Dead Loggerback 7/29/2015

Left the house early this morning in hope of catching the last of the incoming tide.  I know nobody wants to admit this, but summer is just about over.  It was extremely foggy this morning as it is in the fall and I could smell the corn drying already.  When I reached the marina there wasn't any air moving at all.  Almost eerie.  The water temperature was 88 degrees.  There was a large pod of Bottlenose Dolphins all the back by the entrance to Turville Creek.

As I reached Rt 90 bridge it was still 86 degrees.  That's warm!  The bay is full of croakers and spot now which they are probably feeding on.  Very few boats out in the bay, except for a hand full of crabbers.  Reached the thorofare and still seeing a few Bottlenoses.  Once I got to Route 50 bridge there were a few boats Flounder Fishing in the East Channel.  Water there was a bit cloudy.  Did get a few storms yesterday afternoon with a lot of storm runoff.

Started fishing the south jetty around 7:00.  The water was still coming in and around 78 degrees. Caught quite a few Croakers which are getting larger.  Most around 10 to 14 inches . Cut one up for bait and the Flounder bite was on. I n the two hours that the tide continued to come in, I landed 10 with 2 nice keepers.  Only brought home one for dinner.  I also caught a 17" Black Drum, at least 10 small Sea Bass, and 20 Croakers.  My greatest catch of the day was a 10" Blow Fish.  Talked to a few fishermen out on the water and seemed like everyone was catching fish but they were all small.

When I was a kid fishing in Indian River you could watch the Blow Fish steal your bait.  The water was probably 6' deep and crystal clear.  If you hooked your minnow thru the mouth they would cut off the tail. If you hooked them thru the tail they would cut off the head.  It was pretty cool to watch as there were always quite a few in a school to agitate us.  I can also remember my father cleaning them as you would a Cat Fish and they were good eating.  I wonder why they're not here like they used to be?  They can't have too many predators.

Heard some wonderful news this week.  Well, wonderful in my eyes.  They are reducing the flounder regulations by 40 percent next year.  Sorry to all of the charter boat people, but no one needs to keep 4 Flounder @ 16".  How about 2 @ 18"?  Yea I like it! Come on, isn't it a lot more fun just to catch fish and know your chances are better to catch another one next time by throwing just one back??!!

When I was heading in, I found a dead Loggerback Turtle up on the shoreline.  Not sure if I am suppose to report that.  Does anyone know?  Will look into it. Still a lot of crabs up on the shore line, Hope to go later in the week.

  Would also like to thank all the people who were at the Indian River Craft and Seafood Festival over the weekend.   It was a great success!!  (Pictures at thecraftycrabs.blogspot.com).

Twas the night before 7/24/2015

Well,  it's a big day tomorrow.  Just asking all my readers to wish me a lot of luck.  I know I've got smarts, at least I hope so.  I just need a little bit of luck.  Got to take my Masters Test tomorrow up in Newark, Delaware.  Yes, I'm a nervous wreck.  Haven't had a drink in two weeks so my son is driving me up.  That way, when I pass, I'm going to overindulge.  And I really need to get back into fishing!!!

 As well, tomorrow, the kids are participating in the Indian River Arts and Seafood Festival at the Indian River Marina. It's a great show and sale. Everything from crafts, arts, food, Orange Crushes, stuff for the kids, people and some great dogs. We make and sell a lot of nautical crafts including jewelry, bottle cap art, clocks, furniture, fishing lures, wreaths and quilted bags. There will be a lot of other vendors there doing the same. Mention that you read this and I will give you 4 free fishing rigs of your choice. The kids will have two sites, 52 and 53. Their name is "The Crafty Crabs".  There's a link on this blog to their Etsy store. Stop by and say "Hi!",check out their stuff, and don't forget your free fishing rigs.

Official name of Manatee 7/17/2015

Headed out in the afternoon around 1pm.   Beautiful day in the high 70's with a light breeze.  Went looking for the Manatee down near the Ocean City Coast Guard Station. I looked everywhere, near and far.  I think she headed up on the boardwalk to ride the rides, grab some candy at Candy Kitchens, stop by and view the Ocean City Museum, and then hit Thrashers for some of those fine French Fries with lots of salt and vinegar. Well, anyway, I would like to officially name her like they do the Manatees that venture into the Chesapeake Bay.  Her name shall be "Dumbluck". This is based on "dumb" thoughts that brought her into Ocean City and her "luck" not to get run over by the hundred of boats traveling through the inlet on a daily basis. Just kidding.  I think it's great we get the opportunity to see some of God's great creatures, (This is probably what the Manatee will tell her kids that she saw on her trip.)  I still ponder why all this happens in one summer.  Global Warming?  I do believe you will see a lot more of this in the near future.  I am going to start a commercial Shrimp Boat.  It's just a matter of time before the Shrimp show up.

Did fish for a few hours yesterday.  First drift in the middle channel.  Line wasn't in the water a minute and bam! nice flounder.  Wow!  Going to slam 'em today!   Well, must have hit him in the head with the bait because that was it.   I did manage to catch two more but they were smaller.

Decided to head out in the inlet where I caught at least 30 nice croakers and brought home 5 for my lunch today. Not many people fishing. Quite a few boats coming in from offshore flying Tuna and released Marlin flags. The Morning Star came in as well while I was in the inlet.  Must have had a good day because everybody on the boat looked like they had a good time.

'Til next week and please be nice to Mother Nature.

Good time to crab 7/17/2015

Where has summer gone?  Its hard to believe its almost over.  Fished and crabbed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.  The weather was outstanding as well as the fishing and crabbing. The water temperature was 87 degrees in the Little Assawoman Bay and loaded with crabs.  I caught over 100 Sunday and Monday in the Assawoman Bay.  Tuesday, I crabbed the Sinapuxent Bay and caught another 85. These crabs are the biggest and fattest I've seen in years and mighty tasty.

There were people in the little Assawoman pulling their kids on tubes and the bay is polluted with Sea Nettles, I don't know how they do it.  Those kids braver than me or else the parents just like to hear their kids whine.  Usually, this time of year, there are a lot of Clear and Cownose Rays in the bay, but I've seen very few. It also appears that the Red Drum are not there as well.  They were around a month ago.  The water may have gotten too warm.  There's sure a lot of small crabs for them to eat.  Talked to a fellow I typically see out there crabbing.  He uses snatch traps and he told me he's catching Blowfish, Croakers, and Spot in his traps while crabbing. Must be hungry.  Maybe I should be using chicken for bait.

Fished on the Southside all 3 days and caught at least 50 Croakers, 20 small Seabass, and 15 Flounder.  It was hard to find a keeper Flounder, but I was catching Croakers in the 10" to 14" range.
There weren't a lot of people fishing,  I was amazed that even on Sunday they weren't out there.

Well, the boat is loaded and the tide is going to be high this afternoon.  I'm heading out to try Sheephead fishing, I've caught citation size Sheephead the last three years in the Inlet, so I've got to do it again this year.  That's a fighting fish!  Especially with the light tackle that I use. Let you know how it goes. Also heard there was a Manatee in the bay near the Coast Guard Station and need to get a picture.

Ocean City Inlet Flounder 07/06/2015

Hope everyone had a great 4th.  Seemed there was a lot of people down on Delmarva for the weekend.  At least on the roads.  Can't vouch for the water; way too many people for me.

Did get up early this morning and was on the water by 6;30.  The water temperature in the Little Assawoman has risen to 87 degrees.  Wow!  That's warm.


Ran down to the Ocean City Inlet and started fishing around 8;30. The tide was dead low and the water was very cloudy.  Using fish bites and squid I caught probably 20 Croakers that were all about 12"s, and 10 small Sea Bass. When the tide started coming in, I switched over to cut Croaker for bait and caught 5 Flounder, the biggest @ 18".  Kind of an uneventful day but still a great day to go fishing.

Another "I'll show you who's the boss!" by Mother Nature 7/03/15

Started out early Thursday morning knowing the weather was forecasted to turn bad around lunch. Ran the shoreline looking for a few peelers after setting out the minnow trap.  Water was dirty from the wind early in the week, but I still managed to dip 30 hard crab keepers and 2 peelers.  Went and retrieved the minnow trap and had 3 dozen nice bull minnows.  The Assawoman Bay is loaded with a lot of nice crabs this year as well as quite a few small crabs, which is a great sign for later in the season.  The bay tolerates a lot of crabbing pressure from fish, birds, and recreational crabbers, but still seems to stay as productive as ever.

By the time I arrived at the south side of the Ocean City Inlet it was 9:00am.   Made a couple drifts through the inlet and caught 2-12" Croakers ( Hardheads as you Maryland people refer to them. That's what we in Delaware call tourists. That and the Pennsylvania Navy.).   Released one and cut the other into strips for bait.  I love to eat croakers.  When eaten fresh, they are delicious.   I caught them last year upwards of 18" and, fried, they made a great sandwich.  Anyway, made a few more drifts when the tide had just about stopped coming in.  Caught and released 5 healthy Flounder.  No keepers, but they were about fifteen inches and fat.  They'll be nice fish this fall.

Got a phone call that there were some bad storms heading toward the coast.  This was about 11;00, so figured I better start heading home.  By the time I arrived in the Fenwick Ditch, the first storm cell that arrived had moved out in the Ocean,  Heard the Coast Guard talking on the radio.  They were heading out into the Ocean, off Sea Colony where apparently a vessel was struck by lighting and they were in need of medical care and towing. Not five minutes later a "take immediate action" alarm came over the radio for Ocean City Maryland to Cape May New Jersey for high winds, rain and lightning. I saw it coming as I headed south of Fenwick.  Following my instincts, I turned around and headed back. Before I got back, all hell broke loose. I couldn't see a foot in front of the boat and the wind was unbelievable, I was a hundred yards from the Route 54 bridge and couldn't see it.  It let up slightly and I headed under the bridge where I tied up. The lightning was right overhead, the winds were howling, and the water was running off the bridge by the buckets. It lasted about twenty minutes. It was the 4th of July about 6 years ago when I remember a storm this bad.

Never forget Mother Nature is always in charge.

Shark week on Delmarva 6/25/2015

What an interesting day it was. Left the Assawomen Canal where the water temp was 86 degrees in places. Ran the shore line and picked up 3 dozen hard crabs while waiting for the minnow trap to fill up. A lot of skates up in the shallows. Also seeing quite a few Drum in the flats, as well.  They love crabs as much as I do.

Headed south to Route 90 where the water temperature dropped to 70 then 68 as I arrived out front of Hooper's where I stopped to get a couple clams for bait. Little did I know a 12' Hammerhead would swim at that location 2 hours later. I've swam with Bull Sharks and Barracudas, but you could see them easily. It would have been a bit unnerving to have that shark bump your legs in 4' of water. I've yet to hear if she returned to the Ocean. I heard she was out in the Ocean at 33rd street about 8;00 in the morning and in the Stinky Beach area around lunch. I got a few pictures of her just south of the Thoroughfare where DNR appeared to be corralling her back toward the OC Inlet. I've caught 2 small Hammerheads in the bay over the past years so maybe she was in the bay to give birth.  It didn't appear that way, as they typically use the low profile aspect.  It was great that this wasn't blown out of proportion with the "kill everything" mentality some of the people have. If the general public was aware of everything that swims in our inland water ways they wouldn't allow their big toe in the water.

Back in the early 70's I fished with an older Captain out of Indian River.  He would take us out in front of Sea Colony, Trout fishing. When we  would catch a small Sand Shark the Captain would break its back and throw it beside the boat.  They would stay on top the water and, in seconds, bigger sharks would viciously attack.  Although cruel, it was the wildest thing to see, Mother nature can be a bit nasty at times.

Well the fishing was great that day even with the "rogue killer" swimming around. I ended the day with 8 Flounder, 2 of which were keeper's, 3 Bluefish, and 1 small Seabass. All were caught on cut Bluefish and Shiner's.



                       "Mom!  Mom!  What is that thing?!"

Good time to go floundering 5/16/2015

Went fishing again yesterday and glad I did. Started out by setting my minnow trap. While waiting for minnows, I ran the shoreline looking for crabs.  In an hours time I caught 36 hard crabs, 8 peelers, and 3 nice soft crabs. Wow, the crabbing is good! The water in the little Assawoman was 83 degrees. Went and retrieved my minnow trap and again had some of nicest minnows I've caught in years. When I went to pick up my trap, I saw a school of Red Drum up in the shallows. They better not be eating my crabs, but I'm sure they are.

Headed south and the Blue Fish were again schooled up around the Route 90 Bridge, birds working heavy, Stopped and caught 2, kept 1 to use as flounder bait. Cut up in strips like you do squid.  I like to use a piece about an inch long on a plain hook, no jewelry, no beads, just bare. I've caught flounder like that when nothing else works. I've fished in Northern Jersey a couple of times and all they use is Mackerel strips and it works.

Ventured south to the OC Airport and the water was clear, but a little chilly at 65 degrees. Something must have been right because in 2 hours I caught 10 flounder with the biggest at 22"s.  Had a real nice fish beside the boat when my reel fell off the rod and I lost him.  This only happens to me, right?!  Oh well. Out of the 10, 3 were keepers and the rest were small.  Released all but one which made for a fine dinner last night with the soft and hard crabs.

As usual the wind started howling and the fish stopped biting.  Good time to go floundering!  Just remember keep that bait on the bottom.  That's why I don't like to use the conventional top/bottom rig.  If you don't let a lot of line out on them the top hook isn't as effective. The new 2 hook rig that I made and I've been using, so far is working.  I'm  catching as many on the top as I am on the bottom. The sinker is out front with the hooks trailing, There's a picture on my blog.

Ocean City Air Show 6/13/2015

Put the boat in the water Saturday morning for a day of clamming and watching the Airshow.  What a great thing Ocean City does putting on such a wonderful show. We met with our kids, their better halves our granddogs, and a few friends at the sand bar out front of Hooper's Crab House. The tide really worked out well for us, being low for most of the afternoon. That made it  really nice as we set up our awning that we use for craft fairs on the sand bar.



Clammed on and off during the show and had about 500 clams to show for our efforts.  After sorting through, brought home 100 of the really nice ones. That place is loaded this year even with the amount of clamming pressure it gets.


The Airshow was fantastic.  The best I've seen. It was great to see everyone on the Island having a wonderful time. It's great to see everybody on the water and in the water in such a good mood and enjoying the day. It's funny, but I'll bet there were 20 dogs on the Island with no conflicts and they, as well, had a fabulous day, I'm sure they slept well
that night. I know I did.






Isn't it great to enjoy such living as we do down here?
Stopped at Hooper's on the way out and had a great dinner!
Thanks, G-Man!!

Flounder are bitin' 6/12/2015

Boy what a hot one it was.  So I thought "Wouldn't it be great to go and bake in the sun?".  It was still a great day to be out on the water.  Crabbed in my usual spots and caught a couple dozen pretty hard crabs and six peelers.  Ventured south and set out my minnow trap in the canal just north of the route 90 bridge on the east side. By the time I cut up a box of squid, I had a trap full of the largest minnows that I've ever seen. Well, if the fish aren't biting, I'll just filet the minnows up. Ha ha!

Headed south where south of the route 90 bridge the birds were working over a school of Blue Fish. Stopped, caught a bunch, and released them to fight another day. They were anywhere from 3 to 5 lbs and a lot of fun to catch on my light St Croix rods. The tide was high and getting ready to change so I anchored up in the OC Inlet and caught a 31" Striper on peelers.  Released it and lost a second fish.

After the tide starting running too fast in the Inlet to fish, I ran down behind the OC Airport where I caught and released 4 Flounder, They were all too small, but it was nice to see the water was finally getting right for Flounder. The surface down there was churned up with skates.

I caught all the Flounder on a new rig that I've been building. There's a picture on the blog if you are interested. I sell them for 2/$5.  Drop me a line through the Crafty Crabs link or here on the blog and I'll send them out. Just let me know what color hair and what size trolling weight. I set them up with a minnow/shiner and a long piece of squid on each hook.  Jig it up and down off the bottom and it looks like two bait fish following each other and won't tangle like typical top/bottom rigs.


When I got home that afternoon, we steamed up the crabs.  Man, they were full and delicious.

Croakers are here

It's Wednesday the 10th of June and I got the opportunity to crab and fish today. I put in down on the Assawoman Canal where the water was a balmy 82 degrees. Ran the shore banks for about an hour and caught 32 keeper hard crabs and 4 peelers. Saw quite a few 2" Needlefish in the shallows which, in past years, mean the spot should be there. A DNR agent told me years ago that Stripers love to eat Needlefish.  I caught Needlefish in the fall that were 6" long with a throw net, should have tried them for Striper but I was always Tog fishing.

Ran down to the OC Inlet and fished with peelers for a couple hours. Caught 1 Tog @ 16", 2 small Croakers, and 2 Blue Fish about 4 lbs each. The tide was running out strong and was very dirty so didn't even try Flounder fishing.

Fishin' in the storm 6/6/2015

 Good morning, this morning, on this fine and lovely morning.  That's what my grandfather would say every morning.  A long week of rain, wind and boredom.  Wonderful forecast for Saturday.  First stop, dipping crabs off the shore bank. The water had cooled off at 65 degrees in the Little Assawoman. Was very surprised when I found a lot of crabs and some pretty ones.   Managed to catch 2 dozen hard crabs, two nice softies, and seven peelers. The wind was blowing at 5 to 10 out of the northwest.  Ok, not bad.

Headed south to route 90, stopped and caught some big bull minnows. Now I'm ready to flounder fish. The water at route 90 bridge was still about 65 and clean.  Wow this is going to be a great day fishing. So I thought.  As I approached route 50, I noticed it sure was getting dark.  Weird, no rain in the forecast.  That' s strange.  Everybody is heading in.  Must have  slammed 'em.  Ha!  Then the sky opened up.  I would have stayed drier if I had fallen in the water.  Rain, thunder, and heavy winds.  It was a nasty little storm.  Well, still nice to get out.

Did see Big Bird Cropper and his neighbor, Dave, land 4 small stripers before the typhoon hit. One thing for sure, if and when this weather clears up there should be a few flounder to be caught. Remember to just let a couple go.  Thanks. Going to try to fish a few days next week so wish me luck.

Nice crabs and clams 5/26/2015

It's been a long 2 weeks since I've been out on the water. The wind just won't stop blowing. I put in down on the Assawoman canal and headed out to the little Assawoman bay. The water has risen to 78 degrees. Wow! I ran the shore line; my favorite way to crab. Lots of little crabs.  What a great sign.
In about an hour I caught two dozen keepers and four peelers for bait. Took a ride down to OC where the tide was way out and the water was filthy, but very warm at 72 degrees. Other than the commercial crabbers there were very few fisherman. With the tide so low, I decided to stop and clam north of Hoopers Crab House. With no clam rack, I still managed to dig 4 dozen nice clams in about an hour just using my feet. Afterwards I took a ride out in the Inlet where it was loaded with Clear Nosed Skates. It looked like I was being circled by shark fins.  It was pretty cool. Wish I would of thought to get a picture. Didn't fish with the water being so dirty and called it a day after that.

 My daughter-in-law and daughter do Arts and Crafts shows under the name Crafty Crabs. They had a show in Oceanview, Delaware on Saturday, 5/30/2015, at the Good Earth Market and Birch Tree Cafe.  My wife and I helped out. It was a great show, and we sold a lot of nice stuff including quite a few of the fishing rigs that I build. You can see a picture of them on our blog. We sell them at Ike and Vinas Bait and Tackle down near Holts Landing or @ our Etsy Site . They sell for 2 for 5 dollars and we will ship them to you. Apparently, we sold enough that the girls took us Sunday to Hoopers Crab House where the service and crabs were outstanding. The crabs were big and full.  It tasted like they are steaming their crabs and shrimp in some type of butter brine that was out of this world. Amanda, our server, took great care of us and when the 6 of us get together to eat crabs we keep our server running.

Should start fishing a lot more starting the first week in June so I'll keep you informed on whats going on in OC as well as Indian River.

Let one go

Monday morning (05/04/15) and going fishing. The water in the St. Martins River was a balmy 70 degrees. Wow! The water warmed up quick. It was a clear and warm morning with no wind and no forecast of any. Very few crab pots left in the bay. As I proceeded through the thoroughfare, the water temp was 60 degrees. The water was very cloudy which baffled me as we didn't have any storms or wind lately.

Headed out to the south side and set up for Tog. The water temp was 55 degrees but the water was, as well, very cloudy. Fished the incoming tide for two hours with not even a nibble. When the tide turned, the water cleared up long enough for me to catch 2 nice tog; a 19" female and 17" male. Released both. Did catch sight of 2 bottlenose in the inlet.

As the water started running hard, I went south down by the  OC Airport to Flounder fish. Thought I could catch minnows down there but no luck.  Wouldn't have mattered anyway because the water was dirty down there, also, but it was 62 degrees.  Nice.

There is a great new asset to the Coastal Fisherman this year. It's a graph that shows approximately how old a fish is  per its weight and length.  What a great idea!  It will educate us on how many years it takes for a fish to become legal length.  Maybe then we will just let a few legal size swim.

Isn't it a lot of fun to just catch fish? We don't need to keep all that we catch. Back in the '70s my brother and I were catching a hundred Flounder a day.  My mother would only allow us to bring a couple home to have for dinner that night. I hear of people stating we used to fill up trash cans full of Mackerel.  Well, guess what?  The Mackerel are gone.  And the best one is the Trout.  We all remember the big tide runners, but  where are they now? All I'm asking is to let a few go. My wife and I have drifted through the inlet many times and caught flounder upwards of 28"s. We usually released them as other boaters asked why?  Because we have got to start living for tomorrow. Well, stop rambling now,  Kenny,

First flounder of the 2015 Ocean City fishing season!

Headed out Monday (4/27/2015) and what a pretty day.  Air temp at 65 degrees and very little wind. The water temp in the St. Martins river was a chilly 55.  Not as many crab pots as there has been. I spotted two Ospreys nesting and three Bald Eagles. The water as I pass thru the thoroughfare is crystal clear but a bit chillier for this time of year at 52. Still not a soul Flounder fishing. Strange, considering they're catching a few in Indian River. Stopped on the sand bar outside of Hooper's to get a few clams for bait. Caught my first flounder of the year, but it was in my clam rake. Well, told you they were here. I was clamming in about a foot of water and never saw the little guy.

Speaking of Hoopers Crab House, went there Sunday with the family for the all you can eat crabs, They were delicious.  Our server, Dan, did a very good job for the 6 of us. The thing that baffles me is that the crabs came out of North Carolina, Yes they were pretty crabs, but I love keeping the money close to home. Arrived at my honey hole, south side jetty, and set up. Water temp was a very cold 48 degrees, Fished the out going tide that was screaming for an hour with nothing happening. As the tide starting changing, I brought two 15 inchers over the rail. Things are looking up huh? So I thought until, as usual, the wind started howling out of the east. So I called it a day.

First OC tog of 2015

Another windy day on Delmarva. Went fishing today.  It was a beautiful morning.  No wind at all. Water temperature in Bishopville was 62 degrees.  Nice. Ventured south and still saw a lot of crab pots. As I passed Ocean Pines there was a crabber working his pots. Still couldn't buy any Green Crabs so I thought, why not Blue Crabs?  They have always worked in the fall.  When I approached the fellow I asked if he would sell me a few.  He said "No, but I'll give you a couple.", What a great guy. I questioned him on how he was doing, and he stated everyone else was doing great but not so much for himself. He did say the crabs he was catching were nice and he was getting $120 a bushel.

As I left the Thoroughfare, the water temperature was a balmy 54 degrees.  Really surprised that nobody was flounder fishing, but it was Monday morning. Headed to south side of the OC inlet and set out anchor in 25 foot of water. The water was crystal clear and 46 degrees. Using cut Blue Crab for bait, I caught my first tog of the year.  A 15" male.  Yeah! It's fishing season!

Capt. Monty from the "Morning Star" headed offshore with a barge full of concrete piping. I  presume it was to dump for habitat  reconstruction. Capt. Monty and the "Morning Star" are a great asset for fishing, conserving and enhancing our ecosystem. If you would like a very enjoyable day of fishing, as I have many times, give him a call.  You won't be disappointed  He also puts out an awesome newsletter/fishing report that is very impressive. Well that was the extent of my morning as the wind started blowing hard out of the south, but it made for a nice ride back to Delaware.

Ocean City Tog 4/6/15

Well, another fishing season has finally arrived. Hopefully. I saw the dandelions coming up so I headed on out for a couple hours of togging. As I entered the Assawoman Bay, man, were the crab pots everywhere,  Don't recall there being this many last year. Hopefully the crabbers will have a good season. Despite all the wind we've had, the water was not that dirty. What's the deal with the wind? Does it ever stop blowing?

As I headed south it appears that they have used the dredged sand from somewhere to build an island just northeast of the Thoroughfare. There'll be a lot of boaters enjoying that this summer. maybe they'll film "Party Heat" there this summer, DNR will love that.

I called around to get Green Crabs but .apparently. it's still frozen up north so no luck with that. Luckily for me I had my newly modified clam rake on board so stopped north of Hoopers and in about fifteen minutes had 2 dozen clams.

As I ventured under route 50 bridge I viewed a lot of fish on the fish finder just to the south side. Probably shad. There were 2 guys fishing; 1 from 4th street and the other from route 50 bridge. The water temperature was 48 there. Not bad considering the winter we had.

Well, finally arrived at my honey hole in the inlet and fished for about an hour. Did get a couple of bites, but no fish. Why I didn't bring my favorite Food Lion shrimp I don't know. They work good this time of year.

Decided to go to my favorite minnow area, north of route 90, and did find a good amount of bait with the water temperature there around 55 degrees. The Flounder should be here. Probably fish again Saturday. I stopped down at Old Inlet Bait and Tackle.  Butch said a few Tog had been caught earlier in the week in the Indian River Inlet. He thinks he'll have Green Crabs by the weekend.