The weather is in flip-flop or hoodie mode. Hoodies in the morning to shorts and T-shirts in the afternoon back to the evening hoodie and my warm socks. Love and hate this weather. Carrying around extra gear for changing temperatures. But if you want to go play in the outdoors you need to be prepared for the outdoors.

There is an increase in vibrio cases in St. Mary’s County. Vibrio is ever present in our waters but it blooms in warmer water. The hot summer water is a breeding ground and vibrio is dangerous. I highly recommend carrying a small bottle of bleach and water solution around five percent. Anytime you get cut in a waterway, douse it with this solution to kill any bacteria immediately. I’ve seen small cuts from a crab pot scrape become infected with vibrio and then kill a human in under 36. It is a real issue and seems to get a little worse each year. Just google vibrio and do some research. Being prepared for any issue outdoors is always important.

Limit on spot and croaker

DNREC has activated the limit on spot and croaker to 50 fish per angler. This happens when we hit the “stoplight” or threshold number for catch amounts reported. It is rather late in the season in my opinion, but it is necessary. If this was done in the beginning of the season maybe we wouldn’t hit the threshold. Seems like it would be a good idea (proactive not reactive) to get ahead of limits instead of falling behind. DNREC posted.

“DNREC has established a daily recreational possession limit of 50 for spot fish (Leiostomus xanthurus) by DNREC Secretary’s Order. The action was taken recently to keep Delaware in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Addendum III to the Omnibus Amendment for Spot fish, Spotted Seatrout, and Spanish Mackerel to the Fishery Management Plan for Spot. This action follows a stock assessment showing the population had fallen below the conservation threshold. The new limit helps protect the species while allowing for recreational fishing and bait use through specific exemptions.”

Sheepshead limits?

The fishing has been great for anglers targeting sheepshead on all structure. The Harbor of Safe refuge walls are producing a great deal of sheepshead. So are the inlets around the area, mostly the ocean inlets. This is another species that needs to be regulated soon. Every year we get more and more here and there are no limits. Anglers can fill coolers and some do daily. I brought this up at a fishery meeting a few years ago and everyone on the board laughed. Sad reaction in my opinion. I always thought if we saw an increase in a new fishery we would want to protect that fishery so it thrives. My bad. So have it on sheepshead. They love sand fleas, green crabs, any crab for that matter.

Trigger are still around for structure anglers, on and offshore. The inlets are fun to fish this time of year never know what you will hook up with while targeting something else.

Back to schooling

Now is the time to start or prepare for fishing for schooling striped bass as the water temperatures start coming down. The resident schooling striped bass will start feeding heavier earlier than the larger migratory fish up north will start moving. That is some fun action in the surf and back bay waterways and creeks. Bridges are great structure for schooling bass. We call it rat wrangling in the surf. Throwing white swim shads to catch upwards of twenty-four-inch striped bass akk surf rats. If it isn’t a fish per cast, you’re doing it wrong, or the fish are moving up or down the beach.

The beginning of fall run fishing starts with the back to schoolies.

Sand fleas at the Indian River or Ocean City Inlets are a lot of fun for striped bass. Catch a five gallon bucket full of sand fleas. Toss in a hand full of fleas and seed he water like feeding gulls. Then cast a four aught to six aught hook with a couple fleas for bait. No weight just cast it into he area you seeded and wait for the hit. This is an absolute blast on light tackle. Especially when you hook not that occasional keeper size. Delmarva has some very large resident striped bass. That is a different technique to go after the big striped bass.

Flounder will be feeding heavier as they start moving to the offshore wintering grounds. The surf usually gets much more active with flounder this time of year.

Pompano are still being caught so it hasn’t gotten that cold out there, yet.

Shutdown impact

The shutdown has affected fishing areas, try to check ahead if you are going to any national wildlife areas or National Seashore. Closings have been fluid. Trails are open, some amenities are closed, such as bathrooms. The places that don’t have closed bathrooms are starting to overflow with trash. The OSV at Assateague is closed but might open at some point. It is hard to get any information. Unless you accidently walk into the unlocked ranger station at Assateague and set off all the alarms. I met a very excited gentlemen that confirms the drive on is still closed. That was last week I am going to check in the next day or two. The signs on the way into the park have a list of what is closed. State side is open and the Virginia side is open.

A couple Sussex County bait shops are closing this winter for good. Icehouse Bait and Tackle and I hear Lewes Harbor Marina. Might want to check in to see what kind of deals you can find. The General Store on route twenty-four in Angola is now a full blown sporting goods store and carries fishing tackle for the area as well as hunting and beach supplies. The food is excellent too.

Have a safe weekend we have a supposed or possible nor’easter headed this way.