By Gerald Almy
When redbuds bloom on hillsides and winter loosens its icy grip on the land, Virginia anglers face a rich dilemma. Which species shall I try for? Bass are feeding in the shallows, crappie are schooling near flooded brush piles, and trout streams beckon with the first hatches of spring.
But for many fishermen, the list of spring fishing adventures is topped by one species—shad. Well two, actually. Both white (American) shad and hickories migrate up Virginia rivers. Both strike the same lures and flies, and both tail-walk wildly across the surface when hooked. Keep in mind that American shad are catch-and-release only (possession is illegal).
The reason many anglers target shad in spring is because they are only here briefly, during their spawning runs, like a breath of the sea blown miraculously inland for us to savor. Six, eight weeks and they’ll be gone, while crappies, bass and trout remain for us to try for the rest of the year.
To make sure you enjoy this fishing in rivers such as the Mattaponi, Occoquan, James, Pamunkey, Potomac and Rappahannock, now is the time to get ready by stocking the best lures, flies, terminal gear, and tackle. It’s also time to freshen up your knowledge of the best holding lies to find these fish in and the most effective presentations to use. Here’s a quick crash course on getting ready for shad fishing.
Shad can be approached from shore, in a boat, or by wading. Any light johnboat and low horsepower motor will do. Sometimes just an electric motor is enough. Anglers approaching the quarry from shore have dozens of access points on the most popular Virginia shad rivers. That’s true for wade fishermen as well, but if that’s the approach you plan, you’ll want to add chest waders, a staff, and flotation vest to your list of needed fishing gear. Shad rivers flow full during spring runs, making a staff and vest vital, and the water is too cold for wet-wading in jeans and sneakers.
Take a reconnaissance trip to scope out good access points for wade fishing, places to launch a boat, and spots that offer good shore locations where lures and flies can be presented across and swing in front of the shad. That’s the most effective delivery. For fly fishing from the bank, also look for spots that will allow a back cast without snagging on tree branches. Fishing tackle shops can help with tips on good shad rivers near your home, but be sure to take a trip or two to scope out trails along the river and pinpoint specific areas you’d like to fish.
Shad begin swimming up Virginia’s rivers in February, but most anglers don’t start fishing until March when water temperatures warm into the 50s. During that month warming waters increase both the number of shad present and their metabolism, which makes them strike lures and flies more readily. Anticipate great fishing throughout April. Some shad are still available through mid-May. For that late fishing, though, it pays to downsize offerings and use lighter lines and tippets. The fish have been worked over pretty hard by then.
Riggings
A simple rig of a lure tied to the end of the line on a spin-fishing outfit or a single fly at the end of a tapered leader will fool plenty of shad. At times, adding a split shot or two a foot or so above the lure or fly will help get the offering deeper where fish may be holding.
Shad do little or no feeding while in rivers on their spawning runs. The trick is to goad them into striking with a colorful or shiny offering, presented at the best angle to entice a take. This almost always means casting across and retrieving the lure or fly with a sideways presentation, so it swings in front of the fish. Casting slightly upstream also helps, allowing the lure or fly to sink a bit before reaching prime holding lies across from your position or slightly downstream.
Occasionally a cast downstream will work, with the offering hanging below you in the current, then slowly retrieved upstream. Allowing a lure to simply hang downstream from an anchored boat, wavering in the current, is another good presentation.
Don’t ignore Virginia’s great bass, crappie, and trout fishing, but save a few dates for shad this spring.