Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier reopens
After more than a year, the Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier reopened Wednesday, May 25. Gov. Jack Markell was present to cast out the first line along with a group of young people from Millsboro Middle School.
This is one of the most popular fishing spots in Delaware, if not the most, and having it available before the summer fishing season will make many people very happy. The pier is free to fish from, walk on or just sit in a beach chair and enjoy the scenery. All you have to do is pay the entrance fee for the park. The funding for the repairs came from various sources including fishing license money and matching federal Fish and Wildlife funds. State Representatives Schwartzkopf, Dukes and Smyk along with Senator Lopez donated part of their Community Transportation Fund allotments.
Lighthouse View Tackle, at the base of the pier, can provide everything you need to go fishing.
Lewes Harbour Marina Canal Flounder Tournament
Last Friday, May 20, was the best weather day we have had since last September ,and I believe that was responsible for the 400 anglers who signed up to fish the Lewes Harbour Marina Canal Flounder Tournament. Hundreds of boats crowded the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal, Roosevelt Inlet and the Broadkill River in pursuit of the winning flatfish.
When the tournament was over at 4 p.m., Robbie Baxley from Milton walked away with the first prize for his 6.70-pound flounder. Patrick Summers was not far behind in second place with his 6.03-pounder. Tim West Sr. came in third with a 4.96-pound flounder, and very close behind was Dillon Barker who had a 4.74-pounder. Robert Sawicki weighed in a 4.32-pound flounder for fifth. Tim West Jr. came in sixth, and Howard Boiwden was seventh, both weighing in identical 4.10-pound flatfish. The tie was broken by time of weigh-in.
This was one of the closest tournaments in the history of the event. Two fish in the six-pound range and five inside of four pounds. Two young gentlemen placed in the money as did a father-and-son team.
This was the first event at Lewes Harbour Marina without Joe Morris. His wife Amanda did a fine job keeping score and presenting prizes, a task that I know was not easy.
Second Annual Kids Catch-All Tournament
The Second Annual Kids Catch-All Tournament will be held at Indian River Marina Friday-Sunday, June 24-26. Anyone ages 3 to 18 can compete, with prizes awarded for the largest catch of each of the 14 eligible species. Anglers may fish from a boat or from shore so everyone has a chance to win a prize. The Lyme Disease Association of Delmarva Inc. will receive a portion of the proceeds.
Register on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. or on Saturday from 6 to 8 a.m. Entry fees are $150 per boat including six anglers or $25 for each youngster fishing from a head boat or from shore. The awards ceremony will be held at Indian River Marina at 7 p.m., Sunday. There will be a Pasta Fest on Saturday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and an Awards Banquet, an old-fashioned cookout, from 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday.
For more information and to receive a registration form contact Indian River Marina, 302-227-3071.
Fishing report
Flounder have been caught in the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal and the Broadkill River on live minnows, squid and Gulp!. As noted in the report on the Canal Flounder Tournament, these fish can top the scale at six pounds and perhaps even more.
The Broadkill River has produced bluefish to 15 pounds on cut bunker or metal lures. Dan’s Tackle said the blues may be in the river feeding on small trout that have also been taken by anglers.
Black drum are in good supply at the Coral Beds and from the shoreline at Broadkill Beach. Clams or live blue claw crabs make the best drum baits.
Big rockfish and blues have shown up from the beach and out of Indian River Inlet. Cut bunker and clams work best from shore while it is hard to beat a white bucktail with a white worm at the inlet.
Black sea bass have been filling coolers for those who fish at Site 11 or even farther off the beach. Clams, squid, and jigs account for most of the sea bass.
It looks like we are going to have decent weather over the holiday weekend, so I expect a lot of winter-weary anglers to be on the water. Please be extra careful, keep a good lookout and do not consume alcohol if you plan to run a boat or drive a car. Wear your PFD and see to it everyone on the boat wears theirs. Enjoy!
