Help with Shad

[njmultispecies]

I was interested in fishing the shad run this year. About what time do they start running? I have heard about shad darts, but don't know much else about what lures, line, rod, ect to use. Any suggestions? Thanks

[Capt. Lou]

The best method to take them is definitely on the fly rod , that being said if you are not a fly fisherman then spinning with the darts produces very well .
I use a 7 - 7.5 light action spin road with 6# mono . Darts range in colors but if u stick with silver or gold that's all u need . Tails optional , Imnever used any with tails , plain body only .
More importantly is understanding how to fish the darts , most approach this wrong .
It's best to cast slightly up and across stream , once dart settles in a hard jigging motion is imparted to dart as u retrieve on down stroke , u repeat this until jig gets hit or retrieve completed .
U cannot go too fast , they love those super hard jig motions & fast retrieves !
Dart size is generally 1/4 or heavy enough to,reach holding water .
The other part of this equation is locating the shad . They are active in evening but certainly can be caught all day .
Mid depth riffs , tail outs , major seams all can produce . Water temps early fifties gets em going , but best fishing occurs mid to late fifties !
Stages of runs can be noted by commercial,netter located on lower river usually peaks late April,thru mid May .
You. An sub rive to his website , I forgot his name but u can google it I'm sure

[MudCat08]

I'm going to be targeting them this year as well as I still need to add them to my list.
I hear they start in April and continue until May and even June.
I'm going to try spoons, and flutter spoons with shad darts. Something's gotta work! Going to be using a small reel with 6lb line and a 7ft-8ft rod.

It's shad in the evening then walleye as the sun sets!

[Capt. Lou]

Flutters usually work best from a boat trolling or on DR's . I would stick with darts from shore they've always produced very well for me .

[acabtp]

if you want to get the shad reports send an email to steve meserve at lewisfishery(AT)comcast.net and ask to be added to the shad list. that's the netter capt lou mentioned. they are the last/only "commercial" shad operation on the delaware (very small scale, basically for historical/demonstration/shad fest purposes at this point) at lewis island in lambertville.

in 2016 the shad were at trenton by 3/15 and the run was over by 5/23

[Mark B.]

http://drsfa.org/shad-fishing

http://www.woofish.com/FISHREPORTS.html

[team heat]

i USED TO CATCH SHAD STARTING ABOUT THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH AT THE TRENTON POWER PLANT.iF THE PLANT IS RUNNING THE WARM WATER DISCHRGE INTO THE COVE IS THE PLACE TO BE.LAST YEAR I TOOK A FLOAT TRIP DOWN THE DELAWARE RIVER FROM LONG EDDY TO CALICOON NY IN THE THIRD WEEK OF MAY AND THE SHAD WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE.yOU COULD SEE THEM. CRUSING ALONG.MANAGED TO CATCH 4 OR 5 BUT WE WERNT EVEN FISHING FOR THEM GOOD IDEA TO CALL FIRST TO SEE IF THE MERCER GENERATING PLANT IS RUNNING.THE PLANT BELONGS TO PULIC SERVICE ELECTRIC AND GAS.yOU CAN ACESS THE COVE OFF OF RT29.jUST TAKE THE LABERTON ST EXIT GO DOWN TO THE STOP SIGN MAKE A LEFT TURN YOU WILL GO AROUND A BUNCH OF CURVES.wHEN YOU SEE THE FIRST OIL COPANY ON RIGHT PARK THERE.THERE IS A WELL MARKED GATE TO ACESS THE COVE.

[bassnblues]

It's been a while but I've had luck using the same teaser rig that I use in saltwater. I call it the milt Rosko rig because I read about it in one of his articles.

Tie a swivel into a small dropper loop, leave one side longer. Tie you dart on the long end and the flutter spoon on the short end. It was 50/50 between fish on the spoon and dart. I use 6lb floro.

[NJ219bands]

Originally Posted by team heat

i USED TO CATCH SHAD STARTING ABOUT THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH AT THE TRENTON POWER PLANT.iF THE PLANT IS RUNNING THE WARM WATER DISCHRGE INTO THE COVE IS THE PLACE TO BE.LAST YEAR I TOOK A FLOAT TRIP DOWN THE DELAWARE RIVER FROM LONG EDDY TO CALICOON NY IN THE THIRD WEEK OF MAY AND THE SHAD WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE.yOU COULD SEE THEM. CRUSING ALONG.MANAGED TO CATCH 4 OR 5 BUT WE WERNT EVEN FISHING FOR THEM GOOD IDEA TO CALL FIRST TO SEE IF THE MERCER GENERATING PLANT IS RUNNING.THE PLANT BELONGS TO PULIC SERVICE ELECTRIC AND GAS.yOU CAN ACESS THE COVE OFF OF RT29.jUST TAKE THE LABERTON ST EXIT GO DOWN TO THE STOP SIGN MAKE A LEFT TURN YOU WILL GO AROUND A BUNCH OF CURVES.wHEN YOU SEE THE FIRST OIL COPANY ON RIGHT PARK THERE.THERE IS A WELL MARKED GATE TO ACESS THE COVE.

I drive past the power plant every day and they didn't generate yet this year. The plant is scheduled to shutdown this June because they burn coal. Fishing has been no good there for many years because they don't generate most days.