Southbound Route 1 closed for flooding.
Just below Dewy beach DelDOT has closed the right lane of route 1 dues to inland bay flooding. Something which has been occurring every high tide for the past couple days. If you want to save some time with alerts get the DelDOT app in the google play store so you can keep up with these alerts and much more.
It is easy to use you…
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The largest St. Pat’s Parade around steps off this Sunday in Milton
Girl Goes Local ...
The largest St. Pat’s Parade around steps off this Sunday in Milton
By Shauna McVey
Twelve miles west of the Cape Henlopen coast lies a quaint town with one of Sussex’s best kept secrets: The Milton St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Don’t let the name fool you. This parade isn’t just a parade, and it won’t be held on St.…
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Fishing Is Picking Up Even In The Bad Weather
Fishing, well actually catching is and has been picking up for resident striped bass. That February warm up got them all excited. Once that happens they tend to not slow down or stop, kind of like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube.
Anglers are catching short striped bass in all the tidal creeks and along the Delaware bay…
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Marsh Fire On Route 1 Today
The marsh caught fire today just below the Charles W Cullen bridge on the southbound side of route 1. You would think with the high water this wasn't possible, but it doesn't take long for that dead grass to dry out in high winds and some sunshine. There were four sections of marsh and brush that caught fire according to the Bethany…
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Beach Conditions In Delaware Seashore State Park And A Breach
I checked out the beaches in Delaware Seashore State Park today, the drive on was open, but I wouldn't go anywhere near there if the tide is coming in and here is why ...
The water is washing across the beach to the dune edges easier. Because the storm we just had pushed a lot of sand up onto the beach and filled in most of the…
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The Storm of 62 was 56 Years Ago
56 years ago today, March 6, 1962 ...
This was written in 2016 not long after Storm Jonas hammered the coastline
It was forecast as a normal winter storm. Tides were predicted at 2 to 5 feet higher than normal with flooding in low lying areas. Gale force winds from a storm moving across the country that would head offshore. A typical winter…
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Big Waves And Flooded Beaches
The storm surge is till hitting the coastline with heavy wave action. Surfers are excited from what I hear down at the inlet, there are some sick waves. Rehoboth beach and all the ocean beach towns are getting water to the dune line at high tide. We are two hours from high tide and the water is already washing over the beaches. …
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Maryland Schedules Public Hearing on Black Drum Draft Addendum I
Maryland Schedules Public Hearing on Black Drum Draft Addendum I
Arlington, VA – Maryland has scheduled their hearing to gather public comment on Draft Addendum I to the Black Drum Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The details of this hearing are as follows:
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
March 15, 2018 at 5:30 PM
Maryland DNR
580…
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Nor’easter Expected To Hit On Wednesday
We just got past a west'easter that flooded us like a nor'easter. Yes I made up west'easter. On Wednesday we have another storm slated to hit. This will be a nor'easter thanks to the true northeast winds. Snow is predicted for the northeast, I doubt southern Delaware will see any, but that could change tomorrow or in…
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Expect Minor Tidal Flooding Into Monday
The coastal flood warning is until 3 PM this afternoon. All the usual low spots are filling with water due to tidal flooding. The full moon we just had and the winds are keeping water in the inland bays and causing flooding around the area. I would expect to last the next few high tides due to the heavy winds and storm surge we are…
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Expect Minor Tidal Flooding Today
If you live in an area that usually floods form tidal flooding from storms, expect that to happen within the next few hours. Roosevelt inlet is already up to the road edge and coming over in Lewes on Pilottown road below the university. This is at the Canary creek area, which always floods there first.
Low lying areas will hold water at…
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Full Moon, High Tide, and Gale Force Winds
Good luck to all the anglers in Delaware hitting the trout ponds for opening day. Not a big fan of wind. Monday looks much better. At least we will see diminishing winds later this afternoon and the sun is already trying to break through the clouds.
The storm so far has just been wind damage; signs down, boats blown over, extreme blow out…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Feb. 19-25
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Feb. 19-25
Reminder for the week: Wildlife area visitors encouraged to know and follow rules
DOVER (March 2, 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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Maryland Considering Changes to Striped Bass Regulations Public Comments Needed
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is considering changes to the recreational and charter boat summer and fall striped bass fishery. The changes will require the use of circle hooks while chumming or live-lining, regardless of the target species. There is a possibility that the regulation may limit the size of the “J” hook…
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The Bomb Cyclone Has Dropped
I love these weather terms and so do the weather and news sites. Sounds scary right? The real term for this phenomenon is explosive cyclogenesis, or bombogenesis and it is actually very common. It refers to a low pressure system's central pressure when it drops 24 millibars in 24 hours. A millibar is a unit of pressure…
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Public Hearing For DNREC, DDA Proposed Firearm Regulations Set For Monday, March 12 In Dover
Public hearing for DNREC, DDA proposed firearm regulations set for Monday, March 12 in Dover
DOVER (March 1, 2018) – Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and Department of Agriculture (DDA) will conduct a joint public hearing Monday, March 12 on proposed regulations for possessing firearms in Delaware’s…
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Drive On Beach Access Closed For Weekend
I just heard from Delaware state park administrators that drive on beach accesses in Fenwick Island State Park and Delaware Seashore State park will be closed today (afternoon) in anticipation of this storm. This is for the safety of not only the public but the people who would have to rescue anyone who gets stuck. Let's also not…
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The Calm Before The Storm
It is eerily calm out, there is little to no wind. That will change as the day progresses and then tomorrow the storm kicks it up a few notches. So far we are still on track for major winds, minor to major coastal flooding and all that nor'easter jazz. It is hard to predict these so go easy on the weather people, yes they still get…
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March Will Roll In Like An Angry Lion
They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb or the other way around. Well the bar has been set, she is getting it all in the beginning of this month, like a pride of angry lions. We are starting off March first, tomorrow, with a big nor'easter like storm. Coastal flood watch, High wind watch and almost a dozen other…
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Data Workshops Scheduled for Atlantic Menhaden Single-Species & Ecological-Based Benchmark Stock Assessments
Data Workshops Scheduled for Atlantic Menhaden Single-Species & Ecological-Based Benchmark Stock Assessments
Arlington, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has begun work on two Atlantic menhaden-specific benchmark assessments: a single-species benchmark assessment and an ecological-based benchmark assessment. The…
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Weekly Beach Clean Ups Will Start On March 11
We are starting the weekly beach clean ups for 2018 this march on the 11th at 9 AM. I was going to start this coming weekend but the winds are gonna be crazy and well ... I hate windy fishing, which is even worse when you are trying to find trash in a sandstorm. Last year the DSF clean up crew racked up hundreds of volunteer hours…
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Want To Help The Inland Bays? Then Take This Survey
Tell us YOUR concerns about the Inland Bays!
This brief survey will help the Center focus on your community’s concerns relating to the health of the Rehoboth, Indian River, and Little Assawoman Bays
–and the land surrounding them.
As a token of our appreciation, each participant that includes their mailing address will receive:…
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Crooked Hammock takes first place at 2018 Delaware Beer Drinker’s Choice Awards
Crooked Hammock takes first place at 2018 Delaware Beer Drinker’s Choice Awards
By Shauna McVey
Crooked Hammock Brewery’s second Delaware Beer Drinker’s Choice Awards was one big, Sunday fun day, beer-loving fest.
I am by no means a beer aficionado, but as a brand new Sussex Countian I like to check out new-to-me places and events to…
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Delaware State Park Passes Required In March
The winter free for all is over in Delaware Start Parks. Every year in the winter the parks are wide open to any and all that would like to visit them, this starts on November 30th. Some of the in-park features are not open to the general public without a pass or entrance fee, such as the Brandywine zoo. The parks themselves…
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Point at Cape Henlopen to close March 1 for 2018
DNREC announces the Point at Cape Henlopen to close March 1 for 2018 beachnesting season
LEWES (Feb. 26, 2018) – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation today announced that the Point at Cape Henlopen State Park, including a stretch of ocean beach and dunes, and a half mile along the bay shoreline, will close beginning Thursday, March…
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Look Up At The Humanity Star On Friday
The Humanity Star will pass over Delaware on Friday morning. What is the humanity star? It is a geodesic dome satellite that was launched into orbit on January twenty-first. Covered in highly reflective panels, this causes it to appear like it is blinking rapidly as it passes across the night sky. It will be brighter than the…
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Delaware State Parks Upgrades More Air Stations
Last week Savages Ditch air station across from the Faithful Steward crossing was closed to replace the air hoses. That has been completed and the air station is open again, it only took a couple of days. By the way the area on the bayside is called Savages Ditch, the dune cross over or drive on access road is Faithful Steward,…
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Got Shrimp?
(February 2016) ... If you are looking for a great bait, then grass shrimp is on menu. The tidal creeks, especially at low tide are loaded with shrimp and the fish are going nuts for them. This warm up has really gotten mother nature stirred up, even the peeper frogs are out again, in February. White perch and all the usual freshwater suspects…
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Governor Carney seeks nominees for two At-Large vacancies on the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council
Governor Carney seeks nominees for two At-Large vacancies on the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management
Council
Governor Carney is seeking nominees for two vacant At-Large seats on the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC). One of the two seats is currently held by New York and the second is held by North Carolina. Although legally…
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Savages Ditch Air Station Closed
The air station at Savages Ditch that serves Faithful Steward Crossing in Delaware Seashore State Park is closed for air hose upgrades for at least a week. As soon as the work is completed it will reopen. For those that do not know this is the last air station on the bay side before the Charles W Cullen bridge that spans the Indian…
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Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier Section Is Closed
Recently Delaware State parks closed the end of the Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier. This is the newer section that was opened up a few years ago. Some of the pylons that were repaired with cement and a poly wrap are cracking or split. Parks is going to evaluate the damage and will have a timeline when the section will be repaired and…
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DNREC, DHSS issue new fish consumption advisories that reflect continuing improvement in water quality for Delaware waterways
DNREC, DHSS issue new fish consumption advisories that reflect continuing improvement in water quality for Delaware waterways
DOVER (Feb. 20, 2018) – New fish consumption advisories issued today by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Public…
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Save The Great Marsh Sign The Petition
There are proposed plans to develop the land that backs up to the Great Marsh. Many of us feel this is bad idea. Not just for the added congestion etc. that is always an argument and these days a given, especially in the summer. The main concern for many of us is the fact this could and will destroy a very valuable ecosystem and…
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February Spring Fishing
The recent warm ups and rain storms are waking up the fish. We had three days of sixty degree rainy weather and this caused the water temperatures to jump up a full eight degrees in several area tidal creeks and rivers. The constant cold and freezing dropped the water temperatures to thirty-eight degrees and lower. Last week's warm…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Feb. 5-11
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Feb. 5-11
Reminder for the week: Spring ahead of Spring Aboard
DOVER (Feb. 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, Fish…
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Spring 2018 Trout Stocking And Opening For Downstate Ponds
DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife announces spring 2018 trout stocking and opening for downstate ponds
Trout anglers encouraged to check requirements before fishing
DOVER (Feb. 15, 2018) – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife today announced that Delaware’s spring 2018 downstate trout season will begin Saturday, March 3, with the…
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DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation’s economic impact study for Delaware state parks praised at Tower 3 lighting ceremony
DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation’s economic impact study for Delaware state parks praised at Tower 3 lighting ceremony
LEWES (Feb. 12, 2018) – Against the backdrop of the ceremonial lighting of the World War Two-era Tower 3 at Delaware Seashore State Park, Governor John Carney, DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin and other officials…
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Delaware’s Youngest Fly Tyer
Saturday I dropped by to see the Saltwater Fly Anglers Of Delaware Club at their weekly fly tie meets. Chad Betts was there with his son Cohen, locals of Milton,DE. You will probably recognize Cohen, he is the young man on the cover of the 2018 Delaware Fishing Guide with the striped bass and a huge smile. Ever since I met Cohen he…
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Chillaware Island Spring Surf Fishing Tournament Registration
Registration is now available for the annual Chillaware Island Spring Surf Fishing Tournament. If you want an event T-shirt, we have that option just select the registration with a T-shirt. These cost $15 with early registration. This is the best time to get this shirt, the day of the tourney we will have some shirts but not a lot…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Jan. 29-Feb.4
Reminder for the week: Conservation Order allows snow goose harvest
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Virginia Withdraws Appeal to Amendment 3 For Menhaden
Just announced by the ASMFC, this is good news for the menhaden populations. When We contacted theASMFCas to why they withdrew there wasn't a reason submitted with the withdraw.
ASMFC .... "This is a schedule change notice for the ASMFC’s meeting on February 8, 2018. The Commonwealth of Virginia has withdrawn its appeal of Amendment 3 to the…
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DNREC’s 2018 Delaware Fishing Guide And Fishing Rulers Now Available
DNREC’s 2018 Delaware Fishing Guide and fishing rulers now available
DOVER (Feb. 5, 2018) – The Division of Fish & Wildlife’s 2018 Delaware Fishing Guide and fishing rulers for measuring legal-sized catches have landed wherever anglers purchase a Delaware fishing license, including bait & tackle shops, and sporting goods and…
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Once In A Blue, Super, Blood Moon Photographs
If you braved the chilly weather and got up early the other day then you got a chance to see the super blue blood moon. Unfortunately for me the camera has bit the dust, literally. The optics have gone south and taking pictures, especially moon shots are impossible. We were treated to a visible super, blue, blood moon. When the…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Jan. 22-28
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Jan. 22-28 Reminder for the week: State game refuges
DOVER (Feb. 2, 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, Fish &…
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Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 2017 Annual Report
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is pleased to present you with our 2017 Annual Report, http://www.asmfc.org/files/pub/2017AnnualReport.pdf. It describes the Commission’s activities and progress in carrying out our public trust responsibilities for the valuable marine fisheries under Commission stewardship. Included in this report…
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Here comes the Super, Blue, Blood, Moon
On January 31st we will be treated to a super moon, that will be a blue moon and also a blood moon. A stellar trifecta for any stargazer. This has not happened since 1866. The west coast will see the full lunar eclipse (Blood Moon) the east coast will see a partial eclipse in the early morning, because by the time the eclipse is full the moon…
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29th Annual Beach Grass Planting, the Planting O’ The Green!
Hello! We are planning the 29th Annual Beach Grass Planting, the Planting O’ The Green!Our efforts this year will be focused on areas where dune repairs were made and dunes that have bare areas that were not planted last year.
Each March since 1990, many dedicated volunteers have helped to build and protect Delaware’s sand dunes by planting Cape…
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Reel Friends Doing Really Great Stuff
Reel Friends Doing Really Great Stuff
Fish Gut Friday ... Suzanne Martin
With the longer days coming each day, and a few warmer temperatures ,it gives me spring fever, and makes me long for real spring days. Also the slow approach of waiting for that first day bait fish is spotted makes me think of events coming up, like sales…
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Delmarva Outdoors Expo 2018 Vendor Applications
The Delmarva Outdoors Expo is now accepting vendor applications and sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring the event please contact us at admin@delaware-surf-fishing.com . If you would like a vendor application you can download that here Delmarva Outdoors Expo 2018 Vendor Application. There are a lot of new attractions being…
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Proposed New Regulations For Firearms Possession Within Delaware State Parks, Wildlife Areas, And State Forests
DNREC, DDA propose new regulations for firearms possession within Delaware state parks, wildlife areas, and state forests
DOVER (Jan. 19, 2018) – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) have proposed new regulations expanding the scope of legal…
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She Fisherwoman Part Deux
She Fisherwoman Part Deux
Fish Gut Friday ... Suzanne Martin
If a "hen frigate " was any ship carrying a Captains wife, then a "She Captain " is a bold women distinguished for courageous enterprise in the history of the sea. ~ from the book "She Captains"
This week is a part two of stories I have collected from some of the…
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Fly Tie Saturdays
This past weekend was the first of many fly tie Saturday gatherings for the Saltwater Fly Anglers of Delaware Club. Also known affectionately as the donut club, we eat a lot of donuts. This last Saturday meeting was laid more so than most. Usually it is crowded the first meet, but the weather as of late has been an issue for many.…
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Beach Combing Is Great This Time Of Year
As much as we all hate the cold, if you get that one nice day to hit the sand box, you should do it at low tide. This is the best time of year to go beach combing, for a few reasons. Mostly the fact that hardly anyone is here, there is less competition finding beach treasures. However you do have to compete with those of us that…
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DelDOT’s Eye Over Indian River Inlet Shows More Than Traffic
DelDOT's Traffic Camera On The north Tower Of The Indian River Inlet Bridge Shows Beach, Weather, Water and Traffic Conditons at The Indian River Inlet
If you don't us the DelDOT app on your phone to pay attention to the traffic cameras, you should. Especially these days, I constantly see posts on locals pages asking if the Indian River Inlet…
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The Indian: An Iconic Lewes Boat Is Floated For The Last Time
During the January blizzard of 2018 we dealt with a lot of heavy snow and ice. Not too big of a deal if you are on land, but if you were a boat in some of the marinas, there could be issues. Many if not all of the larger boats in the Lewes Marina were stuck on the bottom after extreme low tides. Due to the recent full moon and the…
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She Fisherwoman
Fish Gut Friday ... She Fisherwoman
Suzanne Martin
“She Captains, women that infamously possessed the “Bodies of women, and the souls of men”. Some were bold and crafty pirates, that terrorized their shipmates, doing “deeds beyond the valor of women.” Others were sirens, whom the mariners made rover captain for her beauty. Like their male…
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Governor Carney Releases Statement on Trump Administration’s Offshore Drilling Plan
Governor Carney Releases Statement on Trump Administration’s Offshore Drilling Plan
WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s plan to open up areas in the Atlantic Ocean, including waters off the Delaware coastline, to oil and gas drilling:
“Drilling for oil and gas…
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Fly Tie Saturdays Start This Weekend
Every year the Saltwater Fly Anglers of Delaware club meets to tie flies. Saturdays at Lewes Harbor Marina the club sets up and ties flies for a few hours. We tel lies, eat a lot of donuts and drink gallons of coffee. The sessions start at 9 am and continue to about noon. The public is welcome to come to learn about fly fishing,…
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Oyster Stock Status 2018 In The Delaware Bay
Oysters are doing better and better according to Rich Wong, Biometrician, ( fishery scientist or marine biologist ), he gave a presentation last night on the status of Delaware's oyster beds in the bay. Recruitment and spat growth is up and has been increasing since 2015. The quota for 2016 was 10,662 bushels, 2018 has been…
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2018 Blue Crab Status
Last night I attended the Shellfish advisory committee meeting. There were several topics including how the blue crab harvest will be for 2018. Trawl surveys are done on juvenile crabs to do counts to get an idea of the amount of crabs we should see in 2018. This allows DNREC to set the quota for commercial watermen. This is only…
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Iced Over Bays
The Delaware and Chesapeake and inland bays are all iced over. In some areas the ice is so thick you have to use barges to break a path for boats with lesser hulls. Maryland has been using ice breakers for the islands to deliver food, mail, and school kids. The Coast Guard put out level two ice alerts for the northern Chesapeake…
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Ice Fishing It Is
We get nasty weather every winter but we don't always get the prolonged cold like we did way back in the day. In the late seventies I can remember winters like this when we had some crazy blizzards. Ponds would freeze and for a good part of the winter you could skate on them, in one area it was the best way to get around the…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Dec. 25-31
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Dec. 25-31 Reminder for the week: It’s a good time to take a Boater Safety Course
DOVER (Jan. 5, 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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Winter Weather Advisory Freezing Rain
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
250 PM EST Sun Jan 7 2018
...A WINTRY MIX OF PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED ON MONDAY AFTERNOON
AND MONDAY EVENING...
.A weak warm front is forecast to approach from the southwest on
Monday and it should lift through our region during the afternoon
and evening hours.…
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Level 2 Driving Restriction Still In Effect
THE STATE OF EMERGENCY AND LEVEL 2 DRIVING RESTRICTION REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGHOUT SUSSEX COUNTY. GOVERNOR CARNEY ALSO HAS AUTHORIZED THE DELAWARE NATIONAL GUARD TO ASSIST STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS WITH ANY NECESSARY RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FOR THIS SEVERE WINTER STORM.
Seriously the roads suck. You cannot be forced to come to work during a…
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10 Things We Are Not Dealing With Right Now
10 Things We Are Not Dealing With Right Now
Fish Gut Friday ... Suzanne Martin
Seems like the main subject of everyone's conversation these days is the cold polar cyclone hell mess the whole east coast is experiencing this past week. Everywhere you look, people are just trying to keep up with what mother nature has been dishing out. …
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Snow Is The Least Of Our Worries
We already had a good snow for 2017 and now they are saying we will see anywhere from one inch to ten inches, and the coast will get the brunt of the snow. This of course depends on which model you are using. I am not worried about snow, it is fun to play in and not too bad to get around in, even in this cold. I am worried about…
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DNREC winter reminder: Dunes in state parks closed to sledding and snowboarding
DNREC winter reminder: Dunes in state parks closed to sledding and snowboarding
REHOBOTH BEACH (Jan. 2, 2018) – With winter now in full force and predictions of snow in the forecast, DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation reminds residents and visitors that sledding or snowboarding are illegal on dunes within Delaware state parks.
“Dunes…
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Delaware Outdoor Expo Set For March
The annual Delaware Outdoor Expo, brought to you by Delaware State News is on March 10th from 8 AM to 4 PM. Not to be confused with the three day Delmarva Outdoors Expo in April. I know there was some confusion last year. There were over three thousand attendees last year, this is a great way for a vendor to get in front of a lot…
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Yes Saltwater Can Freeze
I have seen this question or statement many times on social media this week. Can saltwater freeze? I didn't know you could get ice on the ocean. Have people seen the arctic or north pole? Yes saltwater can freeze. Fresh water freezes at thirty two degrees Fahrenheit, but seawater freezes at about twenty eight (28.4) degrees…
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New Year Starts With A Super Blue Moon, A Blood Moon, And A Black Moon
Happy New year and welcome to 2018. January first was the full wolf moon, which also happens to be a super moon. That means the moon's orbit is in perigee, its closest point to Earth. The moon this year will be full, just as the moon hits its closest point in orbit (perigee), making it appear up to fourteen percent larger and…
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Wind Chill Advisory, Small Craft Advisory, Gale Warning, And Freezing Spray
Wind Chill Advisory
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
343 AM EST Sun Dec 31 2017
New Castle-Kent-Inland Sussex-Delaware Beaches-Cecil-Kent MD-
Queen Annes-Talbot-Caroline-Hunterdon-Somerset-Middlesex-
Western Monmouth-Eastern Monmouth-Mercer-Salem-Gloucester-Camden-
Northwestern…
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Chillaware Island Spring Surf Fishing Tournament 2018
Save the date! May 5th will be the First annual Chillaware Island Spring Surf Fishing tournament. We have a lot of details to tell you about and are still working with sponsors. If anyone would like to be a sponsor please get in touch at admin@delaware-surf-fishing.com. This spring tournament will be just like the fall tournament we just…
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Maryland Tagged Blue Claw Crab Found In The Gulf Side Of Florida
Two years ago people were catching tagged blue claw crabs near us in the Chesapeake and its tributaries. We got in touch with the people doing the tagging for the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) Animal Tracking Studies. The interview was interesting and informative. We learned a great deal especially about migration…
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November/December Issue Of ASMFC Fisheries Focus
The November/December issue of ASMFC Fisheries Focus is now available at http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/5a45939aFishFocusNovDec2017.pdf.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Upcoming Meetings
page 2
Report From the Chair
A Year in Review
page 3
Species Profile
Tautog
page 4
Fishery Management Actions
Atlantic Menhaden
Black Sea Bass…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Dec. 18-24 Reminder for the week: Time to renew your 2018 Delaware fishing license
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Dec. 18-24
Reminder for the week: Time to renew your 2018 Delaware fishing license
DOVER (Dec. 29, 2017) – 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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Twelve Months Of Fishing
Twelve Months Of Fishing
Fish Gut Friday by Suzanne Martin
So here we are, end of 2017, and it's cold ... very cold. Makes me dream of warmer days, sunsets getting later (which they actually are right now!) ,and of course ... fishing.
I was looking back on the past year, and thinking of some of the highlights of many days…
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States Schedule Public Hearings on Draft Addendum XXX Options For Black Sea Bass Recreational Fisheries for 2018
States Schedule Public Hearings on Draft Addendum XXX
Board Seeks Input on Regional Management Options
for Black Sea Recreational Fisheries for 2018 and Beyond
Arlington, VA – Atlantic states from Massachusetts through Virginia have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum XXX to the Black Sea Bass Fishery…
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DNREC, DDA prepare to respond to Delaware Supreme Court’s Dec. 7 decision allowing firearms in state parks and forests
DNREC, DDA prepare to respond to Delaware Supreme Court’s Dec. 7 decision allowing firearms in state parks and forests
DOVER (Dec. 22, 2017) – The Delaware Supreme Court, by decision dated Dec. 7, 2017 in the matter of Bridgeville Rifle & Pistol Club, LTD, overturned a Superior Court ruling and ended a ban on visitors’ possessing…
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ASMFC Winter Meeting Preliminary Agenda, Public Comment Guidelines, and Meeting Details
Please find attached and below the preliminary agenda and public comment guidelines for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 2018 Winter Meeting, February 6-8, 2018 in Arlington, VA. The agenda is also available at http://www.asmfc.org/home/2018-winter-meeting. Included in the attachment are the travel authorization form, travel…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Dec. 11-17
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Dec. 11-17
Reminder for the week: A new year brings the need for a new boat registration
DOVER (Dec. 22, 2017) – 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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Gettin That Christmas Bass
We may not have a white Christmas, but there will be black and white stripes for some. The short striped bass action has been great in the back bays, especially around structure like the marinas in the creeks that feed into the inland bays. Under the lights at night you can catch short bass after short bass, it is a lot of fun and…
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Fish Gut Friday
Fish Gut Friday
By Suzanne Martin
So Rich has asked me to produce another Fish Gut Friday story, great ... I really have no fish guts to report of. While it looks like boat fishing for Sea Bass and Taug has been awesome, and a few stripers have been caught mostly off boats, and a few in the surf, I personally have not been out…
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Lewes Beach Replenishment Closes Roosevelt Inlet Parking Lot
A couple of weeks ago a high, chain link fence was put up around the Roosevelt Inlet parking lot. The beach replenishment project is underway and the crews need the parking lot as a staging area for the dump trucks and heavy equipment. This is not a typical beach replenishment like we see on the ocean beaches in Bethany this year. …
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ASMFC Approves Black Sea Bass Draft Addendum XXX for Public Comment & ASMFC and MAFMC Initiate Bluefish Amendment
ASMFC Approves Black Sea Bass Draft Addendum XXX for Public Comment & ASMFC and MAFMC Initiate Bluefish Amendment
Annapolis, MD – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) met jointly to establish recreational specifications for black sea bass, scup, and…
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One Minute Wetlands VIDEO By DNREC
New video series – ‘One Minute Wetlands’ – now available on DNREC’s YouTube Channel
DOVER (Dec. 20, 2017) – The new Delaware Wetlands video series, “One-Minute Wetlands,” premieres this week on DNREC’s YouTube Channel with two new videos: “Free Ranging Marshes” and “Marsh Gas.” The series is produced by DNREC’s Division of Watershed…
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Recreational and Commercial Harvest of Atlantic Cobia (Georgia through New York) to Open in Federal Waters in 2018
NOAA Fisheries Service .. Fishery Bulletin
Recreational and Commercial Harvest of Atlantic Cobia (Georgia through New York) to Open in Federal Waters in 2018
KEY MESSAGE:
Recreational and commercial harvest of Atlantic migratory group cobia (from Georgia through New York) will open at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2018, in…
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ASMFC Approves Interstate FMP for the Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia
ASMFC Approves Interstate FMP for the Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia
Linthicum, MD – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Migratory Group (AMG). The FMP complements many of the aspects of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (SAFMC) cobia…
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Surf Fishermen Are Crazy
Surf Fishermen Are Crazy Suzanne Martin
I have fished Delaware waters most of my life, either from land or boat. My dad was the owner of a twenty-four foot center console Sterery with a ninety horsepower Johnson outboard. We fished seventeen years on that boat, then it was sold to a man that lived in Lewes. I would purposely drive by it for…
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Second Earthquake Hits Dover Area
Yesterday at 12:45 am a second quake hit near the Dover area, roughly the same spot as the quake a couple weeks ago. About eight miles northeast of Dover, DE. This was only a magnitude of 1.2, but that was enough to shake a few people awake. This was a very small quake and barely registered on the scales so to speak. The earthquake alert sites…
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FWC Charges 3 In Connection To Shark Dragging Video
Not long ago everyone saw this video of a shark being dragged behind a boat. Recently the people in the video were charged with animal cruelty by the FWC. The official press release is below.
FWC charges 3 in connection to shark dragging video
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Hillsborough County State…
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Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks
The crew at the beach fishing and watching the Perseids .. Photo by Chip Thompson ...The meteor in the other image is from this one,blown up on my phone ... Chip Thompson
On Wednesday night (Dec. 13) into early Thursday morning (Dec. 14) the Geminid Meteor Shower will peak, also known as the gem. This yearly meteor shower is…
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Here Come The Gale Force Winds
Adam May was checking surf conditions at Tower road not long ago, and stumbled upon this deer in the surf. "It was just laying there, I knew it was alive, but didn't want to get too close in case it decided to rush me. It was disoriented and when it tried to stand up it would wobble a little and then fall back down. He was stuck in…
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DNREC announces new deputy secretary and chief of staff in the Office of the Secretary
DNREC announces new deputy secretary
and chief of staff in the Office of the Secretary
DOVER (Dec. 8, 2017) – Secretary Shawn M. Garvin announced today that the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will welcome two new staff members Dec. 11: Deputy Secretary Lisa Borin Ogden, and a new chief of staff to the DNREC…
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Snow Or No Snow?
I don't think at this point it is a question of whether it will snow, but how much will we get. Personally if it is going to snow I need a good amount to pull the car hood behind the four wheelers. Every weather service is calling for either just rain, a mix, or one to eight inches of snow, the most I have seen predicted. Even…
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Striped Bass Showing Up In Delaware Waters
Most of the bass pictures we keep seeing are Jersey bass, like this fifty pounder Jimmy Young caught the other day. It was only a matter of time and in this case days, for someone to finally start catching migratory striped bass in Delaware waters. The past couple of weeks we have been sent reports of a random keeper bass caught…
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Sunday Super Moon Funday
This year 2017 only has one "super moon". What is a super moon? It is when the moon is closest in orbit to the earth and we get almost thirty percent more moonlight. The full moon will be much brighter. Don't worry if you miss this one we will have two more in 2018, on Jan. 1 and Jan. 31, 2018. NASA ... "The late January…
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Getting That Jersey Bass
Well the bass action is the hottest off the Jersey coast. Anglers are either going over there and hiring charters or making a forty to eighty mile run up the coast out of Lewes, even farther out of Indian River Inlet. Virginia is seeing huge striped bass now as well, upwards of fifty-one inch fish being brought to the scales. Once…
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Delaware Offshore Wind Working Group to hold Dec. 5 public workshop in Lewes
This is a DNREC press release, the picture is a joke to get your attention that I added. In my opinion we need wind farms, they are a good idea, offshore and on land. People who complain about them being a eye sore should go look across the Indian River bay at the coal power plant that looks like something on a Pink Floyd album cover. I am…
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Why Is That Crane Off Rehoboth Beach
The work on the Rehoboth outfall project began not long ago, and that crane off the shore is digging the trench to set the pipe. Now if I wanted to do some fishing I would probably want to get "downstream" of this digging during an outgoing tide. Last year when the sand dredger was digging sand for the Rehoboth beach replenishment,…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Nov. 13-26
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Nov. 13-26
Reminder for the week: Loaded firearms prohibited in or on motor vehicles, motorboats or farm machinery
DOVER (Dec. 1, 2017) – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe…
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Earthquake Gives Delaware A Quick Shake
Not ten minutes ago the house shook for a few seconds, then a post pops up on Facebook, and then fifty more. Meanwhile I am thinking was that an earthquake? From PA to New Jersey and all over the state of Delaware it was felt. A 4.4 to 5.06 magnitude quake hit and the epicenter is reported to be near Dover, Delaware according to…
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Overfalls Lightship Towed Out of Lewes
Setting up the rope for the pull and tow.
Today I accompanied Captain Clarke Droney of Tow Boat US Indian River to the Lewes Canal. He was assisting the Northstar 10 tugboat owned by Phil Risko and captained by Billy Fehn. Hired to pull the Overfalls Lightship out of her slip in the Rehoboth Lewes Canal, and tow her to the Dorchester…
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Crab Pot Season Ends
You can still crab all year long in Delaware, just not with crab pots, handlines and the drop traps and rings are also okay to use. The season for crab pots ends November 30th and reopens on March first. Time to pull the pots and get them cleaned up for next year. People are still catching crabs in the warmer water areas around the inland…
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Time For Some Seasonal Clamming
The seasonal clamming areas open every year on December first, time to make some clams casino! These are the areas in yellow on the map that are closed during the summer due to high bacteria levels. Right now the inland bays are really clear, especially Rehoboth bay. Once the bacteria and algae die off the water clears up real…
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Where Are All The Striped Bass?
That is pretty much a daily question this time of year. Another warm and cold beginning to winter. The water temperatures are dropping from the colder nights, but the sixty degree days are keeping them from dropping too fast. The water is right in the sweet spot for striped bass, they prefer the below fifty and above forty water temperatures.…
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What Is The EEZ And Why Is It Important
The EEZ, short for the Exclusive Economic zone, is a boundary that allows countries to regulate the natural resources in the waters within their "boundaries" for fishing and non-fishing industries.
As defined by NOAA ... "The exclusive economic zone is the zone where the U.S. and other coastal nations have jurisdiction over natural…
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What To Do When You Find A Dead Bald Eagle
Yesterday a buddy of mine sent me a message. "Hey there is a dead bald eagle south on route 1 bridge on magnolia by trap shooters rd looks to be a dead bald eagle on the side of the road , what do I do?" Good question, I told him to contact DNREC's fish and wildlife enforcement. I knew they would have an answer. Not twenty minutes…
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Coast Guard Will Be Enforcing Three Mile limit On Striped Bass
United States Coast Guard Bulletin ...
The cold air brings with it many things each year; pumpkin-spiced coffee, frost on the ground, droves of holiday shoppers and adventurous fishermen heading out to brave chilling winds and frigid waters to catch Atlantic Striped bass.
Striped Bass are a prized favorite for anglers up and down the…
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Happy Thanksfishing
Well it got cold fast after that front came through, water temperatures really dropped in some areas,and we have more cold fronts headed this way. Frost on everything this morning and yesterday, but the fish are chewing. Hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving, today is a good day to go fishing with the family, or go fishing to…
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2018 Paradise Bay Flounder Tournament Ups The Ante
The 2018 Paradise Bay Flounder Tournament details have been announced and Al Tortella at Paradise Island has upped the ante for the bay tournament for 2018. The prize money has been increased and you can fish two days instead of one. This is the largest bay flounder tournament held on the inland bays, and in Delmarva. You won't…
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Flounder Pounder Open 2018 Will Be Off The Hook!
The 2018 Flounder Pounder Open's details have been set for next year and you want to get the dates reserved for this one! Go on vacation, quit your job, you won't want to miss the largest flounder tournament in the world. Al Tortella owner of Paradise Island has really amped it up for 2018. The Flounder Pounder Open will now be five days…
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Ice House Bait And Tackle Holiday Midnight Madness Sale
Icehouse Bait and Tackle is located at 110 New Road in Lewes, Delaware. less than a block from the Lewes canal off Pilottown road. Captain Les Clemmer has added a lot of new gear over the summer and is also carrying hunting items including archery supplies and ammunition. He has the hard to find twenty-two rounds. Icehouse Bait…
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Seaford man pleads guilty to felony resisting arrest in connection with assault on DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer
Seaford man pleads guilty to felony resisting arrest in connection with assault on DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer
LAUREL (Nov. 22, 2017) – A Seaford man who assaulted a DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer Oct. 3 after he was found trespassing after hours in the Nanticoke Wildlife Area…
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Diamond State Custom Tackle Black Friday Sale And More
Now you can save big on tackle with Diamond State Custom Tackle's Black Friday to Cyber-Monday sale! Not only only do they have two combo packages that already save you money, but now they are on sale for a limited time for the holidays. Get stocked up for next year, or help fill a friends gear box for the holidays. They make great…
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Spotted Lanternfly Is Delaware’s Next Invader
Spotted Lanternfly adult
(NOV 20, 2017)Today the Delaware Department of Agriculture put out an alert. A spotted lanternfly was found in New Castle county. You may not think this is a big deal but in fact is a very big deal, especially to the forestry and agriculture industries. Pennsylvania has had issues with the Spotted Lantern fly since…
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Status Quo Won, Menhaden Zero
I attended the ASMFC Menhaden Management Board's meeting the other day and I will say this, I am very disappointed in the outcome. In fact I am embarrassed by the outcome, Delaware in particular helped by voting for this bad decision. Months ago I had meetings with our governor and other state officials and I was given the impression…
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Time For Fall To Winter Fishing
Here comes winter, and all at once this weekend. This cold snap will change-up fishing for sure. For the fish and the anglers that do not like to fish the colder days. Time to trade in the shorts and flops for long pants and boots. Insulated waders on the beaches for surf fishing. The weather may get cold but the fall fishing we all…
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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Oct. 30- Nov.5
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Oct. 30- Nov.5
Reminder for the week: Hunters and residents encouraged to review Delaware hunting and wildlife area regulations
DOVER (Nov. 9, 2017) – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure…
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2017 DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Cleanup drew 1,500-plus volunteers who collected 3.8 tons of trash
2017 DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Cleanup drew
1,500-plus volunteers who collected 3.8 tons of trash
DOVER (Nov. 9, 2017) – This year’s DNREC-sponsored 30th annual Delaware Coastal Cleanup held Sept. 16 drew 1,567 volunteers, who collected 3.8 tons of trash from 47 sites along more than 75 miles of Delaware’s waterways and coastline stretching from…
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The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board will meet November 13-14, 2017
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board will meet November 13-14, 2017 at The BWI Airport Marriott located at 1743 West Nursery Road, Linthicum Heights, Maryland. The meeting notice, travel authorization form and travel reimbursement guidelines are attached. Meeting materials are available on the…
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ASMFC Horseshoe Crab Board Sets 2018 Specifications for Horseshoe Crabs of Delaware Bay Origin
ASMFC Horseshoe Crab Board Sets 2018 Specifications for Horseshoe Crabs of Delaware Bay Origin
Norfolk, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Horseshoe Crab Management Board approved the harvest specifications for horseshoe crabs of Delaware Bay origin. Under the Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) Framework, the…
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American Eel Stock Assessment Update Finds Resource Remains Depleted
American Eel Stock Assessment Update Finds Resource Remains Depleted
Norfolk, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s American Eel Management Board reviewed the results of the 2017 American Eel Stock Assessment Update, which indicates the resource remains depleted. The assessment updates the 2012 American Eel Benchmark…
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Fall Fishing Is Picking Up
Brrrrrrrr, it is as cold in Florida as it is in Delaware, go figure. At least the water is warm! We are hunting lionfish and getting ready for DEMA, the Dive Equipment Manufacturing Association convention. Meanwhile you all are seeing some decent fish up north. Bluefish are still hitting like mad in the surf, but in some areas…
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Albies In The Surf To The Table
My favorite fish to catch from land are albies, falsies, or false albacore and they are in thick right now. Now I just have to blow off this demolition job and get out there. The weather today is no good for this fishing so we will wait for tomorrow. The other day and for the last few days Gage Tayler and Tyler Graden have been…
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Sea Bass Season Has Started
Sunday was the first day of sea bass season which will last until December thirty-first. there is decent flounder ad sea bass action off shore on the wrecks and reef sites. Charters went out on Sunday and loaded up for the first day of the season. Not too many were skunked and a lot of keeper flounder in the mix. Triggers and…
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Fall Weekend Fishing
And Poof! Just like that we are into fall weather. Mother nature didn't waste anytime reminding us what time of year it is and the weather we are supposed to experience. Last year at this time we had these temperatures and nor'easters hitting us hard. Then it would warm up for a week or so, which will happen again this year. This weekend will…
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Orionids Will Peak Friday Night
The Orionids, the most popular meteor shower for many stargazers, will peak Friday night, Oct 20th into the early dawn hours of Oct. 21st. The reason for the popularity is the meteors are from fragments of ice and dust in the trail left behind by Halley’s Comet. The Earth passes through this dust trail ever year around October 20 to the 22nd.…
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DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Announces Annual Fall Trout Stocking For White Clay Creek
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announces annual fall trout stocking for White Clay Creek
NEWARK (Oct. 18, 2017) – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today the annual fall trout stocking for White Clay Creek – a DNREC practice since 2007 allowing anglers an opportunity to do some fall fishing in a mellow…
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Chillaware Surf Fishing Tournament
I want to thank everyone for coming out this Saturday and fishing the first annual Chillaware Island Surf Fishing tournament. I had a blast putting this together. We could not have done this without our sponsors and venue. Big Chill Beach Club, Big Chill Surf Cantina, Liquid Board shop, Crooked Hammock, WBOC Outdoors…
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Chillaware Surf Fishing Tournament Fall Fishing Tips
So the weather despite being nasty today, will be better tomorrow and the waves will lay down a lot more. This is classic fall weather fishing and we are loving it. Hopefully the east winds have pushed in some fish. So how do you fish these conditions? That's easy ...
You will need some weight for sure. Four ounces will do…
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Aquaponics 101… A workshop series offered by the DSU Cooperative Extension Aquaculture Technical Assistance and Outreach Program
Aquaponics 101
A workshop series offered by the DSU Cooperative Extension Aquaculture Technical Assistance and Outreach Program
Come join us as we explore aquaponics, the integration of aquaculture and hydroponics. The primary goal of the Aquaponics 101 workshop series is to help new and prospective aquaculture producers gain the…
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A Whale OF A Time At The Beach
I think October is the new September, the weather has been phenomenal for this time of year. Last year it was colder with a lot more heavy storms. The Chillaware Surf Fishing tournament is this Saturday, there is still time to sign up but not much. Packets canbepicked up at Liquid Board shop today ad Friday from 11 am to 5 PM and then 5:30…
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Chillaware Surf Fishing Tournament Get Signed Up Now
We are less than a week away from the first annual Chillaware Surf Fishing tournament. We have a lot of people signed up and are planning on cutting off online entries By Wednesday, if you haven't signed up do so soon on the Eventbrite Chillaware Surf Fishing Tournament page. You will be able to pick up your registration packets…
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Fishing Report And Beach Conditions
The water temperatures are slowly climbing back up thanks to the warm days and cool nights. Nothing like we had a couple of weeks ago, that was some unusually cool weather. Masseys Ditch is topping out at seventy degrees and dropping to sixty-eight degrees. Mid week the water was only hitting sixty-eight and dropping as low as…
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Third Annual Boo-Que By The Sea
The third annual Boo-Que By The Sea is on October 20th to the 21st at the southside campground at the Indian River Inlet in Delaware Seashore State park. This is one of the largest Kansas City Barbecue Society competitions east of the Mississippi. "The KCBS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbeque, is the…
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Come On In The Water Is FIne
We have a small craft advisory today until two this afternoon. The water is starting to clear, yesterday the wind was brutal and the Delaware bay looked like chocolate milk. The ocean beaches had a lot of sand in the waves stirred up by the surge from Maria. Other than that the water is starting to look better. The fall…
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Stand Up Paddle Board Safety
With the growing popularity of Stand Up Paddle boarding there are more adventurers out on the water than ever before. Most of us, even brand new beginners can get ourselves on the board even if it’s just kneeling or sitting and have the ability to paddle forward. You may not be using proper form or the most efficient or effective strokes, you…
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Swimmer’s Itch What You Need To Know
Swimmers itch can be an issue this time of year but is very rare
(July 2021) ... Update to this article ... This swimmer's itch below was never officially confirmed by this angler, nor a doctor. When asked to confirm this by the media they were told to not contact his doctor, and to just take his word for it. He instead created a…
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The Point Bayside Is Fully Open
The closed area of the bayside of the point has been taken down this morning by parks. You can now access the entire bayside of the point. Walking in from the overlook parking lot above point comfort station access is now possible and even from the Cape Henlopen fishing pier. Just be careful of the water coming in at high tide if…
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Post Hurricane Jose Fishing And Here Comes Maria
Despite Hurricane Jose near the coast, the fishing was not too bad until the waves really picked up and then it shut down for about two days. Once the water calmed down the parks opened the beaches for vehicles. When they were closed you could walk on and fish, we tried for bluefish and hit a few small ones, but for the most part the waves…
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46.5-Pound Golden Tilefish Establishes New Delaware State Record For Deep-water Species
DNREC confirms that 46.5-pound golden tilefish establishes new state record for deep-water species
LEWES (Sept. 22, 2017) – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife has confirmed a new state record in the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament: a 46-pound, 8-ounce golden tilefish, caught in the Atlantic Ocean Aug. 25 by Tom Schanno of…
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Fishing Hurricane Jose Before And After
With Hurricane Jose off the coast we were experiencing a lot of heavy wave action from storm surge and wind. The beaches took a pounding but they survived and usually do aside from one breach, and a lot of swales or tide pools. The water is still stirred up and the wave action has died down, but we are till seeing some fast waves just a lot…
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The First Annual Chillaware Surf Fishing Tournament Update
The First Annual Chillaware Surf Fishing Tournament is on October 14th.
Sign up now to get your space reserved! We are limiting this to 125 anglers due to the amount of space on 3Rs beach. Sign ups will NOT be available the day of the tournament. Sign up for tickets at this link. We also need to have a head count for the packets we are…
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All Beach Crossings Are Open Except
The beaches are narrow at high tide, but drive-able. Be careful of wet soft sand. If it looks questionable don't drive across it check it first. All of the surf crossings are open except Faithful Steward in Delaware Seashore State park. I would imagine due to water in swales in front of the ramp, that is typically what happens at this…
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Drive On Beaches Closed To Vehicles Till Thursday And Possibly Longer
State parks says the drive on beaches will be closed to vehicles until Wednesday morning. They will evaluate the beaches tomorrow morning and decide from there whether they will open them. right now the tide is low and the beaches are clear. High tide could push water up to the dune edges again in some areas. We are still looking…
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Hurricane Jose Is Here To Stay
Hurricane Jose must love the northeast beaches. According to all of the models and weather stations. Hurricane Jose is not only slowing down, but is literally going to spin back around after it moves further northeast. It will be farther offshore,but still sendus some storm surge. It is going to hook northeast as it gets closer…
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Inland Bays Update
The back bays or the inland bays are handling this okay on the first high tide. However tonight could be an issue, since the water is stacking up in the bays and unless a lot of it goes out at low tide, the lowareas will flood a little worse tonight about 11 PM. High tide is at 9 Pm at the Indian River Inlet. The usual low spots…
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Dune Breach At Conquest Beach Update
Hurricane Jose breached the dune this morning and closed route 1. This was in combination with bay water flooding the southbound lane first, then the dune breached and closed the entire highway. The breach is a couple hundred yards south of the drive on access at Conquest beach. The area where water has been washing in and…
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Dune Breach Closes Route 1 Southbound Lane
Route 1 southbound was just closed for water on the highway. This was mostly bay water, until the dune breached below Dewey Beach that is also flooding the highway. " The breach is at Conquest Road and is flowing heavily through the dunes from the beach across route 1." Del Dot has closed the southbound lane for now. We will let…
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Jose Floods Route 1
Well so far route 1 is flooded near conquest drive on access in Delaware Seashore State Park. The highway is passable but use caution. The waves are huge and fast this morning. Water is to the dunes on all of the beaches. High tide is at 8:40 AM at the Indian River Inlet. You can expect to see water on route 1 for a couple of…
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Surf Fishing Beaches Are Closed
Delaware State Parks have closed all surf fishing beaches until Tuesday. They will evaluate the beaches on Tuesday to see whether they can be reopened. High tide is at 6 PM this evening and the beaches are already getting washed over and we have an hour until high tide. Yesterday evening Gordons Pond washed over at the towers where the…
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First Nautical Flea Market held at Island Watersports in Fenwick
On October 21st the first annual Nautical Flea Market will be held at Island Watersports in Fenwick Island in the parking lot. The event starts at 8 AM and lasts until 3 PM. I asked Mike Ferrari why he was putting on this event. "We decided to do it for the local community to get together, and it ended up as an opportunity to…
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Here Comes Hurricane Jose
We have a tropical storm warning starting tonight, high surf advisory, and a coastal flood advisory into Wednesday evening the twentieth of September. Even though the storm is off the coast we will still see the effects of storm surge. Waves are larger and faster, the surfers are going to love this if it hits just right. The…
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Weekend Is Looking Good For Fishing
The surf is nice and calm now but by the beginning of next week Jose is going to light us up a little bit if it takes the most popular projected path. You might want to get your fishing in this weekend. We had to cancel the Jet Ski Fishing tournament just in case that swell was here early. There were some heavy waves yesterday but…
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Redfish Are Showing Up All Over And Skate For Your Plate
I ran into some of the fish and wildlife officers yesterday at Representative Steve Smyk's coffeehouse meeting and chatted them up for a bit. Those folks have a tough job this time of year. In the summer it is all fishing and boating, but now they have to add hunting to the mix. So if you see some of these folks, also known as Mr…
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Great Day Surf Fishing With Friends
Fun day in the surf the air temperatures are nice and cool. Despite that wind today the catching was decent. Lots of little blues at the point today and farther south at Conquest and the Indian River Inlet. Short striped bass down there as well. We were tearing up blues on mullet, squid, fishbites, and spoons. Nothing like the…
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Chillaware Surf Fishing Tournament On October 14th
Save the date! On October 14th, Delaware Surf Fishing is hosting the first annual 2017 Chillaware Surf Fishing Tournament. With the help of our sponsors Big Chill Beach Club, Liquid Board Shop, Crooked Hammock, Big Chill Surf Cantina, Taco Reho, Helly Hansen, El Dorado and Diamond State Custom Tackle. A portion of proceeds will be donated…
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Locals Summer Has Started
Ryan Corr caught this speckled trout at the point on Sunday on a mullet rig.
Hope everyone had a great labor day weekend and summer. Now it is time for locals' summer and to do some serious fishing. It is much easier to fish weekends when the summer crowds die down. We will still see more people on the weekends but not like it has been. With…
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DNREC Needs Our Input For Tautog And Black Sea Bass
From the Desk of John Clark, Fisheries Section Administrator, Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife
Hey Rich,
I hope you are well on this rainy start to the Labor Day weekend. I am wondering if you can help us out by getting feedback from your readers and members about the following tog and black sea bass issues. The tog issue has been out…
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ASMFC To Hold Sept. 14 public hearing in Dover on proposed amendment to Atlantic menhaden management plan
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to hold Sept. 14 public hearing in Dover on proposed amendment to Atlantic menhaden management plan
DOVER (Sept. 5, 2017) – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife will host an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Interstate…
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Updated European Model For Hurricane Irma
The European model for Irma is putting her off the coast of Delmarva the tenth to the twelfth of September. If that happens we will see some serious storm surge and a lot of rain and wind. Lots of rain and wind. We are going to see a ridiculous amount of storm surge regardless how close Hurricane Irma gets if she does come up the…
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Will Hurricane Irma Hit Delmarva
I keep seeing every prediction out there and social media is full of maps and all kinds of "information" in all honesty it is still too early to tell. The European models are usually the best, but they are never a hundred percent either. The cone of uncertainly term is all over the place and the maps are all spaghetti. So my best…
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Flying Ship Spotted Off Rehoboth????
(Sept 2017) ...I have had several people send me pictures of a flying ship off the coast of Rehoboth. Funny thing is the ship picture being sent appears to be flying or floating in the air, but it really is not. Also I keep getting pictures of different ships. I doubt there is more than one flying ship or a single "flying ship" for that matter.…
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Wet Holiday Weekend Fishing
Well the storm surge calmed down more than we thought which is great. The beaches are still carved up and there are swales or tide pools on just about all of them. DO NOT DRIVE through these even when they are "dry" get out and make sure the sand is solid first. Water will still be just under the sand and it can rather "quick" and…
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Dead Sea Turtle Washes Up At The Point
Yesterday we got to fish the point a day early since it was opened up a day early. That was a lot of fun slamming little blue fish all day, this morning the crew is out there and came across this dead sea turtle. If you come across any dead marine life in the parks contact the rangers at (302) 739-4580 or, send a text message to…
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Two Kayakers Almost Die In Harbor Of Safe Refuge
The ferry is outbound and they are paddling like crazy.
(August 31, 2018) ... The point opened one day early this morning and I went out to explore, see the new formed up beaches, take pictures, formulate a plan for next week's beach clean up, and of course do some surf fishing. While I was out there, I watched something I thought I would…
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The Point Opens Friday The First
Stretches of ocean beach to reopen at DNREC’s Cape Henlopen State Park
LEWES (Aug. 30, 2017) – DNREC’s Divisions of Parks & Recreation and Fish & Wildlife announced today that stretches of ocean beach between Gordons Pond and Herring Point, and beachfront along the ocean side of The Point on Cape Henlopen, will reopen Sept. 1,…
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NOAA Fisheries Announces Final Rule for Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment
NOAA Fisheries Announces Final Rule for Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment
August 25, 2017 - The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries announces a new rule to protect unmanaged forage fish. Forage fish are small schooling species that serve as prey for larger commercially and recreationally important fish, as well as…
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First Tropical Storm Of The Year
Anyone remember last year when we practically had a hurricane n February? It is that time of year and we are already starting to see bad storms. Texas was hammered by Hurricane Harvey and is still being hit with rain. The flooding is like they have never seen before. Our first tropical storm, which if it builds will be tropical…
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Mullet Are Soon To Run
The inland bays and tidal creeks are loaded with mullet. You cold walk on the water they are so thick. Soon they will move out into the bay around the Cape Henlopen fishing pier, Lewes beach, new road bay access and the Indian River Inlet. They will run the surf and the blues will follow them and feed, as well as the striped bass,…
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Pending Delaware State Record Spanish Mackerel Caught Out Of Lewes
Captain Les Clemmer of the Martha Marie charter services was out the other day and one of his anglers hit a nice Spanish Mackerel. Jeffrey Nichols was visiting the area after a long couple months in the coal mines when he slammed this Spanish mackerel. The fish measured thirty-one inches with a girth of twelve inches. When they got back to…
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States Schedule Hearings on Atlantic Menhaden Draft Amendment 3
States Schedule Hearings on Atlantic Menhaden Draft Amendment 3
Arlington, VA – The Atlantic coastal states of Maine through Florida have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on Draft Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden.The details of those hearings follow.
Maine Dept. of Marine…
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ASMFC Atlantic Menhaden Management Board to Meet November 13th & 14th to Consider Approval of Amendment 3 and Set 2018 Specifications
ASMFC Atlantic Menhaden Management Board to Meet November 13th & 14th to Consider Approval of Amendment 3 and Set 2018 Specifications
Arlington, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board will meet November 13-14, 2017 to consider approval of Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management…
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Rehoboth Beach Issues Swimming Advisory
Today DNREC issued a swim advisory for Rehoboth Beach. The cause is stated to be from wildlife, meaning birds feeding along the shore line, and their droppings creates an elevated bacteria level. I have a problem with this since there is hardly any natural food living along, or in that beach due to replenishment. My guess would…
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Ghost Tower Defaced In Cape Henlopen State Park
For a couple of weeks this graffiti has been on one of the Ghost tower doors at Gordons Pond in Cape Henlopen State Park. There is also the same "name" written in sharpie on the window of the other tower and one of the dune signs. Delaware State Parks would like any and all help in locating this person(s) responsible for defacing…
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Fishing Report
Sorry this took so long I am still trying to get caught up after a very long weekend with the Flounder Pounder Open and our eclipse fishing. Well I don't have to tell you how the flounder action is offshore, or do I? Thanks to the Flounder Pounder Open we know the summer flattie fishing was killer last weekend. Some people caught…
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Save The Magnuson-Stevens Act
If you would like to add your name and business name to the letter below asking to protect the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and its conservation provisions, as proposed in H.R. 200 and H.R. 2023. Recreational anglers and commercial anglers alike benefit from this act. To show your support and…
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Punkin Chunkin Association Cancels 2017 Event
From the BOD of Punkin Chunkin to be immediately released.
Our non-profit, the World Punkin Chunkin Association, a 100% volunteer based group, has recently come under litigation regarding the incident where Ms. Suzanne Dakessian, a Sharp Entertainment’s employee, was involved in an unfortunate accident at our 2016 event. The pending lawsuit…
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Flounder Pounder Open 2017 Results
Over the weekend the largest Flounder tournament in the world was held at Paradise Marina in Long Neck Delaware. The Flounder Pounder Open. Anglers were fishing for two out of three days for the top prize of one hundred thousand dollars. All tolled anglers were competing for one hundred and seventy five thousand dollars and the Caluttas…
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This True Blue Crab Is Rare
Tim The Tune Man (Pritchett) was crabbing in Maryland today when he caught this crab oddity while running a trot line. A completely blue, blue claw crab. This is a rarity that happens none to often and usually only commercial crabbers catch them. Tim said "I heard that people let these go for luck so I did, and we did great today".…
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Surf Fish The Solar Eclipse Of 2017
Monday at one in the afternoon Delaware will start to see the solar eclipse of 2017. We will only see a partial eclipse about eighty percent. Just because it is a partial eclipse does not mean it is safe to view with the naked eye. You stare at the sun too long you can damage your eyes. If you look at a solar eclipse even just a…
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Flounder Pounder Open 2017 Last Day At The Scales
THIS COMPNANY HAS OWED DSF A $1,000 FOR OVER 6 YEARS. Never work with Paradise they do no pay their bills. If you do work with them get it in writing and get paid up front. As soon as you are done with your “agreement” they decide to renegotiate your payment. They do this to every vendor and it is a nightmare trying to get your money.Paradise…
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Watch The Flounder Pounder Open Scales Live
We have been live on the Delaware Surf Fishing Facebook page at the scales as well as Paradise Marina's cameras, which we have on the DSF website on a page, click the link to go there. We apologize for any dropped signals, it is not easy keeping a phone hooked up all day. The phone gets hot, knocked off the tripod (four times),…
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Flounder Pounder Open 2017 First Day At The Scales
Only forty boats went out yesterday, which is understandable due to the conditions. Most of these anglers went out because people have to work today. Honestly if I were in a tournament competing for a hundred grand top prize, I would have some serious anal glaucoma, just sayin. The conditions were next level nautical out front,…
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The Flounder Pounder Open Anglers Are Ready But Weather Is An Issue
Last night was the captain's meeting at Paradise Marina for the Flounder Pounder Open 2017. Never heard that much smack talking in my life, it was awesome. There are over three hundred boats and a thousand plus anglers in this year's Flounder Pounder Open. Good luck to everyone in the tournament and especially those actually fishing today. …
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Big Flounder Coming To The Scales
That will be the phrase we hear a lot this weekend at the Flounder Pounder Open 2017. The Walker boys went out yesterday and walloped a nice sized seven plus pound flattie at twenty-six and three-quarters of an inch. The Katydid, yesterday brought an eight plus pounder to the scales, and the Grizzly brought in a few big summer…
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Beach Clean Ups A Big Success
(August 2017) ... I hate seeing trash anywhere in the environment, it drives me nuts. Why can't people pick up after themselves? Why do people throw trash out their car window? Is our world your trash can? DSF has been hosting beach clean ups for over a month and we are now back where we started rotating the parks. I want to thank Big Chill…
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Delaware Surf Fishing Black Numbered Tags Up For Auction
Delaware State Parks have thirteen Delaware Surf Fishing black numbered tags up for auction. A couple double digit tags, triple digits, and tags if won you can select your number, if it has not been chosen already. The auction started on August fourteenth and will go until August twenty-eight. The double digit tags up for auction…
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Delmarva Dominated the 44th White Marlin Open
On the last day of the forty fourth White Marlin Open, three hundred and twenty-seven boats went fishing for their last shot at topping the leader board. The weather this year was the big player in the outcome of this tournament. Usually Thursday is the big day for turnovers, this year it was Friday, the last day. Due to the crazy…
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Summer Doldrums? Book a charter!
Summer Doldrums? Book a charter!
If you're a surfcaster than you know that fishing is slowwwwww right now. Beaches are crowded, its hot, there's just not a lot going on. Besides the occasional kingfish it's either gonna be skates or sharks. So to mix it up a bit we took a charter out for some inshore action, chasing big Flounder and sea…
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What Are These Swimming Worms!
(August 2017) ... For the past few days I have been getting a lot of pictures sent to us with the same question. What in the heck are these freaky looking things. Some of the questions were much more descriptive and colorful. Fast swimming worms swarming around boats, and people not wanting to get near them. Do they bite…
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Delaware Angler Leads The White Marlin Open
Before it started the biggest story that came out of the White Marlin Open this year was a bar tab for twenty thousand dollars, that went viral. For Delaware the biggest story is the eighty-six pound White that came to the scales yesterday. The 2017 White Marlin Open started in a tornado, literally. The first day there were heavy…
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Experience Punkin Chunkin! 2017 Could be our LAST YEAR…
Experience Punkin Chunkin! 2017 Could be our LAST YEAR...
The 32nd annual Punkin Chunkin to be held on November 3rd, 4th & 5th might be their last the organization fears. Without their main sponsor, Science Channel, which contributed twenty five percet of the donations needed to host this unique world class event, the Punkin…
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Second Annual Delaware Jet Ski Fishing Tournament
Last year DSF hosted a jet ski fishing tournament for the Delaware Jet Ski fishing crew and this year we are doing another one on September 16th. Anglers will shot-gun start from the Masseys Landing area at 8 AM. The tournament ends at 3 PM and all anglers will come back to my house for a weigh in and cook out by 4:30 PM. We will…
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Join The Clean Water Alliance For Delaware Today
Clean Water Alliance Membership Form
Thank you for supporting the Clean Water: Delaware’s Clear Choice Campaign. The goal of this statewide educational & outreach effort is to secure additional clean water funding to improve our water quality for current and future generations. The Campaign is overseen by the Clean Water Alliance…
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State record 36-pound, 3.2-ounce catfish caught from the Nanticoke River near Seaford
SEAFORD (Aug. 8, 2017) – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife has confirmed a new state record in the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament: a 36-pound, 3.2-ounce blue catfish, caught June 20 by Jordan Chelton of Harrington. The fish was 38½ inches long and had a girth of 27½ inches.
Walker caught the fish in the upper Nanticoke River near…
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Flash Flood Watch Today
Be careful today flash flooding is no joke and can be very dangerous.
From the NWS ......
Flood Advisory
Flood Advisory
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1141 AM EDT MON AUG 7 2017
DEC001-005-MDC011-041-071845-
/O.NEW.KPHI.FA.Y.0192.170807T1541Z-170807T1845Z/
/00000.N.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Sussex…
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Dolphin Carcass Washes Up At Cape
Every once in a while a carcass of some sort washes up on the beach. Even large whales. So when this happens what should you do? First and foremost do not touch any marine mammal that washes up on a beach. Many carry diseases that can transfer to humans. after all they are mammals, not fish. Yesterday a dolphin carcass washed up…
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Flounder Pounder Open Are You Ready!
THIS COMPNANY HAS OWED DSF A $1,000 FOR OVER 6 YEARS. Never work with Paradise they do no pay their bills. If you do work with them get it in writing and get paid up front. As soon as you are done with your "agreement" they decide to renegotiate your payment. They do this to every vendor and it is a nightmare trying to get your money.…
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