If you are nerding out on the new rocket launch of Electron, it has been delayed until Tuesday the 13th, still with a 6 to 8 p.m. launch window. I have a certain picture I am trying to get, so the longer they wait for better skies, the better for me.

Nothing like asking NASA: Would you all mind holding off on a millions-of-dollars launch so us photog nerds can get that shot?

NASA: Yeah, NO.

It’s all good, it is an excuse to go night surf fish at the beach while I wait to hear, “go for launch,” hoping to not hear, “abort, abort, abort.” The joys of a photographing a rocket launch can be much like fishing. You never know the outcome, you just hope for the best. Congratulations to Rocket Lab and this new venture at Wallops. They are making rockets on-site now. These are smaller than Antares, but can carry a decent payload.

Striped bass fever is on fire for fall, the fishing not so much for Delaware. Boats are heading to Jersey and running the coast. The main schools are still north in Jersey, moving slow, feeding on peanut bunker along the beaches — something they rarely do here. There is plenty of resident striped bass action. At least the “short” schooling bass this year are decent sizes with some keepers here and there. Swim shads and red and white bucktails are my favorite lure. Poppers and pencils are fun, bunker chunks or clam for the baiters.

It’s sit and wait, even when you are throwing lures. This is not blitz fishing, this is actual fishing, fishing.
This is the time of year Ben Smith nailed the Delaware state record striped bass years ago. It was the same weather conditions, overcast, except nearly snowing and much colder.

The white perch fishing has been decent in the waterways. Some striped bass are mixed in those schools, too. Eventually it will be just white perch fishing when it gets really cold. At this rate, your guess is as good as mine on that.

I keep seeing turtles out on warm days, in December. Don’t get me started on this week’s weather. We have the woodstove going with tiny sticks so we can keep dry in the shop but not chased out by heat.

A lot of sturgeon are being spotted out near the Fenwick shoals, jumping on bait. Really fun to watch, it is known as poor man’s whale watching up north on the Delaware River. Sturgeon can get some air and distance. As soon as you see one, your first reaction is, where is my big rod and that eight-ounce spoon?

There are some fishery things coming up soon. If you didn’t see it yet, the restaurant at Cape was announced as not happening. I like seeing the citizens listened to when there is outcry.

Now can we do this surf tag reservation system and a sensible way to protect our beaches? I’m just saying, but Delaware is losing surf anglers on weekends because we/they cannot fish. Limited vehicle access would reverse that issue. Anglers are out first and won’t be chased off by an overcrowded beach. Also, it won’t cost an extra $4 to go out on the beach you already paid to use. I mean, we are forcing people to fake fish, who in turn are chasing away the real surf anglers. I would think the stores would be up in arms about this and some are, but no one is asking them.

Also, apparently there is a petition to get rid of the $4 fee. I’m curious how the state is going to ask a third party to take the reservations but not charge a fee. In other words, work for free. Should be interesting.
These are the same people who think a $4 fee is going to help alleviate some traffic on the beach. Read that again. It is hoped you will be discouraged from using your surf tag on one of the only two days you can, because you won’t want to pay $4. I have some terrible news for those that think that “hassle” will slow down these crowds. You are going to need a gate for reservation control, or someone with a clipboard and a taser. For limited space for reservations. See where I am going with that? A limit and a gate will take care of the problem or do the work needed to regulate all by itself. No taser needed.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will hold a public hearing in hybrid format — to include a Delaware in-person venue — from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, to gather public input on Draft Addendum I to Amendment 7 to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today.

Delaware’s Tidal Finfisheries Advisory Council Bowfishing and Electric Lights Regulations Sub-Committee will hold a hybrid (in-person and virtual) meeting to further discuss revisions to the bowfishing and fishing with electric lights regulations at 6 p.m. today, Dec. 8. The in-person meeting will be held at the DNREC Lewes Building, 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes, and you must register if you plan to attend in person.

For in-person attendance registration and virtual attendance instructions for the meeting, plus general meeting information, including the meeting agenda, visit publicmeetings.delaware.gov. If you have questions about the meeting or for more information on Delaware fisheries, call DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Get out and fish, but keep in mind these warm days are deceiving with cold water temperatures. Hypothermic conditions come on quick. Plan your trips accordingly and tell your people your return times. Don’t worry, each cold snap will get worse. Bring on the snow!