Tips for the Delaware

[Hookmanski]

Hey y’all, so my mom just moved into a house on the Delaware, on the PA side just south of frenchtown. Riverfront property, right next to public access and a boat launch, with private property and river access as well (aka a fisherman’s dream :D).

I have very little experience fishing the big D, but I gave it a go today. The water was pretty clear, and pretty crowded with tubers and kayakers. Threw a bunch of different things, including ned rigs, soft plastic craws, topwater, spinners and more. I was wading out about waste deep and the water was pretty warm. The river seems to get pretty deep out in the middle but I wasn’t sure how deep as the current was moving pretty good despite the seemingly low water levels. I did hook up with a smallmouth on a kastmaster, but he came off.

I would love to hear stories and knowledge about the river as it seems like it’s an amazing fishery, and I’m going to be able to fish it a bit more often now. Let me know if you’re interested in fishing there too, I certainly have the connection! :D

[ALS Mako]

Early morning or night fishing is the way to go this time of year. I like to look for eddies and current breaks. Also like deep holes. Be prepared to lose gear especially fishing from shore. If you have access to a canoe or kayak it helps to get out away from the shore in some areas. I've had the best luck fishing jigs and swim shads near bottom . Crank baits work well especially when bait is present. Good luck.

[AndyS]

Throwing big stuff in the Easton/P-burg area in December years back, great river, you are so lucky !!!!!!!!!

[Lard Almighty]

Throwing big stuff in the Easton/P-burg area in December years back, great river, you are so lucky !!!!!!!!!X2, put your time in and you will be rewarded. BIG FISHIES in that river!

[RWole]

A light action set up with 6lb. test. Bait the hook with a live Hellagramite or Crayfish. If needed use a small splitshot sinker. You will want to drift the bait as natural as possible. You will be amazed on how many fish you catch.

[Hookmanski]

Throwing big stuff in the Easton/P-burg area in December years back, great river, you are so lucky !!!!!!!!!

Wow nice brown!!! I wonder if i'll be able to find any as far down as the Frenchtown area. And you're welcome to come fish sometime!:D

X2, put your time in and you will be rewarded. BIG FISHIES in that river!

NICE one! Offer stands for you as well Lard, come fish sometime! I'd love to learn from a master like you :D


A light action set up with 6lb. test. Bait the hook with a live Hellagramite or Crayfish. If needed use a small splitshot sinker. You will want to drift the bait as natural as possible. You will be amazed on how many fish you catch.

Noted! I haven't done much bait fishing but will definitely give it a try at some point. Any idea where to get crayfish or hellgramites? Or do you catch them yourself?


If anyone wants to fish this spot, let me know! I'd be happy to get you in :D

[RWole]

HI Way Sport Shop Route 31

[Hookmanski]

HI Way Sport Shop Route 31

I know exactly where that is, I grew up in Glen Gardner and went there with my father as a kid, passed it many times since. I'll have to stop in on the way next time. Thanks!

[gypsy]

down below you at bulls island, you have a wing dam and Lambertville a wing dam. Good fishing there, also good carp fishing under milford bridge just north of Frenchtown. Also on the jersey side under the milford bridge, deeper water than Frenchtown bridge, used to live almost across from the boat launch in upper black eddy just south of the milford bridge. canal in back of your mom's used to have a good population of carp, not sure if they are still back there. over in Frenchtown if coming from pa make your first right, go down to where 2 small creeks flow into the river, about 1/4 mile down gravel road caught smallies there. Cabin creek jigs work well in the river

[Fluken-Around]

Big D is my home turf!! Awesome fishery once you take the time to learn it and learn the habits of the fish and were they stage throughout the year. Like mentioned above this time of year is a first light or night fishery! To much activity during day with tubers, swimmers, and kayakers. Have fun fishing the D, one of those spots were u never know what's going to be on end of your line when you set the hook!!

[RWole]

Very true, the Big D does get loaded up with tubers and paddlers during the summer. All will quiet down very soon.

[HBird11]

Find some fast water and you will find some Smallmouth! Careful not to get in to deep and swept away I always put on my shorts and old sneakers and wade the shoreline casting and floating Hellgrammites for hours of fun! Screw those tubers and rafters that’s the nice thing about fishing in the fast water they come and go quickly and the fish don’t seem to be affected by them! Throw on your shorts, old sneakers and a PFD and be prepared to have a blast

[JDTuna]

Used to fish Frenchtown to Bulls Island a lot. Caught smallmouth, largemouth, channel cats, stripers and walleye. Used to catch a lot of nice smallmouth first thing in the morning on topwater anywhere in that stretch.

[Hookmanski]

I appreciate all the info fellas! Very excited to fish the river much much more in the (hopefully) near future. For once I'm actually happy for Fall to arrive :D

I'm also just about starting a minor restoration project of an aluminum jon boat, it's somewhere in the 12'-14' range but I don't have exact measurements yet. Would I be alright with just an electric trolling motor in those sections? Trying to avoid buying a gas motor but I'd rather be safe if that's the better option.

[JDTuna]

I appreciate all the info fellas! Very excited to fish the river much much more in the (hopefully) near future. For once I'm actually happy for Fall to arrive :D

I'm also just about starting a minor restoration project of an aluminum jon boat, it's somewhere in the 12'-14' range but I don't have exact measurements yet. Would I be alright with just an electric trolling motor in those sections? Trying to avoid buying a gas motor but I'd rather be safe if that's the better option.

Get to know the river first. Some parts might be slow enough, but you can get in trouble really quick. Trolling motors cant overpower the current in many areas.

[Hookmanski]

Get to know the river first. Some parts might be slow enough, but you can get in trouble really quick. Trolling motors cant overpower the current in many areas.

Definitely. This boat won't be ready for quite some time anyways, it needs to be sanded/sealed/painted and i might be putting some kind of a deck on it as well. Then I have to get it registered. But good to know a trolling motor may not be enough, guess i'll start saving! Safety is definitely on the top of the list.

[The Hunter]

Looks like you are branching out Hookmanski!!!! From good old Glen Gardner to the far reaches of the state. Helgramites are about $14 for 12 of them on 31 but they usually last thru a few fish (you will catch using them, kinda like fish crack!!). Good old Voorhees misses you.

Good Luck and let me know when you are heading down to Delaware. I live in P'Burg and can shoot down and meet you for some fishing.

Talk to you soon.
Hunter (aka Joe Tucker from Voorhees)

[Mark B.]

Save $, and do in the Del. R. and some of the streams that feed it, just as described:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcBvjyulJuo

And, if you collect a Marginated Madtom (small species of catfish),.....big smallies love them more than hellgies.

[hammer4reel]

Big D is the most underfished water in the state.
Being in frenchtown puts you in the middle if 2 of its best sections.
Fishing from reigelsville to Lambert Ville is awesome .
Can catch smallmouths ,largemouths,channel catfish,flathead catfish ,walleye ,stripers.
All worthy fish of putting up a good fight.

.

[RWole]

Hi the Delaware this past Friday, caught 20 smallies, 2 over lbs. River conditions were perfect.

[Hookmanski]

Looks like you are branching out Hookmanski!!!! From good old Glen Gardner to the far reaches of the state. Helgramites are about $14 for 12 of them on 31 but they usually last thru a few fish (you will catch using them, kinda like fish crack!!). Good old Voorhees misses you.

Good Luck and let me know when you are heading down to Delaware. I live in P'Burg and can shoot down and meet you for some fishing.

Talk to you soon.
Hunter (aka Joe Tucker from Voorhees)

Definitely branching out!! Sounds good, next time I'm headed down that way I'll shoot you a PM!

Save $, and do in the Del. R. and some of the streams that feed it, just as described:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcBvjyulJuo

And, if you collect a Marginated Madtom (small species of catfish),.....big smallies love them more than hellgies.

This is an awesome video, definitely will give this a try. There's some perfect water to try this with close to the property. Thanks!

Hi the Delaware this past Friday, caught 20 smallies, 2 over lbs. River conditions were perfect.

That's awesome!!! Can't wait to get down there again :D

One thing i just thought of, what is the licensing situation like? Am I ok with an NJ License or should i pick up a PA one too? Idk if i could get away without one while fishing on private property or not... any info would be great!

[NJSquatch]

One thing i just thought of, what is the licensing situation like? Am I ok with an NJ License or should i pick up a PA one too? Idk if i could get away without one while fishing on private property or not... any info would be great!

You can fish either side of the river with a NJ or PA license. The rules for the state you are standing in apply.

[Hookmanski]

You can fish either side of the river with a NJ or PA license. The rules for the state you are standing in apply.

Thanks Squatch! Glad to know i don't have to buy another license :D

Although i'll probably end up buying a PA license for some fall trout fishing anyways....