Eastern Marine Fishing / Crabbing Report ~ 09/11/09

With the onset of Labor Day and the official end of the summer season pending, many Eastern Marine customers took advantage of the long weekend and geared up for what might be the finale of another fishing year. Whether folks were traveling, day tripping or staying in the local area, fishing and crabbing was on everybody’s agenda. There was a steady stream of customer traffic coming through the door. Some just needing a last minute item like a pack of Jimmy clips or a couple of replacement Foxy-Mate 66 crab traps. Where as others loaded up like it was beginning of the season. Two to three cases of Topless Foxy-Mate crab traps per customer were not uncommon. Trot line supplies were also a popular item as many replaced missing items as well as building entirely new set ups, all in an effort to insure a gangbuster catch of our favorite Labor Day table fare. I’m sure most of you already know but for those of you who don’t, we here at Eastern Marine have undoubtedly the largest selection of equipment for catching the Atlantic Blue Claw Crab in the region. You can view our offerings online if you wish on this very website, so check it out!

On the freshwater scene anglers reported improved conditions and much better success. Local area ponds: Beck’s, Lum’s, Noxintown, and Canal pond all produced a variety of species for a number of individuals. Most anglers I talked to reported a mixed bag of fish and numbers of them. Some pan fish that their captors were unable to identify accompanied the usual Largemouth Pickerel, Crappie and Bluegills. This is the kind of activity that is exhibited when fish are getting ready to school and are going on the feed before that long winters nap. Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that but I’m sure you have also noticed our slightly cooler nights as well. Remember though this is not a bad thing, as the bite will intensify over the next few weeks with falling temps and shorter daylight hours. Don’t forget what we talked about in last weeks blog about the top-water bite coming on and next week we are going to talk about how Largemouth Bass relate to structure as the temperatures drop. Sue Wagner fished Red Clay Creek and caught a variety of pan fish, bas, and Catfish between live and artificials. Sue said that a Berkley 3″ Trout Worm in stark white was the real killer for her and caught as many fish as live bait offerings did without all the live bait rigging. Sue says this saves valuable time when an artificial works so effectively. Small schoolie stripers have also been reported from the Christina and Delaware Rivers in the New Castle County area. Bloodworms, Night crawlers and a number of small spinners and spoons all seem to be doing the job. Shannon Cockerell and friend When Ming fished the Susquehanna River and annihilated Monster Flat Head Catfish to 34 lbs on live Bluegills. Pictures are here to view on our Eastern Marines wall of fame.

On the briny side of things reports were down a little from previous weeks. Some throw back Flounder, Croakers and small Blues were about all that was to be had. Eastern Marine customers claimed the Spot seemed to vanish from local haunts, keeper Flounder were scarce but Snapper Blues are abundant. Rockfish in the keeper range have been stuck at Indian River at night from the rocks.

As we spoke earlier crabbing is starting pick-up and crabbers are in full swing to take advantage of the late summer run into the upper Chesapeake Bay. Elk and Chester Rivers have come on strong with bushel plus reports. Crabs measuring 8-1/2″ are common with most in the 6-8″ range. Indian River below the power plant has been productive and in our own back yard outside of Delaware City, crabs have been caught on Trot Line and in traps at Governor Bacon in 4-5 feet of water. Crabs measured 5 1/2 -7 1/2″s. Well until next week keep your trotline tight and don’t cheap date the bait.