What's going on in the bay? My opinion.

[Acipenser]

Delaware Bay serves as one of the largest, if not the largest, nursery areas for sandbar sharks which make up the vast majority of little toothy critters you are referencing. As a whole sandbar populations have been lowered by almost 70% and the fishery closed with the exception of a handful of research permit holders primarily in NC. I only mention this as background to your idea that sandbars are depressing flounder stocks through competition. I don't think the work that has been done on feeding habits of these species would support competition as a major factor. As previously stated by someone above, sandbars feed primarily on other fishes (primarily croaker and menhaden) although they also like soft shell crabs (who doesn't?). I am not as familiar with summer flounder but adults are more piscivorous (fish feeders) but they still prey upon bottom dwelling invertebrates (worms/clam sipphons) at pretty high levels.

Fishing seems pretty good in DE this year based on the carcasses that I have seen at the marina and the guys I have been talking to.

Dewayne

[killerbee]

It is not the dredging. It would affect other species as well.

Every year the stakes get dragged and the flounder bite suffers. Go fishing during the week and you will see them.

Way too many sharks in the upper bay and dogfish in the lower bay.

[grtwhthunter/fisherman]

lol just saying i know of 4 guys that normaly catch alot and they do fish during the week . and they are stumped as well. its just lousy. maybe like mentioned gotta try different areas. but weve been fishing a very productive area all spring and until now, just the bigger fish arent as plentiful.this could b the mystery we never figure out lol. but ill keep tryin.

[bay bee]

Delaware Bay serves as one of the largest, if not the largest, nursery areas for sandbar sharks which make up the vast majority of little toothy critters you are referencing. As a whole sandbar populations have been lowered by almost 70% and the fishery closed with the exception of a handful of research permit holders primarily in NC. I only mention this as background to your idea that sandbars are depressing flounder stocks through competition. I don't think the work that has been done on feeding habits of these species would support competition as a major factor. As previously stated by someone above, sandbars feed primarily on other fishes (primarily croaker and menhaden) although they also like soft shell crabs (who doesn't?). I am not as familiar with summer flounder but adults are more piscivorous (fish feeders) but they still prey upon bottom dwelling invertebrates (worms/clam sipphons) at pretty high levels.

Fishing seems pretty good in DE this year based on the carcasses that I have seen at the marina and the guys I have been talking to.

Dewayne

Interesting post. However, flounder and sandbar sharks are piscivorous, thus they are both in competition for the same food. This supports my theory that the vast amount of sharks in the bay, as evidenced by fishermen who fish there, causes a shortage for food by less aggressive flounder. Therefore, the flounder moves to areas where there is less competition for food.

I don't think many will agree with your last paragraph, where you state, "fishing seems pretty good in DE this year".

[BuschWackAttack]

I agree with the guys who said the mild winter and excessive heat wave we have been having, whatever the reason this sucks

[Acipenser]

When you say two fish are piscivores it does not mean that they are in direct competition. It merely means they are both eating other fish at some level. In the case of sandbar sharks their diet is comprised primarily of menhaden, Atlantic croaker (larger age 0 and age 1), and blue crabs. I do not think summer flounder are going to be competiting directly for these prey resources in the same size classes.

Regarding DE fishing this year. I can only state on what I have seen and experienced. It is not wide open fishing but folks that I know are getting flounder this year in the lower bay. Heck, I have even managed quite a few as well.

Dewayne

[Acipenser]

Interesting post. However, flounder and sandbar sharks are piscivorous, thus they are both in competition for the same food. This supports my theory that the vast amount of sharks in the bay, as evidenced by fishermen who fish there, causes a shortage for food by less aggressive flounder. Therefore, the flounder moves to areas where there is less competition for food.

I don't think many will agree with your last paragraph, where you state, "fishing seems pretty good in DE this year".

http://capegazette.villagesoup.com/c...lounder/852791

I am not the only one who sees the glass half full this summer.

[bay bee]

http://capegazette.villagesoup.com/c...lounder/852791

I am not the only one who sees the glass half full this summer.

The "glass half full this summer" that you see, according to the article you posted, shows fine catches of flounder in areas that are not in the Delaware Bay. ie Indian Bay/Indian River, Old Grounds, Reef Site 10 are below Roosevelt Inlet, the extreme southern end of the Delaware Bay.

The vast, overwhelming majority of people reporting on this forum, are fishing from Brown Shoal to Ship John. Reports like your article shows are simply non-existant for that area.

[whaler dennis]

This year for me has been hit or miss, however I did catch an 18" weakfish the last time out. I believe that there is plenty of food in the bay based on my observations. I have caught many sand sharks and when holding to remove hook had spit up many small crabs and grass shrimp. Crabs are after my flounder bait in deep water and the small sea bass are everywhere. I have caught sea robins, blow fish and the dreaded toothy sharks. Fishing the same old places with the same results does not work, change rigs, find new places, in the bay, to fish, use your chart plotter, be creative.

[Acipenser]

The "glass half full this summer" that you see, according to the article you posted, shows fine catches of flounder in areas that are not in the Delaware Bay. ie Indian Bay/Indian River, Old Grounds, Reef Site 10 are below Roosevelt Inlet, the extreme southern end of the Delaware Bay.

The vast, overwhelming majority of people reporting on this forum, are fishing from Brown Shoal to Ship John. Reports like your article shows are simply non-existant for that area.

Sorry....I live and work on DE Bay. I thought this was a DE Bay forum and not a NJ side of DE Bay Forum......

Fishing has been pretty solid on our side from what I have seen personally and those that I have talked to. You have to work at it but the main point of my taking the time to write here is that there is almost no evidence to suggest that sandbar sharks are impacting summer flounder fishing in the bay.

Dewayne

[bay bee]

Sorry....I live and work on DE Bay. I thought this was a DE Bay forum and not a NJ side of DE Bay Forum......

Fishing has been pretty solid on our side from what I have seen personally and those that I have talked to. You have to work at it but the main point of my taking the time to write here is that there is almost no evidence to suggest that sandbar sharks are impacting summer flounder fishing in the bay.

Dewayne

This is a Delaware Bay Forum. The places mentioned in your article, Indian River, Old Grounds etc., are not.

Glad to hear flounder fishing is "pretty solid" on the Delaware side of the bay. I have a Delaware License. So i'm going to give it a try next time I go out. Thank you for the information.

[Acipenser]

You guys must have some trouble reading the article or you have selective vision. I believe Eric notes DE Bay twice in the first two paragraphs.

"Inshore anglers finally got some action as flounder fishing improved in Delaware Bay, Indian River Inlet and along the channel from B Buoy to A Buoy. Fish in excess of 5 pounds have been caught from these locations with a few topping the 9-pound mark.

The live spot bite at the inlet is really good as the fish are staged close to the rocks. In the Delaware Bay, reef sites provide most of the action, and the bait must be presented directly on top of the structure. Out in the ocean, Reef Site 10 is giving up big flounder as are the rough bottoms between A and B buoys."

I see the glass as half full and or at least much improved over what it has been in recent years.

[Acipenser]

Sorry guys...it may not really be all that bad. Here is a link to a report that seems to suggest it may be pretty good for flounder at least in specific locations in DE Bay.

http://www.lewesharbourmarina.com/fishing_report.php