Prospects for fishing near North Shores Beach in Rehoboth

[Josh]

We are looking to head up to Rehoboth in June for a week or so and I was thinking about taking my 8 wt. with me to see what I could find wade fishing opportunities within 30 minutes or so of North Shores.  I've never fished in the surf with a fly rod, so I'd be interested in checking it out.  

I read through the threads on the forum about fishing near Rehoboth, but they are mostly about fishing later in the summer or the fall.  I was hoping that someone on here would have advice on places to fish, species to target, patterns, and when to fish for early- to mid-June.  

Also, is a stripping basket absolutely necessary? From my preliminary research, it seems that the answer is yes, but I'd rather not have to purchase one if I don't have to right now. 

Thanks, 

Josh

[Andrew Sarcinello]

You might be able to find some flounder wade fishing the bay side of Cape Henlopen. Flounder will eat clouser minnows pretty aggressively. The ocean side has a few rock jetties that might be a good place to cast a fly rod from.

I've also had good luck with Bluefish and shad at Indian River Inlet on moving tides but they are usually feeding in the current rip which is well out of fly casting range - I needed a heavy spoon to reach the fish with spin gear. 

I've seen pictures of schoolie stripers caught in a place called Canary Creek near Lewes, but it looks like you need a boat to fish that area.

Don't overlook the freshwater fishing in Delaware in the weedy mill ponds. I had an enjoyable day there last weekend kayak fishing Burton Pond, catching 3 bass and 4 pickerel in under 2 hours of fishing.

[David Vazquez]

Can't speak to the fishing in Delaware, Josh, but you absolutely need a stripping basket in the surf. That is, unless you enjoy having your feet lassoed together by your fly line. You can buy a purpose made stripping basket, but it's not necessary. Go to the Dollar store and buy a cheap dish drainer or plastic basin. Drill a few holes and make two slits in back to thread a belt through and you're in business. Just make sure it's deep enough to hold line and experiment with where to situate it on your hips. 

On Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 1:11:38 PM UTC-4 Josh wrote:

[Andrew Sarcinello]

Just saw this last night. This is unfortunately going to complicate things on the surf side:

https://news.delaware.gov/2022/05/26/dnrec-announces-beach-access-closures-due-to-storm-damage/

[SCK]

I have family that has a place close to DE beaches and have spent a lot of time down there over the years.  I always had the best luck at Indian River Inlet starting in the "North Pocket" (North side of inlet up against the rock pile in surf) and then walking/fishing north from there.  Look for troughs/deeper pockets close in the surf as you walk.  Watch for baitfish and birds action.  In June I have caught schoolie stripers, bluefish, and flounder/weakfish on occasion.   I often use Clouser Minnows at 1/0, 2/0 or bigger.  My experience has been that the fish are either there in close and you'll get some hits or no action at all .   I agree with the comments on having stripping basket;  it can be maddening without in the surf.    Unfortunately there is a ton of beach erosion that Rehoboth/Dewey/Bethany are trying to combat, so that may impact things as well (especially some of the trough/structure in surf that was there months before).  

I'd say it is still fun getting out there and trying if you can during changing tides. I always prefer the incoming High Tide.  Good luck Josh!

Thanks,

SCK

[Josh]

Thanks for all the advice.  I didn't have a lot of luck while I was there (my lack of stripping basket was probably to blame), but I'm definitely up for trying again.  If anyone else is looking to go, the beaches weren't bad at all - at least on the north end.  I'm guessing they brought in a bunch of sand before memorial day weekend.