Hi Folks,

Fishing slowed a bit after “Hurricane Bill” but it looks like the fish are

getting back on track. Back bay fishing still consists of fair to good flounder fishing

mostly on the outgoing tide. Minnows, squid, frozen shiners, live spot, and of course

Berkley GULP! have all been good choices of bait. Fishing the deeper holes and channels

will lead to a more successful outing. Fishing in Indian River Inlet is producing its share

of flounder. Stripers are also being taken in the inlet although most of the success has been at night or early morning hours. Bluefish seem to be quite plentiful, especially on the incoming tide. Croakers are also scattered throughout the inlet and back bays. If you getting a lot of hits but can’t get a hook in a fish, try switching to a #6 or #8 hook and smaller bait because you are probably into the croakers. Folks fishing the suds from the beaches are picking up kingfish, spot, croaker, and blues. Sharks are still in the surf at night. Bottom bouncers are picking up croakers, flounder, blues, and sea bass anywhere from just off the beach to Site #10 to DB Buoy to Site #11 to DA Buoy. I know that’s a big area, but fish have been scattered throughout and fisherman have been successful in all those areas. Offshore action has been slow unless you are fishing the canyons for white marlin or dolphin. Inshore action has been more productive as dolphin, spanish mackerel, false albacore, and bonito have been trolled up anywhere from Site #10 to the Delaware Lightship.

Some recent catches have been 41/2 year-old Audrey Rizzer took a 3.5 Lb flattie from the Back Bay for her first flounder catch. Dean Henn fished near Buoy #12 in Rehoboth Bay using minnows. Dean boated 9 keeper flounder in a matter of a few days. John Klerlein trolled around Site #10 to pick up spanish mackerel and false albacore. Don’t forget that the months of September and October usually provide some of the largest flounder of the year.

Along with wishing everyone a great and safe Labor Day Weekend I would like to invite you all to our weekend “Tent Sale”. I will be offering wide selection of rods, reels, lures, and lots of goodies at SUPER PRICES!!!!!!!

After talking to Dan at Henelopen Bait and Tackle on Savannah Rd. in Lewes I was informed things are pretty much the same with croakers scattered everywhere and flounder being in all the usual spots. The Anchorage and areas of structure are the most productive. A bit more bluefish action for those fishing from the sand.

Ron at Rattle and Reel Sporting Center on Long Neck Rd. reported plenty of croaker throughout the back bays and flounder in the Indian River Inlet. Massey’s Ditch is still giving up flounder along with croaker and spot. Nighttime fisherman will find stripers on the prowl during the late night hours. Ron also told me the stripers are

cruising the inlet at night and in the early morning hours.

While talking to Burt at Hookem’ and Cookem’ Bait and Tackle in the North Shore Marina I was informed that the white marlin action has been pretty hot in the Baltimore and Wilmington Canyons. On the “Boys Toy” they released 5 whites on a trip this past week and the “Fish Whistle” released 6 whites on 1 trip. Dolphin are also being taken in the canyons. Inshore action had croaker being found just about anywhere it was wet. Reef Site #10 and Site #11 are producing keeper flounder and the sea bass sizes are improving. The buoy line from DB Buoy to DA Buoy is also providing good flounder action and improving sea bass. Headboat fishing on the “Judy V” and “Capt. Bob” has given patrons some much-improved activity. Burt says there are lots of fish so mow is the time to get onboard. Indian River Inlet is giving up flounder, stripers, and bluefish. John Bowman, on “Reef Runner” took an 11.2-pound flattie using bunker. According to Burt the surf fishing action has picked up a bit with fair to good action on the blues, kingfish, and spot. Sharks are being taken at night.

From Bill’s Sport Shop on RT #1 in Lewes we are reminded fishing should be on the upswing and there are lots of fish out there waiting to sample your offerings. The recent storms could change things up and make fishing even better than it has been.

Bob Adams, from Bill’s, Gordon, Tom, Tomas, and Ritchie fished a reef site and boated between 125 and 150 flounder. The group's fish were between 17" and 24".  Bob said there was non-stop action from the time they anchored until foul weather made them head to the dock. Gary Cook and his dad, James, caught 40 flounder with 5 keepers, all at 19" in IRI using Gulp Alive's new penny shrimp and chartreuse swimming mullet. Flounder and croaker are being taken by boaters fishing Sites 6, 7 and 8, in the Anchorage near G Buoy and the Outer wall. Sue Killen, Kevin, Cathy and Brian Baker all fished the Old Grounds and Site 11 and caught a lot of sea bass and flounder with 5 keepers.

The Canyons are producing dolphin and marlin on ballyhoo and plastics but the tuna were scarce. . Carol Elliott (Brian's mom), Tina Hutchins, Gloria Majewski, Renae Majewski, Brenda and Leann fished the Poor Girls Open catching 2 dolphin to 18.1lb. and had a marlin release.
Charter and Headboat action has been fairly productive. Captain Carey Evans of the "Grizzley" charters reports excellent action on flounder and croaker.  The Grizzley headed to the tile fish grounds and had a nice mixed bag of golden and blue line tiles up to 30lbs. Captain John Nedelka of the "Karen Sue" out of IRI has boated a mixed bag including false albacore, bonito, spanish mackerel and dolphin.  Captain John was fishing the ridge east of A Buoy. Captain Paul Henninger on the "Amethyst" went to Site 10 and the Old Grounds and boated croaker, sea bass and flounder.  Captain Paul trolled outside A Buoy for false albacore, bonito and spanish mackerel.  On another charter, the "Amethyst" went to the 19 Fathom Line and hooked into tons of skipjack. They ended the trip at A Buoy, catching tons of fish. The headboat "Reliable II" out of Bowers Beach, has had some excellent flounder and croaker fishing.  Owner Shirley Donovan reports that anglers have also been hitting snapper blues.

The surf is producing kingfish, spot, croakers, and blues on small hooks with finger mullet, fishbites and bloodworms and the Pier is hit and miss with spot, croaker and a few small flounder. Chuck Nagle from Bill's has been hitting snapper blues, short stripers at night, and some keeper flounder at Massey's Landing.

Joe Morris at Lewes Harbour Marina said Tropical Storm Dan didn’t have much of a punch, but it’s passing still slowed fishing activity over the weekend due to a lingering large southerly swell. A few boats made it out onto Delaware Bay Saturday afternoon, and reported croakers and some flounder at the Star Reef Site. Spot were plentiful and cooperated in the Lewes Canal, Broadkill River, and around the Cape Henlopen Pier. Pieces of bloodworms, nightcrawlers or Fishbites on sabiki rigs did the trick. Earlier in the week, flounder catches were good. Larry and Tom Coyle worked reef site 10 in the ocean Tuesday, and were rewarded with their limit of nice flatties, including Larry’s 6.2 pounder and Tom’s 6.9 pound fluke. Joe Walker and crew drifted site 10 Wednesday, and returned with a 16 flatfish limit. Bobby Bryant boated the biggest, a 6.2 pounder. Young Pierce Strother from Glen Allen, Virginia caught his first flounder, a 21 incher, while fishing the Star Site aboard the Indian. Inshore wrecks held triggerfish. Captain Tony Vansant and friends hit a snag on Fenwick Shoal for 30 triggers, and then stopped by site 10 for nine quality fluke to top off the box. Trollers pulling spoons in clean water between DA Buoy and Delaware Light found a mix of false albacore, bonito and Spanish mackerel. Many inshore lumps and structure changes between 10 and 20 fathoms held the same assortment of gamefish that could be tempted by trolling small, flashy lures. Offshore trolling boats encountered good numbers of billfish. White marlin were numerous between 60 and 70 fathoms inshore of the Baltimore Canyon. Crews told of several shots and multiple releases on many trips. Whites showed up at other locations along the edges of the Wilmington, Poor Man’s and Washington Canyons as well. This is about the same time that last year’s fantastic white marlin action took place, and maybe we’re in for a repeat performance.

‘Til next week, have fun, be safe and have a great Labor Day Weekend !!!