Winter fishing has been mild weather so far, despite that crazy temperature drop a few weeks ago. It was almost 70 again recently. The water temperatures are more the concern and are holding just fine. We still have migratory striped bass in the area.

Maryland DNR put out a warning to let anglers know to stay within the EEZ. That is the 3-mile line off our coast. Striped bass cannot be caught nor targeted beyond that line. You can’t even cross the Delaware Bay mouth from Jersey to Delaware with striped bass on board, you have to stay within the EEZ. It makes for a much longer trip to Indian River Inlet from Cape May.

It isn’t too hard to figure out, the line is on your map and runs along the coast exactly at 3 miles. Keep your blip on the land side of the line and you’re fine. I haven’t heard anything about the Coast Guard deploying drones this year to watch the EEZ line, but you never know.

So yeah ... there are striped bass still off our coast. A few have been caught near the beaches at night or before dawn. Assateague would be a good place to target them as well, as it sticks out a little further than Delaware. You never know unless you try. If the fish come close to the beach, you won’t know unless you are there. I’ve seen schools hit the coastline and run for a mile then head back out and they are gone. It all happened in under 10 minutes with birds diving on them in tow.

White perch go for the land and creek hoppers. Bloodworms are costly if you can find them. Catch minnows or purchase locally in most tackle shops. Perch jigs under a bobber work well, too. Grass shrimp are always a go-to and easy to catch. Scrape a bulkhead or the tall grass areas with a fine mesh net.
White perch caught off the bay beaches were on Fishbites in the blue package, of all things. This time of year, I would imagine the warmer edge of the surf water is helping the scent spread. Usually we use the red package for the fast-acting formula in winter for cold water. Now they just need to make a bunker scent.

The surf has been cold for fishing, but the surfers are catching some fun. Occasionally there are some decent waves from the inlet to Ocean City and between. I’d still get out and fish. You just never know — those migrating striped bass have to stop and eat somewhere.

Do you want changes in your fishery laws? Tired of not being able to get anyone to listen to you? Need a way to get an idea out to DNREC? Boat ramp improvements? Maybe that whole surf tag snafu situation we all have reservations about making? Start talking to your TFFAC representative, either recreational or commercial, and get involved. There is a meeting next week you can attend online.

This is from DNREC: Delaware’s Advisory Council on Tidal Finfisheries will hold a hybrid (in-person and virtual) meeting to discuss various tidal finfish management issues at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17. The in-person meeting will be held at the Kent Conservation District Building, 1679 S. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901, 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 the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar at publicmeetings.delaware.gov/#/meeting/73050. If you have questions about the meeting or for more information on Delaware fisheries, please call DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Are you tired of the shenanigans on the park beaches? Now you too can apply to be a park seasonal and help the rangers. See what it is like to really deal with enforcement issues due to an understaffed and overworked crew. You get to ride the four-wheelers on the beach for a bonus. Some of us are still upset they got rid of the white helmets for the PPOs. We always called them Spaceballs — that giant white helmet bobbing up and down the beach on that four-wheeler.
Contact Delaware State Parks for information.

The Outdoorsman Marketplace benefiting the Millville Volunteer Fire Company was a great time. We’re already planning next year’s event and going a little bigger. I met a lot of brand owners, some new to me but been around for a minute and I was impressed. I’m looking forward to working with all these new products. Yes, work is code for fishing in this world of outdoorsy “stuff” that I do.