delaware and delaware river shad reports

didn't see a thread here so I thought I would start one. The shad are in the river. Probably some river herring too. I didn't catch any yet only a few small white perch today. If you catch some or hear of them post up so we know, thanks!

Yeah they are def there but there is a lot of ice too. reports of miles and miles of ice dams upriver and temperatures downriver being in the low 40s at best. Thanks for the positivity. If I hear anything I will report as well.

I am glad you posted this. Shad is on my list of things to do with the fly rod this year (it was last year too but I missed it) I have my gear in the truck just need to find some spot to hit and get out there.

Will shad take a very small fly? I have heard of them using shad darts but they are like small metal spoons. Much larger than the flys that I see the fly fishermen use.

I always miss it.

It's on my bucket list, but I may kick the bucket before I realistically get to try it (no less succeed).'

Yes they take small flies, from those who successfully have fished for them

http://www.bigmeadowsflyshop.com/fil...awareRiver.pdf

They are here, Saw a guy catch one at the end of the day on sunday with a sabiki rig where I was fishing for stripers.

Thanks for the heads up. Got the word that more shad are in and they are biteing.

Nice! how far up are they?

They're here already guys, saw this pic from yesterday.

Trout closure starts Monday. Probably won't get out to freshwater until they reopen on April 9th. But I have been wanting to do some shad fishing.

I had heard they were getting shad. Thanks for the report.

This is from the NJDFW- they seem to be running earlier this year. There is an early run as far upriver as Easton already.

Captain George Kumor, Delaware Bay gill netter, caught his first shad on 2/22.
Yesterday, 3/17, he caught the most shad so far this season. The majority were roes (3.5 - 5lbs.),.......bucks (2.25 - 2.5lbs).