Eastern Marine Fishing / Crabbing Report ~ 09/18/09

Two of the past three fishing reports I have given you fellas started off with the mention of rain and the proverbial wrench it was throwing into the gear box of our fishing machine. Well it was the case again this week with most of the state receiving a thorough drenching. Lower Slower Delaware recorded 4″ for most of the Sussex County area and the upper 2/3’s of the state didn’t fair much better. With little fishing activity this week information was at a minimum but there are always a few die-hards that we can count on to fish in almost any condition and give us the low-down. Actually until 10 minutes ago I was trying to figure out how to present this report until I reviewed my notes. I noticed that all three anglers who reported here to Eastern Marine all fished Beck’s, Noxingtown, and Lum’s Ponds respectively through the course of the week. I also noticed all had a different story to tell.

Al DelPizzo caught a skunk at Lum’s and Noxingtown. Beck’s on the other hand was far more generous to Al, yielding 2 fifteen inch Large Mouth, 2 Yellow Perch, 1 Pickerel and 1 Catfish. Al was floating Shiners under a bobber. You can’t go wrong with live bait but what happened at Lum’s and Noxingtown? Angler number two, Pete Fecther, reported Crappie at Noxingtown that were over 2 lbs. When Pete first hooked up with these enormous crappies he thought for sure they were Largemouth on the other end of his line. Pete was also using live bait, Rosey Red minnows that can be purchased here at Eastern Marine. We sell them by the dozen and they are killers on big panfish. Beck’s and Lum’s Ponds did not produce for Pete which was the opposite of Al DelPizzo’s luck. Finally angler number three, Timmy Maruzschak said the bite at Lum’s Pond was on fire. Timmy was using a variety of jerk baits, jigs and top-water baits to bring fish to the boat. It seemed funny how three different anglers fished the same bodies of water, all with different results in one of the three ponds.

Shannon Cockerell and Noah Robita fished for Flat Head Catfish on the Susquehanna River and had great results. The duo caught as many as 2 dozen Flat Heads to 34 lbs and Cockrell said at one point all 4 rods were lit-up with the hard running, hard fighting monsters. Pictures can be seen here at Eastern Marine on our wall of fame for Cockrell and Robita’s catch. Good job everyone, congrats on your fine catches, and thanks for the info.

The saltwater scene was much slower. Water conditions were dirty and the ocean was churning. The inlet and surf was not a good play this past week. Up in the Delaware Bay Dan Reel said the Flounder bite was still in gear but just about every fish was a throw back. Cobia were also a topic of discussion. Anglers reported Cobia at the mouth of the Delaware Bay and some as far north as the Brandywine Light. I myself lived in south Florida for 6 years where there is no shortage of Cobia. I can attest these fish are tough competitors and good table fare. With the increase of Cobia catches in the recent past I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a fairly strong Cobia fishery in the next 10 years.

Finally, crabs have come on and good reports were had from the Chester, Elk and Gun Powder River. 3/4 to 2 bushel reports have been common. On the Chester, crabbers were ecstatic to see the big black backs coming up on trotlines and in the bottom of their hand pots. It seems like the Labor Day weekend was a success for all those who didn’t give up and were determined to have crabs to end the summer season.
Well the Stripers should be heading south here in a few weeks and I can’t wait for the surf and inlet to heat up with big fish of the linesider variety. Until next time, keep your trotline tight, those crabs are still running and don’t cheap date the bait.