Fishing Log

Charlie, Let me talk with my fishing buddy, we will more than likely try to get down there, I'll bring my spay rod and maybe do battle with a stripper, I have work this morning at 10:30. I will E-mail you sometime today or tomorrow.Do we need a boat or just waders.

Hi highly. I lived in frackville for 26 years . I moved to Elsmere Delaware 12 years ago. I never fished the Delaware river for shad yet. I have 3 different creeks within 5 minutes of my home were I shad fish . I get American and hickory shad weighing up to 4 pounds. I use a ultra light rod with 2 to 4 pound test and small shad darts and spoons and it's the greatest. I have work at 8am but I will be heading out about 5 am for my first day out this year. I haven't heard or been able to find out if there up in Christiana river or white clay creek yet but I have a good feeling they are. The creek is loaded with them beyond belief the creek isn't huge it's on the smaller side but the shad come up in in schools of a hundred or more. My favorite hole is about 30 ft wide and about 70 to 100 ft long and sometimes there is that many shad that's all you can see is the shad and can only see the bottom of the creek right along the shore. Barley anyone goes shad fishing there usually don't see anyone once in a while you might see another guy or two shad fishing there. The strippers follow the shad up in the creek and at night time you can watch 30 inch strippers and bigger eating shad right in front of you. It's also as some to use a medium action pole with 10 pound test and try to play one of those strippers and land it. You really have to set your drag light and have patience cause the fight can last 20 minutes or more. If you love shad fishing it's a spot you must try. If you would be interested just let me know . It's right out side of Wilmington and close to Delaware park race track . I would love to go out shad fishing with another serious die hard who loves shad fishing and appreciates and is grateful we have theses wonder fish come in or creeks and rivers to spawn in the spring time and go all the way back out to the Atlantic ocean. It's the most amazing and wonder thing that happens every spring . When they go back out to the ocean I start counting down the days and thinking about next year's season. Good lunch if you would like to come and try shad fishing here email me at charlesjk3179@gmail.com

HOW HIGH'S THE WATER MOMMA!!!!!!!LOL

Duff, an 8+ lb qill is up in braggin' territory. You should have gotten a picture!

Busy with the boat today but took a ride about 4:30 to a spot I've never fished . Loads of big fish darting on the surface but not biting. Ended up snagging 3 big roe in a couple hours.

April 01, 2017, 5:05:51 PM EDT Mild air and heavy rain will accompany a couple storm systems this week across the Northeast as a springlike weather pattern sets up. While the week will initially start off dry, a quick-moving low pressure system from the Southern Plains will track into the mid-Atlantic and Northeast Monday night through Tuesday. “This will be another soaking rain for many of the big cities along the Interstate 95 corridor,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rossio said. The heaviest rain will likely come early Tuesday morning. This will impact the morning commute Tuesday. Low clouds and rain will cause poor visibility for motorists. Those planning on traveling should anticipate slow travel and delays on the ground and in the air. northeast heavy rain tuesday 4/4 Widespread rainfall totals across the Northeast will likely range between 0.50 of an inch to 1 inch. However, with the storm tapping into moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, some places will see more. “Some isolated locations, especially along Interstate 95, will see 1 to 2 inches of rain Monday night through Tuesday which can lead to minor street flooding,” Rossio said. Following a chilly Friday and Saturday, milder air will accompany the storm with temperatures rising back into the 50s and 60s for most with 70s farther south into the mid-Atlantic. “This will be a milder storm compared to the one from Friday with more rain expected across southern and central New England,” Rossio said. Any lingering snow on the ground will melt and could contribute to flooding or ponding of water in yards or on roadways. RELATED: Northeast Interactive Radar Spring cleaning tips for your vehicle 5 hacks to keep outdoor allergy symptoms at bay this spring Enough cold air will remain across northern New Hampshire and Maine for some snow Tuesday. The storm will quickly clear out Tuesday night and high pressure will temporarily build in Wednesday as the roller-coaster spring pattern continues. Sunshine and mild air will likely make it the nicest day of the week. However, another storm will be looming on the horizon. “Another more robust storm system will arrive towards the end of the week and could deliver another round of heavy rainfall and potentially gusty winds,” Rossio said. The storm will likely bring cooler air with it for Thursday and Friday but just how cool it gets will depend on the track and strength of the storm system.

IRONSHAD...SEE ME TONIGHT AT MEETING...DOESNT LOOK GOOD FOR THE NEXT WEEK BECAUSE OF RAIN & SNOW MELT

I WILL BE AT THE SHAD TOURNAMENT MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT THURSDAY MAR 30 AT THE HUNTINGTON FIRE CO IN PBURG...iLL HAVE SPOONS , DARTS & RIVER ANCHORS...RUSTY...484-239-4723

Frank, I have been having the same problem as most of these reports. I think there are some in the river, but there so far and few in between. But I do think things will get better after this week. As the temp starts to rise so will the reports of the shiny silver slabs. For now try to keep a tight line. I fished Trenton from 11 am till 2:30pm on Saturday, I pulled the boat and launch from Yardley ramp around 3pm. I was looking for ya, but I must have just missed you.

Alex, mom didn't raise any fools, I won't hit Smithfield until the 24 of April, that's about the time you can go 65 out of 100 or better. I have been going around that date for the last 10 years and always had good success.

Correction on the DRSFA Shad night....Date is April 19, 2017, 7pm.....Thanks, Kevin

Alex, I fish an area that has a lot of small currents and eddies below a riffle, it allows me to keep the dart in the strike zone for a longer period of time. I also fish a pool that is 30 ft deep thus my idea for just dropping the dart down near the bottom and leave it hang there. I know both spots will work it just depends on where I have best success. My centerpin has a drag on it so I can just hold the dart in one spot if need be. Sounds like in about 4 or 5 days things should be much better.

If the power station is not running, not warm water flows to fish happy.

Alex, I am going to fish the traditional way, float that supports 15 to 20 grams , 8lb main line, 4lb tippet and 1/16 ounce darts and let it drift through some pools and in larger pools set the depth for 25 to 30 ft and just let it hang there and see what happens, also I will give the dart a little shot of WD-40

yesterday at Yardley I didn't get any hookups but it was nice being on the water.was only there from 13:00 TO 15:30 water temp was42.8 The wind died down. @my buddies were up there today from 09:00 t0 !5:00 they didn't get any hits . How did U make out today weofish ? Going to try early tomorrow.

LOL Alex, Okay for everyone who don't understand, "SACRILEGE" Meaning : Violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred. You are to funny my fishing brother. I'm heading out this afternoon, I'll let you know how I make out.

Hi Frank, it’s been awhile since I last seen you out there, I hope all is well with you, and hope to see you on the water soon. I’m not going out today, however I will be on the water at Trenton tomorrow afternoon around 3pm till dusk. Then on Saturday morning I’m going to put in at Lambertville access. Hey Alex I did have the opportunity to wrestle in some salmon on a Cortland GRF1000XP 9’ for line 8/9. I modified the handle with an extension to fit a spinning reel. I use this rod specifically for salmon fishing. I should take it along with me this weekend. Sorry if this makes your stomach sour. : / But you are right on the fight, well at least with the salmon. So I think you have convinced me to use it on the Shad. Only I’ll be sticking to my spinning reel. : )

Weofish, I should have put this in my last post, but thought of it too late to do so. However, it is important enough to put up a 2nd post. I warn you! Do not pick up a fly rod and try to catch a shad! If you ever hook one on a long wand you will be ruined for the rest of your life. One fly rod fish is worth 10 on spinning gear! :-)

Fished at Trenton on Tuesday, from 1pm till 5:30pm . No fish to report there were three other shore fishermen , and they had the same results. Now me being a spin fishermen, I am being entertained by all of the fly fishing mumbo jumbo terminology. While I am waiting to wrangle my first shad of the season, however I hope this does not turn into a fly fishing blog. LOL No pun intended.

Chiggy, up until 2 years ago I was using 6' ultralight Fenwicks & an old cheap 5' 6" ultralight with the Sustains slinging lightweight darts. I'm sure a noodle with 2# would be a hoot. Maybe 6 years back I caught two 9.5# roe on one of the Fenwicks in the Worthington area a year apart. Both of 'em took me well over a quarter mile downstream and approximately 45 mins. to land & well after dark on one of 'em. The 6# line class record was 6# & change in those days. I actually cut off 50 feet of line & the terminal tackle with the intent to submit the 2nd fish. But when I reached down to pick up the fish on the stringer, I just couldn't do it. I swam her in the current for awhile until she kicked her tail in gear and continued on north. When I caught the first one I was shocked to see how flat they are right behind the head (just like a big carp). You could have set a beer can down on her and it wouldn't have tipped over! Last year bigger roe were scarce for me. I caught a ton of fish but none over 5.5#. Albeit, my buddy Dennis nailed a few 6+ pounders. Then again, as I have frequently remarked, I'm pretty good, but Dennis is just flat deadly with darts!

Ooh, a Spey Rodder using high end gear, no less! Nice. We are kindred light tackle spirits. I currently prospect for the rascals with a 7' Ultralight St. Croix spinning rod. Until last year I used Ultralight Sustain reels loaded with 120 yard of 6# class Ande Tournament if I'm fishing in close proximity to other fisherman. I carried spare 140 yard spools of 4# class line when I've got enough elbow room and I won't interfere with someone else's endeavors. Last year I'd gone through my umpteenth Sustain 1000 and finally sprung for a Stella. However, since I've been spending a lot of time harassing redfish in the sound behind Hatteras these days, I picked up a 2500 for the extra line capacity. So far, I'll be darned if it hasn't been worth the extra $. With either shad or redfish, when I find 'em in sufficient numbers and the conditions are right, I break out the 5 weight. Similar to you, I've got a variety of shooting heads from Type III, IV, VI and a Type VII Striper series line with the head built into the running line. When chasing redfish, I exclusively use the Type III (for distance) as the explosive top water strikes you get from redfish make it "died & gone to heaven" fishing. I mostly use the Type VII in the Delaware. I carry two Pfueger 5 weight Trions & two 8 weight Presidents in my fly gear bag. Always use 6# or 4# class tippets on both. I'm afraid I'm not in your league with fly rods. I'm still using Fenwick HMG rods. I really should get a 5 weight with a bit more backbone for casting, but it is a delight when hooked up. It took me a year and a half to catch my first shad on the long wand as I was self-taught and started out using Clousers. During that period I wound up extracting two of them myself from the fleshy area in the back of my upper arms. I had no idea human skin was so tough to push a 2/0 hook through (and I keep my hooks sharp)! In one case, I stuck one in my nose and I thought my buddy Mike was going to feint when I made him extract it on the river bank (after pushing it through to mash down the barb). He wanted me to go to the Emergency Room. Are you nuts! We're catchin' fish! ;-) Fortunately, eventually I met Rich Fasanello and he gave me a proper education re: shad fishing with long wands, shooting heads, etc. Here's a pic of the 1st shad I landed using the 8 weight with a 400 grain 'Chuck & Duck' 10' sink tip. More than a little embarrassing to look back on it. ;-)

If next week's weather forecast holds up, We'll see numbers.

If the weather turns a bit warmer next week, going to hit north of the gap and try our luck. I'll put in and Smithfield and try to cover as much ground as possible.

Lets see what Trenton has in store for us today ????