Hi folks,

Well folks, it’s the end of another season of the Coastal Fisherman

and I hope you have enjoyed and been informed by my column. Over the winter

months I plan to do my homework and bring you some interesting information

in next season’s articles. For those of you who would like to stay on top of what is happening locally, you can log on at www.ricksbaitandtackle.com to get weekly updated fishing reports. Over the winter give some thought to what I said in

earlier issues and let’s take our fishing as a way of sport, fun, relaxation, camaraderie, rather than just putting food on the table. I am sure there will

be changes in the regulations next year. Probably some we will like and some we will not. If we look at the sport and not the plate we should be able to find a way

to improve fishing over the long haul. Another thing to try over the winter is to

get a young person involved in the sport and teach them what fishing is about. It will be a great experience for both of you and will instill ideals in a young mind that may keep them on the right track throughout their life.

It’s the time of year when Mother Nature reminds us she will

decide the days we will fish. Not only do we have deal with the normal

problems encountered with the winds we also have to deal with high seas

created by storms not even close to our shores. But when she graces us with

conditions most of can deal with, the fishing continues to be fairly good. Back Bay fishing still consists of good flounder fishing although there are still lots of throwbacks. Croakers are still here, just not in the numbers of a few weeks ago.

Spot are still being taken and the Indian River Inlet is just filled with blues on incoming tide. Larry Hill of Millsboro fished Indian River using live spot to bag a 22 inch flattie that weighed in at 3 Lbs. 11oz. Stripers are also being taken in the inlet during the last two hours of an incoming tide. Inshore action is fair at the inshore wrecks and reefsites. Find some structure and you are sure to find some hungry fish. DB Buoy to DA Buoy areas are providing some sea bass and flounder action. Capt. Chuck Cook

of First Light Charters took Dan Wellington of Annapolis, Md., John Hernandez of

Frederick, Md., and Calvin Edson of Washington, Dc. To Site #10 for a real nice catch of flatties to 6 pounds. Capt. Chuck has been doing a real nice job putting

His parties on some nice fish. Surf fishing is providing plenty of bluefish, spot, croaker and kingfish. Chip Ilian took a 20-inch flattie while fishing the surf at Assateague. Offshore action has mostly been around the 30 and 40 line near the Hot Dog. Some yellowfin activity along with good wahoo action and lots of dolphin. The white bite slacked off and the fish are probably beginning their journey south. There should be lots of really good fall fishing ahead.

While talking to Eric at Rattle and Reel Sports Center on Long Neck Rd.,

Eric confirmed the great bluefish activity in Indian River Inlet. He said the Back Bay action slowed a bit but is looking for things to improve.

From Bill’s Sport shop on Rt# 1 in Lewes we are reminded the Wharf Restaurant in Lewes is the location this year for the striper/tautog Friday night buffet. The 2010 Striper Tournament will be held from Oct. 15th till Dec. 10th. The entry fee is $75.00 and an additional $25.00 for tautog. It includes a free T-shirt and free buffet for you and a guest every Friday night.  First place for the striper winner this year will be $3000.00, 2nd place, $2000.00 and third, $1000.00. In the tautog category, 1st place will be $1000.00, 2nd, $500.00 and third, $250.00. New this year will be a Calcutta. Winner takes all! The cost to

enter the striper Calcutta is $50.00 and for the tautog Calcutta it is $25.00.  
Door Prizes have been provided by: St. Croix, Crowder Rods, Shimano, PowerPro, Eagle Claw, Crocs, Clam Out, Aqua Clear, Coastal Fisherman, Deli 88, Dragon's Lair, "On Delivery", "Tranquilla", "Amethyst", "Jam Man", "First Light Charters", "Grizzley", Mr. Mark Edwards, Corky's Tackle, E.P. Sales, Aftco, Atlantic Cellular, Bucktail Bob, Seacoast Salon, Big Rock Sports, Saltwater Fly Anglers of Del., CaptainK "Sanddollar", "Lewestown Lady", The Wharf Restaurant, Maws Tails. Wildcard prizes will be drawn Dec. 10th from “ALL” contestants. Entrance forms are available on our Web site.  Credit cards can be used at www.billssportshop.com.
On the fishing front we received an email from Brandon Boyer aboard the "My Sanity":  "Bill, Saturday me and Dave Keefer went out to Site 10.  We got an early start and had lines in the water before sunrise. The croakers were like starving piranhas! As soon as your bait hit the water they were smashing it hard. We had clams and squid on but they weren't hitting the squid, so we switched over to all clams. Croakers were mixed in size with the biggest close to 13 inches." Ron called from the Pier and told us that spot are once again real hot.
Steve Petrone, Raymond Dagle and Phil went to the Hot Dog this past Sat., trolling blue and white Islanders with ballyhoo, and picked up a 50 lb wahoo, some small skippies and 4 peanut mahi. Bill Vernon from Hertrich Toyota in Milford fished the Branch Kreppel Blue Marlin Tournament hosted by Sunset Marina. The crew fished on the "Four Play" with Capt Steve, who was representing Indian River Marina. They fished 50 fathoms in the Baltimore Canyon on Friday and down in the Rockpile on Sunday and ended up in 3rd place in marlin releases and had the 1st place dolphin, which was 26 lbs. All action happened on ballyhoo. The Indian River Inlet saw lots of blues in the 3-8 lb. range. Delaware Bay action included flounder, seabass and croaker. Lots of spot and some flounder are being caught at the Henlopen Pier. Offshore action at the Tea Cup to the 40 line included mahi and wahoo. >From the Baltimore to the Washington Canyon whites and dolphin are being taken on ballyhoo.

At Hookem’ & Cookem’ Bait and Tackle at North Shore Marina, Capt.

Bert reports of plenty of blues in Indian River Inlet. A few flounder were taken in

and around the inlet over the last few days. Lots of stripers are in the inlet but most won’t stretch to 28 inches. That will change as the water cools. Inshore fishing is consisting of flounder and sea bass action with Site #10 being the spot

for the flatties. Capt Bert said his headboats are seeing more seabass action although most are short. The Capt. Bob and Judy V are both seeing plenty of action. Capt. Bert reminded me the Judy V will be running trips year round.

Offshore activity has been dolphin, wahoo, and white marlin.

Joe Morris at Lewes Harbour Marina said good numbers of flounder came from the Old Grounds, but the vast majority was short of the 18-½ inch minimum. For example, the guys aboard the Lil’ Angler II worked rough bottom between DB and DA Buoys on Wednesday for 51 flatties, but kept only three. They did have some nice sea bass mixed in, such as Sam Green’s 3.22 pounder. Croakers and snapper blues were also caught on the open bottom. Keeper flatfish came from reef site 10, with proper drift conditions. Cut baits such as strips of squid, mullet, spot, bluefish and mackerel worked well, along with shiners and smelt. Bucktails tipped with Gulp! also got bit. Site 10 continued to yield triggerfish too. The triggers, hardheads and bass liked clams and shrimp. Flounder were still available in Delaware Bay. Anglers drifting Site 8 reported fluke. Flatfish were also hooked around the Outer Wall and Ice Breakers. Jen Falgowski drifted live mullet near the Inner and Outer Breakwaters to capture some fine flatties weighing 3.0, 3.64 and 5.37 pounds. Spot action remained good for fishermen in Lewes Canal and on the Cape Henlopen Pier. Bloodworms and FishBites were favored offerings. Good-sized white perch, some over a pound, were captured at Oyster Rocks on the Broadkill River. Inshore trollers told of catching false albacore between DA Buoy and Delaware Light. It’s likely the scrappy turkeys can be found on much structure between the shipping lane and twenty fathoms. The 12 Fathom Lump, the Southeast Grounds, and the Pimple would be good spots to try. Towing cedar plugs, feather jigs or spoons behind in-line sinkers should result in strikes from albies. The little tunny fight hard and are a blast to catch on light tackle. Their dark, oily flesh isn’t much as table fare, but makes great cut bait for bottom fishing or dolphin bailing.

Until next season, have fun and be safe!!!