Fishing is a great way to experience wildlife and the outdoors while simultaneously gaining a source of food. When the activity of fishing is brought to mind, many people may think of sitting silently on a boat waiting patiently for the fish to bite. This is one way of fishing, but there is another option. Surf fishing allows the fisher to be without a boat and to travel up and down the coast while fishing.

There are two very important things to know if success will be found while surf fishing. The first is when to go, and the second is where on the beach is the best place for fish. The when is a little easier to answer than the where. The best time to go surf fishing is very early in the morning before any large crowds show up, or it is also good to wait until dusk, when most people have left. Also, fish are more inclined to bite when the weather is changing, so just before a storm or in the storm itself. It is however, always recommended that safety be taken into consideration, and it is never a good idea to fish when there is lightning.

The best places to fish are where the water is smoother. If you are near a jetty, casting into the deep side is wise. Also, if there is a bar nearby, that is an acceptable cast off point. It is not necessary to cast out too far, because the big fish will come right up to the shore looking for the little fish to feed off of. It is important when putting bait into the water that it keeps moving. If you walk down the beach every so often, the bait looks more lifelike.

Surf fishing is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors without the need for a boat or a lot of expensive equipment.

     Delaware in the Winter, not to much fishing being done on this cold day in February with 18" to 20" of snow on the ground with more expected by this evening, then the wind will pick up to make things even worse.  I'm back in Pennsylvania at this time but miss the smell of the salt in the air and the sound of the waves beating on the beaches.  I wouldn't be fishing on this day but would be doing other things in the area that I deeply miss, just the simple things like driving around the boat ramps at the Indian River Inlet on the South Side, with all the boats from all different sizes and places.

     I am only approximately 175 miles from Lewes Delaware but the way of life is so different from here in central Pennsylvania.  I would at this time of the year be cleaning all my fishing rods and reels and changing the lines replacing the old with new line, maybe collecting weights for making sinkers and replacing some of my hooks with new ones, and while I at the Bait Shop checking out the new Rods and Reels.  If you ever get the opportunity to fish in the Indian River Inlet or the Delaware Bay you must by all means get that accomplished, you will love it.

     Have fun and Great Fishing.

Delaware Bay is a widely known bay that borders both the states of Delaware and New Jersey. It is located on the northeast seaboard of the United States. This first recorded European visit to the bay was back in 1609 by Henry Hudson. This bay is used for many purposes and is the second busiest waterway in the United States.

Delaware Bay is 782 square miles in area. The bay is a mixture of both fresh water and salt water that comes in from the Atlantic Ocean. The bay can be very challenging for boaters because if a wind picks up it can get very choppy. It is not a very deep channel and does not have many places a boater could find shelter.

The people of New Jersey have come to love their bay immensely and hold an annual Delaware Bay Day which is free to the public. There are food courts that have fresh seafood and homemade food available. Entertainment for all ages is available from concerts, poetry contests, photo contests and even an oyster shucking contest.

If you are looking for something to do, the Delaware Bay Day is a great event to take the entire family to. It shows support for the bay and local vendors. It is a great way to learn about the bay and the many natural resources the bay has to offer the local community. Delaware Bay has been around for a long time and as long as people take care of it, it will keep taking care of them.

The first step to trout fishing is preparation. The very first thing a person should do is acquire the proper fishing licenses needed in their area. When fishing for trout, a person will need to use an ultra light or a lightweight pole and reel. A proper fishing line is also required; 4 to 6 lb test is best for most trout waters. After getting the line on the pole, its time to get hooks and sinkers. A size 10 to 14 hook is preferred by most trout fishermen. Place one or two split shot sinkers on the line. The depth of the water should determine the number of sinkers you use.

The second step is purchasing the proper trout bait. There are several types of bait a person can use for trout. The most popular (and some claim the most effective) type of bait is nightcrawler. Other popular baits are Hellgrammites, power bait (sold in bait and tackle shops), minnows, insect larva, grasshoppers, meal worms, and salmon eggs. Spinners and other lures, as well as artificial bait, work well too.

Finally, find your fishing spot and catch some fish. Be sure when looking for your trout to travel downstream. That way, you won’t spook the fish. If you happen to spook them, wait about half an hour before trying to catch them. When casting your line into the water, be sure to cast upstream so the trout don’t see the line hit the water. Let the line float in the current. When the bait passes the trout, they will strike it, allowing you to hook and reel them in!