Anyone been yet? They showed up yet?

I finished buying darts and spoons today, I hope.

Looking forward to hooking up on some James River Tarpon!

Havent heard anything about them making the run yet.

They're in the Potty up around DC, so I would imagine they're in the James now too...unless they've learned to fly...or skipped the James...

Went out on saturday for a couple hours with a fellow kayaker.  He caught 6 on a 1in red fly and I caught a big fat 0!  But a guy in a canoe was catching them pretty consistently on a pink fly (do not know anything more than that it was pink)  I am hoping to sneak out this week and try again once they begin to make a strong showing

It was fun!

The guy said he was using a heavy sinking line to get it down fast. I caught my 6 near the top...but he was catching them pretty consistently near the bottom.

The weather next week is horrible hopefully they'll start to run en mass soon.

Guys that come into the shop are starting to catch them pretty good. Gold and green spoons have been the ticket Sabiki  rigs haven't been good as of yet.

Everyone knows the best lure during the shad run is a bare #4 treble hook with split shot added just above for casting weight.  It's called the trash snagger! ;D

My dad went once last week and then today. Said he hasn't managed to get even a bite. I may try Sunday morning if I'm caught up on yard work.

My dad went once last week and then today. Said he hasn't managed to get even a bite. I may try Sunday morning if I'm caught up on yard work.

Went yesterday, managed about 10-15 on a chartreuse and white fly in 4hrs. They're down deeeeeep! I'm not sure what this storm will do to them though.

Went yesterday, managed about 10-15 on a chartreuse and white fly in 4hrs. They're down deeeeeep! I'm not sure what this storm will do to them though.

you using a fly rod?

you using a fly rod?

Yep, 6wt, class 5 sinking line. There's a trench south side of the river, casted towards the bank counted 10-14 seconds and stripped with moderate speed.

thanks for the info...i want to try to get down there and catch some small striper on light tackle also!

Anyone heading out there this weekend? I have never fished for shad but am interested in learning some different techniques as I try for them this year.

Anyone heading out there this weekend? I have never fished for shad but am interested in learning some different techniques as I try for them this year.

Heading out Sunday with a couple other kayakers, let me know if you are interested.

-Tyler

It was hot today...I caught about 30-40 on a chartreuse and white fly. The American Shad seem to be rebounding well since the crash, I caught about 15 of them and man, they put up a crazy fight on a 6wt. I caught more American shad today than I've ever caught previously.

im not too familiar with the landings on lower james...what landing are yall launching out of?

Boats can launch out of Ancarrows Landing, canoes/kayaks can launch there, or the 14th street whitewater takeout. The only downside is that the 14st launch is stairs :/ but the paddle is much shorter and easier

Check out the Shad-Cam at Bosher's dam.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/shadcam/

Just checked it a second ago. Looks lik a few quillbacks and other stuff...

im not too familiar with the landings on lower james...what landing are yall launching out of?

If you have a faster boat I would suggested heading down to Osborne and making the run back up if you are going on a weekend. Ancarrow's is a pain.

Heading out Sunday with a couple other kayakers, let me know if you are interested.

-Tyler

Tyler - Thanks for the invite. I will most likely be unable to make it Sunday, pending the time. How is the current where you guys put in. I have a canoe and Gheenoe and was wondering if it will be a physical pain to put that in rather than fish from the bank.

Even though the weather is crappy today, the shad are still biting, hit 12 in a hour.

Tyler - Thanks for the invite. I will most likely be unable to make it Sunday, pending the time. How is the current where you guys put in. I have a canoe and Gheenoe and was wondering if it will be a physical pain to put that in rather than fish from the bank.

The 14th st launch is pretty simple. The current isn't too bad unless you hit the peak of low tide then the water is a bit swift. Biggest pain is walking the kayak/canoe down the stairs.

Another question:

With the various type of shad and herring running in the river, which fish can you keep?

jus curious why everyone goes bonkers for the shad run every year. i have caught some huge shad at blue plains and hate them. they are slimy and a pain in the butt. Are they good eatin ? What am I missin here ?

They're easy to catch and you can catch ALOT of them. They fight hard and pull some nice acrobatics. Some people do like to eat them, and shad roe goes for $18/lb in my area ...

Different type of shad. American shad and hickory shad