Nona Loc: Long Neck, DE

Hi I’m Sooze in Long Neck, DE (on a canal off the Rehoboth Bay).

I retired here 2 years ago & got me a pontoon. I’ve never been a boater but thought it would be a way to get my 4 sons to visit me in my retirement. WORKED LIKE A CHARM, by the way!

But don’t get it twisted, I’m the captain (they will all respect that when I learn to park the boat).

I fished with my Dad as a girl but the boys’ Father was not at all an outdoorsman, so it’s been up to me & they are responding.

I’m hoping to get tips & tricks from this site, so I can fool them into believing I really know my stuff!

HELP ME!!

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

Sooze.... Welcome the Stage. Here's an idea, look around for someone who needs a fishing platform, due to say : can no longer afford a boat, temporarily without one, etc. Ask him or her to give ya lessons, advice, and demonstrations of what you need to learn, in real time. Might need to buy 'em bait and lunch a few times until you get up to speed.
At a minimum, you'll make some new friends. Like $'s, you just can't have too many of those. Keep in touch with us and we may be able to walk ya through any complications that arise.
Your Sons are lucky to have you for a Mom....... ** nutz **

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

First hint., when replying to a specific post, use the post reply button so everyone knows who you're responding to. Second, we love pictures. ❤️. Nutz had a good idea. You could also look up a local USCG Auxiliary and see when they have a boating safety class. Most are free or very reasonable. You'll learn the rules of safe boating, and meet others who might be able to help as well. Rehoboth and I Dian River bays are both nice places to fish.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Morning, Sooze, welcome to the Forum.

You may want to join a local fishing forum if they have one. Some are very good and some are not.

Keep the scheduled maintenance up on the pontoon. Good luck.

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

Welcome Snooze, you came to the right place. When you learn to "dock" your boat you're off to a good start!!
What are you fishing for? Maybe go to a tackle shop and ask what's biting in your area, or throw some shrimp or gulp in on a fish finder rig and have some fun!!! Happy times ahead for you and your family!!

befree11159 Loc: Suxxex county , DE

For salt water fishing try indian river outlet for the latest going on in the area If you like freshwater those golf course ponds have bass in em lol though not sure if they like ya fishing or not I've been lucky noone siad anything yet

Scudrnr Loc: Hancock, Wisconsin

Welcome to the forum Nona

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Post pics

Nona Loc: Long Neck, DE

Thanks for the advice! I’m happy to get it! I may have found someone to teach me some things. I can get out of the canal and drive around the bay and get back home without getting lost, it’s the docking. Our canal is not very wide and when everyone has their boat here I am… I don’t like saying this… a bit of a chicken!
My friend is married to a retired state police marine officer and has offered to teach me but that was last year. I’m going to take your advice and bribe him with something. Maybe food or bait or NOT scheming a way to get his wife mad at him. LOL

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

You could also just post someone on the boat to be "lookout bumper" with a line fixed boat hook.
I have been that very person on occasion. Practice, practice, practice with the bumper person help.

DE ShoreAngler22 Loc: Delaware

I am very familiar with where you boat and fish. Been doing that, on and off, for the best part of fifty years.

Our friend that posted Indian River "outlet" and bay are good places, provided accurate information. It is a tiny funnel that channels water to and from very large water bodies, though. A novice boater in a pontoon should not get any closer than the Coast Guard Station. And, if you do, your engine should never be turned off.

A very productive drift is the "backside" of Burton Island. Follow the channel from Massey's Ditch, until you can see the inlet to your left (on the out-going tide). Then, turn around and do the same again.

The CG is not so diligent in marking the channel and sand bars shift every year - particularly in the winter. The "island" with a heron rookery, for example, did not exist twelve years ago.

Keep these trips to within 2 hrs of the high tide and you are usually safe. Leave a float plan, travel with a person that is physically fit and has a good head on his or her shoulders. Towing insurance also diminishes stress when you get hung-up on a bar and are facing 6 hrs or more in a craft that offers no protection from the elements.

Fishing is great fun. Catching is better. The prospects for a catch on this drift are high. Be safe by being prepared.

Divergirl Loc: South Delaware

That's Indian River "Inlet", not outlet! Yes, often a good fishing place.

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

Nona.... It's not a bribe, no ( good ) Cop wants to hear that. It's an incentive....... nutz.