SPORTS

Delaware Regional Fishing Report

Jeffrey Taviano
The News Journal

OCEAN

Tog fishing continues to decline at ocean structures. On a brighter note...The Indian River Inlet has sprung to life with rockfish, although most are short. These are most likely resident stripers and not an early start to the Spring run. Bucktails and sand fleas have been the best baits.

DELAWARE BAY

Anglers have been catching white, and yellow perch from shore on bloodworms, grass shrimp, and minnows from Augustine Beach to Port Mahon. A few short stripers have also been caught alongside the perch at Woodland Beach, and Port Mahon on bloodworms.

RIVERS

The Delaware River in New Castle has provided decent yellow, and white perch action with grass shrimp, minnows, and bloodworms serving as the top baits. Mr. and Mrs. Andersen brought citation white perch into Eastern Marine measuring up to 13 inches long. They caught the perch at Port Penn, and also reeled in a few stripers in the 17-22 inch range. The Andersens were using bloodworms. Taylored Tackle reported good white perch action on the Nanticoke River with bloodworms serving as the top bait. Robert Conner brought in a 13-inch 1-pound 8-ounce white perch with an 11-inch girth to Taylored Tackle caught in the Nanticoke on a bloodworm. Richard Lineweaver brought in a nice 1-pound 3-ounce yellow perch into Taylored Tackle caught on a minnow in the Nanticoke. Anglers fishing for white perch in the Nanticoke have also encountered large numbers of short stripers that have been stealing bloodworms right off the hook. Anglers have been landing yellow perch in big numbers at Broad Creek without the small stripers hassling them. The route 9 bridges are yielding white perch on bloodworms along with the occasional short striper. The stripers have been biting on both bloodworms and bunker. Stripers are also being caught on the Leipsic River, and the Broadkill River. Billy Nickerson fished the C&D Canal and landed a big 10-pound 8-ounce catfish on bunker. In Maryland Mike Bowen of Eastern Marine reported decent stripers in the 17-24 inch range being caught at Port Deposit outside of Rock Run on rapala shad raps, and suspended jerk baits. The Bohemia River, Sassafras River, and the Susquehanna Flats have been giving up short stripers on bottom jigs, and suspended jerk baits. Yellow Perch have moved up the North East River into Charlestown. Anglers have been using jigs under a bobber, and minnows on the bottom. A reminder that New Castle County trout streams White Clay Creek, Christina Creek, Pike Creek, Beaver Run, Wilson Run, and Mill Creek will be closed from March 18 until opening day April 1st. The first stockings will include rainbow, and brown trout.

PONDS

Trout season has been off to a slow start at Newton, and Tidbury Pond. Overcrowded holes, and freezing temperatures has increased the difficulty of loading up one's stringer. Steven Swan checked into Master Baiter’s Bait & Tackle with a 2-pound 8-ounce rainbow that he caught at Tidbury Pond. Patty at Captain Bones reported good crappie and bass at Garrisons Lake and Silver Lake in Dover. The crappie have been biting on minnows and jigs, while the bass have preferred jerkbaits and soft plastics.


Email your fishing info and fishing photos to jtaviano@delawareonline.com or tweet @JeffreyTaviano.