2013 Shad Run

[JerryC]

Anyone else excited for this like I am?

[AndyS]

I can not target them on the Raritan river now since the imposed moratorium. I watched guys on the Big D last year anchored in the fast water and they crushed them on flutter spoons while I bounced shad darts off the side of their boat and couldn't get a hit, go figure.
I do float mid April and seem to get a few way, way, up North.

Shad are a great fish and I only C&R.

[kmaty]

Fished hard for them last yr had same problem watching hook up after hook up i have only hooked up 3or4times my self and none landed this yr will be diffrent!

[flatcreek]

Looking forward to the run, big time. Live by the big D and it only takes ten minutes to get the boat in the water. We anchor in the current and use down riggers or dipsey divers to get the flutter spoons about a foot off the bottom. We hooked up almost every time we went last year. It's really fun to take the grandson and watch him fight them.

[GetANet]

Don't know who's happier in that picture, you or the grandson!!!

[Bicey]

I haven't fished for them in a few yrs., but I can remember killing them and the guy next to me (20ft) away not catching a thing. The guy moved about 100 ft downstream of me and he started catching them too. It can be like that sometimes. I used downriggers with spoons close to bottom.

[bunker dunker]

I Can't Wait Myself,had A Good Year Last Year.all From Shore And On Darts.green And Yellow Seemed To Be The Ticket.

[PA Angler Matt]

When do you expect them to start making the move up? I'm from Easton, Pa area, i know last year we got them up here REALLY early...hoping for the same this year, three real good torneys up here in april

[bunker dunker]

I Fish The Columbia Section.the Shad Are There By The Middle Of April.

[JerryC]

I slacked last year and never made it out, but i do plan on making it out this year! Me and my buddies used to use a guide on the D for Shad but now we take our kayaks and anchor with a trolly system and just let it rock.. You need to be in the right spots to find the fish, if you find a nice channel and they are running then 9 times out of 10 you will catch them..

[FASTEDDIE29]

Ill definately be out there. Flutter spoons, darts and whatever else. It all works, just gotta be out there to get em. I am really fiending to get out and fish, rough fall, shitty ice season. I am going to snap, sooooooon!!!!

[GetANet]

I hear that brother nother week or two with no fishing gonna go POSTAL!!!!

[flatcreek]

You two need to calm down and check my new avatar out. (ask the wife if I could get a combo beer and pole holder for the boat so this is what I got) Yea I've been inside to long to.

[GetANet]

Yea was laughing when I saw the Avatar!!!! Nice rod holder/beerholder,
could use a couple for my boat too!!!!

[Lard Almighty]

You two need to calm down and check my new avatar out. (ask the wife if I could get a combo beer and pole holder for the boat so this is what I got) Yea I've been inside to long to.Dude, the girl in your picture needs to go to the doctor. She's had a yeast infection for so long that it has fermented some barley!

[flatcreek]

Dude, the girl in your picture needs to go to the doctor. She's had a yeast infection for so long that it has fermented some barley!
You been in to long to. Some ladies carry your baby , some carry your beer and this one will hold your pole to. Ha ha

[Jerseydix]

Good stuff.. :)

[FASTEDDIE29]

Now that's a beautiful avatar. She can hold my beer anytime.

[DoubleG]

How far behind your downrigger ball do you run your spoons. I've never done it before but it makes sense!!

[flatcreek]

How far behind your downrigger ball do you run your spoons. I've never done it before but it makes sense!!
I don't think there is an exact distance. we put the ball about 2 feet off the bottom with about 30 or 40 feet of line behind it.

[PA Angler Matt]

When are they coming???? Dying here in Easton, pa

[SaltLife1980]

Anyone see this..

http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2013/shad_closure13.htm

[JerryC]

Anyone see this..

http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2013/shad_closure13.htm


Does that have any effect on us catch and release guys?

[SaltLife1980]

Does that have any effect on us catch and release guys?


im not sure.. says no take, harvest or possession... does that mean no targeting them as well..

[Wilson]

You need to read a little more like a lawyer;) :D

All American shad fisheries (both commercial and recreational), in both marine and fresh waters, with the exception of the Delaware Bay, Delaware River and its tributaries, are closed (no possession, take or harvest). The recreational possession limit in the Delaware Bay, Delaware River and its tributaries is 3 fish with no minimum size and an open season all year. Commercial net regulations for American shad in the Delaware Bay, Delaware River and its tributaries will remain the same.

You are ok on the Delaware with a 3 fish limit of any size. Not that I want to take any home with me!

[JerryC]

You need to read a little more like a lawyer;) :D

All American shad fisheries (both commercial and recreational), in both marine and fresh waters, with the exception of the Delaware Bay, Delaware River and its tributaries, are closed (no possession, take or harvest). The recreational possession limit in the Delaware Bay, Delaware River and its tributaries is 3 fish with no minimum size and an open season all year. Commercial net regulations for American shad in the Delaware Bay, Delaware River and its tributaries will remain the same.

You are ok on the Delaware with a 3 fish limit of any size. Not that I want to take any home with me!

I wonder if this means we will be seeing a lot more traffic on the water for the shad run this year?

[acabtp]

Does that have any effect on us catch and release guys?
short answer: yes, it is now illegal to fish for shad in NJ except on the big D

[JerryC]

short answer: yes, it is now illegal to fish for shad in NJ except on the big D


Luckily i only fish for shad on the D..

[Lard Almighty]

short answer: yes, it is now illegal to fish for shad in NJ except on the big DWell, you can't specifically target shad, but if you were to, say, catch one accidentally while you were trout fishing with a flutter spoon, and release it immediately, then you're fine.

[JerryC]

I got my first Lewis report on the shad run for the season..

It's getting close. If the weather holds we will try going out 3/23 (first Saturday after St. Patrick's Day). Sandy didn't leave us too bad. We did have our utility pole break at the ground so I am working to get a new one delivered and up so we can get power up and running again. River is a little low right now but rain later this week will bring it up some. I'll write again with an update before we start.

[JerryC]

I saw an email last week from the Lewis report, they didn't get out to check for shad but they mentioned they would this weekend. I will let you guys know what they find.. unless you fine them first! Then let us know please.

[Capt. Lou]

Couple of items if your a bank shad angler , selection of proper location when fishing a big river like the " D " !
Look for choke point, current breaks , long riffs that offer solid holding water.
I personally prefer the mid pool range to tailout . Your offering must be presented deep , doesn't have to bump bottom but should remain on retrieve near bottom where current slows & offers a resting area goin up stream.
Light lines , long UL rods are best for this application .
Retrieves should be prounced jig motion coupled to a fast retrieve , however after every sweep let it settle & THEN resume the retrieve !
Actually the fly rod outfishes the spin rod ten to one if you know how.
About 15 seasons back I was hired to shoot a video on fly roddin' shad on the big D , it was call Fly Rodding for Shad ! It really outlines a super technique that puts fish after fish on your fly! I did not develop this method it was taught
me by a fly rod shad angler that loves this fish !
Good Luck!

[bowzonly]

Lard, I don't care who ya are, That was fuuuny!

[Rottilover]

The water temp in the big D was 43 degrees yesterday . It's time !!!!! The upcoming warm temps we're looking at should really kick start the run. I'm planning to hit the river near the Worthington Track Sunday morning. I can't wait !!!!!!

[JerryC]

Im excited!!