Here we go with that last dash of winter. This chill knocked the fishing action down a bit, but in some areas the fish do not care. The black drum are still being caught around Chincoteague and the southern part of Assateague and now Assateague on the Maryland side. Soon this action will creep along the Delaware beaches and then the bay. Everyone who wants to drum fish is either headed to Assateague or they are trying on Delaware’s lower beaches like Fenwick Island. You can walk onto any town beach this time of year and surf fish which makes for some new options, and the ability to fish some rather nice structure areas.

The newest sign of spring this week — the pterodactyls are arriving. The big brown pelicans are showing up along the coastline and that is always a good sign. More trees are popping buds and flowering. As soon as this false winter is over, the pollening will begin. My Jeep had a slight yellow coating before this rain and cold front. That coating will be much worse very soon. I spend most of this time of year as close to the ocean as possible, in the less pollinated air coming off the water. If I’m not sealed up in the warehouse making tackle.

The fun part of spring is you never know what is going to show up and where. The black drum are in Delmarva. South of us the action hit early. The red drum showed up early in the Outer Banks Anglers started catching tuna from Jenette’s Pier in the Outer Banks. Yes, you read that correctly. One angler launched a kayak and landed a tuna. The pictures of these tuna went viral. A day later Jenette’s Pier posted: “A NOAA law enforcement officer visited Jennette’s Pier this morning and advised management that it is illegal for our customers to fish for bluefin tuna.

“It is a violation to fish for, catch, possess, retain, or land Atlantic bluefin tuna, blue marlin, white marlin, or roundscale spearfish without a valid permit or endorsement. The first violation carries a $2,000 fine.
“We were advised to remove all references to the bluefin bite from our social media platforms because it is considered promoting an illegal activity.”
So much for tuna fishing from land.

Bait shops are loading up each weekend with as much fresh bait as they can get their hands on, so be sure to do some shopping. Prices are up for bait this year but those shops are struggling as it is so buy the bait. We all have more gear than sense anyway. I mean, I put cheap beer in a $200 bucket. Support the local shops. They are important for our fishing needs — not just bait, but also information. The internet is great until it isn’t and stores usually know the best and most updated info. I can tell you how it was days ago up till right about now but it all changes daily. Go fish and have fun, start there. Catching is the bonus. I always say go with little catch expectation and you will have a great day. That one angler that ruins a trip whining about the one they never got will ruin everyone’s day. You’re fishing, enjoy the moment. Life is short.

That all being said, there are fish showing up in most of your usual spots. White perch, striped bass, catfish and shad. Those bluefish caught weeks ago were shad which we all figured but that is always fun. Soon we will argue over whether that is a spot or a croaker. Does it have a spot? The best difference is in the tail.

The Delaware River is starting to see more shad catches up north. The striped bass migration has been on the go for a bit. We have large and small bass around the Delaware Bay and inland bays.

Trout action was fun last weekend for opening day in Maryland and Delaware. Many a fish left to go catch. Much like surf fishing in Delaware, the weekdays are the least crowded on any waterway. It’s much easier if you want to do some fly fishing especially. More room is more better.

The surf is quiet in Delaware but we are on, any day now. Stand by for black drum, with small striped bass and some keepers near the Indian River Inlet’s structure. Use bucktails in tandem or swim shads or plugs. Bloodworms will work as well in the surf. Bunker chunks or bloodworms for the Delaware Bay. Black drum baits are clam or crab this time of year, or sand fleas if you can dig them up.

Northside of the Indian River Inlet and the parking lot is now open. The rail was cleared of construction equipment and fences. The new corner looks great but the current has changed a bit. The new “digs” should handle overwash well. The metal strip along the jetty cap houses a deep-set steel bulkhead wall. The jetty cap is sealed with concrete and rocks are in the wash-out area. It all looks pretty solid. Anglers are excited they have a new corner to fish and more room to spread out. Be careful at the end of the jetty cap. The sand is still very deep at the end and shifts.