season
DOVER (April 13, 2018) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and…
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Delaware Advisory Council on Tidal Finfisheries to meet April 18 in Dover
Delaware Advisory Council on Tidal Finfisheries to meet April 18 in Dover
DOVER (April 16, 2018) – Delaware’s Advisory Council on Tidal Finfisheries will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, in the DNREC Auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
The Council will discuss changes to finfish regulations, recent actions affecting Delaware…
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Flounder And Bluefish Arriving
Saturday was a good day on the water for a few folks. The wind was vicious, I'm missing three layers of skin after the sand blasting we got at the beach. We moved behind the great dune Saturday after Corby tried Herring point and said it was just way too much wind. We were set up with bloodworms hoping for some short bass, the water was…
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Tying Hendrickson’s Flies
I was whipping up a handful of flies for an outing on the gunpowder and thought I’d record it and pass it along. The Hendrickson’s are a big mayfly that we see in the early season on many Eastern rivers in the spring. The Big Gunpowder Falls sees good activity on warm sunny days.
I like to fish them by swinging them down and across in the…
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Chillaware Island Spring Surf Fishing Tournament Prizes Update
We have a bunch of cool prizes donated by some of our sponsors. Helly Hansen, Lighthouse View Bait and Tackle, Fenwick Bait and Tackle, and Icehouse Bait and Tackle. We have added a kid's division since we have a bunch of upcoming anglers signed up, good luck to all of you and show up your parents! Anglers can also fish all of Delaware Seashore…
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Fish Marks The Spot
We are just driving along the beach at Fenwick Island looking at cuts and rips. "where do you want to fish?" "Up to you dude we have three good choices we can see with the binoculars." Chris ..."Let's go down there to that big cut."
We head down and not long after we get there, an osprey drops this bunker near us. Thanks to…
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Rats In The Surf And Blues On The Way
One day it'snot andthe next day it's hot, yesterday was hot. The water temperatures in the surf are around forty-six degrees. It is going to be windy this weekend, but you should tough it out and hit the water. Small craft advisory into Saturday. This warm up is helping that creep up slowly. Masseys Landing is fluctuating between…
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The Overfalls Lightship Return To Lewes Is Postponed
The Overfalls Lightship was scheduled to return to Lewes Friday the 13th, but now has been postponed. The biggest issue with jobs like this is the fact you have to rely on the weather to coincide with tides. We are looking at some heavy winds for Friday and the southwest wind will lower the water level in the canal to the point it…
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Drive on Beach Parking Rules Clarified
Parking Rules On Delaware State Park Drive On Beaches
(April 2018) ... Due to recent complaints and such online, especially Face"drama"book, I decided to reach out to Delaware State Parks' enforcement and get some of the rules clarified people complain about all of the time. One of the big ones has been the direction you can park. I spoke…
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Maryland DNR New Proposal For Hooks, Bait, Striped Bass From May 16 Through Dec.15
New Proposal for Hooks, Bait, Striped Bass — May 16 through Dec.15
“After further consultations with anglers, charter boat captains, legislators and watermen, we believe the revised regulations strike the right balance between conservation and recreation,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton said. “By…
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Lighthouse View Bait And Tackle Opens This Weekend
Well one sure sign of spring is when Dave Beebe opens up Lighthouse View Bait And Tackle. He has been unpacking boxes for a couple of weeks. I know he is excited you can see it in his eyes. "Those bluefish better show up I am armed to the teeth for them this year. Then they better leave so there is spot and croaker to catch all…
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Lewes Icehouse Bait and Tackle Is Stocked To The Gills
Lewes Icehouse Bait and Tackle is now open daily from 9 to 5 and has some killer sales they are doing weekly, which are listed below. They have a new Facebook page you should like and follow. They also offer a 10% discount to all DSF discount card members.
This is a great little shop that was originally started by Harry Aiken. Back then…
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Wider Beaches And Clean Water
Today at the beach was beautiful. The wind coming off the water was chilly,but it was still gorgeous out there. The smell of the salt air thick in your lungs is a welcome feeling. We explored the beaches today looking for fish signs and wanted to check out the beach conditions. When you come over the Charles W Cullen bridge…
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Gordons Pond Air Station And 3Rs Get An Upgrade
3R's got an upgrade and it is very nice, wait til you see it. The Gordons pond air station is almost done. We told you a couple of months ago that it was being upgraded. Today we saw that parks have completed the air compressor building so it will not be long before it is in full operation. It is scheduled to be done before Memorial…
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Overfalls Lightship Return Schedule
You have probably heard by now the Overfalls Lightship is returning to Lewes on Friday. She was towed to New Jersey to get a new paint job and some of the zincs replaced on her hull. The zincs are to protect the hull from stray electricity in the Lewes Canal.
So far the schedule for her return is set for Friday the thirteenth. …
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Delawarean Breaks North Carolina Bluefin Tuna Record
On March 17th Capt. Dennis Endee of Wanchese, NC owner of A-Salt Weapon Sportfishing Charters out of Pirate’s Cove Marina in Manteo went out with a party of eight for trophy tuna fishing. Retired Army Brigadier General Scott Chambers, from Townsend, Delaware was among that group of anglers.
Once they reached about forty miles off Oregon…
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DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation closes end of Cape Henlopen fishing pier for repairs from ice damage
DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation closes end of Cape Henlopen fishing pier for repairs from ice damage
DOVER (April 9, 2018) – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation announced today it has closed a 20-foot portion of the Cape Henlopen fishing pier indefinitely due to ice damage that occurred this winter. The area closed…
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DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation to close Holts Landing Boat Ramp while parking lot is improved and expanded
DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation to close Holts Landing Boat Ramp while parking lot is improved and expanded
DOVER (April 9,2018) – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation announced today it will close the boat ramp and adjacent parking lot at Holts Landing State Park later this month on weekdays while renovations are made to…
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Beach Clean Up … What Happens To Trash On A Windy Beach
Yesterday volunteers met at the south side inlet parking lot to clean the beach, it was thirty-four degrees and very windy. In fact it was so cold we almost called it quits before even venturing onto the beach. I also knew there would hardly be any trash on the beach, the wind was blowing right down the coast line. Moving sand and…
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Tow Boat US Indian River Adds To Her Fleet
Captain Clarke Droney is headed north with the newest addition to the Tow Boat US Indian River fleet ... "We are adding a twenty-seven foot SeaArk with twin three hundred horsepower Suzuki outboards. We just have to add some more equipment, get her Delaware registration numbers and she will be ready to serve. We will keep her at…
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The Delaware Bay Will Turn Blood Red This Week
I had to wait to publish this due to April fools and all that fun we had the last week. Did you know that killer whales are now listed as a sight to see in the C&D canal on Google? It is amazing how far an April Fools joke can spread. So, yes the upper Delaware bay really will run blood-red next week, and the reason why is…
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Maryland DNR Withdrawals Emergency Striped Bass Regulations
Earlier today the Maryland Department of natural Resources withdrew the emergency striped bass regulations for the Chesapeake bay. We have no idea why this was done it seemed to be rather popular among most anglers that fish the bay. The idea was to reduce mortality rates with the use of circle hooks and reduced the size limit to…
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Where Do You Find Sea Glass?
I get asked this a lot especially after we post a picture on Facebook of our finds. It is easy to find sea glass if you know where to look. Yesterday at low tide in the surf in Delaware Seashore state park the conditions were perfect. The waves are starting to reform the washed out beach area, and this is exposing a lot of shells…
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Harry Aiken’s Accuracy Casting Competitions
Delaware Surf Fishing is sponsoring the Harry Aiken's Accuracy Casting Competition at the Delmarva Outdoors Expo this year. We have a large space we have reserved for the competition. This is going to be a lot of fun and will bring back the accuracy casting competitions that were held up and down the coast.
Cost to compete .. it is free,…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: March 26-April 1
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: March 26-April 1
Reminder for the week: Safe, ethical hunting practices encouraged for Delaware turkey season opening April 14
DOVER (April 6, 2018) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and…
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Delaware Reefs Are Getting Beefed Up
We have a reef program in Delaware that has done some great work building up our artificial reefs. Jeff Tinsman is the head of the Delaware Reef Program. The handy Delaware Reef Guide published by DNREC has all the coordinates and information about our fourteen artificial reef sites. This is a great guide to have…
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Overfalls Lightship Scheduled To Return Next Week
The Overfalls lightship in Lewes was taken to New Jersey for a new paint job and to upgrade some of the zincs on her hull. It was a process to get her out of the slip. Tow Boat US Indian River with Captain Clarke Droney will meetup with the ship outside of the Roosevelt inlet and guide her to the slip in Lewes. I was aboard Tow…
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Sprinter … When Old Man Winter Just Can’t Let It Go
Dela-weather, whether you like it or not. If you haven't heard, we may have snow this weekend. Sussex county might get spared, but the north could see a good blanketing. Old Man winter just won't let go this year. Now we are in a new season ... Sprinter. Old Man Winter ... "Look ... I am sorry, but I just want a shot at these…
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Strawternatives, Because Plastic Straws Suck
Every single time I walk onto the beach, the first thing I always find is a straw, and not one mind you but a fistful. We throw out over five hundred million plastic straws a day in the United States. Rarely do they get recycled, but instead wind up in landfills, or in our case, wash up on the beaches. There are several reasons why…
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Striped Bass Are On The Move
Over the last few days striped bass have been moving up the Delaware Bay into the Delaware River. These are most likely resident fish, but they are females full of eggs, and big. No one has seen any sea lice on them which is a good sign to identify ocean striped bass. The Nanticoke river is seeing the same activity, with spawning females heading…
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Tomorrow A Chinese Space Station Will Crash And It Is Going To Snow … In April
I keep forgetting about the Tiangong-1 space station. This is not an April Fools' joke which we have been having some fun with today. Yes, it is possible it will snow tomorrow, but mostly up north. I was hoping for clear skies to watch this station crash into the atmosphere and burn up.. It will be a crap shot to be where the Tiangong-1,…
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Tracking The Lewes Cougar
(Apr 1 2019) ... Not long ago on a Lewes social media page someone posted they saw the Lewes cougar down town. Something that as of late has become legend. We have been looking for the Lewes cougar on our trips to the beach, and we have yet to find any evidence. Until now.
A couple of weeks ago we found some large prints…
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Delaware State Parks Says No To Eating Dogs
(April 2018) ... Signs are always placed for a reason, like the ones in the state park bathhouses that says do not wash dishes in sinks. I mean who does that, "Hey honey get the kids and the dishes, we are going to the park. Don't forget the detergent and sunscreen" So I figured someone had to do something monumental to…
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The Sand Elk Are Emerging
The sand elk of Cape Henlopen State Park are emerging. These elk are special to this area. According to a customer of Lighthouse View bait and tackle, the sand elk are here to stay. Apparently a hundred years ago they came over on the landbridge from New Jersey and populated the area now known as Cape Henlopen state park. "That's a Sand Elk.…
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Rehoboth Beach Closes For Piping Plovers
It was bound to happen. Those little birds sure can shut down a beach. All it takes is a sighting and a possible nest. Next thing you know a half mile of beach is closed. The beaches at the avenue have been invaded by piping plovers. They decided they wanted to hang out on the walk on beaches and skip the drive on beaches this year.
"We…
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Full Blue Easter Moon
Tonight is the last blue moon of the year. This is when two full moons occur in the same month, hence the term once in a blue moon.. The march full moon is called the Worm Moon by most native american tribes. "At the time of this spring Moon, the ground begins to soften and earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of robins.…
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Lot of Food In The Water
We have been on the beach the past few days fishing and exploring the tidelines. That is where you find some of the best evidence of fish in the surf. Yesterday I found a bunch of crab claws and one or two spider crab molts. That is always a good sign if they are molting.
Today I found a sea robin minnow that was still alive. I…
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Easter Beach Cleanup
Great morning to walk the beach and collect trash. Seriously, it was nice out. I wish we were fishing instead, the gannets were circling hard and raining on bait. There are bunker out there, you can see a lot of slicks out front. That was all I could think about while I was walking the beach, I wish I was fishing and why isn't…
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Have You Dropped Your Crab Pots Yet? Bunker Are Here!
Crabs are emerging around the inland bays just in the past week or so. The water is still really chilly, but some crabs have been seen and caught. Masseys Landing jumped up six degrees in two days and is now peaking at forty-eight degrees. Captain Terry Murray dropped his commercial pots a few days ago and had a good haul for the…
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What’s New This Spring In Delaware State Parks
Delaware State Parks put out a newsletter and we wanted to share it with you and all the cool things you can do in Delaware State Parks.
Spring into Something New!
Spring is a season of fresh starts and new beginnings, so just as the buds on…
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Beach Clean Ups
The weekly beach clean ups are going well. Despite the fact the storms cleaned the beaches off we are still finding at least a bag of trash on the beaches. The heavy winds are sweeping most of the trash into the dunes or burying it in the sand.
It doesn't take as long to clean a beach when the trash is limited. It is kind of…
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Delaware’s Striped Bass Spawning Season Begins April First
The striped bass spawning season is almost upon us. It is already in full effect in the Chesapeake. Anglers over there are catching some big bass. While we are seeing a lot of short bass catches there have been a few smaller keepers here and there. Out tidal creeks and inland bays are really active right now. Bunker have been…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: March 19-25
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: March 19-25
Reminder for the week: Harvest of river herring, use of nets near spillways,
retaining striped bass during spawning season unlawful in Delaware
DOVER (March 30, 2018) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that…
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Hearns Pond boat ramp to be closed April 2-4 for courtesy dock installation
Hearns Pond boat ramp to be closed April 2-4 for courtesy dock installation
DOVER (March 29, 2018) – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that the boat ramp at Hearns Pond will be closed from April 2-4 to install a courtesy dock. A courtesy dock is a floating structure located alongside a launching ramp that makes…
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Maryland Set To Reduce Striped Bass Size
Emergency Action Seeks to Reduce Minimum Size Requirement for Striped Bass
March 27, 2018
Move to 19-Inch Rockfish Comes After Robust Stakeholder Input; Maintains Conservation Levels
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is moving forward with emergency regulations that will reduce the minimum size of striped bass for charter boat and…
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Pennywise May Or May Not Be Roaming New Castle County
Pennywise may or may not be roaming New Castle County
By Shauna McVey
Stephen King’s original “It” is my all-time favorite movie. Well, the first half since that’s the only part my parents recorded on VHS when the miniseries aired in 1990. Pennywise launched my love of scary movies and books, but I think we’d all prefer if he stay on the…
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Good Weekend Fishing
This time last year we were rat wrangling in the surf. Which is catching small short bass one after another in the surf, it is fun and we coined the term one afternoon. Because when we all start joking in the surf you never know what is going to come out of our mouth.
You can use surf rods down to small bass rods for catching shorts. The…
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The Chillaware Island Spring Surf Fishing Tourney Expands
The Chillaware Island Spring Surf Fishing Tourney has grown faster than we expected. We are adding a kids division and expanding the fishing options. Last year when we did the fall tourney we only used 3Rs because we figured with only six weeks to promote the tourney it would not bring in big numbers. We had about one hundred and…
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Will Delaware Change The 2018 Summer Flounder Size Limit
Delaware is in the process of changing the flounder size limit, but will it remain all year? Right now the summer flounder limit is seventeen inches and four fish per angler, per day. We don't have a season for flounder like the northern states. Delaware is in the process of changing our summer flounder size limit to sixteen and a half inches.…
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Nor’easter Showers Bring Mylar Flowers
Last weeks nor'easter rocked us a good bit, but we survived. When you live at the coast you get used to bad coastal storms it is part of the way of life here. Like living on the west coast and dealing with earthquakes, and droughts.
The wildlife here at the beach is used to this weather and will react accordingly. Marshes flood…
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First Annual Capital Outdoor Sportsmen Event
The first annual Capital Outdoor Sportsmen Event is on April 21 to the 22nd at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds. This event was organized by Sharon Gertz and she is very excited to bring this to her area, "I wanted to do this for years and now I finally have the opportunity. We have some wonderful sponsors ... Leo's Vacation Center, Maryland…
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Yearling Harp Seal To Be Rescued By MERR
Leah Reynolds was called to the beach today to check on a seal sighting. We asked her to share her story and some details as a MERR volunteer. You will be hearing more from Leah as a field reporter for Delaware Surf Fishing. She will be a wonderful addition to our team.
The seal will be rescued this evening or tomorrow morning. According to…
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Where Are You Gonna Fish This Weekend
Parks are hoping to have the drive ons open tomorrow, be careful driving at high tide. All you are gonna find out there is skates, but not too many tourists. A lot of people are headed this way for the weekend to start opening up their houses for the coming season. Traffic will be a little heavier than it has been this winter.
Fishing…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: March 12-18
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: March 12-18
Reminder for the week: Boaters urged to check gear before putting vessels in the water
DOVER (March 23, 2018) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure…
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Drive On Accesses Are Still Closed
The beaches are recovering from the nor'easter Parks are in the process of evaluating the drive on accesses. I am sure they are waiting to see what the next high tide does since some of the beaches are flat with big swales.
1:45 PM is high tide today at Indian River Inlet. The water is still up a bit along the coast.
I know…
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Why Are There TV Antennas On The Beach In Bethany
The other day while making videos of the storm surge from storm Toby, the spring nor'easter. I took some random shots of Bethany beach and posted the videos and pictures. I didn't think much about it, but dozens of people have asked me what are those TV antennas doing on the beach. Most thought it was something that washed up from…
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Update On The Rescued Grey Seal Banshee
The other day a female grey seal pup was found on the beach in Bethany. She was reported to the Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation (MERR) Institute, who likes to record all sightings and also check on the seal's health. Usually they are just relaxing on the beach and taking a rest. MERR likes to keep a record of the ons that visit…
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OC Reef Foundation Reef Report 3/21/18
From the desk of Capt. Monty Hawkins, Pres. OC Reef Foundation
Reef Report 3/21/18
Dinner Date!
Major Contributions!
Greetings Reef Sponsors,
After a year of modest reef building, the Ocean City Reef Foundation now has a lot going on.
This year's Reef Dinner will be held at Seacrets again. We're assured by Seacret's banquet staff we'll…
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Poof … It Is Snowing Hard In Sussex County
Careful what you wish for it is snowing like gangbusters out here in the country. All day everyone on social media has been complaining where is the snow, now people are complaining where are the snow plows.
Route 1 below Dover is proving to be a disaster now due to accidents and jammed up traffic. Near the beach there is less…
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Bethany Beach Loses A Walkway
About the only thing I have seen or heard of damage wise is Bethany beach losing a walkway on one of their dune crossovers. There is a tree or two down here and there and a couple of blown transformers. The stairs in Bethany were essentially temporary anyway until the beach replenishment could happen. When sandy hit the stairs were…
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Governor John Carney Issues Level 1 Driving Warning for Kent and New Castle Counties
The north is getting a decent amount of snow fast. Sussex county is just now seeing snowfall and has been dealing with minor tidal flooding all day. No dunes have breached, despite the heavy and high seas pummeling the beaches, and route 1 is clear along the coast. The back bays flooded a wee bit, but not as bad as expected. The next high…
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The Real Reason The Seas Are Angry My Friends
Whoever pissed off this guy and stole his ball, please give it back. Poseidon is really upset and is just sitting in the surf contemplating his next move. He has already slapped three guys in the line up trying to catch a wave and tried to stab one body boarder who got in his way.
We are heading down to the beach soon to discuss…
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Storm Toby And The Second Day Of Spring
Storm Toby, our spring nor'easter, so far is just pummeling us with winds and rain, which is much worse in my opinion than the impending snow we may or may not see today. We are five hours away from high tide and the ocean is on top of the beach, almost to the dune line. The inland bays are full of water at low tide. typical…
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Governor John Carney Issues State Of Emergency For Delaware
DOVER, Del. – With an impending winter storm expected to impact Delaware, Governor John Carney on Tuesday issued a State of Emergency statewide authorizing the Delaware National Guard to assist state and local officials with any necessary response and recovery for this winter storm effective midnight on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
The…
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Storm Toby Update First Day Of Spring Flooding
The first high tide was not that bad there has been moderate tidal flooding in all the usual spots for the inland bay communities. DelDOT is set up and ready for route 1 to flood, because it isn't if, at this point, but when. At midnight is the next high tide, roughly around 1 to 2 AM is when you should be concerned about that area…
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When Are The Fish Getting Here?
This is my favorite question. Because you can't predict the exact time you can only go by what has happened the past few years and hope that holds true for the coming season. The best example are the spring drum and now blue fish runs. Times change every year due to previous water and weather conditions.
The past three years…
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First Day Of Spring Arrives With Angry Seas
Happy first day of spring, and our next guest ... Here comes the nor'easter, the seas are up along the coast line. We are in a coastal flood warning from 8 PM tonight until 5 PM Thursday night. Those of you along the inland bays knows what that means, it is going to flood. How much is a good question and remains to be seen. Those…
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And For Our Next Two Noreasters, Best Weather Report Ever!
Anyone tired of these nor'easters yet? Tired of weather reports that are wrong or misleading? Tired of all the Facebook pages vying for attention with constant updates? NOAA via the national Weather service broke the internet today with their report.
We do storm reports on DSF because it is a big aspect of fishing and people are…
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MERR To The Rescue
Seals are still showing up on the beaches. This little guys is presently being rescued by MERR. It will be evaluated and brought back to health and then released back to the wild. I have no idea why it is being rescued, but if MERR felt it needs to be, then it needs help.
If you see a seal on a beach or anywhere, do not approach…
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Opsrey Are Arriving On Delmarva
During the beach clean up on Sunday we observed an osprey picking up nest building materials. The nest was in front of the maintenance area at naval crossing, and you can't see the nest unless you are on the beach, south of naval crossing. It was great to see our favorite fish finders arrive.
That is surely a sign of better…
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Why Glass Is Bad On A Beach
This is not the beach glass I like collecting, we find a lot of glass that is like this. As much as we like collecting beach glass and people make jewelry out of it, glass is bad on a beach for many reasons. Due to our passion for beach clean ups I recognize it is hypocritical to like collecting beach glass. I get that, but glass…
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3 Guys, 3 Buckets, 3 Hours, 3 Miles, One Clean Beach
Whoever schedules a beach clean up the day after St. Patty's day is crazy ... guilty as charged.
We met on Sunday morning at 9 AM in Cape Henlopen state park at the point comfort station crossing area. Chris and Andrew were there when I arrived. We waited a bit until after 9 AM and then started out on the beach. I told the…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: March 5-11
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: March 5-11
Reminder for the week: Spring Aboard is here!
DOVER (March 16, 2018) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Fish…
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Not The Donuts We Like At The Beach
At some point in the last twenty-four hours or less, someone decided to go all "yeehaa" and do donuts all over the beach in Cape Henlopen at navy Crossing.
Ignorant stuff like this is how we lose access to our park beaches after hours. It is also used as an excuse by people like the beach coalition folks to take away your access…
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Artist Writes An Important Message In The Sand Of The New Ocean City Inlet Beach
If you haven't seen it yet, the constant winds and storms have pushed tons of sand sand, literally, into the Ocean City inlet and created a beach along the north Jetty wall. The last time this happened was superstorm Sandy. Eventually the sand will wash out, but for now even the surfers are digging some of the cool waves it has…
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DNREC Mosquito Control Section’s spraying season to begin with larviciding wooded wetlands
DNREC Mosquito Control Section’s spraying season to begin with larviciding wooded wetlands
DOVER (March 16, 2018) – DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section within the Division of Fish & Wildlife will begin its annual spring woodland pool spraying campaign Saturday, March 17 onwooded wetlands near select populated areas in southern Sussex…
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Ocean City Reef Foundation Reef Report
From the desk of Captain Monty Hawkins ...
Greetings Reef Sponsors,
After a year of modest reef building, the Ocean City Reef Foundation now has a lot going on. We're close to inking a deal with a major corporate sponsor - - it's huge. This sponsorship will bring the Bass Grounds Reef Restoration project to life.
The Nature…
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Former Delawareans on the hunt for funds to catch tasty, reef-harming lionfish
Former Delawareans on the hunt for funds to catch tasty, reef-harming lionfish
By Shauna McVey
New fish have started to enter the Delaware culinary market thanks to two of Delaware Surf Fishing’s favorite environmentalists, Ashley Ridout and Brian Asher. This power couple left Sussex County for the warmer waters of the Gulf Coast last…
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First Beach Clean Up Of The 2018 Season
We were going to continue with beach clean ups all winter, but mother nature wasn't too cooperative. Add to that everyone getting really busy (namely me) and we just didn't have the time. I would love to have the February spring weather back, the first clean up however did turn out to be a nice day for a walk on the beach and…
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Beach replenishment project in the Towns of Bethany, South Bethany, and Fenwick Island to begin this spring
Beach replenishment project in the Towns of Bethany, South Bethany, and Fenwick Island to begin this spring
News from the Town of Bethany Beach: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Philadelphia District has announced the schedule for the much-needed repair of our beach. The work on our beach is slated to begin May 15, 2018 and…
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Upstate trout season to open April 7 in seven New Castle County streams
Upstate trout season to open April 7 in seven New Castle County streams
DNREC announces Red Clay Creek to be stocked for first time in 30 years thanks to improved water quality;
trout anglers also should note that changes have been made to original stocking schedule
DOVER (March 14, 2018) – Delaware’s spring upstate trout season will…
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DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to reopen April 4
DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to reopen April 4
Volunteers sought for spring cleanup day March 18
DOVER (March 13, 2018) – The DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion Harbor Reserve, a DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife facility located in the heart of Delaware’s Bayshore Region, will reopen Wednesday, April 4 after being closed for the…
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Last Day For Public Comment About Offshore Drilling In The Atlantic
Today is the last day to put in your public comments about offshore drilling in the Atlantic ocean and the eastern seaboard. This is a bad idea for fishermen. Not only could these rigs be right in the middle of the canyons, but a spill would be detrimental to our ecosystem. Seismic testing alone will alter migratory patterns of all of the…
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Cargo Containers Washing Up On Beaches
During the storm a week ago, the "westeaster", or bomb cyclone. A container ship off the coast of North Carolina lost seventy cargo containers.
Now they are washing up on beaches south of us, but you never know where these will show up. Also mariners (boaters) should be careful since many of these will float just under the surface and are…
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Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Return is Sentinel of Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem Recovery
DNR press release
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Return is Sentinel of Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem Recovery
March 5, 2018
Department Researcher among 14 Co-authors in National Academy of Sciences Report
A new research article published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences analyzes the positive impact of long-term…
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The Delaware Outdoors Expo is Saturday
Come out this Saturday to the Delaware Outdoors Expo and check out our booth, Delaware Surf Fishing with Diamond State Custom Tackle. I will be able to sign you up for the Chillaware Island Spring Surf Fishing Tournament.
Diamond State Tackle, local makers of superior fishing gear, will be debuting their new mullet rigs with spinners.
I…
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