Smyrna times., 1960-06-23

and oceans attract fish? The
University of Delaware hopes to
be able to answer this question
within the next year. At the
present time arrangements are
being made to build two reefs
in the Indian River area. This
project is a pilot study to de-
termine whether or not these
structures are practical in at
tracing different species of fish
and the type of materials that
are best suited for their con-
struction. Sunken ships and
barges, etc. have already proved
to be fish paradises. Artificial
reefs are known to attract a
natural growth of small organ
isms such as mussels, oysters,
and other small invertebrates
which, in turn, will lure the fish
from the vast areas of open
water and thus provide excel
lent fishing areas for numerous
sportsmen. Two experimental
reefs were designed for the Del
aware Bay area, but as yet the
Corps of Engineers and Coast
Guard have not given their per-
mission for construction.
Founder In The Bay
For the past few weeks fish
ing in the Delaware Bay has
been below par; many feel the
cause is lack of continuous
warm weather. However, floun-
der have started to bite now,
and the catch should be on the
increase. Founder fishing has
been improving steadily since
the 1858 fishing season; before
this time, these fish were re-
Iatively scarce in the bay. Soft
sandy areas seem to be the ha-
bitat best suited for the floun-
der, and in the past few years
expansion of areas of this type
bottom might account for the
increase in the number of fish.
Deep Sea Fishing
Charter boats and head boats
operating from the Indian River
area have been making excel
lent catches of porgies. These
fish are exceptionally large;
many weigh four pounds. 1t is
unusual for porgies to stay in
the Fenwick Island wreck area
for more than two or three
weeks. This season, however,
they have remained there ap.
proximately four weeks, an6
from all indications more fish
are on the way. Porgie fisher
men should continue to have ex
cellent sport for several weeks
to come. There has been excel
lent fishing around su n k e
wrecks and other underwater
distractions.
Bluefish, bonito, mackerel anc
tuna are slowly increasing ir
numbers in the off-shore area o.
our ocean waters. A catch of 81
bluefish was reported with many
weighing over four pound d S
Some bonito and mackerel have
been caught, but as yet no tun;
have been boated. Several have
been reported hooked and were
estimated to weigh between 81
and rs pounds. These fish art
found approximately 35 to Al
miles off-shore and are capable
of breaking ordinary lines will
their great weight and fighting
ability.
Fresh Water Fishing License
A fishing license is requires
in Delaware for both resident
and non-residents who wish Il
fish in any waters of the Stat
where the tide does not regu
larly ebb and flow. These area
include all our lakes and ponds
many marshes separated from
tide water by dikes and It'd
gates, and several streams abov
barriers which limit tides. Ii
censes for the l960-6l seasol
are now on sale throughout tn
State. They are effective from
July l, 1860 through June &c
1861.
Bait Minnows Taken With Hoo
and Line!
Many founder fishermen us
minnows exclusively for bai'
and in most cases these min