[digiRAMbo]

I actually caught my first blues this past Saturday (5/28/16) along the route 50 bridge using spec rig. A lot of shad were caught also, but I was targeting blues. There was a fair number of people walking across the bridge along with people on bikes, so it was a little inconvenient for me and probably for them, but that's expected. Fishing was spotty. You have to be there for the runs or you'll miss a good chance to catch, meaning you have to put some time in... Unless you're a local who knows when to go and when to leave (personal opinion). I like Oceanic pier, minus the fact that there's not too much room and people crowd over the end of the pier. I haven't checked out other fishing spots yet besides the pier and the bridge.

Does anyone know good spots for fishing along the bridge? Does the middle of the bridge produce?
Oh, and if you send me a PM with good spots, I won't make it public with the understanding that you're PM'ing me for a reason.

Hope everyone had a great weekend with some fishing involved.

 

[Twinkies]

Sorry, I have no experience on the bridge yet. But I will be trying the bridge soon when I get some time. The best way is to be friendly and talk to people there. They probably are experienced and can help you out. I've found that to be more useful than blindly trying hoping for the best and expecting the worse.

 

[digiRAMbo]

Sorry, I have no experience on the bridge yet. But I will be trying the bridge soon when I get some time. The best way is to be friendly and talk to people there. They probably are experienced and can help you out. I've found that to be more useful than blindly trying hoping for the best and expecting the worse.

You're absolutely right about talking to others and I have no problem doing that. But I do take precautions as not to disturb those who want to be left alone. There were a few folks that I saw on this trip who looked like they wanted to just quietly fish, catch some, and head home... Most likely the locals.

There's also some fun in blindly trying and I think I've done that on this trip. Now I just want pointers from people who frequent the bridge. I'll also probably stop by a tackle shop near by and ask.

Here's what I picked up from Oceanic Fishing Pier for Public Fishing Areas:

• Ocean City Inlet (Southern most end of OC)
• Oceanic Pier (No fishing license needed, Southern most end of OC)
• Rt. 50 Bridge (1 block south of 1st street)
• Homer Gudelsky Park (Beach with rocks along shore)
• 2nd thru 4th Street Bulkhead (No fishing license required, bayside)
• 9th Street Pier
• Conventional Hall (Bulkhead & pier behind Conventional Hall and 40th street)
• Isle of Wight (Good crabbing and light fishing)
• Northside Park (No fishing license required, 125th street)
• The Beach (Before 10am and after 5:30pm)
• Indian River Inlet
• Fenwick Island Bathhouse (Part of DE State Park)
• 3 R's (Part of DE State Park)
• Ocean Pier (Runs parallel to Ocean City Inlet)

 

[dena]

There are two channels on the Rt 50 bridge.
The main channel, and the channel that goes up the West side of the inlet past the crab house.
The deeper part of the inlet is centered around these channels, The rest is pretty shallow, to the point of being unfishable due to snags.
There is also the remains of the old RR bridge just south of the current bridge, a good cast away..snag city.
Watch how folks use the lights at night, and how the current runs through the bridge...which side to be on can be key.
Bring a bridge net. Nothing is worse than a large fish breaking off on the way up.

 

[digiRAMbo]

There are two channels on the Rt 50 bridge.
The main channel, and the channel that goes up the West side of the inlet past the crab house.
The deeper part of the inlet is centered around these channels, The rest is pretty shallow, to the point of being unfishable due to snags.
There is also the remains of the old RR bridge just south of the current bridge, a good cast away..snag city.
Watch how folks use the lights at night, and how the current runs through the bridge...which side to be on can be key.
Bring a bridge net. Nothing is worse than a large fish breaking off on the way up.

Lol, two worse things happened on this trip. 1. Lost a big one while untangling the bridge net. 2. Fish was brought up to the top, then the fish bounced out of the net. (Another fisherman on the bridge)

Thank you dena for the pointer about the two channels.

 

[catman]

Lol, two worse things happened on this trip. 1. Lost a big one while untangling the bridge net. 2. Fish was brought up to the top, then the fish bounced out of the net.....

I've been using a bridge net for well over 25 yrs and I modify my nets when I buy one. There's two thing you'll want to do to prevent exactly what happened to you. There are 3 lines attached to the net rim. Shorten one line by 8" - 10". This will allow one edge to enter the water first so you can swim the fish into the net and not over it. The 2nd thing is to add about 12oz of weight to very bottom of the net which keeps the netting from floating when it enters the water. I've yet to loose a fish because of the net. With a little practice you'll be able to handle both the rod & net w/o someone else's help. Good luck with the big 'uns.:fishing:

 

[kurazy kracka]

Slack tide ls produce nothin. The more you fish it the more you'll learn what tides produce best/which you prefer to fish.

Shadow lines are key. Jig heads and rubber. I've had nights of 60+ bass off the bridge.

Fish near channels like other said, center doesn't produce much. The blues will really turn on about an hour before dusk long as the tide is moving like clockwork usually.

 

[andypat]

I've been using a bridge net for well over 25 yrs and I modify my nets when I buy one. There's two thing you'll want to do to prevent exactly what happened to you. There are 3 lines attached to the net rim. Shorten one line by 8" - 10". This will allow one edge to enter the water first so you can swim the fish into the net and not over it. The 2nd thing is to add about 12oz of weight to very bottom of the net which keeps the netting from floating when it enters the water. I've yet to loose a fish because of the net. With a little practice you'll be able to handle both the rod & net w/o someone else's help. Good luck with the big 'uns.:fishing:

Shorten one line. Great idea catman. Still learning after all these years. Thanks!!

 

[TunaFish]

Try to cast at an angle (like 45 angle) and against the current. At night, if fishing with a storm shad ( 5'' or 6''), the bass are underneath the shadow line waiting to devour your lure. If you're using braided line, I reccommend you use mono for your leader because the underneath of the bridge is cement and will cut off your line like butter.

 

[catman]

Shorten one line. Great idea catman. Still learning after all these years. Thanks!!

Andy this old salt learns something new almost daily from the great folks on P&S.:fishing: BTW I just bought some of those tube jigs you use. My marina has 5 piers each 1/4 mile long so that's 100's of pilings to jig around.

 

[digiRAMbo]

I've been using a bridge net for well over 25 yrs and I modify my nets when I buy one. There's two thing you'll want to do to prevent exactly what happened to you. There are 3 lines attached to the net rim. Shorten one line by 8" - 10". This will allow one edge to enter the water first so you can swim the fish into the net and not over it. The 2nd thing is to add about 12oz of weight to very bottom of the net which keeps the netting from floating when it enters the water. I've yet to loose a fish because of the net. With a little practice you'll be able to handle both the rod & net w/o someone else's help. Good luck with the big 'uns.:fishing:

This is the kind of knowledge that can only come from an experienced angler. Thank you. Did you ever consider working as a consultant for fishing gear companies?

If I could pull up a big one with rod & net without someone else's help, that would definitely be extra rewarding. I would only have to worry about taking a picture with the fish without getting cropped. You gotta remember, I'm a newbie and I still take pictures with the fish, lol.

 

[CaliYellowtail]

I've been using a bridge net for well over 25 yrs and I modify my nets when I buy one. There's two thing you'll want to do to prevent exactly what happened to you. There are 3 lines attached to the net rim. Shorten one line by 8" - 10". This will allow one edge to enter the water first so you can swim the fish into the net and not over it. The 2nd thing is to add about 12oz of weight to very bottom of the net which keeps the netting from floating when it enters the water. I've yet to loose a fish because of the net. With a little practice you'll be able to handle both the rod & net w/o someone else's help. Good luck with the big 'uns.:fishing:

Shortening one line........awesome tip Catman!

 

[catman]

This is the kind of knowledge that can only come from an experienced angler. Thank you. Did you ever consider working as a consultant for fishing gear companies?

If I could pull up a big one with rod & net without someone else's help, that would definitely be extra rewarding. I would only have to worry about taking a picture with the fish without getting cropped. You gotta remember, I'm a newbie and I still take pictures with the fish, lol.

Thanks for the kind words. I'm retired (well almost) and now spend much of my time working on the HONEY DO list which keeps growing.

 

[catman]

Shortening one line........awesome tip Catman!

Thanks, sometimes simple things can pay big rewards.