Eastern Marine Fishing Report ~ 07/28/10

Heat index has been the issue on most fishermen’s plate here at Eastern Marine. With record temperatures being broken on a daily basis most of the fishing faithful have been a little sun shy. Above 90 degree temperatures can quickly dampen ones spirit as well as t-shirts and ball caps. Staying hydrated while out on the water is essential in weather conditions like the ones we have experienced here recently, especially for those of us on the up hill swing. For those of us that have experience with the heat and know how best to prepare for it, the heat and lack of rainfall has been a positive note. With the lack of rain this summer the salt line has spiked into the lower river and good reports abound!

At Ship John Light a solid Striper bite is in high gear, as is the norm this time of year. Chunking fresh Bunker as usual is all that is needed and good limit reports of fish in the 28-inch plus range have been common. Don’t forget from July 1st through August 31st anglers are permitted to keep 2 Stripers from 20” – 26” in the Delaware River, Bay, and its tributaries. Along with Stripers anglers have encountered an unusually steady Flounder bite that is producing some impressive flatties from off the old lighthouse. Go to baits have been Berkley Gulp Alive in the 4” swimming mullet, fresh Bluefish belly, and large Bull Head Minnows.

Further down the bay just above the elbow of the Cross Ledge at G6s a small wreck is located just off the buoy. Chris Brown of Eastern Marine launched out of Port Mahon and boated limit catches of doormat Flounder to 26”. Chris said Berkley Gulp Alive 4” inch swimming mullet in chartreuse and giant Bullhead Minnows tipped with squid were his go to baits. The 14 Foot Bank was another location that customers were pinpointing as a hot spot for doormat Flounder. Many anglers I talked to seemed to think that the majority of big Flounder were being taken in 20’ – 25’ of water from all three locations.

Along the shore the surf report has been positive with Croakers, Spot, and Kingfish. Bloodworms, Fishbites, and small offerings of clam have been top performers. Many anglers use light surf gear and small top and bottom rigs tipped with Bloodworm to harvest spot. They then in turn have fresh cut bait or live Spot to live line targeting predatory fish. Large Sand Tigers have been caught along the Delaware Shore at Conquest, Key Box, and 3r’s road. Some anglers are kayaking fish baits as far as 400 yards offshore and paddling back to man a surf stick in anticipation for one of these hard battling predators. Sand Tigers in the 5’ – 7’ range have been common this season.

Indian River has given up a steady Bluefish chop for the whole summer. Although the size has varied from day to day, most incoming tides have provided anglers with plenty of fishing action. From the bridge to the second bend on the south side has been the strike zone according to most anglers we spoke with. Johnny Justinson said an ever-increasing Flounder bite is to be had along the south wall of the Indian River Inlet and the keeper to throw back ratio is quickly starting to improve. I can’t wait, as I will be spending the second week of August along that south wall myself. Yes, yours truly will be getting into the swing here shortly. I have to be honest, hearing and reporting about other anglers trips and experiences is a blast but not as fun as telling the stories yourself. Until next time take advantage of this heat wave and remember to be prepared and cautious when enduring excessive heat indexes.