Fishing from the Point: Small fish and last chance for bass

Fishing has been decent this week, but it’s small fish that are making the rounds. Be patient while they take time to mature. Mullet was on the menu as surf fishermen used the plentiful baitfish all week. However, when baiting the line, remember that fish at the beach aren’t huge right now. Only a nibble is needed to tempt the blues, kings and croaker. Otherwise, they grab a snack off the hook and continue merrily on their way.

Coastal Point • Submitted
Brian Collins hauled in this massive 250-pound bluefin tuna off the coast of New England.

Trout, puppy drum and pompano have also made an appearance. Shark were plentiful in Ocean City, Md., while Delaware Seashore and Cape Henlopen state parks have reported a variety of fish. Look for the seabirds hovering over schools of baitfish, because big fish will likely be close behind.

Indian River Inlet has been offering some variety. Tog are undersized, but a few big flounder have been snagged from the rocks, tempted by Gulp!, live spot and minnows. Blues ride the in tide toward metal, bucktails and plugs. Some small trout may surprise the lucky angler if he or she has clams. Rockfish have come out at night for sand fleas, bucktails, plugs and eels. Sheepshead is usually a safe bet, too.

Boats faced some rough seas last week, but breaks in the weather produced good fishing inshore. A few croaker are still nipping at clam, squid and Gulp!, especially west of B Buoy, Croaker Canyon and near Bethany Beach condos, which is popular for its rough sea bottom.

Black sea bass are popular, but they’re briefly off-limits after Oct. 14, for a break in the season until Nov. 1. Flounder and sea bass are apparently happy to linger at the wrecks, near Old Grounds and A Buoy, so fishing boats have continued to see considerable action out there.

False albacore are also hitting spoons and plugs trolled at A Buoy and Fenwick Shoal. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel are biting at Fenwick. Boats have reported that snapper blues, porgies and triggerfish have provided excitement when least expected.

Boats venturing past the shallows have been rewarded with heaps of mahi in the deep sea. Dolphin, wahoo and marlin have been enjoying their days at Norfolk, Poor Man’s and the Hotdog. There has some action in the water at Washington, too.

Surface temperatures will be aiming for the 60s next week, so bigger fish may move inshore soon. Those looking to reel them in have just a few days to get ready.