Fishing Report

Everyone has heard the saying “you sound like a broken record”, I’m sure. Well as much as I hate to say it, the weather last week once again did not do any anglers any good. A bunch of boats were out hunting the migratory stripers this past weekend off our coast and around the mouth of the Delaware Bay. Some boats made a trip up the Jersey coast to see if there were any fish around. We did not see any fish hit the table from our local waters but, we did have a couple of very nice stripers hit the table on Saturday afternoon. The anglers that caught those fish made a bee line to wildwood and found a couple fish that they caught jigging and trolling.

We heard that some big fish were caught down around Indian river inlet, and between Bethany & Sea colony. We also heard a faint rumor that some stripers were caught at the Hen & Chicken shoal. I don't know how reliable the info is, we did not see those fish. Boats are marking nice size bait balls with fish around them. Hopefully, if the weather allows, we will start seeing bigger groups of fish closer to us, and within range for all the anglers to catch their limits and curb that “striper fever”.

Black sea bass are still thick as thieves out on the deep-water wrecks. When the boats can get out to them, it’s not taking long for them to get their boat limit and head back to the docks with a boat load of sea bass. Tautog fishing however, is not cooperating with anglers this year. Some really nice big tog have been caught, but it seems that the legal size fish refuse to be caught this year. Anglers are having to struggle with endless catches of short fish. Now, if your’re just out to enjoy a day on the water, I can guarantee if conditions are right, you will have a great day catching throwbacks, with an outside chance of netting a keeper.

We have green crab, asian box crab, and we will be getting a fresh batch of whiteleggers, for those of you still tautog fishing. We also have live eels and bunker chunks for those anglers chasing down the stripers. We are working on getting fresh bunker in to the shop. We will post it on our FB page as soon as we get it. Don't forget to get signed up for our annual striper tournament that is going on right now. The cost is $5 per angler per day, or $30 per angler for the month. The tournament ends Dec 23rd, 2018 at 4pm. Also, remember Xmas is coming and we have some special deals going on, so stop by and get that special angler in your life an awesome gift from LHM.

Until next week, Tightlines Everyone. Tommy Serbin.

The sea bass action is still hot and heavy, when the weather permits anglers to get to the deep-water wrecks and reefs. Del-Jersey land still holds a lot of sea bass. The boats that are able to get out there are limiting out in record time. Hopefully we will get a long break in between all of this not so friendly weather. Some stripers are starting to show up around the mouth of the Delaware bay. A couple were caught this weekend around the 8’s trolling Mojo’s and stretches. We also heard that some big fish were being caught by boats drifting eels at the Cape May rips.

Carter Dirado weighed in an impressive 48”- 42 1/2 lb striper trolling a white tandem Mojo rig. On Sunday Joseph Walker weighed in a nice striper at 44 1/2”- 36.5 lbs. Both fish were caught at the 8’s while trolling. The stripers seem to be slowly funneling into our area. I’m hoping this wind will blow them into the bay where there are still a lot of bait fish for them to snack on and keep them busy for a while. We have all your striper gear needs here at the shop, stop in and grab your gear before you take to the water.

The Tog fishing is very slow. Some big ones are still being caught in deep waters, but the local structure and reefs are still only showing shorts. Don't get me wrong, you will catch plenty of fish, but its a lot of shorts to pick through to get that keeper. We have plenty of tog baits available. Green crabs, box crabs and when we can get them, fresh live sand fleas.

Well, until next week, tightlines everyone, Tommy Serbin.

So far Mother Nature is not being nice too any boats or anglers trying to get out to feed their fishing addiction. Some of the boats that were able to get out the past few days did well catching their limit of sea bass with some very nice Tautog. When the weather allows anglers to get out to the wrecks and reef sites it can be a very productive day, its just being able to get there that is the problem. We have had several citation tog come in to the shop along with a couple citation sea bass.

I have seen a couple reports from South Jersey that some big stripers have been caught. The bay has been showing good signs with birds working on bait fish in a couple areas up in the bay. Maybe some stripers slipped by, that would not surprise me, with all the bait fish that are still holding up. Its just this unfortunate bad streak of weather that is preventing anglers from getting out to put some good time into hunting down some of the big linesiders.

I am and forever will be an optimist, I have to believe that this very well could be a turn around year for us as far as the striper fishing. All signs that are being seen right now would tell us that the stripers are coming to us this year. Everyone keep your fingers crossed, say your prayers and wish upon a star. It would be a great boom for our industry not to mention the anglers who only fish a couple times a year.

Until next week, nightlines everyone. Tommy Serbin.

The fishing has been good, and by good I mean slow but steady. The flounder bite has picked up a little on the inshore wrecks and we are hearing the old grounds are producing some nice size flounder. The weather once again is not working in anglers favor. If you are lucky enough to be going on one of the good days, it usually works out well.

The Lewes-Rehoboth canal is still showing signs of life with flounder, spot, croaker and slot stripers. The slot stripers are still around, but as the water warms up, normally they get harder to catch. The anglers chasing the stripers are still having good luck. They are using eels, bloodworms and some soft plastics. Good size spot and croakers are being caught in the canal as well. The fish bites bloodworm flavor seems to be working well along with the normal fresh bloodworms. The flounder bite is still there, some big flounder have been caught on flashy top and bottom rigs, tipped with gulp, strip baits and/or minnows.

The offshore bite continues to be surprisingly good even with the weather bing not so good. The trolling bite seems to be slow but steady. Boats are chunking as well and have had good catches on the chunk bite. The 12 fathom lumps, and outside massey’s are still holding some big bluefin, yellowfin tuna plus white marlin. The dolphin action is still good around the lobster balls as well as at “DB” buoy. We are hearing the white marlin have good size to them, which will make for an interesting White Marlin Open if the fish decide to hang around.

Crabbing seems to be getting hotter in Rehoboth bay, all of the usual areas like love creek, mulberry knoll, and right in front of the country club. Crabs are heavy and clean. As the summer goes on and the temps go up, the crabbing should get better. Crabbers are not having any problems getting a full bushel in no time at all. Crabbing is the best way to spend the day with the family and have some fun. We have all your crabbing gear needs at the shop, stop in and take a look. We have Maryland style pots in half and full sizes. We also carry topless traps and metal and cloth hoop style nets. We also carry chicken necks and bunker. For the serious crabbers we also have full flats of bunker for sale. Please remember to take a kid fishing….

Tightlines everyone, Tommy Serbin.

Once again mother nature decides to test our patience with wind and rain. The next couple of days do not look to be favorable. Hopefully anglers can sneak in a few hours of fishing in between the gusts of wind and the pop-up showers. The canal is still producing good numbers of flounder, although you will need to still deal with shorts in order to catch a good one. Some croaker have started to show up in the canal. We are hearing some of them have been up to 10”. The slot stripers are still around, remember the slot size is 20” to 25” in order to keep them. The soft plastics as well as good ole fashioned eels seem to be doing the trick.

At the outer wall and the ice breakers there are trigger fish and sheepshead waiting for the brave anglers to hook up and catch em up….. there are some croaker and sea trout as well.

The catch and release shark fishing is still going very well in the Delaware bay as well as by the walls and ice breakers.

The offshore bite was good before the blow. Bluefin, yellowfin tuna as well as dolphin have been caught at the inshore lumps. Massey’s, the hotdog, and the hambone have turned up decent catches when the fish were chomping. We are also getting reports that B-buoy has seen some flounder being caught there as well as dolphin. The old grounds have been producing some nice flounder catches when the weather permits boats to get out there.

Stop by and see us at the shop and check out our amazing selection of rods, reels, tackle, and clothing. We also carry cold drinks, ice, sun tan lotion, and a variety of gifts for men, women and children.

Tight lines everyone, Tommy Serbin.

The fishing around the peninsula is slow but steady. Flounder are still keeping anglers busy in the lewes canal, some big fish are being caught but anglers are having to weed through shorts for a keeper. Good news is the keepers are of better than average size in upwards of 22”-23”.The slot stripers are also keeping anglers busy in the canal as well as the creeks and ditches in the backwaters.The baits haven't changed for the flounder, flashy top and bottom rigs tipped with gulp and long strip baits.

The delaware bay is still producing some croaker, kingfish, and small snapper blues. Anglers have also got lucky with some keeper sea trout. The sharks are still being caught with mackerel, bunker, and bunker chum. We have shark rigs already tied up and ready to go.

The offshore bite has slowed up a bit, but the boats are still coming across some yellowfin and big eye tuna. Mahi-Mahi are still pretty much all over the place. Anglers that have been trying their luck with tile fish have been reeling some big tile fish from deep water, along with some ling cod and rose fish. We still haven't heard anything about a hot chunk bite, but that doesn't mean anglers aren't getting any bites one the chunk.

Stop by and see our wide selection of apparel from Salt Life, Huk, and David Dunleavy. We also carry a wide range of fishing rods, reels and tackle. Everything from inshore to offshore, jetty, surf, backwater baits and tackle. We carry Shimano, Diawa, Penn and Seigler reels. We also carry Diawa, Shimano, Penn, Tica and Tommy Farmers Carolina Cast Pro surf rods. Stop by and check out our selection.

Tight lines everyone, Tommy Serbin.

One thing is for sure, we went straight from winter directly to the dog days of summer. The beach weather is awesome, but no wind on the water can make for a long trip. The fish have been testing everyone’s patience, but the anglers have not given in to the stealthy, wise, and often elusive fish. Flounder are still being caught in the canal here in Lewes. Today alone I have already seen 8-10 good size keepers come to our table. The baits have not changed, chartreuse, glow, and pearl white gulp are still doing their job. Along with squid, minnows, and strip baits. Do yourself a favor and don't pass up the canal while you are out fishing.

The striper slot opened yesterday, it runs from July 1st to Aug 31st 2018. The slot size of 20”-25” to keep them. The draw bridge area on the canal has turned up some good-sized fish, we have live eels and tomorrow the bloodworms will be here. Stop by and grab some fresh bait and some cool rinks and snacks on your way to catch up some of those linesiders.

The offshore bite is still going good from the tea cup, to the poor mans and up to the Baltimore canyons. The yellowfins, mahi, and some scattered blue fins are keeping the deep water anglers on a constant vigil. Trolling seems to be working, I know that some anglers are also taking baits along in case the chunk bite starts up. We haven't heard of any boats that are strictly chunking, but I'm sure it will be any day now. We have all of your offshore bait needs. Butterfish, sardines, chum, Ballyhoos, mullet, squids just about anything you may need.

Remember in this heat, drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun as much as possible and remember ton apply, then re-apply sun screen several times a day. We have sunscreen and ice, cold drinks and snacks. We also have UV protectant shirts and hats. Everyone, have a safe and glorious 4th of July.

The local charter boats are having success up in the bay with trips going after sharks. We have info on all the local charter boats at our shop stop in and grab some brochures. Most of the local boats are located in slips along the dock in front of the shop. They are also coming across some sea trout, puffer fish, king fish and the occasional flounder. All the charter boats have an add-board in front of their slips with all the info for you to book your next fishing adventure.

Have a great week, Tightlines everyone, Tommy Serbin.

Well, it’s that time of year again. School is out, graduations have come and gone, it’s now time to get out on the water and get some quality fishing time on the water. The fishing is starting to get better as the days go on, we hope it continues to progress in the coming weeks.

The Delaware bay is starting to show signs of life on the reef sites. Some anglers have been able to catch some king fish, and the flounder have been starting to show up as well. And as always the dogfish, skates and occasional sea robin. The canal has been giving up some nice size flounder up to 23” up and down the dock. Up by Roosevelt Inlet the fishing has been steady and at times, anglers have been catching a mix bag of flounder, smaller stripers, and even a bluefish or two. The baits that have been working in these areas has mostly been Gulp, squid, minnows. The colors of Gulp that seem to be working well are the usual suspects, Glow, Chartreuse, and even pink. With the flounder, your approach has to be the same if you were playing with a cat and a piece of string. When your pulling the string across the floor, the cat will follow and pull at the string. When you stop the cat loses interest, flounder act in the same manner. Flashy is always the best route to take, flashy movement will hold the fish’s attention.

The surf has been turning up some king fish, small stripers, and flounder. The Cape Henlopen Pier has been producing some spot, and croaker as well as keeper size flounder.

As far as the offshore bite goes, the tuna have been keeping the anglers moving around from lumpy bottoms all the way to the Baltimore canyon. Some Mahi-Mahi have been caught as well, big eye, yellowfin, and bluefins are putting the anglers skills to the test. Thresher sharks have been spotted in a few spots feeding on top of the water, and the mako action seems to be steady but slow.

We have all of your offshore baits in stock, as well as a full line of offshore rigs, reels, and rods. We have a large selection of baits for whatever fishing you may be doing. Stop by and see us and grab your ice, snacks and drinks for your day out on the water. We wish everyone a safe and happy summer.

Tightlines everyone, Tommy Serbin.

The weather didn't stop the hardcore anglers from fishing our annual canal flounder tournament last Friday. The rain was hard at times, the wind was not friendly, but the flounder didn't run and hide. We weighed in 30-35 flounder, the heaviest coming in at 3.91lbs.

Winners:

1. Steve Friend was the winning angler this year, congratulations Steve!
2. Jeff Semans took 2nd with 3.77lbs
3. Keith Stevenson took 3rd with 3.03lbs
4. Chris Smith took 4th with 2.81lbs
5. Jesse Steele took 5th with 2.66 lbs
6. Jackson Ostroski took 6th with 2.40lbs
7. Matt Mitchell rounded out in 7th with 2.27lbs

Great job and congratulations from everyone here at Lewes Harbour Marina. Thanks to all who donated to such a worthy cause, mark the tournament down on your calendar for next year.

The black drum fishing has started to pick up, all the charter and head boats have been putting anglers on the big fish for the last week or so, the bay is producing some giant black drum. Sea bass is also in full swing, we have seen boat limits from the boats that are heading to the bass grounds when the weather permits. This week looks like we will get a break from the rain and hopefully the boats will get a lot of trips in for the sea bass.

The surf is turning up catches of puppy drum, stripers and blue fish. The fishing at the Cape Henlopen Pier has started to pick up. Anglers are even getting keeper flounder out there along with the toothy yellow eyed devils ( bluefish).

Dont forget to stop in at Lewes Harbour Marina to get your fresh bunker, minnows and surf clams. We have all new rods and reels from Diawa, Shimano, Penn, and Siegler. We also have all the rigs, weights, hooks and line you need. We have combos for the surf, boat, and jettys, from top of the line all the way to inexpensive for the angler who only gets out a couple times a year. Stop in and say hello to us, come check us out.

Tightlines Everyone, Tommy Serbin.

Well, it’s that time of year again. When the winter blues disappear, and it's time to get the lines wet. Early this spring fishing was slow thanks to mother nature playing with our heads. We have seen a rise on the number of people fishing and we are starting to see more fish being caught. The fish have started to move in, and not just in the rivers and canals. We are seeing some blues from the surf as well as black drum, small stripers, and a fair amount of keeper flounder both from the surf and the Cape Henlopen fishing pier. The canal here in Lewes has been producing some keeper flounder as well. Hopefully, the weather cooperates with us and remains decent enough to get the fishing red hot. Some catches that have been brought to us at the shop in the last week have been, Paul Hazzard and Allison Luden, both with citation Blue catfish weighing in at 20.5 lbs, and 7.5 lbs. Mark Brown from Lewes caught a 7.66 citation worthy Tautog on the Katydid. Karl E. Hitchens landed a 2.78 lb, 15.5” Porgy on a recent trip aboard the Grizzly.

Just a reminder, don't forget to sign up for our annual canal flounder tournament which is going to be held on Friday, May 18th 2018. Fee is $40.00 per angler, $20.00 of the fee will be donated to the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Foundation. Tournament shirts are available at the shop now, the cost is $20.00. Get them while you can, a great new design this year.

Tightlines, Tommy Serbin

There are SOME stripers being caught locally, New Jersey waters are still turning up big fish. The bite still seems to be around Sea Isle and north. Fish have been caught off Cape May and some even further south off Rehoboth. Tautog are still being caught when the weather allows boats to leave the harbor. Maybe with this system moving up the coast it will spark a major bite to turn on, we shall see. Remember, we have all your striper lures available. Don't forget that special angler on your Xmas list this year. Stop in and check out our holiday specials as well as our Stocking Stuffer ideas for your special angler. We have a full assortment of MOJO lures, Manns Stretches, Run-Off Lures, and Addiction Baits. We still have plenty of live eels and live spot. For those that are still fishing for Tautog, we have Plenty of White Leggers, Green Crabs, and Asian Box crabs. Stop in and check us out. From all of us at Lewes Harbour Marina, Happy Holidays!

Tightlines Everyone, Tommy Serbin.