Jeff McCoy and his wife Jen McCoy of Millsboro display the state-record
52-pound, 11.2-ounce king mackerel Jeff caught on a recent family fishing
outing along Fenwick Shoal off Delaware’s Atlantic Coast. /Submitted photo

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that a Millsboro angler has become the kingfish king of Delaware’s Atlantic waters by catching a 52-pound, 11.2-ounce king mackerel, also known as a kingfish, in late July along Fenwick Shoal. Jeff McCoy landed the new state record king mackerel fishing from his 25-foot boat, The Reel McCoy, kept at DNREC’s Indian River Marina in Delaware Seashore State Park.

“To be honest, it was one of those cases of pure luck – well, not pure luck but like the old saying goes, ‘I’d rather be lucky than good almost any day,’ and that was one of those days,” said McCoy, while enroute back to the dock this afternoon after another angling outing on the ocean. His king mackerel, with a 56-inch fork length and 24-inch girth, bested the previous Delaware record, which stood for more than 31 years, by a stunning 4 pounds, 2.2 ounces.

McCoy’s catch was certified as a state record by Delaware Natural Resources Police Fish and Wildlife Cpl. Kyle Wharton at Hook ‘em & Cook ‘em Bait, Tackle and Seafood on the Indian River Inlet. Aboard the center console Reel McCoy with him that day were his wife, Jen McCoy, and his mother- and father-in-law, Lynda and Dennis Boas, and brother-in-law, Jeff Boas.

McCoy had intended to fish for sharks that day and once his family fishing party reached Fenwick Shoal he put in play some studious preparation and execution of strategy for catching a big gamefish – just not that gamefish. At one point, after the king mackerel made a 15-minute run, McCoy said his fishing line wrapped around the boat’s anchor rope. Quick action by his brother-in-law disentangled McCoy’s fishing line, and the fight was on again with the kingfish making several more runs. Eventually he gained the upper hand and was able to maneuver the fish alongside Reel McCoy, where it was landed with another assist from brother-in-law Jeff Boas.

Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament state records can be found at de.gov/sportfish. More information about the Sport Fishing Tournament and state record fish is available in the 2023 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide is also available in print from the DNREC Fisheries Section by calling 302-739-9914 and from license agents throughout the state.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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 Indian River Marina, Delaware’s largest, is a destination for boaters seeking direct access to the rich Atlantic Ocean and inland bays fishing grounds. The marina has boat slips with a floating dock system and spots for indoor dry boat storage. A monitored public boat ramp with shuttle service to parking is available in the summer. It also serves as a waterfront event space with beautiful sunset views, offers full-service bait and tackle along with fish cleaning and an on-site fresh seafood market.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that it has awarded a contract to operate the restaurant at Indian Marina River to Big Fish Restaurant Group as the previous 10-year contract is set to expire at the end of this month.

Following state procurement requirements, the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation released a Request for Proposals for Professional Services (RFP), which closed Nov. 30, 2022, with the goal of identifying vendor(s) and executing a new contract. The division received two responsive proposals and evaluated them utilizing criteria and scoring included in the RFP.

The new contract, which is also for a 10-year-term from March 1, 2023 to Feb. 28, 2033, stipulates that Big Fish Restaurant Group will operate the marina restaurant “with full waterfront menu fare, including but not limited to, fully prepared seafood dishes (excluding off premise raw seafood sales), entrees, appetizers, desserts, alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, and any other refreshments necessary to carry on the business for the public.” Big Fish will also provide breakfast and delivery service to the Indian River Marina and to the park’s North Inlet Campground.

“We welcome Big Fish to the Indian River Marina and look forward to watching their progress in meeting the growing needs of our park and marina visitors. Their business has won more than 50 awards for quality of service they offer to the public,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “While it is it is never easy to change concessionaires, the state RFP process is fair and Big Fish Restaurant Group submitted the winning proposal this time. I encourage any Delaware business that wants more information on the state bidding process to visit Delaware’s contract portal, MyMarketplace.delaware.gov, which has a wealth of information about the process.”

The Indian River Marina restaurant RFP was rated using seven criteria categories, with 80% of the total score including quality and diversity of the menu; past performance; the vendor’s action plan; vendor’s financial stability; creativity in planning; and designing and delivering a successful establishment, and revenue paid to the state equating for 20% of the total score.

Big Fish will utilize DNREC’s existing restaurant space at the marina, a 1,400-square-foot building with an outside usable deck and pergola area of approximately 1,100 square feet plus a grass area extended from the deck.

The award-winning Indian River Marina is Delaware’s largest marina and a destination for boaters seeking direct access to the rich Atlantic Ocean and inland bays fishing grounds. The marina boasts 194 slips with a floating dock system, 154 spots for indoor dry boat storage, pristine maintenance, full-service bait and tackle along with fish cleaning and an on-site fresh seafood market, and two head boats and more than 30 charter boats available for fishing and sightseeing.

For more information about the Indian River Marina restaurant RFP, go to https://mmp.delaware.gov/Contracts/ and search for Contract NAT22011.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. Enjoy the natural diversity of Delaware’s 17 state parks. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov or Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov.

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INDIAN RIVER INLET – Delaware Seashore State Park will be hosting its first-ever “Big Truck Day” on Saturday, Oct. 5. This free family-friendly event will take place at the Indian River Marina from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Children of all ages will have the opportunity to get up close to some of the park’s heavy equipment and special use vehicles. DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation enforcement, education, maintenance and marina staff will all be present to greet visitors and answer questions. Children will even be able to climb in the drivers’ seats for photo opportunities. 

Among the various vehicles on display are a beach sweeper, front-end loader, minibus, DNREC dump truck forklift, a Delaware Natural Resources Police vehicle, and an ocean rescue truck. If conditions allow, U.S. Coast Guard Station Indian River will dock at the marina with one of their vessels. In addition, there will be a demonstration of specialized marina equipment in action, hauling and moving large boats in the boatyard. 

 An added bonus to the event is a car seat check station.  A certified car seat safety technician will be present at the event to do free car seat safety inspections. For more information, please call (302) 227-6991 or visit destateparks.com. 

REHOBOTH BEACH – DNREC’s Delaware Seashore State Park will host its first-ever “Big Truck Day” from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Indian River Marina. Children of all ages will have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with some of the park’s heavy equipment and special-use vehicles at this family-friendly event.

All types of vehicles will be featured, including a beach sweeper, front-end loader, minibus, DNREC dump truck, forklift, a Parks Natural Resources Police vehicle, and an ocean rescue truck. Marina staff will be on hand to greet visitors and answer questions, and children will be able to climb in the drivers’ seats.

If conditions allow, one of the vessels from the U.S. Coast Guard Station Indian River will dock at the marina. Also, a demonstration will be held of marina equipment in action, hauling large boats through the boatyard.

In addition, a car seat check station will be available, where a certified car seat safety technician will perform car seat safety inspections, free of charge.

The event is free with paid park entry. For more information, contact the Indian River Life-Saving Station at 302-227-6991.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 261

REHOBOTH BEACH – Maintenance dredging at the Indian River Marina basin within Delaware Seashore State Park is scheduled to begin Thursday, Sept. 15, DNREC’s Divisions of Parks & Recreation and Watershed Stewardship announced today.

The marina operates under the auspices of Delaware State Parks. Marina staff has been contacting affected slip holders this week about the dredging, providing information about temporary dock reassignment, dates that their boats will need to be moved, and emphasizing a tight window for the dredging project to be completed. The marina is also allowing for a limited number of early winter haul out/land storage for these boats, per marina manager’s approval.

During the maintenance dredging project, dredge pipe will be marked with orange buoys every 25 to 50 feet, with the Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Shoreline & Waterway Management Section keeping a boat in the water to assist slip holders in navigating the area during dredging operations from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The pipe will be completely submerged and out of harm’s way during non-dredging hours  and the marina will be navigable during those hours as well.

The Indian River Marina also announced this week that because of the dredging project, it will no longer accept transient reservations for the remainder of the 2016 boating season.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 322