Way North and Delaware Fishing Report 12/29/2017 Update:
SHOCKER ALERT: not much action has been reported in the area. With our final report for December the weather has only been getting colder and colder, and it seems as though fishing has slowed down to nearly an end in the northern reaches of our territory. This week, we had no reports of rockfish being caught, partially because they’ve moved south and the season is closed, but also because the weather has been so frigid it’s been near impossible to comfortably get out on a boat.
We did get a report from Joe Yack at Sarge’s that the Chester has been giving up some pickerel in creeks off the main river, and there are still a few hold-over stripers as well as yellow perch around. Herb’s reports that crappie are still in most local creeks, as well as at Seaford and Laurel spillways. Small minnows and jigs in orange, pink, and chartreuse have been working best for crappie, as well as perch. Check out the Freshwater Report, for more info on similar options.
Way North and Delaware Fishing Report 12/22/2017 Update:
Happy holidays, anglers! Herb’s Tackle Shop and Captain Bone’s Bait and Tackle both say they haven’t had any anglers check in to say they’ve caught rock this week. On the brighter side, the crappie bite to pick up should be excited to know that it is indeed here and Captain Bone’s reported that crappie have been running heavy at both Seaford and Laurel spillways (check the Freshwater Reports for more details).
Joe Yack from Sarge's let us know that although things are certainly slowing down, surprisingly, there are still a few stripers (all catch and release from here on out, of course) in the Susky and on the flats. River anglers have also discovered some walleye at the tailrace of the dam, and yellow perch are starting to show at their wintering grounds. The perch will bite best on minnow, but small jigs and darts will work, too. There are also white perch in some deeper areas (30' or more) which will hit tiny jigs and very small minnow. If you can find bloodworms or grass shrimp they'll work even better, but you might be stuck with night crawlers at this time of year.
Way North and Delaware Fishing Report 12/15/2017 Update:
Cold weather and high winds have kept anglers off the Bay, making for a slow week of fishing up north and no solid reports from the upper reaches of the Bay. Despite this, the first snowfall of the year has brought some great freshwater fishing in Delaware as Captain Bones Bait and Tackle reported this week. (See the Freshwater Report, for the details). There are also catfish still available in the Susquehanna, and the perch bite in and around Perryville should only get better and better as the winter progresses. There were also some rumors of stripers in the Susquehanna on Facebook, buy hey, that’s Facebook… take it for what it’s worth.
Despite having an unproductive week for stripers, as rockfish season comes to a close we look forward to many great freshwater reports as weather continues to hold around freezing. With any luck, in future weeks we’ll be able to report on some great pickerel, yellow perch, and walleye fishing on frozen lakes and reservoirs.
Way North and Delaware Fishing Report 12/8/2017 Update:
Although the fall migration of rockfish has come late this year, larger rockfish have finally started moving in. Herbs had their first reports of large rock moving through the area caught in deep water along channel ledges. They reported that fish were typically close to bottom, and anglers catching them were trolling red tubes, bucktails, and spoons behind umbrella rigs. Herbs recommended making sure that your rigs are properly weighted, as fish have been holding so close to bottom in deep water. In addition to trolling, some anglers have reported catching by jigging over suspended fish, according to Captain Bones Bait and Tackle. Most have been reporting them close to channel ledges, however many anglers who are jigging have been heading south to pick up some fish. An interesting twist noted by Joe Yack of Sarge’s is that some anglers have shifted to live-lining white perch, with some success. He also notes that yellow perch are scattered on the flats, among the dying grassbeds.
Speaking of perch: the Susquehanna has been full of whites, with most being in deeper water than in previous weeks. Catfish have also been abundant in the river, biting on cut baits set on bottom at the dam pool as well as in holes and along channel edges.
Way North and Delaware Fishing Report 12/1/2017:
This week Herb’s reports that some larger striped bass have begun to show up in the Upper Bay’s northern reaches, and the weeks’ warm weather and fair seas have provided an excellent opportunity to get out on the water and fish. Many anglers who got out reported that trolling channel edges has been a great tactic, and is producing fish in the upper twenties to low thirties. Captain Bones Bait and Tackle reports that red hoses have been a particularly hot option, as well as small bucktails and spoons. When trolling hasn’t been panning out, many reports of jigging being the next go-to tactic have come in, again along channel ledges where fish have been hanging on bottom or suspended just above it. On the other hand, the run of small fish in the rivers has died down significantly, as well as the twilight bite.
White perch and catfish have been running strong in most of the area tidal rivers and creeks. Catfish are also running big, not only in numbers, but in size as well. Popular baits have been cut bunker and bottom rigs with blood worm, when available.