Cooler nights, sun setting earlier and earlier. Fall is coming, don’t panic. Plenty of summer left for everyone. The upwellings are keeping the fishing interesting along the coast. A lot of angel sharks are still being caught more than I have ever seen from the surf.

Overnight fishing trips are better now that it is cooler out. Late evening fishing until it is dark, dark and home by 10 o’clock. There are a lot of fishing options now. I like being able to drop work and fish at moment’s notice for blitzes. But it is much more relaxing to just know we can go fish at four every day and have decent chances of catching something somewhere. The tides tend to rule fishing, but thankfully there are plenty of differences in tidal flow around our waterways.

For example, slack tide fishing is terrible most places, except this one spot at the ditch along these rocks because the water isn’t rushing too fast anymore. Fish will move in when they can feed those rocks with less current during slack tide, the water never stops moving in some areas, it just slows down twice a day.

The mouth of the Delaware Bay is great for huge flounder, but only if you fish at slack tide in a few spots and you have about a 30-minute window. Otherwise you can’t get a line on the bottom no matter how much weight you drop.

Says a charter captain buddy of mine. Slack tide at the point in Cape Henlopen, fishing increases on the edge of the point for hot minute at slack tide. Casting that far is the fun part. The tides rule fishing and at times the lack of tidal movement does create favorable conditions. Looking for these spots is half the fun.

Croaker, croaker, croaker is the constant catch around the inland bays. Spot and kingfish are dominating the surf of course with skates, rays, and sharks a plenty. We have been using Fishbites bloodworm formula, shrimp, sand flea, and clam flavors too. Squid is always a go-to but attracts a lot of scavengers. Peeler crab is an excellent bait.

Pompanos are finally showing up in our surf. Small fish but they are around. I am hoping for some grillers, pompano is delicious.

Flounder fishing has been hit or miss for keepers around the inland bays, but better in the surf than in a while. That upwelling seems to be changing up the offshore spots. With all the angel sharks close to shore I’d be looking for flounder closer to shore where the food is hanging out and feeding.

Jigging flounder up along the beach has been much easier this summer. Most never try to fish the surf by jigging along the ledge and the cuts. Those flounder are in there hunting baitfish and crabs. Fly anglers pick them up along the bay beaches around Cape Henlopen constantly with sinking clouser flies.

Red drum are still being caught in the surf at Assateague and Fenwick Island on occasion. Spot or kingfish chunks for bait. Peeler crabs or half a legal sized crab makes great bait. Crab knuckles do as well. Most people don’t like to use a legal sized crab for bait, they would prefer to eat the crab. I get that, but large crabs will catch big fish.

Trigger and sheepshead are all over the wrecks, reefs, haystacks, and the inner and outer walls. Lot of fish on that structure to catch.

It’s been a fun summer of catching. Looking forward to a fun fall as well.