It’s much nicer out today, not too hot, not too chilly. The fall preview is always nice this time of year. We are gearing up for fall fishing: Getting reels restrung for the fall run of large predators and, in my case, just switching out to a more suitable rod and reel combination for large fish. The summer taco rod and reels are still at the ready. This is why we have so many rod and reel set-ups. It’s easier than switching everything around. Now the summer and fall gear is in the truck. Just in case we need both, we usually have both but at some point you have to change line on your reel for the fall from the summer predators.

I put little effort into large predators in summer. The fall is a different story. I go have the Zebcos spooled up for catching little bluefish at The Point. It’s fun.

Bluefish catches were numerous over the holiday weekend. I hope everyone had a safe and fun time. The surf, inlets and inland bays are seeing decent bluefish action. Spoons, Deadly Dicks, Sting Silvers are all good metals for bluefish. Swim shads will not hold up. If you get a bit off swim shads, save those for striped bass. I reuse the lead jig head inside the swim bait — just peel the soft plastic off and you have a foil-covered lead jig head. Buy some white swim shads and get to working on some striped bass. Fishbites Fight Club white paddle tails work great.

Spot and croaker action is abundant in all waters. Spot are the good edible size now too. Tacos for days.

Pompano were also a hot surf fishing catch this past week and right now. Fishbites sand flea and bloodworm have been the best baits. Real sand fleas are working well too.

Flounder action has been typical for this time of year. More are being caught along the beaches. Jigging for flounder this time of year at the beach will produce some decent flounder. We catch a lot of them when retrieving the mullet rigs. The flounder hit that mullet. They are in the surf chasing bait like the rest of the predators, with mullet being one of those baits soon enough.
Offshore anglers are doing well. Check with your favorite charters or head boats for trips and species they are chasing.

Freshwater action is a lot of snakeheads aka the Chesapeake Channa. That name really bothers people but it is literally the fish’s genus name (chana). There’s great topwater action right now for all fish. Flyfishing has been productive.

The Point in Cape Henlopen State Park opened over the weekend. It got a good workover from the holiday beach traffic. It’s my favorite place to fish and relax. On a weekday. Fishing is better oceanside than bayside when The Point is crowded.

The summer season is over, and fall is coming. But don’t rush, there is plenty of summer fishing still to be had. There are just less people in the way so it is more enjoyable. It’s the best time of year to fish.