DelawareRiver.net

Spring is finally here. It is time for your adventurous side to be awakened. Don’t you think? What do you say to a fishing trip on the Delaware River? Sounds good? It does to me! I just have to say that the feeling when you have the first catch is totally beyond words.

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Fishing, in general, is always an exploratory experience. You never know what is in store for you. That is why varying your tactics when fishing is a must. Researching a bit about the fish and their habits or picking the brains of someone with experience in that section of the river is always a wise thing to do. You should never be too proud to seek out the best advice, and making sure that you have suitable tackle and equipment is a good first step.

The Delaware River is a place for many activities. Fishing is one of the most popular among them. Since it is a major and lengthy river, the opportunities for successful fishing trips are many. It is good that there are still non-polluted rivers, like the Delaware River, where you can enjoy fishing at its best.

During this season, fishing the Delaware River makes a good break. However, be warned, that it is also addictive! Fishing enthusiasts are always excited at the prospect for there are many fish to be caught as the river’s temperature rises and the fish start to bite. Here are some of the known species of fish to catch.

• Striped Bass. This fish is a known traveler. It travels between fresh and salt water. But they lay eggs in fresh water.
• Smallmouth Bass. This is a game fish that is the favorite catch of many fishing enthusiasts in the Delaware River. You know why? It is because they are quite hard to catch and so each success feels like more of an achievement. We all like a challenge and this fish brings out our hunting instincts! It is known that Smallmouth bass are also one of the hardest fighting fish.
• Largemouth Bass. Also known as the green bass, this fish is the easiest to find during this season.
• Rainbow Trout. True to its name, the rainbow trout is a colorful fish, especially when it catches the sun. It’s actually a silver fish with orange-y color at each side. They have adapted well to the Delaware River waters.
• Brown Trout. This fish is known to be always wild. They are untamed and hard-fighting but indeed, very rewarding to catch.

Fishing, whilst absorbing and fun, can also be hazardous if you are not careful. Following the guidelines and take safety advice. The Delaware River has bumpy areas due to rocks, currents and tidal effects. So, always respect the river and prepare for a safe, peaceful and memorable fishing expedition.

Authored and written by: Al Winco

www.wincoscustomlures.com

Water temperatures in the 36-42 degree range are usually considered as the cold water, winter smallmouth fishing time on the Delaware river. Smallmouth bass move to their off- current, wintering holes and can be caught by the knowledgeable angler who is properly and safely prepared to fish during the cold air and water temperatures. Winter smallmouth bass anglers look for a 2-4 degree rise in water temps during winter warming trends that will get the bass looking and eating. An ice free river is mandatory for safe jet-boat navigation. Winter lure presentations are usually smaller then their warmer water cousins, as the smallmouth bass prefer a smaller meal during this cold water period. The cross-cut, rabbit hair jig, w/and w/out a trailer was considered the Gold Standard for many years and still is a fine producer for lethargic winter smallmouth bass. Three years ago, I created 2 specific, 3” soft-baits for the cold water period. The C.W. and W.W. Smallies delight Jigs. Originally, I intended the C.W. for cold water and the W.W. for warm water but they are both equally effective for winter bass. These soft-baits have12 externally rigged,3 color silicone strands that provide life-like action to the salt and scent impregnated jig-even when sitting still on the bottom. Bass usually hold onto these soft-baits,giving the angler time to set the hook. These 2 jigs were proto-typed and tested 3 years ago on a late winter, guided smallmouth trip w/Blaine Mengel of the Backwoods Angler Guide service. Air temperatures were 26 degrees @ the start of the trip and warmed to a balmy 41 degrees w/ 15-25 mph NW winds. Water temperature ranged from 38-40 degrees. I split the charter w/ another hard-core river smallmouth addict. We boated 29 smallmouth bass that day to 19” on the C.W. and W.W.Smallies delight Jigs These jigs are fished slowly across the bottom w/spinning tackle in weights of 1/8-1/4oz. Braided line w/a fluorocarbon leader works best for feeling the mush-mouth winter hit. I hold my rod still w/ tension, @ the 10 after 12 position when I feel any resistance during the retrieve. If I feel the mushy, tell-tale head-bob of the smallmouth bass munching on the jig, I’ll set the hook. These jigs are basically snag –free when use w/my new, weighted flutter heads. Here’s a pic of the kit I offer: (#FHCP) | 10@$30.00 Mustad Ultra-point (Black Chrome) 2/0 Swim-bait hooks w/Hitchiker coil keeper. Available in 1/16,3/32 , 1/8 ,1/4oz. jig weights Here’s the ultimate kit for reducing snags, using these popular 3″ soft-bait jigs for smallmouth bass in river, creeks and lake fishing. For cooling water temperatures, the proven design of the salt & scent impregnated C.W. and W.W. Smallies Delight 3″ soft-baits have earned a place in every serious anglers jig arsenal. The flutter heads slip through most difficult rocky bottom structure with 70% less snags then open hooked baits. The texposed, Mustad, Ultra-point swim bait hook provides positive hooksets-even for the cold-water, mush mouth bite of lethargic smallmouth bass. The hitchhiker coil keeper holds the head of the soft-bait firmly in place. The unique & durable attachment / placement of the multi-colored, silicone skirt strands provides life-like action to the jig-even in a stationary position. The kit includes 5 /W.W.S.D. and 5/ C.W.S.D. soft baits rigged on painted, 1/8 oz. flutter jig heads. The kit also includes 10 additional, un-rigged soft-bait replacement bodies- 5 of each style plus 2, un-rigged flutter jig heads. Available colors: #02 Black, #06 Green Pumpkin, #07 Watermelon, #24 Brown Pumpkin Fantasy, #32 Roadkill/camo and #33 Mudpie. I will gladly mix colors depending upon availability. An additional cold-water presentation was again proven in March of 2008 w/the “USUAL SUSPECTS” aboard the Backwoods Angler’s jet boat. I call these the C.W. Jig Worm Kit. The kit has various head designs, w/ and w/o dual wire rock guards for a stand-up presentation that have the approval of cold-water smallmouth bass. The baits range from 3to 3 ¾’ in length. These jig worms accounted for every big smallmouth over 14”caught that day including a real nice 20” er. C.W. Jig Worm Kit-#CWJWK 3/16-5/16 oz. heads w/ Mustad Ultra-Point & BLN Ultra-Point hooks PRICE: $25.00 per Kit Experienced anglers soon learn how finicky smallmouth bass can be. Fishing for small mouth bass gets tough after cold fronts and when the water temperatures decline into the 40’s . Smaller presentations appeal to smallmouth bass under these conditions. This kit contains high floating, smaller worms from 3-3 3/4”-all on true, stand-up jig heads that bass can easily see w/the worm raised off of the bottom. This is “shaky – head”, finesse fishing @ its finest which many fine smallmouth bass have agreed with. Simply slowly craw these jigs across the bottom w/pauses and/or add a “shake in place” to the retrieve. All jig heads are powered painted in black or green pumpkin and feature dual barbs to securely hold all types of soft plastics in place. This kit Includes * 3/ 3 ¼” Un-rigged creatures on 3/16 0z. stand-up football jigs w/Ultra-point hooks & dual wire rock guards * 4 complete Stand-up bullet jigs(2-3/16 & 2-5/16) w/8 ,hand-tied silicone layers on Mustad BLN Ultra-point hooks * 4 complete Stand-up bullet jigs(2-3/16 & 2-5/16) w/dual wire rock guards on Mustad BLN Ultra-point hooks * 4 complete 3/16 oz. Stand-up football jigs w/8 hand-tied silicone layers on Mustad BLN Ultra-point hooks. * 30 additional high-floating worms in 2 styles/lengths and three colors-watermelon, green pumpkin and black. For various, effective presentations, these worms can be easily trimmed from 3 3/4” down to 3” and anywhere in-between simply by cutting along the segment lines. Here’s a pic of these jigs underwater Cold water largemouth bass love these finesse baits! Dressing for cold weather and the wind chills associated w/ long distance jet-boat runs is recommended. Cold hands and fingers can ruin your day on the water. This system may seem like overkill but when my hands get cold and the finger tips start going numb, I warm them quickly. Holding onto a sub-freezing temp.reel seat will produce cold hands,no matter who you are. I used the heated muff 4x’s during the 1st hour on the water to warm both the left and right fingertips. The body warmer packs work the best I use these 1st- http://www.damartusa.com/pls/portal/site_framework.product?p_product_code=QQD264X Then put these on- http://www.flyfishingoutfitters.com/p/s/viewitem.aspx?pid=GLO-SIM-WIND-GLO I use two of these- http://heatreliefdepot.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=464 Inside one of these- http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=null-cat601725&id=0021064920009a&navCount=0&podId=0021064&parentId=cat601725&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&cmCat=netcon&cm_ven=netcon&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=hand%20warmer%20deer%20muff&cm_ite=netcon&rid=0180101070502 I also use a Damart Balaclava under my Watch cap to keep my entire face/neck warm when running the river in the jet. Never put Damart double force items in the clothes drier. They will shrink to 1/3rd their size. They air dry very quickly. The Damart double force turtleneck sweater is awesome for warmth.I’ll carry 2 pair of the Damart liner gloves in the real cold weather so after 1 pair gets wet I can change over to the dry pair. Al Winco – Winco’s Custom www.wincoscustomlures.com [email protected]