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]

Originally Posted by RWole

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]

Originally Posted by Billfish715

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?!?!