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I just moved to DE from NH and I’m trying to gear up for fishing and boating this spring.
I’ve never been on the Chesapeake so I’m trying to decide which type of boat would be best for fishing the calmer decent water closest to Newark, DE.
While I am new to the Bay, I’m not new to boating. I currently have a 19’ Ranger fish and ski w/ 200hp, a 24’ Four Winns bow rider (w/ downrigger) and a 16’ Lund aluminum that I used for trolling for salmon during ice out. I have also had many other fishing boats (< 20’ ) over the years.
I’ve been boating for many years and have fished many of the larger lakes on the east coast, from Okeechobee to the Canadian border. I’ve spent some time in the salt/brackish water (mouths of major rivers in New England for stripers and the St. John’s in FL for largemouth.
I’m trying to figure out what type of fishing I’ll do down here and what type of boat would be most appropriate. I’d happily sell one or two of my current boats in order to get something more appropriate for local waters (and leave one back in NH where I still have a place in NH’s Lakes Region.)
Get a locally made boat that is designed for big water, yet has a shallow draft, and offers weather protection for fishing all seasons. Local builders know the area and water and design their boats accordingly
Spend a year on the bay and notice the features and layout to all the commercial boats... Here is mine
Judge, Maycraft, Parker pilot house style would be tops of my list for upper bay year-round fishing. They are also boats you can trailer over to Ocean City Maryland and fish offshore in.
However, there are also many, many other brands that work very well, too. I've got a Trophy Walk Around, full enclosure, and she's been a great boat. Not as warm as the three listed, but not as wet as a center console, either. I fish the lower bay mostly and she's been a great boat for that.
__________________ -Jason D.-
Pearland, TX....Freeport, Galveston
'07 Trophy 2302 WA w/Verado 250, pro package, Green hull "Sugar Mama"
What is your price range? What do you think you could get for the 2 boats you would sell? Will your current tow vehicle be enough? Just some things to consider...
__________________ Roger
305 Boston Whaler Conquest / 1967 Boston Whaler Currituck
The "calmer, decent water closest to newark" on the upper bay is the Susquehanna flats & river. The flats are 1/2 hour from Newark & have some of the best spring trophy striper fishing you will ever find. You will find year round LM/SM bass, huge catfish & carp, white perch runs & a growing Wall-EYE population.
The best part of this area, all of your boats are fine for it. The ranger is probably the best choice as there is topwater great fishing on the shallow flats for stripers.
The only thing you will need to change... dem stripers are called rockfish in these parts.
These are my home waters & I fish year round in a 18' bowrider. There are very few days that I am stuck at the dock.
Price aside, I'm just trying to get some ideas on the size and style of boat that is suitable for the fishing the upper bay close to Newark, DE - which appears to be the Susquehanna flats, the lower section of the Susquehanna river, Elk River, Sassafras River, etc. From what I have read around the net that area has a fair amount of shallow water and pretty good largemouth fishing. I also enjoy fly-fishing on occasion.
As I mentioned, I have never been on the bay and will have some idea of what I'm looking for after one trip out - then an even better idea once I encounter some rough weather.
I'll fish for anything that bites - I just enjoy being outside on the water and want to make sure I have something that is reasonable for the section of water that I'm targeting.
Based on the fact that many bass tournaments are apparently run out of the Elk, I'm sure my 19' Ranger will be fine for getting out there and checking it out - but I'm open to some advice from those familar with the area.
no problem. It's a great area for fishing & pleasure boating & it sounds like you have a boat for every situation. The alum sled will be great for the susky river above the Lapidum/Port Deposit area. It's a rocky section of the river that has all fresh water types swimming around, rockfish included. The ranger is perfect for the spring striper run, which starts in about 2 months, use the bow rider if the winds are up.
Remeber, rockfish don't like noise & this area is shallow, small & has a TON of pressure in the spring. Running at speed on the flats will shut the bite down, running by other fisherman at speed will get you the lead sinker treatment. If you want to catch em, you have to be quiet & sneaky.
The Ranger will put you in all the places you will need to find fish.
I have had a 13' Whaler, 17'-6" fish and ski, 20' bass boats, and now a 24' CC bay boat. Also have fished out of others. The bay boat is the best of everything, shallow to deep, calm to rough, I like this style the best.
Welcome to the area, see you on the "flats" this spring.
the thing to watch on the upper bay is the wind. It can really push the waves close together and make for a cruddy ride. This past year we went from a 17' bowrider to a 26'. A huge difference. Watch the weather. You will find it is some of the nicest waters to ride/fish/cruise on. There are enough rivers, tributaries, coves, etc to cover just about everything you want to see or fish on. enjoy.
We now keep out boat at Anchor in Northeast, previously we would put in at Dalware City and run down the canal to upper bay. nice ride, any time of year
Hello all, I think I am going to jump in hear. I too will be soon moving to that next of the woods from the Orlando, FL area. I will be bringing by 162 Scout Sportfish, it is an awesome flats boat, shallow draft, 10". So it does sound like there are some flats up there? How shallow are these flats? Do you need to push pole like you do down here in FL? Reason, that I ask is b/c I also have a 15' 6" Gheenoe, super shallow draft 4". This boat is however horrible in rough water. I plan on selling the Gheenoe and keeping the Scout. Does anyone see a need for the Gheenoe in this area. I actually will be moving to Lancaster, PA. Are these shallows/flats sand flats, oyster beds, rocky?
Anyone interested in hooking up to share the ropes/experiences please let me know. I am extremely interested in the spring striper run. Topwater action? How is the other fishing in the upper bay? cobia, flounder, redfish, blue fish, etc?
Any advice, help is appreciated. I will be living there on 03/30/09. I won't bring the boat until probably April/May, depends on when I found a house.
Anyone fish out of Pathfinders up there, they are very common bay boats in FL. I am also considering purchasing one, not sure if they are even available in that area?
jgtbullfrog, The Scout will be ok. The flats are sand then will be loaded with grass. There is plenty of deeper water in the channels, troughs and around the flats. If it is windy it can be nasty but protected areas can be found.
The Flats. Water depth will vary with wind and tides. Can be 0" to 4'+.
Stripers, (we call them rock fish), largemouth, smallmouth, white perch, shad (poor mans tarpon), cat fish, etc.. If it swims in brackish water we have it.
There is a wide mix of boat types on the upper bay. Sometimes it reminds me of that scene in Jaws when everyone and their brother is going out in anything that floats. There are a few Pathfinders.
...Sometimes it reminds me of that scene in Jaws when everyone and their brother is going out in anything that floats. There are a few Pathfinders...
Thats exactly what it looks like. A bunch of folks in groups running all over the place. I stay away from them... They are just following the fishing guides or using the "bent rod sonar". The flats are big, plenty of areas to find fish on your own. When you find em, keep quiet or "they" will come. When "they" come, they are noisy & spook the fish. Having a guide show up at the area you are fishing is the beginning of the end...
Started poking around here for striper fishing info and realized I never mentioned what I decided on. I decided to pick another (older) Ranger bass boat that had a little bit of floor room. Found a bargain last fall and spent the winter fixing it up a little. I'm going to sell my Ranger fish and ski since I don't see us using it down here.
My son and I have had the new older boat out on the water out of Stemmers Run (the pic is of him driving) but we haven't tried fishing yet. We now have a boat license and are ready to go.
Now we just need to figure out how to fish this area. I've been fishing for 25+ years but haven't done much striper fishing - other than fishing chunk bait (mackerel) in the mouths of some rivers up north - or jerk baits for inland stripers on some of the southern reservoirs.
I've fished pretty much the whole east coast from Champlain to Okeechobee but have never done any flats fishing. I hope to try the flats this weekend but have no clue about tactics down here.
Hoping a local baitshop can provide some info (and whatever I need to catch them).
We also now have some crab traps that we need to figure out what to do with as well.
Thanks for earlier comments on boats - and I'm all ears about where to go for fishing advice.
Unfortunately the iconic tackle shop "Sarges" is closed now but honestly up your way, Walmart has some decent stuff at decent prices. If you venture south further there are some specialty Mom and Pop joints that are amazing.
best boat for upper bay 
