Shad

[summersoff]

Hit the Potomac today for about an hour and half and was able to get a half dozen good size shad. Nothing special but it felt good to get a few. The guy at Fletchers said it is just starting, but still slow. My shad came in waves, three and three. Had to fish slow and low to catch them, practically bait fishing with darts. So if you need a quick fix, the shad are starting.
No yak today, just bank fishing, kinda scouting before commiting

[Jesserkirk]

Thanks for the post. I was just looking at Shad pics from the James River, glad to hear they are close. Some of my best memories are kayak fishing at fletcher’s last year.


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[Cluelessandfly]

I also chose to go out on a scouting run sunday AM on the Occoquan. I live a bit further away from Fletchers so I will commit the time there when I it's thick (I would think with this warming trend, it should get hot by this weekend unless we get a bunch of rain). It was cold, out there, but I manage a few shad. also slow, not as low since its a shallower trib. It was really nice feeling the headshakes and watching the aerial acrobatics.

[mike o]

Thanks for the report. It is early but I am going to try for them in the susky the end of this week. Got my first striper there yesterday, about 20"

[summersoff]

Went today for a couple hours and didn’t catch jack, only one bump. Other than the fish I caught the other day, there has not been any of the traditional life I am used to seeing when Shad fishing, comarants, ospreys, fish jumping and herring shooting by. I think we need another week before some consistency, or at least later in the day. Saw two boats out, but I think they were workers. I don’t think they are renting yet.
It was still better than lawn work though.

[Cluelessandfly]

I think by this weekend, things up here should be getting consistent. Barring too much rain that is. The temps should start warming starting tomorrow. Once we hit that 50 degree mark regularly, madness should start.

South of us in Richmond, things are getting busy so that bodes well for us in a few days!

[nhunter344]

I'm sensing a trip to Fletcher's this weekend for me. Hopefully we don't get too much rain the rest of the week.

Even if the shad aren't biting, the blue cats are usually there.

[Chillg123]

I'm sensing a trip to Fletcher's this weekend for me. Hopefully we don't get too much rain the rest of the week.

Even if the shad aren't biting, the blue cats are usually there.

Do it!!!


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[Cluelessandfly]

Watching the Little falls gauge closely. If it's good to go, i'll likely be there Saturday in the yak and sunday in the rowboat

[Jesserkirk]

Planning to go out early tomorrow (Weather permitting). Three Rockfish setups and One Shad Setup.

Have to arrive before 6am due to the traffic direction on Canal road.


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[nhunter344]

Watching the Little falls gauge closely. If it's good to go, i'll likely be there Saturday in the yak and sunday in the rowboat

I've always felt the gauge at Georgetown is a bit more accurate than little falls, but its good to keep an eye on both. Little falls looks to have a boat warning for this weekend and the Georgetown tidal gauge should stay below warning stage. For me it will most likely mean a visual inspection to decide on whether to launch or not.

[Jesserkirk]

Just left Fletchers after fishing all morning, we caught a few Shad but they aren’t all here yet. Also, we didn’t catch any Rockfish


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[Cluelessandfly]

A buddy of mine reported similarly. Crazy windy I hear. He was attempting fly which is a recipe for a hook in your neck...

[Mark]

A buddy of mine reported similarly. Crazy windy I hear. He was attempting fly which is a recipe for a hook in your neck...

If space allows, throwing side-armed and low may help. And yes, a Clouser to the back if your head on a windy day will provide more than a little sting. Been there...

[Clubhorned]

I hit Marshy Hope creek on Thursday looking for shad. There were definitely fish there (alewife/Herring?) as i had a few bumps and follows. Glad some of you had some luck but something tells me they are about to pop off.