Eastern Marine Fishing / Crabbing Report ~ 08/28/09

With the dog days of summer upon the North East, it was a steady dose of near 100 degree heat index and gully washer thunder storms for the best part of a ten day stretch. Heavy downpours on a daily basis turned Delaware ponds over repeatedly and left most un-fishable. A few anglers fished the best water they could find in their local stomping grounds on Sunday and for some it paid off. I myself fished Beck’s Pond and literally kept my baits 2-3 feet off the edge and never used more than 16″ of separation between my bobber and the hook. From shore it was the only clear water I could find. My theory played out well with 5 hook up’s, 3 Large Mouth ranging from a pound to a fish I lost at my feet that I was confident went 4-1/2 lbs. My other two fish were Chain Pickerel from 17″ to 22″ long. I was surprised with my success but glad about the decisions I had made and where to fish. The most unbelievable detail to this whole story is that my bait never left an area of about a 10′ foot radius, so help me it’s the truth! A few of our fresh water customers here at Eastern have made comment on the top water bite that’s starting to develop. With the arrival of cooler temperatures in the future, night trips for outstanding top water action will be in full swing. Here at Eastern Marine’s fishing department we have a full line of all the best nighttime fishing lures including: Fred Arbogast black jointed jitterbugs, black Strike King Buzz baits, Hart Spinner Baits in black, Berkley Gulp purple 10″inch worm and Bill Lewis Rat-l-Traps just to name a few. John Lennenbecker also had success at Beck’s Pond. While fishing the point, Johnny wrangled 7 Bluegills on Night Crawlers fishing towards the lily pads. In lower Delaware where the rainfall was milder better news was to be had on Large Mouth, Crappies, Pickerel, and Yellow Perch. Millsboro, Record’s, Wagoman’s and Diamond Ponds were all locations mentioned. With better water clarity anglers could fish these ponds more effectively and Gary Yamamoto Senkos were the go to in Blue with Black Flake in the 5″ version.

With the Hurricane Bill leaving and Dan on the way reports from the Delaware Bay have been schetchy. Many boaters reported catching large amounts of Flounder but most were throwbacks. Dave Singles of Eastern Marine said Brown Shoal was good for him and his crew with 7 keepers in the box. Dave said his big fish was 24-1/2” and that a range of strip baits, minnows and artificials all seemed to work. Good job again too Dave and his crew on another very successful excursion to Brown Shoal. Charter trips on the Delaware Bay from Bowers Beach to Lewes all had a mixed bag of Bluefish, Flounder, Spot and Croakers which seemed to fill most participants coolers. Further up in the Delaware, the Christina River looks like it’s annual late summer to fall run of Striped Bass is just starting to poke its head. Schools of Peanut Bunker and Bullhead Minnows seem to be gathering. John Hinkel of Newark Delaware worked the abutments of the 495 overpass and the old Mills Railroad Bridge and caught Stripers to 8 lbs. Yozuri Peanut Bunker and Bill Lewis rattle baits were the charm as John said with so much bait in the water it was hard to get a fish to commit to his lure. The best reports on bigger Stripers close to home here was at Ship John Light House and the Elbow of the Cross Ledge. Matthew Campbell and his uncle David used fresh Bunker to dial-up Rockfish to 36″ and 2 keeper Flounder, congrats on doing so well and finding that honey hole of yours Matt. The biggest news this week in my opinion was a post I read on Saltfish.net earlier this week. The post stated that the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission said the bio mass of Weakfish is at an all time low. This may lead to a Weakfish moratorium that will be tabled in the immediate future. Although this is not a political forum I have to say that I’ve been concerned for almost 7 years about the population of Delaware’s State Fish (Gray Sea Trout or Scheteauge) which translated from Native Delaware River Indians meant the one with the weak mouth, hence forth Weakfish. I hope this agenda is taken into serious consideration and the right decisions are made. It would be nice to have a trout fishery again!

On the Chesapeake side of the peninsula anglers in search of fish were heading south to the Route 50 bridge and further. Wendell and Richard Clenndening made trips to as far as the Choptank River and did well on Bluefish to 18″ inches, big Norfolk Spot, schoolie Stripers and good size 15″ croakers. Spanish Macks are the target species for the most part right now and Clark Spoons as usual are the key. Getting on top of the Spanish mack’s seems to be the difficult task at hand for now.

On the Crabby side of things St Michaels and the Easton area are offering the best news. Commercial and recreational alike are doing well in the Mid-Bay. Trot lines and traps are both effective for those willing to take the trip. Gill Kirk and Matt Long of Stanton DE set up in 4ft-6ft water and said both trot and basket were working, both (G-Money) Kirk and (Matty-L) Long got their respective bushel of crab. Some good reports have also come from the Bohemia and Elk Rivers. A tip one crabber gave us was when on the Elk stay to the opposite side of the grass bed as it comes in on the incoming tide, it will leave on the same side on the outgoing. Well fellas that’s it for this week but until next report keep your trot line tight and don’t cheap date the bait.