Eastern Marine Fishing / Crabbing Report ~ 09/25/09

What a difference a week makes! As low pressure and higher temperatures entered the area things started to improve on both sides of the coin. Both sweet and salt water reports were abound at Eastern Marine this week. On the fresh water side of things positive information keeps coming from the Delaware River. Most anglers have had success in the C&D Canal, St. Jones River and areas around Augustine Beach. Ceba Gogy Bobby fished Battery Park and nailed small schoolie Stripers, big Channel Catfish and jumbo White Perch. Bobby said Bloodworms and Peanut Bunker were the go to baits. John Schaffer fished the St. Jones River and also stated that jumbo whites were on the move and far up into river tributaries. Shaffer was adamant about his choice of bait and said “if its not grass shrimp, it just wont play”. Big whites seem to be dialed in on the autumn harvest of Grass Shrimp that are abundant along creek and riverbanks where any green vegetation is standing.

The Delaware Bay is still producing Flounder on the saltwater side of things. Although most have reported plenty of throw backs a certain few still can put those couple of keepers in to the ice chest. Flounder taken at Indian River were taped to 21+” and the deep water bite was on at sites 10 and 11. Many anglers said Berkley Gulp in the 4″ swimming mullet was the go to bait in both Pearl White and Chartreuses. You know fellas, at this point in the year I’m a live bait fisherman, but when an artificial food source bait produces like this, it’s tough to argue with the results. Big Croakers are still in the Delaware Bay. According to Dave Singles while drifting for flatty’s in the Brown Shoal area, he hooked up with Croak’s in the 14-15″ range. Dave also said that his Berkley Gulp offerings were more effective than squid and minnow combo’s on Flounder and Croakers. Dropping for Sea Bass improved over the past week also. Patrons of Eastern Marine said Capt. Rick and crew of the ‘Thelma Dale’ put them on nice Sea Bass and the action was non-stop.

The surf actually came alive with a nice run of Snapper Blues up to 18 inches. Bethany, 3R’s and Haven Roads all had reports of Bluefish up the 18″ mark. The other encouraging report was from an Eastern Marine customer who claimed that Weakfish (Sea Trout) were being taken at 3R’s Road in the 6 to 9 lb range on fresh peeler crabs. Thursday and Friday night walk on’s were up and down the beach area as it didn’t take long for word to spread.

The most impressive reports as far as variety and numbers were from off shore trips. A distinct break in water temps riding along the 50-fathom line was key in the diversity of offshore species brought to the boat. Bill Jaegers was trolling the Washington Canyon and went 3 for 5 on White Marlin, zero for 2 on smoker Wahoo and 34 Mahi-Mahi that weighed to 28 lb’s. Bill Jaegers said a mixture of medium and horse Ballyhoo trolled naked fared better than Bally’s dressed or with skirts. Mason McMullen of Middletown Delaware, while fishing on the ‘Rhondas Osprey’ out of Sunset Marina, dragged Bally’s across the 50-fathom line in the Baltimore Canyon and dialed up a 101 lb Wahoo. Nice job Mason on your fine catch! Hey folks, Mason is just a youngster, and I bet this is just one of many to be recorded for Mason. The Hot Dog gave up Yellow Fin and Wahoo to 90 lbs. The bottom of The Elephant Trunk produced Bull Gaffer Dolphin in huge numbers along with Wahoo to 50 lbs. A combination of White Marlin, Yellow Fin Tuna, Wahoo and gaffer Bull Dolphin were all to be had at the Poor Mans Canyon. Some Captains reported water temps to 80 degrees.

Finally, the Blue Claw counts have started to top-off. The best reports have come from the Elk and Chester Rivers. Crabbers are harvesting good numbers of big black back crabs at Welch Point on the Elk and at the Shipyard in the Chester. Crabs measuring 8 plus inches have been common. The other key many crabbers have exclaimed is their crabbing in 4-6′ of water, trot line or drop pots. Well until next week keep your trotline tight and don’t cheap date the bait!