Fishing Log

Joseph C. - thanks, it was a bummer. As far as wading is concerned, one of the better spots when the water is up is on the Jersey side right at the boat launch. Right now, it may be a little low and the fish might be out more, but keep that place in mind for mid-April fishing. I've caught a fair number there over the years and so have lots of other people. You pull in the boat launch parking lot and the spot is literally down the bank from the parking lot. I know there were some caught there last week.

Just checked Montague's temp chart they did a 10 degree increase in less than 48 hours.

The Big girls are here Shad starting to act spawn ready and water temp is where it usually is this time of year. One 80 degree day might push it past 70. Darn

There are 4 places You can wade at Riegelsville. Below the the creek at Fry run, above the creek at Fry run, the bottom point of the island or the top point of the island. If you can cross onto the island at the top then on the New Jersey side if the island there is a spot about midway down the island. good luck.

To WG: Good stuff. I concur 100 percent. I would love to be fishing up north right now but because it's an investment of 3-4 hours of back-and-forth driving, I chose to fish Riegelsville exclusively this year. It's a 15-minute drive from my house. The week that the water was high because of the 2-3 inches of rain probably was the week that a lot of fish moved upriver without anyone being able to get to them. I have been out 6 times and my catch rate pales in comparison to Rob Wright and ShadHarris, but I'm very happy with what I've been getting. I had an unfortunate experience yesterday that is still bothering me. I packed up and headed for the boat launch at Riegelsville and when I got there the launch was clogged with boats and ski-doos waiting to put into the water and pull out. So I anchored in about 6 feet of water to wait my turn. I had three fish on a stringer that were headed for my smoker, and in putting the fish into the water to keep them cool as I waited, the stringer slipped through my hand and my day's catch sank to the bottom. I just couldn't believe that happened. And I felt so bad. I worked to get them but beyond that, their destiny was now to become food for catfish. I could see them because they reflected the sun so well. So i got my very long handled shad net, got down on my knees and extended the net to the bottom. I could touch the fish but just couldn't get the rim of the net underneath. I could not get the fish. People at the dock must have enjoyed my colorful language over the next 75 minutes. I had nothing like a grappling hook, so I just kept trying. I could have gone in the river and dove underneath but as time went on the water became discolored from the boat activity and I just gave up. I haven't felt that disheartened in a long time. So that's my sad story. I will say one other sort of unrelated thing. When I started fishing for these things in a boat in the mid 1960's (I was a teenager) people in other boats were respectful in terms of how fast they would go as the drove by you. No fun sometimes to be rocked around like a bobber. Now, the person who slows down in the exception to the norm. And the ski-doos? They don't give a hoot; they're just out there to have fun.

I just want to point out the obvious.... water temps during the entire spring were wayyyy below normal making the shad bite very tough at times with constantly dropping temps. Now in 2-3 days the Delaware River in most locations is low to mid 60s... that will send the shad into “spawn mode”. They will migrate very little now, and conserve energy for the spawn. It’s May 17th and that’s what is USUALLY happening at this point in the run anyway. The days of “big numbers” are more likely to happen when the shad are in the migratory phase NOT spawning phase! The “big numbers” snuck by most anglers as uninterested in striking shad pushed upriver in bad conditions for them to strike! The upper Delaware is loaded! AND there are still some shad migrating in the tidal section.....some years at this time the shad are spawning and weak, however the colder water has delayed that. Enjoy the run for what it is.... the peak of the run occurred (as it always does regardless of what anglers are catching) during April... mid May is for spawning shad and early morning and evenings are best now when the shad get more active. Boat fishing will be more productive as the river is lowering daily and clear. Good luck everyone

@ShadHarris.... sorry to see the shape of the shad you are describing. I have been out almost everyday for weeks and have not seen the same. I doubt that "manhandling" is not the only explanation though. Are you a fisheries biologist? if so I defer to your expertise. I think that most dedicated shad fisherman.. at least the many that I know.. do their best to release fish unharmed ...

Two of my kids and I fished hard from shore / wading this afternoon on the Delaware. We tried Frieman's Eddy for about 2.5 hours and then tried casting from a small floating pier at Washington's Crossing on the PA side for another 1/2 hour. Not a single strike about 9 person-hours of fishing. Water was 64 degrees and looked pretty clear. This is frustrating. I'm following all of the advice people are giving us. I'd like to catch at least one shad in my life!

Fished north of dingmans from 330 to 700p.m.. landed 32 lost4. River temp 63, clarity good, no wind in evening

Landed five this morning at Riegelsville. Lots of pleasure boat action. Nice fish, pretty fresh. Water temp 62 at 10 a.m.

@Shad Racker It was clear near Port Jervis today. The slight rise in the river is still coming.

Fishing out of Martin's Creek with my 14 year old daughter this afternoon and evening. She caught her first shad tonight. So far 5 for 7. Mostly buck. Nothing on down riggers, only the flat lines. But we are having fun!

2 hours on the Schuylkill this morning to get the taste of my humiliation up in Easton yesterday out of my mouth. 20 or so fish, a mixed bag of American, Hickory and River Herring. All but 1 fish on the 1/16th oz trailer dart. No American roes.....the season isn't done on the Schuylkill, but I can smell it from here.

I live 30 minutes from the Delaware and wish I could look out my window to see what the river looks like before I drive down there. Last night’s rain storms has me concerned the river is unfishable, turbid with debris. I found this (Live Cam),... http://www.lambertvilleriveredge.com/#vid Any comments on viewing the Day to Day water color as an indication of good fishing ? Can shad be caught in muddy water as well as clear water ?

I’ve been fishing Easton everyday for the last 3 weeks. The last good day was last Saturday for me. The first 2 weeks had the most fish and if it wasn’t for the cold water temps I would have done better but I honestly think most of the main run is up north from the water gap up so if you want to get into some good numbers take a ride up north! Every year is different and this year the cold water killed the bite most of April! I went trout fishing today in the Lehigh at treichlers bridge from 4 till 6 and caught 4 rainbows and one was over 20 inches! All on smelt gulp minnows! I might take a ride up to the gap tomorrow to try to get some shad! They are fun to catch and hopefully I won’t have to go further up to get good numbers! The people up north should do well for the next few weeks! So pack a lunch and take a ride!

RCusty pretty sure it’s vanish ? Label is worn off. Bare end of spool. About done with it. I would not expect many 8# lines can have opposing 4-5# fish that are hard fighters individually pulling against each other in current not break? Landed a pair of bucks last weekend but they were not sting enough to break same rig.

What kind of knot do you use for the dropper I at times use 8 pound trilene ht it test to almost 12 pound the dropper breaks sometimes after40 or 50 fish mostly when I grab the dart to land and release the fish I use a bloodknot dropper never had anyone show me another way

FINALLY - a more satisfying session showing some decent shad action. First morning session of the year from shore, amidst many so-so afternoon sessions and one decent Lambertville boat trip and one abysmal Eshback boat trip. Landed 19 of 27 hookups... Should have been 21 landed but had two double dart hookups where a big roe was tugging against another shad and both times it busted the 8# fluoro leader right above the dropper. Mostly roe in this mix. Hot dart starting out was a 1/32 Candy corn with UV tail behind a 1/4 ounce orange/white dart on a moderate jig/retrieve. Then felt need to slow it down as action slowed and went lighter to a 1/8 ounce Pink/white followed by a 1/32 "classic" red/white dart. All white tails. No was just drifting no reeling except at the end and it was my hottest combo of the session. Then darts went totally cold, and went to a #1 size Turqoise / chrome spoon and whacked out a quick 5 more and wanted to hit 20 but had a hard stop. Will be out in boat next two days... Fish very fresh, the cold water has kept them that way.

Fished Milford again yesterday. Same as day before. A short flurry in the morning then ya really had to work. Place is loaded up with fish, just not in the mood. Trolled up a 5# plus roe. The whole time I fought here she had quite the entourage. Just don't see anybody gettin big numbers. Went 6 for 6.

Randy, ...teach a man to fish and you aggravate his wife for years and years.

Finally back on the water after cold cold rain for a couple weeks. Water temp rising again in the low 50’s and numbers are right back where we left off. Yesterday 4 for 4 with 1 roe and three small buck. Today, bad timing 0/0 with mixed reviews from those who spent far more time than me. Still waiting for the numbers to set in. I think the thick run is still pending. Stay safe y’all...waters still cold PFD’s for you wader wearing folk still a good idea!!

shadini... thanks. I hope to hit martin's creek area Saturday. Matt... they are north and will be up north for a while!

Nice work Joseph C! You did a good deed for humanity and the proverb lives on! “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Where the devil is shadpappy?