Eastern Marine Fishing Report ~ 10/08/09

With a weekend weather report forecasting howling winds and high seas, most anglers’ hopes were squashed on getting one last trip in before the closure of our Black Sea Bass fishery. For those unaware of what has developed in the last 2 weeks, NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has put a 180-day closure on fishing for Black Sea Bass in all federal waters north of Cape Hatters North Carolina starting Monday Oct 5th 2009. Even with 25 mph gusts and seas projected at 4-6 feet a few brave souls ventured out to off-shore wrecks for one last stab at some Black Wills. Anglers reported a mixed bag of Trigger Fish, chunky Sea Bass to 12 plus inches, and limits of keeper Flounder to 24”. The most productive baits were strips of squid and sand fleas fished on top-n-bottom rigs. Some boaters decided to stay inside the bay and anchored up over site 6 with good results. Keeper Sea Bass and an impressive Croaker bite were to be had according to Gill Kirk and Matty Long. Kirk said that his Sea Bass catch to throw back ratio was about 4/1 and Croakers were eclipsing the 15 inch mark. Kirk and Long also boated quite a few throw back Flounder in the process. The duo was using a variety of offerings that included squid, Bullhead Minnows, Berkley Gulp, Fish Bites and frozen sand fleas.

Even with the inclement weather some still made the trip out to the canyons. The Washington Canyon is still giving up a mixed bag of White Marlin, Dolphin and Wahoo. Trolled Ballyhoo dressed and naked teamed with Boone Bird daisy chains teased up multiple Whites according to Joe Parker, who said it was well worth the trip considering the conditions. Parker said the Dolphin bite has slowed considerably and the stature of the fish has gone from gaffer to peanut. Joe said the Wahoo bite was a little slower than last week but the two he had hooked-up were enormous. Joe said “those critters never seem to hit my wire rigged baits, it’s always the mono they pick on”. Parker says Wahoo can deplete your offshore bag with a quickness and that gets a little expensive.

While most of us are waiting for the Stripers to show themselves, some decided to travel and try their luck with Striper season opening in Virginia on Sunday Oct 4th. Johnny Lenenbecker, native of Richmond V.A. and resident of Bear Delaware, had good results. Lenenbecker fished the James River and reported a mixed bag of Stripers to 26 inches, Flounder to 24 and some 23″ Red Puppy’s to cap off the day. A little closer to home the Sassafras River has given up some 20-24 inch Stripers but the bite has been passive and the window of opportunity is short. Many fishermen said their fish finders were lit-up with Stripers but they were unable to coax the finicky bass to commit to anything. Anglers tried everything from jigging Stingsilvers and Crippled Herrings to casting Rat-L-Traps and Bass Assassins, usually sure fire baits at this time of the year. The only thing I can think of is that the Stripers are keying in on Gizzard Shad and it’s hard to divert their attention too much else. Good info is still coming from Rock Hall where residents are saying a consistent Rockfish bite has been in effect for about 10 days now. Rock are being caught from shore in the mornings and evenings on top-water plugs and poppers at Huntington, Swan and Love Points. Catches are being tapped to 30 inches and with a slot limit fish filling your daily quota has been a walk in the park. Further up in the bay an excellent Largemouth bite is in high gear. Anglers fishing the grass beds on the Susquehanna Flats have had great success. Dave McCarter said Booyah Spinner Baits and Buzz Baits in white and chartreuse color schemes have produced consistently. With cooling water temperatures and an abundant presence of baitfish, Largemouth are holding the beds for a combination of cover and food.

Delaware ponds provided good fishing action throughout the week despite the blustery blow. Al DelPizzo did well at Beck’s Pond with 3 Largemouth to 12″, 1 Bass to 13″ and another stocky 14 incher. Al also had 3 yellow neds that measured 12″ each. Al said all his fish came on live shiners fished under a bobber right in the heart of lily pads. Noxingtown Pond is still giving up good Largemouth and Crappie action according to Pete Fechter. Small shiners, Fathead Minnows and small jigs tipped with soft plastic grubs were all effective. Garrisons Lake was a hot spot for Crappie and Largemouth as well. Small Fathead minnows, Grass Shrimp and small jigs floated under a bobber were all a play.

The Delaware Surf is still a little slow but most surfcasters are reporting plenty of tailor blues to be had. The Point at Cape Henlopen, Three R’s Road and Haven Road were locations all mentioned by customers here at Eastern Marine. Whole or fillets of fresh Finger Mullet have been the most productive baits. The occasional small Striper is also to be had in the wash with Bloodworms. In just a couple of weeks things will start to improve on the surf as Stripers and big Slammer Blues return from their summer vacations in New England. At this time of the year all of us surf bums are on edge with anticipation of the Fall run of lengthy Linsiders and bodacious Bluefish.

For those that are still in the crabbing mode, good reports are to be had from a few different locations. Reggie May crabbed the Elk River and had two of the most impressive bushels I have seen all year. Reggie’s crabs pointed out to 8-1/4″ and the majority of the crabs were over 7 inches. Rock Hall and the Chester River are still giving up big black back Jimmies in the Shipyard, Langford Creek and above Chestertown in Morgan Creek and Peachtree Point. Reports of enormous Sooks to over 7 inches have also been common in these areas as well. Although Sooks are off limits its a good sign with the slower than usual start of the season. So, don’t put your trotlines and baskets away just yet, the big boys are still on the prowl and there is still plenty of good crabbing still to come.