We have pompano all over the Delaware beaches. That’s it, that’s the report, I’m going fishing!

Even the bay beach of Broadkill and Beach Plum Island State Park are producing pompano catches. I’m not sure how far up the bay you would find pompano but these are around in numbers. A lot of decent sized for the grill and some of the smaller sized seems to be the two “average” sizes. Fishbites sand flea, bloodworm red or chartreuse color, and the blue crab or shrimp formulas work well up here for pompano. So do live sand fleas. Add some of DS Custom Tackle’s pompano rigs for a little razzle dazzle and you have a killer pompano combination. I needed a good excuse to blow off work and get to a beach and it will be pompano. I’m taking my rod, gear, Fishbites and the grill.

The Flounder Pounder is this weekend. I would avoid offshore flounder areas, unless you are in the tournament then by all means go catch a big flattie. The inland bay action has been alright once you pick through a lot of smaller fish. The water is warm. A customer at Dan’s today was told “rig that up with that squid and a shiner, throw it up current in the canal and see what you can fish out.” Dan said sometimes the simplest advice is the best advice, because that’s how fishing actually works. Put some bait on that hook, send it out there and see what happens. Fishing 101.

This entire week, the Flounder Pounder anglers have bene looking for that extra edge to help them land the big one. Just fish. All you have to do is go fish the way you normally fish and you will do fine. Looking for that gimmick or little addition to up your game isn’t going to help. Fishing is always best the day before and the day after tournaments. These anglers all will fish to the last minute put in extra time and “fish hard.”

Spot is the hot surf catch, pompano has been a steady bonus. Spot are just about everywhere so they are a fun catch for kids.
Freshwater fishing has been fun but buggy. The water is bathtub temperatures with that algae aroma. Floating in a kayak in the shade fishing under a tree is still nice even on a hot day. There are hammerhead sharks showing up as catches. I saw a nice scalloped the other day. They are in to pup this time of year so be careful, many of these smaller sharks are not legal to possess. Know your rules before you fish.

Surfer’s delight could be headed this way. The incoming hurricane could put some serious storm surge along our coast. Hurricanes send in big waves but that energy is insane. You can see the power in those waves. All the best and craziest surfers will be out for this. I have no idea how ridable these waves will be but I don’t think those surfers care. The fishing will take a hit but the rough water can produce some catches. The bonus of hurricanes is they tend to push fish closer to shore and up the coast that normally aren’t here. Who knows what we will see.
There are tarpon in Virginia in the grassy marsh flats. It takes some time to find them but the fly anglers find these beasts. You never know what warm water fish will pop up in our waters. A manatee was recently spotted in Massachusetts.

NOAA just announced that bluefin tuna is closed to recreational fishing for the rest of the year. You can imagine that group of anglers is none too happy. These numbers get lower all the time. Maybe back off the fishery, I’m just saying. The information is below. Have a great weekend. I’m going fishing.

The statement from NOAA reads as follows:
CLOSURE:
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Fishery (Recreational). All Sizes, All Areas.
During a closure, recreational fishermen may continue to catch-and-release, or tag and release, bluefin tuna of all sizes, subject to the requirements of the catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs. Additionally, recreational fishermen may continue to recreationally harvest other highly migratory species, including other tunas, during this closure.”
REASON FOR CLOSURE:
Based on the best available landings information, the Angling category bluefin tuna preliminary adjusted quota, including the Gulf of Maine Trophy quota, has been reached.
PERMITS AFFECTED:
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels fishing recreationally for bluefin tuna.
Recreational fishermen aboard vessels with an HMS Angling or HMS Charter/Headboat permit, while fishing recreationally, may not retain, possess, or land any Atlantic bluefin tuna, including school, large school, small medium, large medium, or giant-sized Atlantic bluefin tuna, from 11:30 p.m., August 12, 2025, through December 31, 2025.