Which species to target 4/18-4/20

[Tightlines74]

Originally Posted by Poncho

Shad may be a bit tough. Big D cam up 6 feet, crested last night and is starting to drop. Cold front may put them in lock jaw mode plus extra debris in water sucks too. If no more rain later in weekend may be better for shad.

Thanks for the heads up Poncho, funny timing as i was wondering how conditions might be after reading this...

When the river is above normal, angling is best near the shoreline. Extremely high river flows may stop the migration and the shad will hold in calmer water behind in-river structures. The subsiding flow will often trigger this holding school of shad to migrate, en masse, upstream. American shad must see the lure. Therefore, muddy or debris filled water make for poor fishing conditions.

http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/fish_shad.htm

[Poncho]

In the F&W link you posted is the site that I got that info from (Woo's Shad Fishing). Good shad site although lot of bullshit posters but you can differenciate good from bad. The DRSFA is also very good.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Stripers down low on the Delaware or in the bay. Might be a good bet. Bay has been slow but there's still some action with the short Stripers. Tough decision!!! HMMMMMMMMMM!!!!

[Tightlines74]

Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE29

Stripers down low on the Delaware or in the bay. Might be a good bet. Bay has been slow but there's still some action with the short Stripers. Tough decision!!! HMMMMMMMMMM!!!!

FASTEDDIE29 Thank you for striper update, stripers are definitely one my son is looking to catch and i totally agree with you about it being a tough decision.

So far shad are winning the poll, I'm kinda surprised by how many views on the thread vs how few poll voters but thank you and good luck to all those who took their time out to post a reply and vote

[420*NightCrawler]

I had to vote Shad as I know they're there and biting now. The only problem is now is a crappy time with the water just having risen a few feet, and the cold front that came in. This past Tuesday was a good day, but yesterday saw few bites. I'd still hit the Delaware tho as others echoed, they're only there 1 time of year, and it's now. I personally think next weekend will be much better, but if I had to go fish somewhere this weekend, it'd still be the Delaware. You can pick up the odd Bass or Walleye, as well. Are Walleye checked off his list?

For Musky, I wish him luck, more luck than I've ever had lol. I've had a few surface chases and 1 grab. The grab while fishing for Trout, and the Musky obviously chomped right thru the line. They're a hard fish to catch, especially fishing from shore. I'll tell you I've had all my Musky sightings at the Monksville Reservoir, right where Wanaque river feeds into the lake, in 3-5' of water....and from shore. I'll just wade thru the water to cross the river, once it warms up.

Whatever you go for, best of luck and post pics!

[Tightlines74]

Originally Posted by 420*NightCrawler

I had to vote Shad as I know they're there and biting now. The only problem is now is a crappy time with the water just having risen a few feet, and the cold front that came in. This past Tuesday was a good day, but yesterday saw few bites. I'd still hit the Delaware tho as others echoed, they're only there 1 time of year, and it's now. I personally think next weekend will be much better, but if I had to go fish somewhere this weekend, it'd still be the Delaware. You can pick up the odd Bass or Walleye, as well. Are Walleye checked off his list?

For Musky, I wish him luck, more luck than I've ever had lol. I've had a few surface chases and 1 grab. The grab while fishing for Trout, and the Musky obviously chomped right thru the line. They're a hard fish to catch, especially fishing from shore. I'll tell you I've had all my Musky sightings at the Monksville Reservoir, right where Wanaque river feeds into the lake, in 3-5' of water....and from shore. I'll just wade thru the water to cross the river, once it warms up.

Whatever you go for, best of luck and post pics!

Thank you 420!! I appreciate all the great info and the story about Musky grab!!! Problem is I have my son every other weekend, the other he is with my ex and @14 i know his friends and GF will soon be taking up even more of his time so I'm really trying to make the most out of my weekends like this one with him, hence my original post here. Walleye he hasn't talked about but i'm sure he wouldn't complain in the slightest bit if he landed one

Thanks again for the info, best of luck to you as well and hopefully (crossing all my fingers) thanks to all the nice people here who posted I will be able to follow up with pic's with lot's of shad after a great day on the water with my son!

[Poncho]

Delaware is rippin, high, and dirty cold. NY resovoirs are dumpin lots of water in them.

[Tightlines74]

Originally Posted by Poncho

Delaware is rippin, high, and dirty cold. NY resovoirs are dumpin lots of water in them.

Poncho, Thank you very much for the update on the conditions, I greatly appreciate it!!! Being 45 to an hour away from the Big D you may have saved us some time and let us focus on other places where conditions may be better. Thanks again and best of luck to you where ever you decide to wet your line!!!

[420*NightCrawler]

If you don't make the Delaware this weekend, in 2 weeks you'll still have good luck there. Hit up those gps coordinates I gave you and you'll catch them there for sure.

[Tightlines74]

Thanks 420

We went out sunday morning to a spot that was new to us, ended up striking up a conversation with this guy who 3rd cast in caught this pike. Looking forward to hitting the Big D for shad!