I’m still raking those leaves. The trees are about stripped, and so is my patience. Then again, I have to question my sanity for raking leaves in the woods.

There is lots of mulch to be had for the gardens for spring. Other than prepping for winter, cutting firewood, it is garden preparations.

I’m also striped bass fishing in between when there is time. Mostly that involves sitting on the beach with a chunk of bunker soaking, and hoping for a bite. Casting lures for hours on end is the other option. Both can be done if you want to sit in one spot and cast. There is the possibility of getting on a boat and cruising to Jersey for the bite.

The Jersey beaches have seen great action in their surf for striped bass. Delaware’s action is all resident fish, but fun action. We are all hoping for that random school to come closer to shore. One of those “if you weren’t there you will hear about it” trips. Even the Jersey action is be there or be square.

Tautog is the charters’ preferred catch and sea bass. Other species are being caught in the mix, like porgies and bluefish. A charter trip for summer makes a great gift for the holidays. Ask your favorite charter if they have prepaid trips you can gift.

Check the shops for gift cards. Local shops are going to struggle a little this coming season. The supply chain will still have issues for the tackle suppliers. Being fully stocked could be an issue for shops at some point. The wholesalers are telling everyone this already. Support your local shops and tackle makers. They will be the ones to keep your fishing going through the season.

The tautog action at the inlets has been typical — good for catching, slow for keepers.

If you are like my buddy Jimmy, “I just catch the one for dinner then I go home. I don’t need to limit out each trip. I can come back tomorrow on the way home from work and get another.”

There is a lot of short striped bass action around all the waterways — great ultralight action.

You might get white perch in the waterways on bloodworms, nightcrawlers or minnows. Jigs work, too, under a bobber. Crappie action has been decent.

Surf fishing is producing skates, dogs and short striped bass. A 60-degree day on the beach in the winter is reward enough.

People are freaking out about when surf tags go on sale. Calm down, they won’t sell out in a day. No, you don’t need to camp out for one either.

One fishing trip we are making now that does produce an easy-to-find catch, but requires some work ... clamming.

The seasonal clamming areas around the inland bays open every year on Dec. 1 — time to make clams casino, gallons of chowder and steamed little necks!

The seasonal clamming areas are marked yellow on the clamming map in the Delaware fishing guide. These areas are closed during the summer due to high bacteria levels. Right now the inland bays are really clear. Once the bacteria and algae die off, the water clears up real quick. Not to mention the lack of boaters helps a great deal — less stirred-up silt. You just need some good waders and a clam rake, then go to town. The seasonal areas are not as cleaned out as the more popular summer spots.

In the summer, a lot of popular clamming areas are stripped of the smaller cherry stone and little neck sized clams. The big chuckle heads are perfect for chowders and bait.

Hard clams need to be 1.5 inches or larger to keep. Delaware residents can keep 100 clams per day, non residents, 50 clams per day. You need a Delaware fishing license to clam in Delaware waters.

The water is cold so be careful, hypothermia can be an issue this time of year. Insulated waders are preferred.

Use a pool noodle on the clam rake handle — it allows it to float when you drop it. It also makes pulling through the mud a little easier. A floating basket is always the best to place your clams, especially if you walk into the seasonal areas to clam.

The flying jerky is arriving in Sussex County. There was a raft of over 75 snow geese off Cape Henlopen State Park last Sunday. It has been recorded on eBird. Soon the skies will fill with clouds of snow geese.

There are a lot of hunting seasons opening and still going. It has been a pleasure watching the local Facebook pages freak out about the duck hunters shooting in the early mornings. Everyone wants to live in the country or the marsh until they meet the country and marsh life.

In the past two weeks I found a couple ticks on the dog. Check your fur babies.