Old Inlet Fall Surf Fishing Classic tourney sees spirited competition

Old Inlet Bait & Tackle held its Fall Surf Fishing Classic Tournament the weekend of Sept. 28-29. This is an individual tournament where entrants fish for themselves, as compared to a team tournament where six or so anglers will join forces to fish together.

We had just come off of a two-week run of strong east wind with the usual beach erosion and unfishable surf conditions, but fortunately, the weather and the surf improved, and the tournament was a great success.

The Open Division had 181 participants, and Brian Hill came out on top with 163 points. Points are awarded for the length of the fish caught over a certain minimum size for that particular species. Brian won $800 plus a beautiful bronze trophy. In second place was Shaun Smith with 125 points, earning $600 and a bronze trophy. Jim Haug came in third with 115 points, and he took home $400 and a bronze trophy. In fourth place was Jamie Logan with 109 points; he won $200 plus an Okuma rod.

In the Women’s Division there were 21 participants, and the overall winner was Lori Born with 58 points. She won $200 and the Nicole Born Memorial Trophy and a rod. In second place was Gretchen Loose with 50 points, earning $100, a trophy, and a rod and reel. Finishing third was Kimberly Blum with 50 points; she took home $50 plus a trophy and a tackle box.

The Kids Division saw 10 participants, with Jace Griffith coming out on top with 42 points. He won a surf rod and reel, and a trophy. In second place was MJ Mitchell with 10 points; he won a jetty rod and reel plus a trophy.

The Grand Slam Prize was won by Brian Hill, who caught a 48-inch red drum, an 18-inch bluefish and a 12-inch kingfish. That was worth an Okuma surf rod and reel.

The Largest Fish of the Tournament was a tie, with both Brian Hill and Jamie Logan catching 48-inch red drum. They split the $1,000 prize, taking home $500 each.

The Bluefish Calcutta was also a tie between Harvey Atkins and Mark Hollinger, who both caught 19-inch blues. They had to divvy up the $1,600 prize, taking home $800 each.

This tournament and the Delaware Mobile Surf Fishing Tournament that will be held later this month give local surf-fishermen a chance to compete without the added expense of traveling away from home. Both contests are very well run, and even when the weather does not cooperate, the anglers still have fun.

Invasive species

The term invasive species applies to non-native animals and plants that have been introduced to our area, whether on purpose or by accident. In either case, the result has not been good for the local environment. A recent article in Outdoors Delaware brought this problem to my attention.

I would think the most obvious case of an invasive species would be the European hybrid Phragmites that has replaced the native Phragmites, which had been growing in our marshes for the past 11,000 years. The non-native Phragmites type was introduced in the 1950s and has completely taken over the marsh above the saltwater line. It has a rhizome or root system that can grow 30 feet underground, so burning the plant above ground does no good. The only method that can control is spraying the plants with herbicide for three years straight in the fall.

The two most obvious invasive fish species are the blue catfish and the snakehead. Both species feed on native species, especially the fry, and are considered a danger. When caught, they are to be removed from the water. Both are said to be good table fare. I have eaten blue catfish, and they are very good. I have yet to try snakeheads.

In Delaware, the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek are the best locations for catching blue catfish. Cut bait, or live bluegills or perch make the top baits. Over in Maryland, where blue cats are more common, chicken livers are considered prime catfish bait.

Snakeheads are found in several ponds and rivers in Delaware. They like the shallow headwaters where the grass beds give them cover. Try using large minnows or surface lures such as frogs, poppers or spinner baits.

I was surprised to read that there were flathead catfish in Lums Pond. The state has removed 91 flathead catfish from Lums Pond since July 2022, including a 31-pounder In 2023. You can be sure there are even more big flatheads in the pond eating bass, perch, crappie and whatever else they want.