Beach-Net!'s
Lewes, Delaware
Fishing Report

(February 27, 2001)

Water Temp: Lewes - Lewes: N/A ~ De. Lightship: 40' as of Feb 27, 2001

This week we are going to cover wreck fishing. Wreck fishing if done properly can be one of the most productive forms of fishing and also one of the most fun. Wrecks off of the Delaware coast are in abundance, many having been sunk by German U Boats during the first and second world wars, many sunk during storms , also the State of Delaware has placed 11 fishing reefs comprising of army tanks, concrete culvers,barges and tires and they have published Lat Lon numbers for their locations. The numbers of the reefs and many of the wrecks are available on the charts at Bill's Sport Shop.

Like "finding a needle in a haystack" is the best way to describe landing on a wreck. Three things are absolutley necessary for Tau Tog or Wreck fishing:

Exact coordinates
Marker Buoy
Wreck Anchor

As you approach the area of the wreck, slow down and study the bottom configuration on your depth finder. Throw the marker buoy as you pass over the wreck, then check the direction of your drift by drifting past the buoy, then go up from your marker buoy and slowly drift towards it leaving the wreck anchor drag the bottom, it will catch onto the wreck putting you directly on top of it, a few feet can be the difference of a good fishing trip.

Tau Tog live in wrecks and won't venture too far out for their bait. Plan to lose a lot of tackle,snagging the wreck is common, and Tog love to bite softly and quickly dive back into their holes taking you with them. Tog become inactive when the water temperature falls below 45', ideal temperature is 65' to 70'. Also tog are not known to bite at night.

It's best to use abrasion resistant line such as High Impact or Power Pro in the 30 to 50 Lb class. Bank,coin, cushion or bass cast sinkers are all acceptable.Hook sizes and styles vary with the most popular being Mustad 92553-3/0, Blue Virginia 4011E sizes 3,4,5. Tie your hook close to the leader and place the sinker below it so that you feel the very light bite of the Tog. Be prepared to strike at the first little bump or you will be amazed at how you lost your bait.

Live Green Crabs,Fiddler Crabs, Blue Claws and Sand Fleas are the best bait. Along with Tau Tog, most of these wrecks abound with Sea Bass, Sheepshead, Trigger Fish and of course Shark. You can use double hooks tipped with sand fleas or squid when fishing for these species.

Once you have managed a successful wreck trip you too will be hooked.