The tidal Delaware stripers are in the shallows (early)

[Mike]

Yesterday, the tidal Delaware stripers showed up in the shallows (electrofishing results in water 12 ft or less) in large enough numbers to make fishing for them potentially productive from NE Philly to Chester. Prior to this they had largely been in deeper water. This for the most part ususally does not occur to this extent until sometime between May 4 and May 12. This may allow for an extended striper fishery in the shallows this year, an opportunity that does not occcur very often (did not occur since prior to 1995).

 

[greenlander]

Mike, does this mean they are likely in the Schuylkill by now as well?

 

[Mike]

Sorry, forgot to mention the Schuylkill. Yes, they are there now and being caught. In fact, stripers have been being caught there for at least a week.

 

[greenlander]

Hey Mike,

Still a good time for chasing stripers in the shallows on the Delaware + Schuylkill?

 

[marcq]

I think they are leaving about now. Shad hasn't been what it was and the bass usually go the same time. There are always fish there just not the spawning ones.

 

[sandfly]

cows wil leave but schoolies will be around.. males too.. shad are still running up north near the NY. border.

 

[Mike]

As of today, striper fishing in the tidal Delaware continues to be excellent. Additionally, the on-going electrofishing survey revealed that there are still a number of female stripers present on the spawning grounds that have not spawned yet. As long as they are around there will most likely be plenty of males around too.

 

[Mike]

Spawning pretty much finished on 5/21. If you missed this year's run, it is indeed unfortunate. It appeared to be the best run of fish into Pa in the 17 yrs that we have been surveying that population. Data have not yet been fully tallied. As for angler catches, the best catch by a group of anglers of which I am aware and from whom the information is reliable was 154 stripers in about 5 hours among 5 anglers. About 20 fish were less than 20" long on that day and the largest was 43 inches. During our electrofishing surveys this year, our largest fish were three 45 inchers.

 

[afishinado]

Mike wrote:
Spawning pretty much finished on 5/21. If you missed this year's run, it is indeed unfortunate. It appeared to be the best run of fish into Pa in the 17 yrs that we have been surveying that population. Data have not yet been fully tallied. As for angler catches, the best catch by a group of anglers of which I am aware and from whom the information is reliable was 154 stripers in about 5 hours among 5 anglers. About 20 fish were less than 20" long on that day and the largest was 43 inches. During our electrofishing surveys this year, our largest fish were three 45 inchers.

Average of over 30 stripers per angler in 5 hours......6 fish (big fish!) / hour......nonstop action. Wow! A day to remember for those guys.
Thanks for the heads up, Mike.

(Wait 'til Jack reads this) :-o

 

[Mike]

It was also a day that once again showed the variability in successful application of angling techniques or skills. One of the fellows caught slightly over 60 of the 154 fish, yet all five individuals were in the same boat using similar gear.

 

[afishinado]

Mike wrote:
It was also a day that once again showed the variability in successful application of angling techniques or skills. One of the fellows caught slightly over 60 of the 154 fish, yet all five individuals were in the same boat using similar gear.

Were YOU the one?!? ;-)

 

[Mike]

No, I was not on that trip.