Striper action on the beach has been better than in many past seasons. Bass began to be caught by anglers working the Cape Henlopen surf during the days leading up to the full moon, and the catching has continued through this past week. Best bites have been at the top and bottom of the tide, paticularly if those times coincided with daybreak or dusk. Clams and bunker were the baits of choice.

The Herring Point access area has been popular because of structure offered by the Navy Jetties. However, fish were taken along the beach both north and south of there. Limit catches were fairly common, and many of the rockfish have been good sized. Jack Austin landed bass this week weighing 23.8, 24.1, 28.8 and 34.8 pounds. Stripers were caught from Broadkill Beach too. Roger Guderian got an 18.8 pounder there using bloodworms. Rock also showed along the Outer Wall, and boaters casting artificials got into good fish too. Brian Seglem checked in a 35 pounder that inhaled a red and white plug he was throwing.

Bombers, Yozuris, and Stretch 12s have been effective lures. Light colors worked best during the day, and dark patterns were preferred during low light hours and at night. Bucktails tipped with plastic worms and Storm shads got bit too. Bites along the wall happened about the same times as those on the beach, with high and low tides at dawn and dark most productive. Black drum catches have been fair, but it hasn't busted wide open yet.

Captain Ted ran the Angler to the Coral Beds off Fowler Beach Monday night, and returned with 5 boomers to nearly 80 pounds. Wes Cromer weighed in a 72 pounder he battled for quite some time on light tackle. Drum should be available through the June full moon. Toggers getting in on the end of the Spring season had success along the Outer Wall. John Toomey took an 8.9 pounder on the Grizzly. Booker Bookwalter boated a 7.5 pounder on the Angry Angler. Bob Trento bested a 9.91 pound tautog on Katy Did. Tog season reopens July 17th. Flounder fishermen continue to pick at flatties in Lewes Canal, but keepers are scarce. Dirty water hampered catching. However, Lex Robertson managed a 5.12 pounder while working a Spro jig and minnow combo. Hopefully the fluke will get their act together before the Canal Flounder Tournament Friday May 18th. In offshore news, Jon Kitchen called to report that a recent trip to 400 fathoms of Poor Man's resulted in 6 bluefin tuna. The crew kept a 38 pounder.