DELAWARE BAY While the weather has moderated, the water temperature in the bay remains too cold for any fishing. Boats that tried for tog along the Outer Wall found 36-degree water and no fish.
I did have reports of a few perch and catfish in the tidal rivers, but I expect the action was very slow. At least the ice is beginning to break up and move out.
INSHORE OCEAN Boats that made a 28 to 30-mile run southeast of Indian River Inlet did find tog to 13 pounds. Those who fished structure closer to home caught very few fish.
No sign or reports of Boston mackerel to date, but this could be the year when they return to our waters.
On a positive note, the Mid-Atlantic Council is reviewing their options on black sea bass regulations now that the population estimate has increased. Exactly what they will do remains to be seen.
INDIAN RIVER INLET The inlet remains too cold and too windy for anyone to fish.
FRESHWATER The ponds still had ice on them this week, but it will soon be gone. Once the water is open live shiners will produce some bass and small minnows on jigs will find a few crappie.
The same is true at the many spillways across the state. The deep and well aerated water provides excellent habitat for fish during the coldest weather. Expect to catch crappie, bass, perch and perhaps the occasional rockfish. Worms, grubs and live minnows are the best baits.
We did receive reports of crappie at the Bethel Hole and the spillway in Seaford. Both areas are along the Nanticoke River where perch should be showing up at Phillips Landing before long.
THINK COD It has been a long time since anyone caught big numbers of cod out of a Delaware port, but as we speak, anglers to our north are bailing them. The best action is out of Montauk, N.Y., on the east end of Long Island. That is a six- to eight-hour trip from Delaware, but if you can put together a group of three or four guys, travel expenses will be reasonable.
New Jersey boats are also catching cod along with good numbers of ling, big porgies and pollock. Belmar has the largest fleet of big head boats and is a three to four hour run from here.
Planning is the key to making a long-range fishing trip. Reservations must be made on the head boat and the money collected from all hands before the day of the trip. Since the boats generally leave very early in the morning and run 12-hour trips to the cod grounds, overnight accommodations are a must.
The head boats are large and fast, but they are still small boats on a very big, cold ocean. All preparations must be made for fishing in cold, wet and rough conditions. Those susceptible to mal de mer should stay home.
I know we would all like to be in the Keys, but the offshore head boats out of New Jersey and New York can put you on some hot cod fishing during the cold winter. And you don’t have to go through airport security.
WINTER SHOWS The East Coast Commercial Fisherman’s Trade Expo will be held at the Ocean City Convention Center from January 29 to 31. As the name implies, this show is dedicated to commercial fishing, but has displays and boats of interest to recreational fishermen. For more information go to www.marylandwaterman.com/expo.
On January 30, Salt Water Sportsman will bring their acclaimed seminar series to Clayton Hall Conference Center at the University of Delaware in Newark. The seminar will target fishing in this area with guest speakers selected from the most knowledgeable captains, guides and other experts.
The admission fee is $55 and includes a goodie bag filled with materials worth more than the ticket. There is also a chance to win a brand new boat and other products during the seminar. For more information go to www.nationalseminarseries.com.
