SPORTS

Delaware Regional Fishing Report:Migratory fish are making their way into Delaware

Jeffrey Taviano
The News Journal

OCEAN

Charter boats are having luck again fishing for tog with jonah crabs working the best. Steve Kiibler and Dillon Mitchell landed five tautog using jonah crabs. Bill Worrilow landed a nice citation 8-pound, 4-ounce tog as well. Rockfish are biting at the Indian River Inlet. Most fish have been short of the legal limit, however, keepers are being reported. Bucktails have been the lure of choice at the Inlet. Fish are finally starting to show up in the surf. It isn’t the bluefish that many are expecting, however, stripers and black drum are showing up on the ends of hooks. Lisa Knox brought in a 31-inch black drum to the Lewes Harbour Marina that she caught at Cape Henlopen State Park on a bloodworm fishbite. She also had a few nice size striper on the line as well.

DELAWARE BAY

The big rockfish are trickling in, however, most of the rockfish caught have been short of 28 inches. Woodland Beach, Collins Beach, Greens Beach, Yellow Can, and Augustine Beach have had a few keepers caught on bunker. Anglers are still catching big numbers of white perch at Augustine Beach, and Woodland Beach on bloodworms. Big catfish are also hitting at Augustine Beach, and Woodland Beach on bunker, bloodworms, and chicken liver.

RIVERS

Nick Ash fished the Cherry Flats north of the Delaware Memorial Bridge on the Delaware River and landed multiple nice catfish with the largest weighing 10 pounds. There have been a few reports of keeper-sized rockfish caught in the Delaware River up to 43 inches that were released. A reminder that any rockfish caught north of Reedy Point must be released. Anglers fishing on the south side of Reedy Point are finding a few keeper-sized rockfish on bunker. Trout fishing in New Castle County is picking up. Stockings are scheduled for April 13 at Christina Creek, White Clay Creek, and Wilson Run; April 20 at Christina Creek, and White Clay Creek; April 27 at White Clay Creek, and at Wilson Run. Anglers were stopping in at Eastern Marine with trout citations. Dennis Adams brought in a 2-pound, 3-ounce rainbow that he caught at Rittenhouse Park. Spencer Murray fished white clay and caught a 2-pound rainbow trout. James L. White fished Mill Creek and ended up with a 2-pound rainbow trout that he caught on a trout magnet.The largemouth bass action at the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek has picked up. Anglers are finding success using crank baits. Many big catfish are also being caught in the Nanticoke, and at Broad Creek. Drew Wilson brought in a large 1-pound, 5-ounce bluegill to Taylored Tackle. The fish had an 11-inch girth and measured 12 inches in length. The bluegill was caught in the Nanticoke on a night crawler. There are numerous short rockfish stealing bloodworms from anglers targeting white perch in the Nanticoke. Bryan Mora bowfished on the Nanticoke and hit a 31-inch, 9-pound, 1-ounce snakehead. White perch are still biting well at the Laurel Spillway on bloodworms. In Maryland, anglers are connecting on large white perch over 13 inches on the Elk River, and Bohemia River with grass shrimp, and minnows as the main baits. Hickory shad are starting to get caught at Susquehanna State Park on shad darts.

PONDS

Captain Bones reported good catches of crappie, and largemouth bass at Garrisons Lake with spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits working the best. Mike and Barb Trexler fished McGinnis Pond on the spillway side with minnows and hooked a number of yellow perch, white perch, and pickerel. Edward Johnson fished Becks Pond and pulled a 14-inch, 1-pound, 6-ounce white crappie while using shiners.

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