Shad-a-licious
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 10:03 am
The shad run on the Columbia is winding down, but you would never know it from the action my father and I had on the WA shoreline on Monday. It was insane in the afternoon. Fish after fish after fish. The shad moved in close to the shoreline and so we were just lobbing our darts into the river, rather than casting out far. We took home close to 100 fish.
Here's a tip for those of you that want to or do partake in this fishery: if you are not catching fish in your spot, then MOVE! Changing positions on the shoreline by 50 - 100 feet or less can make a big difference. If you are not catching fish in say 15-20 minutes, then that usually means the fish are not there (they are traveling outside or away from your casting location)--people a few dozen feet away from you may be hauling them in hand over fist, because they've got just the right angle and position to cast into the traveling lane. The position of the rocks, swirling current, etc. seems to have an influence on where the fish are traveling.
Also, the "hot" spot on the shoreline may change from day to day.
Here's a tip for those of you that want to or do partake in this fishery: if you are not catching fish in your spot, then MOVE! Changing positions on the shoreline by 50 - 100 feet or less can make a big difference. If you are not catching fish in say 15-20 minutes, then that usually means the fish are not there (they are traveling outside or away from your casting location)--people a few dozen feet away from you may be hauling them in hand over fist, because they've got just the right angle and position to cast into the traveling lane. The position of the rocks, swirling current, etc. seems to have an influence on where the fish are traveling.
Also, the "hot" spot on the shoreline may change from day to day.