Delaware Shad Fishing Reports 2015

[Wizzy]

Its almost that time of year again.  The river ice is starting to leave go of its grip on thee river just in time for the shad to come through.  Last year we were catching them easter weekend and on.  I don't think there is a fish in pa (i know they are anadromous ) that fights better pound for pound.

I saw on a shad sight I frequent that there are shad in the bay already and even some in the lower river.

[Susky]

I haven't gone for shad in years.  Might have to try to fit that into my schedule this year.  I have a good Buddy that grew up in Washington new jersey but just moved to forkston.  Might have to talk him into a trip.

[FM]

Wizzy how 'bout keeping us updated on the run you seem to be on top of it. I used to live in NJ and would spend days on end chasing them up the river. From Easton to Milford was my territory. I would haunt the Portland Power Plant when it was open and fishermen were permited to park and walk down to fish on the property.
thanks for the update.
FM

[Wizzy]

Will do FM...  My buddy and I are going to start fishing for them on easter weekend again workingour way from where we got tthem last year and work our way down river. 

[fishfinder]

I've never been shad fishing but it sounds like quite an experience. I remember my grandfather telling me stories about him and his buddies wading the Delaware for shad and also catching walleye and smallies in between. I also remember him telling me multiple times, "when the dogwood trees start blooming that's when the shad run is really on".

[FM]

Its a ball when you are on them. My old rule of thumb was based on a time and a location. It was the shad would be up to the Portland Power Plant by the start of PA trout season.
FM

[Wizzy]

I've never been shad fishing but it sounds like quite an experience. I remember my grandfather telling me stories about him and his buddies wading the Delaware for shad and also catching walleye and smallies in between. I also remember him telling me multiple times, "when the dogwood trees start blooming that's when the shad run is really on".

I call the dogwoods SHAD blow trees.  Its true when you see them the shad will definitely be in that area along the Delaware. 

[Wizzy]

I was discussing the easter shad fishing day and we realized that it was over two weeks earlier this year than last.  With the ice the way it is in the river now we are considering moving to the weekend before and the weekend of trout opener.  Unless major heat wave comes in.

[chez]

I didnt fish for shad in 15 years or better.
I remrmber it being a lot of fun.
They can fight for sure.
So much fishing going on at that time of year,trout,NY,trout,catfish,panfish bite,bullheads,hard to do it all.
Wish i was Al Linder,without the Bible Talk.
                THERE IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING)))

[Wizzy]

Your right chez lots of stuff going on during the shad run.  The way I look at it is the shad are the only ones that are available for a very short window.  The rest are here all year long. 

Plus I see enough trout that they are at the bottom of my to catch list durring open water. 

Bullheads are pretty tasty though.

[chez]

Im with you on the. Bullheads brother.
I do like cstching trout in NY,the big D and the NY dams,big trout,no stockies we let go 90% of them.If they wont make it,we bring em home.
Now stockies i keep for cstfish bait.they luv the heads in the susky.

[Mark D]

Rich, I will freeze my trout heads for you. Mark

[FM]

Chunks of shad are one of the best cat baits ever.
FM

[Wizzy]

Chunks of shad are one of the best cat baits ever.
FM

Yup.  Especially in the susky where they are not common.    I'm not sure if they are legal to use for bait though unless you have a receipt of purchase. 

[FM]

I haven't used them in years but... in the past I would catch them in the Delaware then scale, chunk and freeze them in baggies with enough for a night of fishing in a bag. By time you go through the processing they aren't shad any more they are cut bait. If you were catching them in the lower Susky and turning them into bait on the spot you would be in deep do do. you can't even keep a shad from the Susky in PA. I might have to do it again just for a hoot.
FM