Shad run

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stradic1
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2011/03/09 16:01:46 (permalink)

Shad run

Anyone getting ready for the shad run below Conowingo? I just rigged two poles for them and can't wait, won't be long now.

Momma Always Said Fishing Is Like Going To Thailand - You Never Know What You're Gonna Catch
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    akitadog
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/09 18:46:07 (permalink)
    are they shad or skipjack?
    #2
    stradic1
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/09 19:56:02 (permalink)
    Hickory shad will show by the end of March and the white shad will get there mid April. The really good fishing is from mid April til mid May, you can't have more fun with an ultralight. You can't keep them but they are a blast to catch and if you hit it right you can catch 100+ in a morning or evening, I am sure you could catch 250 in a day but they will wear you and your fishing reels out. They fight like a tarpin does - out of the water as much as in it.

    Momma Always Said Fishing Is Like Going To Thailand - You Never Know What You're Gonna Catch
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    pafisher
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/09 23:29:28 (permalink)
    What lures do you use for those shad?
    #4
    stradic1
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/10 09:30:45 (permalink)
    I use a three way swivel and tie a 3 foot leader to a nun guesser shad spoon on the inline and a 1 foot leader on the dropper with a shad dart. Size of the shad dart depends on how fast the current is running, blue & white always work well. A good tip for this rig is to use something like 14# to 20# test for the long leader and around 8# to10# on the short to avoid tangles, these fish are strong and will break your leader if you go lighter(especially when you are catching two at a time). 

    Momma Always Said Fishing Is Like Going To Thailand - You Never Know What You're Gonna Catch
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    pafisher
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/10 18:15:18 (permalink)
    That sounds like a blast.Do you fish from shore or boat?I never have been there but fished the Delaware for shad years ago.
    #6
    stradic1
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/10 18:56:10 (permalink)
    I fish from shore below the dam and at the mouth of deer creek, and it is a blast.

    Momma Always Said Fishing Is Like Going To Thailand - You Never Know What You're Gonna Catch
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    Wally Cat
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/10 23:22:59 (permalink)
    Sounds like fun fishing with light tackle. Never done it before but might just give it a shot. Above post said you can't keep any, WHY? Not good to smoke or eat or other problems. Wouldn't they be good for other fish bait? I recall reading a post last year about using them for striper bait. Just curious.

    Enjoy Life, Be Happy, Go Fish - Often!

    "God has blessed America - may He continue to do so, even though we are not worthy of it".
    Author..... Wally Cat
    #8
    stradic1
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/11 00:36:24 (permalink)
    They are protected due to alot of factors such as commercial netters - and a big fish kill due to them not running water from the dam and suffocating an unreal number of them. I have a friend who is 83 and has pictures of the dead fish from one side of the river to the other. Now I am pretty sure they are not allowed to shut the water down like that. Not to mention when the fish came back in force they decided to build an elevator so they could run up the river in Pa which did little more than kill alot more fish. Trust me when I say me and alot of others have seen the dead fish. I recently read an article where they admit it "may" have been a mistake. I do think you can keep them in some other states. They are best known for their roe (lots of people love it) but you can eat the fish very bony, I had some years ago that were done by my friend and they were good. Not sure how he did them but you ate the bones as well.
    post edited by stradic1 - 2011/03/11 00:48:31

    Momma Always Said Fishing Is Like Going To Thailand - You Never Know What You're Gonna Catch
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    Wally Cat
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/11 17:29:24 (permalink)
    Thanks for the feedback. I was also looking into coming out to the Del. and attempt some striper fishing if I can talk my son into it.

    Enjoy Life, Be Happy, Go Fish - Often!

    "God has blessed America - may He continue to do so, even though we are not worthy of it".
    Author..... Wally Cat
    #10
    stradic1
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/12 11:51:57 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: Wally Cat

    Thanks for the feedback. I was also looking into coming out to the Del. and attempt some striper fishing if I can talk my son into it.


    You're welcome, and let me know how the striper fishing is in the del, I do my striper fishing in the river and the flats below Conawingo in Maryland.

    Momma Always Said Fishing Is Like Going To Thailand - You Never Know What You're Gonna Catch
    #11
    sudsy1000
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/13 11:22:37 (permalink)
    Even better on a 4wt fly rod.  
    #12
    pafisher
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/13 12:25:26 (permalink)
    sudsy,can you reach the fish with a flyrod and what fly do you use?
    #13
    sudsy1000
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/13 16:51:04 (permalink)
    We fishthe tribs right below conwingo. 4 and 5 weight flyg rods are great. We use a shad dart immitation tied with a bead head. I don't fish the main river.
    #14
    sudsy1000
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/30 19:13:41 (permalink)
    I'm planning to hunt shad friday if the weather holds out. Anyone have any reports?
    #15
    woodnickle
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    RE: Shad run 2011/03/31 10:00:01 (permalink)
    You may check here for some help. Good luck.
     
    Shad Report ( 45 89)

    #16
    sudsy1000
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    RE: Shad run 2011/04/01 00:09:32 (permalink)
    Thanks for the link.  I;m going to play it by ear on the weather but plan on giving it a go.  I'll post a report if I get out.
    #17
    sudsy1000
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    RE: Shad run 2011/04/04 04:49:26 (permalink)
    No Shad.  The water was still too cold.  This week is going to bring some warmer weather and some rain to increase the flows.  Get ready!
    #18
    woodnickle
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    RE: Shad run 2011/04/04 12:10:02 (permalink)
    I,ve never targeeted them but always wanted to try.
    How do you fish for them? Read about using darts and guys in boats even use down riggers.
    Keep me updated, always enjoy reading about new adventures...:)

    #19
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