Fishing report

By Bill Hamilton
Special to the Coastal Point

Joe Morris, from Lewis Harbor Tackle Shop, said the croakers have spread out, but are still being caught at G buoy, and on the open bottom at the Sheers and the Star Site Reef. Decent flounder are being caught off the artificial reef at Brown Shoal. Minnows and squid or shiners appear to be your best bait. Joe Walker from Boothwyn, Penn. had two 8.5-pound flounder and Lee Anders from Seaford had a 7.6-pound flounder caught while fishing the artificial reef at Brown Shoal.

Jo from Cape Henlopen Pier said there are a heck of a lot of spot, larger croakers at night, a few trout and many throw-back flounder. Bloodworms, squid and Fishbites (the wonder bait) are hot. Six-year-old Tyler Hoffman from Cantersville, Md. caught several spot, a few small bluefish and croakers up to 1-pound, 4-ounces while fishing at the pier. Nice catch, Tyler!

Rick’s Bait reports good croaker fish at the Bell buoy outside Indian River Inlet, and lots of throw back flounder in Indian River Bay. With this being said, there were several lucky anglers who had good catches. Brenda Breiner from Summit Hill, Penn., fishing with her husband, caught a nice 7-pound, 2-ounce flounder on live minnow while drifting near South Shore Marina. Eight year-old Matthew and 6-year-old Jeffrey Campagna, from Lancaster, Penn., fishing with their dad on their boat Rosie-O-Grady, caught a 2-pound, 10-ounce flounder and several bluefish while fishing in Indian River Bay.

Fishing from the jetty at Indian River Inlet has slowed some this week with a fewer catches of bluefish and only a few legal stripers. The croakers remain hot and heavy off the north end of the jetty and the south sea wall. Dan Slautterback, fishing off the north jetty, managed to catch his limit on stripers, 28.5-inches and 38-inches, using a rigged eel and a Rebel Windcheater. Plugs, liver or rigged eels and bucktails with worm trailer are some of the more productive baits.

The head boats out of Lewes and Indian River Marina all report good catches of croakers, some flounder, sea bass and a few trout. Dave Thompson from Street, Md., caught several croakers up to 2 pounds and sea bass up to 1.5-pounds while fishing on the Capt. Bob out of Indian River Marina.

White marlin fishing is heating up with a number of good catches reported from the tip of the Baltimore to the Norfolk Canyons. The 35 to 40 fathom, northeast of the Hot Dog and south outside of the Poorman’s Canyon have warned up. Lumpy Bottom 800/900 line is producing good size bluefin tuna, chunking, along with dolphin in the 40 fathom area. Yellowfin are scattered and do not appear to be in any particular areas.

Bob Shaw, Jr. and sons Bobby, Jeremy, Vinnie and Nick from Wilmington, fishing with Capt. Mike Behny on the Pole Position, out of Indian River, caught and released one blue marlin, two white marlin (estimated 70-80 pounds) and kept eight dolphins. Good trip Bob! These fish were caught in the 40 fathom area near the Hot Dog.

On their maiden trip on the boat R-Luke with Capt. John Kleinstuber, anglers Jeff Tebay and Brian (Skippy) Collins caught and released 1 white marlin while fishing at the tip of the Baltimore Canyon. Nice way to break in the “new boat.” Congratulations, Captain!

There are still lots of small fish in the surf — croaker, spot, a few kings and even a trout now and then. Bloodworms, shrimp, clams or small pieces of cut bait will produce some nice catches. Until next week — take a kid fishing.

Bill Hamilton is co-owner of B & R Bait & Tackle in South Bethany.