Delaware River Smallmouth

[Castnblast52]

Is anyone catching fewer smallies on the river this year. I fish from Carpentersville to King Coles 3 or 4 times a week using just soft plastic for the past 15-20 years. On a 4 hours trip 24 to 36 would be a normal catch this time of year. Not this year it’s a struggle to catch 10 -12. Today from Phillipsburg south 0 smallies 6 stripers 20-24”. Stripers have been in the river forever. Are they finally decimating the smallies population?

[AndyS]

Flatheads and Snakeheads.

[bigfishy]

I think there has been a steep decline in the last ten yrs....something similar to whats been affecting the susquehanna smallies but not as widely researched....i dont bother anymore 😥

[RWole]

If you can get Hellagramites it will increase your chances greatly. Problem is not many bait shops have them anymore.

[Billfish715]

If you can get Hellagramites it will increase your chances greatly. Problem is not many bait shops have them anymore.
Old school method is to catch your own. A piece of old screening attached to two 3’4’ 1x2’s. You can also use a very small seine. Anchor the screen a few feet downstream in shallow water 1-2 feet. Stir up the upstream gravel and collect the “ Mites ”. Use gloves to avoid their pinchers and put your collection into a wading can with wet aquatics and go from there. Shallow water below a riffle is ideal.

[bigfishy]

Old school method is to catch your own. A piece of old screening attached to two 3’4’ 1x2’s. You can also use a very small seine. Anchor the screen a few feet downstream in shallow water 1-2 feet. Stir up the upstream gravel and collect the “ Mites ”. Use gloves to avoid their pinchers and put your collection into a wading can with wet aquatics and go from there. Shallow water below a riffle is ideal.


Haha gloves!!

[Billfish715]

If you are a newbie to hellgramites those pinchers hurt if you are not careful. Even Experienced and nimble fingers have been nipped once or twice.

[Mark B.]

And, when they get really big, they can kill you: "The Tingler" 1959

[Mark B.]

https://youtu.be/26fUY8gnIQc?t=57

[Fluken-Around]

Yes Delaware river smallmouth population in the Water gap area that I fish has declined over the years. Seems like Striper fishing gets better every year and smallmouth bass fishing gets worse. I don't now if it's any colleration but years ago when there wasn't a strong striper population in my area of the river smallmouth bass fishery was awesome! Maybe competition for food and stripers are coming out on top?!?!