Holts Landing Pier Will Be Closed Monday

From the desk of Scott Borino, Park Manager at Delaware Seashore State Park,  the Holts Landing Pier will be closed this Monday, 7/25/2016 from 5 AM until 9 AM for a private function.  The boat ramp will not be affected. Just a heads up in case anyone was heading that way Monday.  That is a really cool park if you haven't been there. Fish…
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Hot Summer Fishing

Wow it is hot outside, morning and evening fishing is the best. Mostly because that is when the temperatures are tolerable for humans.  Few fish coming from the surf in the dead of the afternoon heat.  The winds are helping but it is like standing in front of a hot blow dryer if you are inland.  This weekend is going to be tough with…
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Pokemon Go Contest In Delaware State Parks

Delaware State Parks is running a contest until the end of July.  Pokemon Go is certainly getting people out and about.  Families are running around looking for the little pocket monsters.  The state parks set up a contest that works off the poke stops in the state parks.  Below is the information on their website.  Techno Goober dropped some…
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One Last Cast

That storm rolled in last evening and rocked the north, but wasn't as bad in the south.  We did have some damage.  Storms allow for great photography opportunities.  Sometimes you are in the right place at the right time.  Still trying to catch that shot in the moment is tough.  The storm ran everyone off the beach, but a few people…
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Got Tautog?

Masseys landing is peaking to eighty four degrees and dropping to seventy two degrees between tides.  During the low tide is the highest temperature.  The surf is feeling balmy the upper seventies.  The Delaware Bay at the Outer wall is seventy one degrees at high tide.   The upper bay and river are hitting the low eighties.  The heat wave…
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Summer Blues On The Blitz

Big schools of bluefish moving up and down the beaches today at Fenwick Island.  This morning they  were moving north during the out going tide towards Bethany Beach all averaging about a foot long and some longer.  On the incoming tide later this afternoon there were tons of little seven inch bluefish destroying bait on top and bottom rigs at…
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Sheepshead In The Surf Blues At Augustine

Great fishing in Milton in the broadkill river today. The Andie and Opie Parents Fishing with kids Tournament produced a multitude of fish.  Yellow perch, bass, striped bass (shorts), catfish, eels, sunfish, bluegills, and some huge carp.  Oh and  one hubcap.  A ll fish were catch and release so everything and then some is still…
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Tautog Season Opens Sunday

Tautog season opens on Sunday the 17th of July in Delaware.  The creel limit is five fish per angler at fifteen inches or greater.  There have been some tautog caught at the Indian River Inlet and the outer and inner walls.  Just random catches not people targeting them.  Tons of sand fleas in the surf if you are looking for bait.  …
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Summer Fishing Has A Nice Variety

The temperatures have shot up around the inland bays to eighty-two degrees and drops to around seventy-four at night.  We are in the bathtub temperatures of summer.  The fishing has been decent but you have to put in some work for some fish and others are just a bonus catch people don't necessarily target.  The baby smooth hammerheads…
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Traffic In Lewes Will Be Heavy This Weekend

Yesterday the Body of fallen Delaware volunteer firefighter Tim McClananhan was escorted from Wilmington to Lewes by 82 apparatuses. He was a member of the Lewes Fire Department, he died in a training accident. This weekend are the services in Lewes. Traffic will be rough Saturday and Sunday. Please be mindful of that and keep calm. This…
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Real Time Weather Forecasting

We all have apps on our phones to show us the weather radar and up to date conditions.  VentuSky has an application out that allows you to interact with their maps, but only on a computer.  You can open it up on your phone using the internet and save it as a bookmark.  Just open the application and tell it where you want to look.  You…
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DS Custom Tackle

Diamond State Custom Tackle locally owned and operated in Delaware I spoke with Dave the owner of Diamond State Custom Tackle about the company the other day. People have been asking me why I use this gear. Tell my readers a little bit about yourself: My name is David Okonewski, I am the owner of D.S. Custom Tackle. I've been
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Pokemon Go Is Invading Delaware Beaches

Well it had to happen sooner or later.  As you probably know last week the Pokemon Go app was launched and since then more and more people are running around following their phones,aimlessly.  The news reported some people were robbed by a group setting up "lures" to get people to come to a location, not in Delaware.  On a good note…
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Nine-Year-Old Sets New Maryland Fishing Record

Maryland DNR press release ....  The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that Emma Zajdel, 9, of Ocean City, has set a new state fishing record with a 94.6-pound cobia. Here is Emma’s story: Emma Zajdel and her father, Ed, were fishing with Robert Clark and Emma’s best fishing friend, Ashton Clark, near Little Gull…
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Smooth Hammerhead Sharks In The Surf

Okay so before you totally freak out, these are about twenty-four inches long.  They are puppies at best.  I am sure the parents aren't far off since they do come close to shore to have their pups.  Remember the hammerhead that showed up in the surf last year in Ocean City?  Then it was in the bay and people were following it around.…
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Surf Fishing Beach Buggies

Some of us have regular vehicles that we carry our gear in and fish.  Others have full blown campers on the back of their trucks.  Then there are the sweet beach rides.  These are the "beach buggies,"  the old school vehicles like Broncos, and Willy Jeeps.  Today Jeff Prickett saw a Surf Fishing Beach Buggy, the best of both worlds.  …
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Pompano Are In The Surf

One of the bonuses of summer hibernation is when these little guys show up.  Old Inlet Bait and Tackle just reported a Pompano caught in the surf.  "Jim Blasetto of Chads Ford PA landed and release this 12 inch pompano on the beach at 3Rs Road yesterday. It hit a bloodworm"   I know they are hitting them south of us but this is the…
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The Hydro Hostel

The Hydro Hostel A New Way To Stay On The Bay Some of you may have seen this "boat" cruising around the Indian River Bay  the past several weeks.  We put up a picture of it on our Facebook page and it went viral, so I had to go find out about this craft, because everyone was asking.   It is a normal pontoon boat but it has a bit of…
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Spot, Needlefish, and Hog Chokers

The water clarity at the Indian River inlet today around noon was crystal to four feet.  Nice looking water and a few small flounder were caught off the rocks at the south side.  The water temperatures shot up the last day or so thanks to the mini heat wave.  Masseys Landing is bouncing between seventy-eight and seventy-two degrees.  Crabbing…
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Repairs will temporarily close Post Road in CHSP

Repairs will temporarily close Post Road in Cape Henlopen State Park   LEWES (July 07, 2016) – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation announced today that Post Road in Cape Henlopen State Park will be closed for repairs July 11-12. The initial milling and pothole repair work on July 11 will prepare the roadway for repaving on July 12.…
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DNREC Looking For Information About Arson Incident

DNREC has a flyer out on the internet looking for the person(s) who set fire to a large amount of hay in the Collins Beach Road area. "Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police is requesting assistance for the below incident. The Delaware State Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating an incident of arson at the Cedar Swamp State Wildlife…
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Big Flounder Hit The Docks In Lewes

The flounder finishing is the best off the coast.  The Old Grounds, A and B  buoys, sites ten and eleven.  Not for every single angler, but for the most part people are catching.  Some are getting the skunk, not everyone catches, it happens.   The head boats and charters out of Lewes are doing very well. There have been some decent…
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Goose On The Loose In Lewes

It was a typical fourth of July weekend for the Shewell crew.  They were all set up to surf fish and enjoy the day at the beach in Cape Henlopen State Park.  The family goose was  tied to its land anchor.  The kids were having a fun time in the surf  playing with the goose, jumping on its back and head.  There was a nice offshore…
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The No Vehicles Sign Is Back At Naval Crossing

For the past there years there was a sign stating no vehicles beyond this point just north of Naval Jetty.  The last heavy storm removed that sign once again.  It is there to create an area for vehicles to turn around and allow access for pedestrians to fish.  I had several people ask why the sign was so far away from the jetty this…
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Sunday Funday

The kingfish have been hitting well in the surf on bloodworms, as well as fishbites bloodworm or crab formula.  Some small blues were hitting cut bait on top and bottom rigs and mullet rigs.  This was early morning on the outgoing tide.  Into and out of slack tide, the fishing shut down at Herring point.  We did hook into a huge…
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Canary Creek Bridge Down To One Lane

I meant to put this up last week.  A sink hole closed a lane on Canary Creek Bridge on Pilot town road in Lewes.  So you have to wait to let people pass going to and from the Lewes boat ramp.  There are barricades up.  On a side note there is a huge area to fish now, just avoid the sinkhole on the one end of the bridge.  Lots of…
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New Delaware Record 20.5-pound False Albacore

New Delaware record 20.5-pound false albacore taken in Masseys Canyon by Pennsylvania angler LEWES (July 1, 2016) – On the eve of what many consider the biggest recreational fishing weekend of the year, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife has confirmed a new state record in the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament – a false…
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Chimera Blue Crab

Ever see one of these?  A Chimera blue crab was caught in the Wye river by Derek Zavetz.  The Chesapeake Outlaws posted this picture on their Facebook page.  It is a wild looking crab that is fine to eat.  This process is known as Chimera which by definition is ... "A monster from Greek mythology that breathes fire and has a lion's…
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High Bacteria Levels for Dewey and Bethany Beaches

The waters at Dewey and Bethany beach tested for high levels of unsafe bacteria Wednesday.   The water will be tested again tomorrow around 4 PM, but as of right now there is a high bacteria advisory and swimming advisory for Dewey and Bethany Beaches.   The Delaware Recreational Water website section has the alerts listed there.  We…
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Flounder Fishing Is Picking Up

Okay ...  that all depends on who you ask, but for the most part flounder fishing is getting better.  The Old Grounds has been a go to spot, but crowded.  A and B buoy is producing as well as site 9, 10, and 11.  No surprises these are usually the hot spots.  Inland bay flounder fishing is slow, you have to put in some time for a keeper.  Same…
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Take A Gander At Bethany Beach’s New Traffic Problem

It isn't new if you live here, everyday these geese cross route 1 with their goslings to forage grass in the median strip.  Everyday traffic has to stop, more than once, to allow them to cross the road.  Today one person decided he didn't want to wait and ran a goose over.  Needless to say a few locals are irate about that, the out of…
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Osprey Tagging With Cape Water Tours and Taxi

Last week I went with the Cape Water Tours and Taxi crew to tag osprey on the Broadkill River. Captain Steve has been banding osprey for a long time and his knowledge is extensive.  They have the permits to do this work.  You will learn a lot about osprey on these banding tours.  The kids will love the experience.  We cruised up the Broadkill…
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Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Program

Boating safety is very important, it can be the difference between life and death.  In an effort to promote safe boating the Sea Tow Foundation is placing life jacket stands at local marinas and possibly state boat ramps soon.   These stations are for boaters to borrow a life jacket if they need one for their children or infant.  …
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Fireworks On The Fourth Of July Weekend

Places to see fireworks this year for the fourth of July.  If you know of any others let us know but these three are the main attractions. July 3 ...  Rehoboth Beach ....  9:30 PM ... you can go by boat and sit in front of the area just mind the coast guard's perimeter.  Get there early in case of bad weather they will shoot the fireworks…
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Two Poachers Banned from Striped Bass Fishery

MD DNR press release ...... Two Poachers Banned from Striped Bass Fishery June 27, 2016 Additional Restrictions Placed on Commercial Fishing Activity Two Talbot County watermen convicted of poaching and selling nearly $500,000 of striped bass over four years have received lifetime bans from taking part in that fishery by the Maryland…
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Fishing Report

Well now it has been an interesting week, from whales washing up on beaches to capsized boats.  Never a dull moment here at the beach.  The weekend is looking decent for fishing I think Sunday will be the best day.  No flies will be a bonus the last few days have been horrible.  Like, I am not going to the beach today horrible.  Our…
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Swimming Advisory Issued for Rehoboth Beach

DNREC has issued a swim advisory for Rehoboth Beach.  There are signs posted from Baltimore to Norfolk Streets.  The advisory is form elevated bacteria levels due to heavy rainfall and run off.   The state has a water monitoring section on their website where you can look for these advisories.  When the advisory is lifted the red mark will be…
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Kayakers Watch Shark Eat Another Shark

This happened yesterday in Florida,filmed by Palm Beach Pete.  These kayak and SUP anglers caught a black tip shark and before they could release the shark.  A couple of bull sharks came in and ate the shark.  You can see the small fish that travel with the sharks feeding as well.  The crazy part is these guys are in Kayaks and on…
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Water Rescue Off Rehoboth Beach

Update to this event ...  The coast guard and Rehoboth beach volunteer fire company responded to a water rescue around 11 AM this morning.  A vessel was taking on water, there were three passengers wearing life jackets. The rescue was 8.4 miles east of Indian River Inlet.  Vessel and all involved are being transported to the Indian…
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Andy And Opie Fishing Tournament 2016

On July 16th, in Milton's Memorial park, Techno Goober & Delaware Surf Fishing will host the second annual 'Andy and Opie Fishing Tournament' for parents and kids. Registration begins at 8 AM and the tournament will start at 9 AM and end at 1 PM. We have several friends who will be volunteering their time to help judge…
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Maryland Gears Up for Operation Dry Water

Maryland DNR press release .... Maryland Gears Up for Operation Dry Water Beginning Friday, Natural Resources Police, the Coast Guard and other maritime law enforcement agencies will participate in Operation Dry Water, a nationwide crackdown on alcohol- and drug-impaired boaters. From Deep Creek Lake and the Patuxent River to the…
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Delaware promoting Operation Dry Water

Delaware promoting Operation Dry Water June 24-26 to prevent boating under the influence and help save lives on the water   DOVER (June 21, 2016) – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police today announced Delaware’s active participation in Operation Dry Water, an annual nationwide enforcement and education campaign…
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Watch For Turtles And Not Just On Roads

Lots of turtles are out there and they are not only trying to cross the road but they can get into crab pots.  You are required to have turtle guards (excluders) on your crab pots.  If you do not and DNREC finds them you will be fined.  "Officer Field Report June 20, 2016: AFC Adam Roark sent this picture in to show the importance of…
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Tree Blocking Assawoman Canal

UPDATE ....  As of 1 PM the tree has been removed by parks  ......  A tree fell across Assawoman canal last night and the top landed on a pontoon boat.  Witnesses say there is no gas leaking into the water as far as they could tell.  DNREC has been alerted.  Sam Ellis " I don't know if this happened overnight or if it's been there…
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Great White Caught Near B Buoy

It is that time of year.  Another great white pup weighing around one hundred and thirty pounds was caught near B buoy over the weekend.  The head boat Pirate King from Anglers Fishing Center was out fishing B buoy when they hooked up with the great white.   Will Mace from Forest Hills Maryland was the angler who hooked up fishing…
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Biggest Flounder To Hit The Scales This Year

A 9.6 pound flounder was landed by angler Shaine Mann aboard Fish Whisperer Charters on Father's Day.  So far that is the the biggest flounder of the 2016 season for Delaware and Maryland  A and B buoy action has been great.  There are some large quality flounder like this catch north of us off the coast of Jersey.  There have been a…
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Ocean City Fishing Pier Is Open

The ocean city fishing pier repairs were completed a couple of days ago.  The pier is now open for business.  The pier was damaged heavily during storm Jonas.  Crews spent the better part of three months making repairs, setting new pylons and rebuilding the decking.  Not an easy task when you are twenty feet in the air over the surf.…
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June’s Full Moon Marks The Summer Solstice

Junes full moon is known as the Strawberry Moon by the Algonquin tribes because is corresponded with the harvesting of many fruits including strawberries.  In the month of June strawberries have a small harvesting season.  It is also known as the Rose moon in Europe. The moon will be full on June 20th at 7:02 AM The exciting…
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2016 Delaware Jet Ski Fishing Tournament Results

It was great meeting everyone today.  I want to thank you all for coming out and participating. First and foremost I want to thank Michael Duncan at Helly Hansen for the killer prizes.  Reelsnot, Maverick Fish Hunter, and Diamond State Custom Tackle's donations for prizes.  Big thanks to Midway Fitness & Raquetball, Techno Goober, and…
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Weekend Outlook

Well the winds calmed down a bit finally.  We are looking at better weather Saturday and Sunday.   There are shad at the Indian River Inlet, great fun on light gear.  Small spoons or speck rigs work the best.  Short striped bass are hitting small lures and sandfleas.  Just put a flea on a four to six aught hook and toss the flea into…
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Mullet Around The Inland Bays

Small mullet are around the inland bays near the grass lines. Look in the usual places.  Few throws of a cast net and you will get enough for a day in the surf.  This will just get better as the summer progresses.  Whole mullet is great for bluefish on mullet rigs, but fillets of fresh is good to use whole or as pieces of cut bait.  …
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Delaware State 2016 Fish Rulers Now Available

The new 2016 fishing rulers are here finally.  They were delayed due to the fact the original samples would lose their ink once they got wet.  Must have been a gag gift company.  Seriously, a fish ruler that loses its ink once it gets wet.  Otherwise known as made by the lowest bidder.  The state got it all worked out and the new 2016…
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Cast For A Cure 2016

Cast For A Cure is an annual team surf fishing tournament in Delaware. Proceeds go to the Tunnel Cancer Center Special Needs Fund.  Last year a storm postponed the tournament.  Everyone came back this year and then some to participate. \ "The 3rd Ever Cast for a Cure Tournament was held on Saturday, June 11 (last years event was…
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Wear Your Personal Flotation Devices

Yes I used that picture to get your attention.  He has the right idea just not the most politically correct flotation device for a family beach atmosphere.  Flotation devices save lives, use them at all times.  Especially if you are not familiar with the area waters. There have been a few accidents and deaths around the country…
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Broadkill Beach Swimming Advisory

DNREC has issued a swimming advisory for the Broadkill Beach area from June 13th to the 14th due to elevated bacteria levels.  This would also be for Beach Plum Island State Park since they share the same beach area and currents.   The water will be tested again today around 2 PM, and the website will be updated.  This is the section for…
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Traffic-Safety Advisory for Long Neck Road

From the desk of Senator Brian Pettyjohn ... (2016) ... Long Neck, DE- Delaware State Police are currently looking for violators who drive off-highway vehicles in the Long Neck area. This addresses the concerns of residents about the dangers of golf carts and motor scooters on the public roads. There has been an increase in the illegal use of…
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Beach-quariums, Kiddie Pools and Live Wells

A few years ago James Blackstock and his family were on the beach and the kids were collecting all kinds of sand fleas, crabs, and anything else that swam or crawled near them.  James took a small kiddie pool and made a holding tank or beach-quarium.   The kids spent the day catching "pet" spot.  Little did the girls know dad was…
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Great White Caught By The Overboard Near Ocean City

The crew of the Overboard out of Ocean City caught a great white about ten miles off the beaches of OCMD today.  Captain Dustin, John French, and Angler Marshall Vitalle hooked into a about a one hundred and fifty pound great white shark.   John said "It was in an area you would not think to look for a great white shark. We were thresher shark…
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Fishing This Weekend Should Be Decent

Windy, windy, windy if it isn't windy it is raining, but at least we have had some nice days.  The weekend is looking a little nautical but the fish don't care, they still have to eat.  The water temperatures are leveling off through the week.  Masseys Landing topped out at seventy two degrees and drops to about sixty six at the peak of high…
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All Species Tournament Update

The second annual DSF All Species Fishing Tournament has been underway since March.  The tournament lasts until November 30th. So far we only have 18 people fishing this year but some of the anglers have been really putting up some catches.  Frank Payton Sr. our winner last year is up to seventeen species.  Connor Fisher and James…
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Dead Terrapins Next Twenty Miles

There is a sign along route 1 below Dewey beach that reads " Turtles crossing road next 20 miles"  There are few here and there that have the same saying with less mileage.  These signs need to be bright yellow, because people are running over turtles more  this year it seems.  It is also possible there are just more turtles, and that…
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Big Sand Tiger Sharks In The Surf

The fishing so far this weekend has been decent.  There is a ton of weakfish in the Delaware bay on the sites and around all the structure.  There is a rumor of a large school of bigger unicorns moving around the Delaware Bay.   The bluefish action was slower at the pier this morning to almost non-existent.  The same for the surf at…
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Offshore Action Is Hot For Mako Mania

The Mako Mania in Ocean City at Bahia Marina  started today and fifty eight boats are competing this year.  Fifty boats went out today and so far Rhonda's Osprey brought in a 142 pound mako, but was bested by a 176 pound mako landed by the Outnumbered.   The "Teaser" weighed in a 318 pound thresher shark.  For the first day that is a…
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Delaware Selfie King Ups His Game

On Memorial Day Delaware’s National Guard headquarters in New Castle was dedicated to the late Major Joseph R. "Beau" Biden.  Many people including his family and friends attended this dedication.  Everyone spoke of the legacy he left behind, and his father,Vice President Biden thanked the community for the for their support over the…
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Sunday Funday Is Going To Be Wet And Wild

Looks like we are going to see some severe weather on Sunday.  Not to worry but it is a good idea to keep an eye on the sky just in case.  Then again this is Delaware and the weather could change in fifteen minutes.  Below I added the latest weather reports.  be safe and smart if the storms are severe.  Our roads tend to flood very fast in the…
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Memorial Day Week Fishing

The weather is playing havoc with everyone, the fish don't seem to care as much. Frankly the bad weather, and  these overcast days have produced a lot of fish.  Anglers who stuck it out in the rain were doing well on Memorial Day, with bluefish blitzing the beaches at 3rs and lots of kingfish and burrfish in the surf at Conquest beach.  Surf…
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See Spot Swim

Yeah buddy, the striper candy is here, the striper candy is here.  Not to be confused with Candy the stripper, who is not here.  No you didn't read that wrong spot are around the Indian River bay.  Mike Kendle was tossing a cast net today just tt see if anything has shown up and he pulled two small spot out of the Indian River Bay.  …
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First four piping plover chicks of the season

No idea if the one nest will close a large section of Gordons Pond, but be prepared for that because it could happen.  It usually does, last year the nest was destroyed in a storm just before the fourth of July and the closed section was reopened ... Rich King ______________________________________________________________________________…
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First Thresher Of 2016 In Delaware

Linda Nasko was near the marina today at the Indian River Inlet when she saw this thresher hanging by the scales.  The shark weighed in at 291 pounds.  The Kelly family caught the thresher  on a trip off the Delaware coast.  They are staying at the marina on their boat,  and are headed home tomorrow.  What a way to end a stay at the…
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Whale Breached Off Herring Point Today

A whale breached in front of a few thousand beach goers today.  The whale watching boats out of jersey were chattering on the radio about a longfin whale, but I don't think it was this whale.  It breached about noon today and I know the beach was packed by ten.   We have received many messages asking if anyone saw the whale.  I was…
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Happy Memorial Day Weekend Fishing Report

Bluefish blitzed the beach today at Cape Henlopen.   Always love that phone call,  "hey man get down here the fish are hammering the surf."  I'm stuck doing other stuff I can't just drop.  The boys cleaned up on some nice big blues.  That is how the action has been,1 random here and there and you have too be there when it happens.  …
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Old Lewes Boat Ramp Closed

The town of Lewes closed the old floating dock sections and removed the center section and a few others.  Anglers and baoters have been asking me why there is a stockade looking fence around the old dock sections, it looks like a fort along the water.  Alice Erickson, Administrative Assistant ... "It is a safety issue we don't want…
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Maryland Snakehead Record Broken

MD DNR press release ... Maryland Snakehead Record Broken – 18.42 Pounds! Emory (Dutch) Baldwin III from Indian Head, Md., and his regular bow-hunting partner Franklin Shotwell were wrapping up a night of stalking northern snakehead from Baldwin’s boat along the Maryland side of the Potomac River on May 20, when they decided to…
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Lionfish The Other White Meat

Lionfish are not only good to eat but an invasive species.  I went to Florida and visited the South East American Lionfish Eradication Group  (SEALEG)  to learn more about  lionfish eradication.  I am very familiar  with the aquarium trade so this is an interesting subject for me in that aspect, as well as an angler.  I used to own a saltwater…
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Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier Opens May 25th

The work on the Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier pier for the most part is done.   The crews have the fence up, lights installed, and are removing their trailers and equipment. They just have to do a final punch list of some details and they are done.  Governor Jack Markell will be here Wednesday to cast the first line from the renovated…
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The 2016 Canal Flounder Tournament

Friday was the canal flounder tournament and it was a great day.  Over 390 anglers participated this year, which is a new record.  Lewes Harbor Marina raised $1,970 for the Youth Fishing Tournament.  Anglers said it was tough fishing, but there were some decent fish landed.   The top two winning fish were just over six pounds and…
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Mighty Mo’s’ big gun moved to permanent resting place at historic Fort Miles in Cape Henlopen State Park

Mighty Mo’s’ big gun moved to permanent resting place at historic Fort Miles in Cape Henlopen State Park 16-inch gun which fired 2,700-pound shells was mounted on USS Missouri when Japan surrendered on Sept. 2, 1945 to end the Second World War   LEWES (May 20, 2016) – After wartime service in the Pacific aboard the storied “Mighty Mo”…
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Spring Fishing Is Decent

Well Florida was nice but it is good to be back.  Took a few days to get back into the swing of things and get over that jet lag.  No seriously, it took a few days to acclimate back to these cooler temperatures.  It was rather hot down there, like twice as hot as it is up here.  We are finally warming up and the fishing is decent if…
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13 Annual Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Festival

The thirteenth annual Horseshoe Crab festival is in Milton, DE.  This year the event is on Saturday, May 28 at 10 AM - 4 PM in Milton Memorial Park.  The Milton Chamber of Commerce is looking for a few volunteers with pontoon boats to give tours of the Broadkill River from 9 AM to 3 PM.  If you are interested in volunteering please…
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The Lead Pot A New Tackle Shop

The Lead Pot will open this Friday the 20th of May, I know many people have seen the shop sign and have been wondering when this will open.  Friday they will be open at 6 AM until 9 PM. Recently Chris Kramer and his family found a nice spot on 113 or Dupont Highway near Dagsboro.  They decided to put a bait and tackle shop in the…
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Fishing is Decent Put In The Time

Northern kingfish are showing up in the surf on bloodworms.  A lot of them have been caught the last couple of days.  Big striped bass action has been okay and random as far as locations. Cape Henlopen saw some nice fish today.  The bluefish action at the pier has slowed down and some more flounder are being caught.  The pier will…
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Ride The Rails Or Go Ape In the Trees

I recently took some trips to area Delaware State Parks and checked out some of the concessions.  I especially wanted to try the rail bikes up north in Yorklyn, DE.  I don't think people realize not only how many concessions the state parks have, but why they are businesses within the parks and not just run by the state itself. I contacted Greg…
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Angler Rescued From South Jetty

A few days ago some anglers up north were rescued from the south jetty at Reedy Point on the C&D canal.  They were trapped by high water on the unusually high tide.  A few days later it happened down here. On Saturday the Coast Guard was called to help rescue an angler from the jetty at the south side of the Indian River Inlet.…
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Oil Washing Up On Delaware Beaches

Yes you read that right, but apparently the oil companies are prepackaging their spills now.  Don't panic there isn't oil everywhere ... yet.  I just wanted to get your attention.   A few days ago I ran around and checked the tournament beaches to give everyone updates on conditions.  While out there I found a bucket of oil.  A black,…
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2016 Old Inlet Annual Spring Surf Fishing Tournament

Saturday was the annual Old Inlet spring surf fishing tournament.  The weather the last few weeks and especially weekends has not been nice enough to entice people to get out and fish. When the tournament comes around it is rain or shine so you fish regardless.  Some prefish the tourney looking for fish and spots holding fish at certain times…
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Striped Bass Move Into The Surf

Today, of course the day before the tournament.  Striped bass moved into the surf.  anglers were hooking up from Fenwick to Cape Henlopen and places between.  The fish were hitting bunker chunks, and bluefish schools are running the surf.  They are cutting lines like crazy.  Skates and dogfish are numerous.  I ran into Chad Bayless at…
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Route 24 Is Closed

Route 24 is closed at Swan Creek  near the chicken plant to allow work on the bridge.  The detours are listed below.  It has been a bit of a nightmare for drivers detoured to the back roads.   I had to take back back roads to get to a back rod to my own back road.  That has been the issue for many people.  The project is supposed to…
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Rest Easy Joe Morris

     It has been a sad day in the Delaware fishing community.  Joe Morris, owner of Lewes Harbor Marina passed the other day.  He will be sorely missed by friends and family.  Joe was one of a kind, there are so many great stories people have of growing up around the docks, hanging around the cleaning table, and just visiting the store.  I…
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Bluefish Showing Up In All The Spots Like Last Year

The bluefish action has been great for about three weeks, or so.  The fish have been showing up at the beaches, the Broadkill River one day , and the Indian River Inlet the next.  You can't predict when and where, like last year but it is getting closer.  The henlopen flats as you may already know have been hot for a while. You just…
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The One That Wasn’t Getting Away

We all have a fishing story about the one that got away.  It is usually about the largest fish you ever caught and keeps you up at night in a cold sweat thinking about it.  Every year the fish gets bigger and the story gets better.  You tell the story over and over again through the years, and it always gets better with age.  The one…
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Burtons Pond Has Been Reopend

Rich Cordeaux contacted me the other day and said he spoke to Mr. Burton about the pond. "So Mr burton called me and the pond is fully open until at least the fall.  He saw a few different  trucks picking up trash over the past few weeks. I guess he came to visit. Well since he saw that he picked up the really big trash and took the…
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First Annual Jet Ski Fishing Tournament

June 18th we are hosting the first annual Delaware Jet Ski Fishing Tournament at Holts Landing State Park.  The tournament is hoping to raise money for the Childrens Beach House in Lewes, DE.  They have sponsorhsips available for any business that would like to get involved.  This is full tax wrote off since all monies go through the…
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All Species Fishing Tournament Update

The All Species Fishing Tournament  was started last year to coincide with our fish ID page.  We decided to set it up so that everyone had to catch at least one species from a list.  First person to fill the list wins.  This is an online contest, and has been rather fun to watch.  Participants have a weekly card they have to hold in a…
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Fishing Tournaments In Delaware 2016

Here is a list we have compiled of the area fishing tournaments this year.   If you don't see a tournament listed here please let us know by sending an email to admin@delaware-surf-fishing.com. March to November ........ Second Annual All Species Fishing Tournament  you can sign up for this any time during the tournament. …
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The Steelgard A Rarity For Any Seasoned Angler

We have all seen the  legendary Steelgard catch depicted in cartoons and movies.  Some anglers have nightmares  about Steelgards also known as the "skunk royale", and usually followed by a boot or toilet seat.  Scott Wahl was drum fishing in Hatteras when he spied something in the surf.  We caught up with him and asked him…
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Drone Fishing For Tuna

Yep, you read that right.    Jaiden Maclean and friends at Sea Ulcer Aerial Media fished for longtail tuna with a Phantom Drone, from land.  These guys used the drone to run a bait out to a school of longfin tuna and then lowered the bait with the drone.  When the tuna hits, the line releases, so the drone doesn't do a peter pan into the drink.  …
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Decent Fishing Action All Around Put In The Time

Bluefish made an appearance on 3Rs the other day in some decent sizes.  You have to be there when these schools come in with the tides.  They also came into the Henlopen pier area and were hitting bucktails.  Same gators we saw last year in the twenty four to thirty inch range. One was weighed in at Bill's Sport Shop at sixteen…
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Boat Sinks Near Port Mahon All 3 Aboard Rescued

This was posted earlier this evening on the Little Creek Fire Company's Facebook page.   Big thanks to all the crews that worked this and the other boat this afternoon. Been a long day on the water for some people.  These incidents are not related.  How the boat sank has not been reported.  Just good to see that all three on board are safe and…
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Canal Flounder Tournament is Friday May 20th

The Canal Flounder tournament is Friday May 20th.  Entry fee is $25 payable at Lewes Harbour Marina.  Tournament starts at 7 AM and ends at 3 PM.   rules are below .....  Good Luck Everyone!! Rich King CASH ENTRY FEE OF $25 PER ANGLER IS TO BE PAID AT LEWES HARBOUR MARINA BAIT & TACKLE SHOP BEFORE 7AM MAY 20TH, 2016. FIVE…
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Coast Guard Rescues Crew After Collision

News Release ... ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Coast Guard rescued three men Thursday from their life raft approximately six miles east of Cape May, New Jersey. The Coast Guard received a request for assistance from the captain aboard the 42-foot boat Last Stand, reporting they were sinking following a collision with the 78-foot Tug Dean…
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Kickstarter For Cabins In Cape Henlopen

This would be one way to stay in the park this Memorial Day weekend which is booked solid. This is an innovative way for a state park to help raise funds for a project. It is a great idea for a park system that has to rely on so much financial self support. Delaware is not the only state to try a Kickstarter to help fund a project, the Missouri…
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55 Pound Striped Bass Caught In Delaware Bay

Many striped bass are now spawned out and heading back into the lower bay area. Several anglers have been catching large striped bass or rockfish.  The fish are skinnier and you can tell they have spawned already.  Yesterday a fifty five pound striped bass was caught in the Delaware Bay on the Jersey side with bunker chunks, reported…
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What Is That Boat In Front Of Rehoboth Beach?

(Apr 2016) ... I have been asked this question dozens of times this weekend. The ship off the coast of Rehoboth Beach is a survey ship. It is taking samples of the ocean floor for the permitting process for the Rehoboth Outfall. The entire project has not been approved yet federally, but this is part of the process to get the permits
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The 17 Year Cicada Invasion

Cicadas emerge every year, and they are either the seventeen or thirteen year cicadas.  Each brood emerges different years and locations.  This year we are going to see brood V emerge. it will occur in the purple area on the map.  The Brood will emerge in Ohio and West Virginia, with some in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.  So…
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Kings And Lings With Tuna on The Side

The southern kingfish are showing up more, mostly on the southern beaches.  From 3rs to Fenwick Island has been the best catches.  Bloodworms has been the bait of choice but squid or small pieces of clam should work as well.   Still a little cold for fishbites to dissolve efficiently, but you can try them.  I have seen some fat…
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The Full Pink Moon Not Green

Full Pink Moon 2014 shot at Conquest Beach April's full moon is known as the full pink moon and will occur on the 22nd at 1:24 AM. The internet has a hoax picture going around about a full green moon. The full pink moon is named for the wild ground phlox or pink moss (herb) that is one of the first spring flowers. Native
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Assateague Island Needs Your Help Now

The powers that be (National Park Service) are looking at long-term management plans for Assateuage Island.  The NPS is working on long-term plans (50 years) for many of our parks and Assateague falls into that category.  Rising sea levels with more and more major storms and the fact it is a barrier island is a big concern. Bill…
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Banging The Drum Or Floating For Flatties

The beginning of the season is always my favorite.  Everyone is freaking out where can I catch a fish, or about too many people in one area.  Meanwhile more and more species are showing up and more areas turn hot for fishing.  We are in that time period right now, you can now spread about the county and fish.  Flounder are showing up…
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Keeper Striped Bass Landed In The Surf

We have been slamming tiny short bass for days on top and bottom rigs with bloodworms.  Puffers are in the mix too, good old chicken of the sea, aka the blow toad.  It was fun weekend of fishing for many anglers.  A keeper striped bass was landed in Delaware Seashore State Park in the Surf on bunker chunks.  We were sent a report that…
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Spotting The International Space Station

(April 18, 2016) ... Last night we watched the ISS fly across the horizon.  The International Space Station looks like a very fast moving plane.  The fly by can be a couple minutes to several minutes long The station is moving very fast, much faster than any plane can fly across the sky.   It is also brighter than the stars, it can be seen in
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Puffer In The Surf And We Did A Lot Of Skating

More brown trout were stocked today at White Clay, Rittenhouse, and Brandywine.  The trout fishing has been great up there.  You can find some nice pockets of fish if you really move around and put in the time.  Should be a good weekend to get out of the wind and on a stream.  Also up north striped bass action is the status quo, you…
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Bluefish All Over Delaware Beaches

PUBLISHED IN APRIL 2016 .... just wondering out loud when it will happen again Matt Adams with a 31 inch Bluefish from Delaware Seashore State Park caught on Monday afternoon. Bluefish are now moving up and down the beaches in Delaware.  You have to be there when they come by, and they will at some point.  No idea of the schools' sizes or
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Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Population Increases

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today released the results of the 2016 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, which show another year of growth in the stock of the Chesapeake Bay crab population and bodes well for a better harvest this year. The survey indicates a bay-wide crab population of 553 million, a 35-percent increase over last…
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Mary Lee Is Back In Town

Mary Lee pinged off the coast today not far from the Maryland coast line south of Ocean City.  She has been traveling a lot recently.  Mary Lee is a  16-foot, 3,500-pound-plus mature female great white.  She was tagged in 2012 off the coast of Cape Cod and named Mary Lee after the OCEARCH expedition leader Chris Fischer’s mother.  She…
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Slammer Blues Hit The Surf And Tautog On The Move

Despite the insane weather this weekend people still got out and fished.  Hopefully everyone enjoyed having 4 seasons in one Saturday afternoon.  Sunday was a nice day and the wind finally laid  down enough that it was tolerable.  Besides it is the weekend that is not going to stop many from getting out there.  We keep hearing about…
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Bluefish Are In The Delaware Bay

Saad Soliman caught and released this beast ofa brown in White Clay Creek today The Bluefish are starting to show up in the Delaware Bay.  At first it was some smaller ones, but the big twelve plus pounders also made an appearance.  On Monday a couple of netters had bluefish at the docks when Smith's Bait and Tackle was picking up bait.  Rumor
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What Does Beach Replenishment Really Cost

(April 2016) ... Over the years Delaware beaches were replenished one hundred and seven times , at a cost of $160,257,597, using 21,967,819 cubic yards of sand.   You will probably be surprised where replenishment occurred.  Not just the ocean beaches but Delaware Bay beaches in the past have been replenished.  Our high number includes the fact…
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Seahorses In The Surf

James Swatski was surf fishing over the weekend and landed a sea horse.  No, not a traditional landing like a fish, the sea horse was wrapped around his line.  Right now you are imagining someone wrangling a horse with a surf rod, not the case but some interesting imagery.  James was checking a hit on his rod, there was crab on the…
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Low Digit Delaware Surf Fishing Tag Online Auction

The online auction for low digit surf fishing  tags is underway.  The numbers up for auction are 6, 29, 148, 321, 468, and 478, choice of 51 through 98, choice of any available 200 number, and choice of any available 300 number. That sale will close on Tuesday, April 12th.  There will be alive auction on Saturday, April 9th as part of…
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Blown Out Weekend

It was a great weekend.  The winds were not that much fun, especially Saturday night into Sunday and even today.  We had fifty mile per hour winds that blew the water out of the Delaware and Inland Bays, and caused some serious damage in Oak Orchard.  Some folks have never seen the water this low in all of their years on the water.  …
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First Annual Delaware Jet Ski Fishing Tournament

On June 18th we will be hosting the first annual Delaware Jet Ski Fishing Tournament at Holts Landing State Park.  All monies raised will benefit the Children's Beach House.   Ever since we started talking about jet ski fishing, Rob Jones, Rob Wolhar, and I wanted to do a jet ski fishing tournament.  We wanted one that anyone could…
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Properly Handling Striped Bass

This happens twice a year.  People send us pictures of their catches and someone always loses their minds on how they are holding a twelve inch fish.  They literally will chastise small children playing internet tough guy on pages.  Instead of sending us a message they will methodically go to every post and lecture the person in the…
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DNREC Sets Creel Limit On Baitfish

Poaching has been a serious issue for years.  Now DNREC has decided to fight fire with fire.  There will now be a creel limit on baitfish.  "We need to protect the resources."  Logically if anglers can only have so much bait then they can only catch so many fish.  Anglers will be allowed four bait fish of any type or combination per…
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Cape Henlopen State Park Is Improving Campgrounds

There was an open house the other day at Cape Henlopen State Park to allow for public comment about the improvements to the existing campground.  The improvements discussed were ... Reduction of asphalt, Installation of landscaping, Creation of back-in, pull-through and pop-up RV sites, Installation of electric service, Vehicular…
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New WGMD Fishing Report Airs Today

Delaware Surf Fishing is now doing the daily fishing report on 92.7  WGMD.  The report will air after the 6, 10, and 4 O'clock news daily.  We are putting up the latest information and some tips when necessary.  We are also mentioning any upcoming meetings that are fishing related and other relative information.  Tune in daily when…
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Lurefest 2016

Lurefest 2016 is on April 9th in Bowers Beach at the Firehall.  Starts at 10 am and lasts all day.  Great time to meet local anglers and have some killer food.  You just have to be a member of saltfish.net forum and pay the entrance fee.   I should have a table there with some apparel and gallons of gnat spray.  Drop by and say hello.  There will…
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Blue Catfish Qualify For Delaware State Records

The other night Ryan Henry, Ethan Henry, and Cody Gallien were fishing Broad creek and Ethan landed a 25.2 pound catfish.  They sent me a message asking if it was the new state record.  I told them no since it was an invasive blue catfish.  However after checking with DNREC this week, I found out that blue catfish do count for the…
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Big Striped Bass In The Creeks

The big resident striped bass are moving into the spawning areas.  Laurel is seeing a bunch of decent striped bass as well as shorts in Broad Creek and Nanticoke River.  There are also a ton of big blue catfish being caught.  Bunker chunks are the choice baits for the big bass and the blue catfish.  The water today is a little choppy…
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Lots Of Rats In The Surf

The short striped bass action (rats, schoolies, shorts, or dinks)  in the surf has heated up the last few days.  Bloodworms, squid, and small pieces of cut bait are producing short striped bass averaging about eighteen inches.  There have been some smaller and some larger but no keepers.  These are resident fish schooling up.  We do…
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Big Striped Bass Around The Upper Bay and River

The big girls are moving around in the upper Delaware Bay and lower River areas. The Bullpen produced a nice striped bass today caught by Matt Tweed on Port Penn Bait and Tackle's Fresh Bunker, Richard King is filling his nets daily check out the store sometime his bunker doesn't sit there long.  The big resident fish in the Delaware…
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Once In Blue Moon Blue Claw Crab

Captain Terry Murray was tending his pots today when he ran across this full blue crab.  "I have been pulling pots for as long as I can remember and I have never seen one of these.  Soft crabs are blue in the light, but then turn brown when they harden.  I was told this is a genetic failure, when I called the local university, and…
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New Decking Has Started On The Pier

The Cape Henlopen State Park fishing pier is getting a new deck and the other day the crews started putting new wood down.  The pier looked different without any decking.  The new decking makes the pier look much better, and there is no longer a strip of plywood down the middle.  That strip is now three boards wide and the deck boards are cut…
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March Full Moon Madness

The moon will be full on March 23rd at 8:01 AM.  The march full moon is known as the Worm moon to many Native American tribes.  It is the time of year the snow melts, the ground gets softer, and earthworms start to emerge from the ground.  There are other names based on other signs of spring.  The Crow Moon for the cawing of crows.  …
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Eagles in Dagsboro Update

Update about the eagles from Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police's Facebook page. "Please continue to assist the Delaware Natural Resources Police and other agencies in their efforts to find the cause of the eagles becoming sick and dying in southern Delaware. Here is their latest update. Please pass this along and help…
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Flounder Pounding Has Begun In Delaware

The blue crabs emerging from the mud was exciting news, but there is another yearly visitor we have all been waiting for.  Not the seals, they have been here for a while now.  This time of year the Henbit in the fields flower (little purple flowers) and that is a sign that the summer flounder should start showing up.  The inland bays…
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DNREC Secretary’s Order, following new FDA guidance, halts shellfish harvest in seasonal area on Rehoboth Bay

DNREC Secretary’s Order, following new FDA guidance, halts shellfish harvest in seasonal area on Rehoboth Bay DOVER (March 17, 2016) – DNREC Secretary David Small has issued a Secretary’s Order for closure of a conditionally-approved shellfish harvest area located in the northeastern corner of Rehoboth Bay, effective Wednesday,…
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First Day Of Spring Say It Isn’t Snow!

The first day of spring is Sunday the 20th and we are seeing predictions of some snowfall up the Appalachian corridor towards the east coast.  We have had plenty of snow storms in March in the past, but we were hoping for a reprieve this year with the early warm temperatures.  Old man winter is going to take one last shot at us.  Some…
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President Declares Disaster for Delaware

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Delaware to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by the severe winter storm and flooding during the period of January 22-23, 2016. The…
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Blue Crabs Are Emerging

Everyone wants to know when are the crabs going to start moving around.  The back bays and low water tidal areas are seeing crabs emerge from the mud.  That would be the inland bays when I refer tot he back bays.   Blue Claw crab season started on March first for pots, and year round you can use hand lines.  Personally I like to wait…
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Pounding Perch While Bass Hounding

We hit record temperatures for a couple of days and that really cranked up the fishing in many spots.  Masseys Landing jumped up twelve degrees in six days and peaked to fifty-two yesterday at low tide.  Creeks, estuaries, and some back bay areas hit close to fifty-four degrees at low tide.  The short striped bass are already starting…
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Burtons Pond Now Closed To Public

Unfortunately this is a great example of litterbugs ruining it for everyone else.  Burton's Pond has been closed to the public by the landowners due to litter building up.  This has been a problem for years and years, but they have finally had it with the issue.   I received this message the other day from Rich Cordeaux  "Good morning…
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Seals Showing Up At Masseys Landing

I saw a seal today at Masseys Landing, and Scott and Suzanne saw him on Sunday.  Both sightings were at different times and tides so I don't think there is a pattern or particular time they are showing up.  Last year you could have set your watch by them.  I remember this guy sat next to me on this bench and looked at me and said ...…
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Goliath Grouper Caught In Delaware

Last year a Goliath Grouper made it all the way to Delaware.  We see all kinds of weird Gulf stream fish every summer.  In recent years we have seen a lot more groupers, especially gag and snowy.  Usually I get a picture sent in that asks what kind of bass is this because they look just like a bass.  These fish (groupers) usually show…
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Megalodon Teeth Found In Patuxent River

(March 2016) ... Megalodon, a predator that roamed and ruled the seas 70 million to 10 million years ago. It's name means big tooth or megatooth and it is an appropriate title. The only remains that are ever found are the fossilized teeth of this giant shark. Many of the facts, especially size, about this shark are still in
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Big Striped Bass In The Chesapeake

While everyone was fishing opening day for trout season today in Delaware.  Which I heard was crowded but people were doing well hooking up.  Alan Battista of Light Tackle Kayak Trolling the Chesapeake Bay was out doing a little striped bass fishing this morning.  The fish he got into was far from little.  "I have caught a lot of very…
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