Quote:
Originally Posted by thmyorke1
Thanks for the info, Mark. How long do the shadlings stay in the river before they become ocean-bound and how fast do they grow?
I would think that the trout stocking that takes place right where and when the shad spawn would be against the principle of recovery.
Could you explain how trout arent a problem? (Dare I even mention not stocking trout in the raritan! Please stock more!  ) |
All of the shadlings are out in the bay / ocean by the end of October. In the ocean, they join schools of shad from other rivers, spending 3 – 6 @ sea until sexually mature, & then ascend the river of their birth to spawn.
Adult Raritan River American shad can swim up the mainstem & spawn only as far as the Headgates Dam @ Duke Island Park.
Fall trout are stocked only in the North & South Branches.
Spring trout are stocked in Duke Island Park & down the mainstem to last stocking point @ Nevius St., Raritan. Can’t imagine that those trout have much of an impact on the shadlings, which are essentially shad larvae @ that time. Spring trout are interested in larger prey,…..like your spinners, worms & Powerbait.
A productive lure when the shadlings are in the river: Original floating Rapala bleeding shad
