| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 118.1 | MAYBE NEXT TIME... | TRACTR::DOWNS | | Tue May 20 1986 09:50 | 12 |
| Well, the shad fishing this weekend was the worse I have ever seen
it. The water was so low in the river that there was little if any
current present and as a result the shad were not running well.
I did manage to land two shad and one blue back herring. One of
the shad was around 6 lbs. and provided alot of fun with the flyrod.
I only wish the activity could of been similiar to the previous
years where it was not uncommon to catch 20+ fish in a single day.
I don't expect the fishing to improve unless we get some substantial
rain in the next week or so. I guess I'll just file this trip under
the heading "You should of been here last week, they were hitting
like crazy...".
|
| 118.2 | are the shad running yet? | HPSCAD::BPUISHYS | Bob Puishys | Thu Apr 30 1987 10:45 | 10 |
|
Hi folks I would just like to open this file for this year. I plan
to make a trip to the conn. river in chickopee saturday. Has anyone
fished for shad yet? Are they running? Will we be wasting our
time? Any info on fishing would be appricated.
Whats the hot color?
Bassin Bob goes for the poorman's salmon. Story at 11 on monday!
|
| 118.3 | wait for lilac's to bloom | CAD::PRUNIER | | Thu Apr 30 1987 13:55 | 15 |
|
I love shad fishing in the Conn. in Holyoke. I ussally do quite
well ,except last year when the water was so damn high!!
I wait until the lilac's are blooming (old fisherman's lore) and
usually kill em (50 per day, I release all).
I use all colors but prefer the brighter ones (white /red head,
chartruese green/white). I have caught fish on all colors though.
I believe the 6lb plus fish are every bit as good a fighter on light
tackle as a blue (they just don't hit the same).
If the waters high fish from an anchored boat, if low and fast fishing
is better from shore (for me anyway).
Good luck next time.
Shakey Steve
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| 118.4 | the local view on Ct river shad | HEFTY::CUZZONES | The jerk on the dry end | Fri May 01 1987 16:22 | 20 |
| RE:.2
Bob,
The latest info I have is a week old. As of last weekend, several
shad were seen in the river in Holyoke in the vicinity of the dam.
The fishlift at the dam was expected to begin operation this weekend.
The shad migration is triggered by water temperature, though, and
it has not been particularly warm and sunny this past week. I would
not expect that the real run will begun for another couple weeks
or at least until we have an extended period (3-4 days) of warmer,
sunnier weather.
If I had my heart set on shad fishing this weekend, I would head
as far south as practical (got a Ct license?). I don't believe
the derby in Holyoke is for another 3 or 4 weeks and that is usually
scheduled over 2 weekends to best cover the peak of the run.
Steve
|
| 118.5 | weekend shad report | HPSCAD::BPUISHYS | Bob Puishys | Mon May 04 1987 10:40 | 44 |
|
Saturday's report!!
Well all in all it was a nice day! Started the morning off by burning
a tank of gas. Finally we pulled in line up near the Holyoke dam.
We watched and learned what to do.
As the boats on the other side one guy by himself landed 4 side
in less than a few minutes between casts. So we started to talk
to him. The color of the day was yellow and red. With not much
hair.
I rigged a tandem rig with a very small dart as the trailer! I
got a hit and hooked a small fish. I would not have knowen it was
there unless i shook his head a little. We It wash a baby Salmon.
It had a tag from Woods Hole on it's back. I was told by the fellow
who was helping us that the tags will get me $12.00 when I send
it in. Well I cut off the tag and let the little guy go to finish
his journy and life in the big blue ocean.
Back to shad! Finally the guy said you folks should move over to
this side of the river. We did and the fun started.
Well I boated 3 fish the smallest was 3lbs the other two were 5-6
range on my little scale. Ken also got three one in the 3-4range
one 6 and one thAT TIPped the scale at 7+
Once we got it down to a science we had lots of hits but it was
hard to hook those fish. But once we did it was great. I am going
to goo back with in the next 3 weeks!
Tackle !
I used med action spin rods with 10lb trimax. We never broke
a rod or line. I also had my 4 foot ulta-light with 6lb never hooked
one with it al most but had one on for about 3 cranks of the reel!
next time!
Ken hooked 2 on an ukltra light with 4lb line. I think his drag
needs new parts after the 7+ and 1/2 hour to get it into the net.
Well the fish were there so were the game wardens and tons of fisherman
Bassin Bob
|
| 118.6 | | GRAMPS::LASKY | | Mon May 04 1987 13:33 | 10 |
| Bob,
I went to the dam two years ago for Shad and it was unbelieverble.
It was like catching Blues in fresh water!! What I need from you
is directions to the dam (I forgot how I got there!!) This year
I plan to try catching them on my FLYROD!! I figure afer I hook
the first one it should keep me busy for the rest on the day!
Bart Lasky
|
| 118.7 | | HPSCAD::BPUISHYS | Bob Puishys | Mon May 04 1987 15:08 | 5 |
| I went by boat. I can tell you how to get to the state ramp in
chicopee but I could not tell you how to find the dam by a land
route. Do you still want directions to the ramp?
Bob
|
| 118.8 | Directions, Please... | MENSCH::SCHOLZ | Ron....and thanks for all the fish | Tue May 05 1987 12:08 | 4 |
| Hey Bob, I'd appreciate it if you would put the ramp directions
in. I'm hoping to get out there this weekend.
Thanks, tight lines, Ron
|
| 118.9 | shad directions | ARMORY::CIECKOM | | Tue May 05 1987 13:53 | 15 |
| .6/directions to dam
Direction to Holyoke Dam for shad fishing, from eastern part of
state head west on Mass Pike/Rt90 to Chicopee exit. After toll
booth bear right on exit road to Rt 33 (approx. 500yds.). At
lights take left/Rt 33 North. Continue for approximately 4-5
miles (you'll bypass two large rotaries) to intersection of
Rt 33 & Rt 202. Take left at these lights, stay on 202 for
about 2 1/2 miles and exit to South Hadley Falls, exit road
will swing you under highway you've just exited continue for
2 miles and you'll cross bridge just south of dam. If you miss
the exit off 202 you'll then have to cross the Conn River on
RT202 bridge,you've gone to far. On otherside of Bridge is a
rotary, reverse direction, re-cross river and take first exit,
bearing right to South Hadley Falls. Good Luck.
|
| 118.10 | Everyone can help! | SYSENG::NELSON | E unibus plurum | Fri May 08 1987 10:43 | 19 |
| Re: .5
Bassin Bob,
Did the tag you cut off the smolt have a number on one side and the
words "Reward, NMFS, Woods Hole, MA." on the other? If so, for the
future, I believe everyone should disregard this reward and return
the tag and fish back to the water. If the fish was dead then that
would be another matter. The beginning of this past April, 50,000
smolts were released in the Conn. and selected tributaries. These
Carlin tags were attached to the dorsal fin. The interest is in the
tracking of the mature fish returning with these tags. It is illegal
to keep any salmon caught in the Conn. River basin. A better service
can be provided by jotting down the number and supplying that with
location of the catch and sending that in. Of course if a dead salmon
is found or the salmon doesn't survive the catch(?), the tag can be
removed.
Steve
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| 118.11 | yup that was the tag | MEARA::BPUISHYS | Bob Puishys | Fri May 08 1987 10:59 | 6 |
| Yes I thought of that But, there person next to me told me there
was an artical in the Springfield news telling the fisherman to
remove the tag and send it in!!
Bob
|
| 118.12 | Ct river salmon | ARMORY::CUZZONES | The jerk on the dry end | Fri May 08 1987 15:26 | 9 |
|
This morning's Springfield Union carried a story asking fishermen
to please not remove the tags and please replace the fish immediately.
The tags are for commercial Canadian fishermen and are meant to
help identify the status of Ct river salmon after they leave the
river. It is illegal to take salmon smolts in Mass. Limited salmon
sport fishing MAY be legalized in Ma. by 1995!!!
Steve
|
| 118.13 | directions to ramp on the conn river chicopee | HPSCAD::BPUISHYS | Bob Puishys | Mon May 11 1987 09:54 | 17 |
| Directions to boat ramp at the Conn River Chicopee!
Mass Pike rt 5 exit
after toll at fork left. End take right on Montgomery St then
a left on Mckinsty St. accross Dale st. and som R.R tracks then
left on Meadow st. and right on wilson Ave across chicopee st.,
and then a left on oldfieldRd. past the pollution control prject
to the ramp.
Good luck! Those are from the travel guide for the MASS FEDERATION!
I got loast the first time. Just remeber to go left at the fork
on the mass pike then right on Montgomery. Most people see the fork
and go right!
Good luck Bob
|
| 118.14 | friday's results | ARMORY::CUZZONES | The jerk on the dry end | Mon May 11 1987 12:26 | 18 |
| Welllll, I wasn't exactly killing them friday afternoon. In 2 hours,
the toll was 3 buck shad landed; all under 3 pounds. None of the
3 fought worth a darn either. The real excitement was in the ones
that got away! I had one small fish strike as the dart was 3 feet
from me on the retrieve and he immediately leapt 4 feet out of the
water and shook the dart loose. The best fish of the day was fought
for 25 minutes and lost. She took me downstream, peeling line off
the reel with the drag screaming in protest. I never had her any
closer than 100 feet after her initial run and she finally wore
out my 10 lb test on the rocks. In all, I lost 4 fish for every
one I landed.
The colors of the day were silver/red and white/red. The river
was running fast, so I opted for 1/4 oz darts. The river was full
of boats but the shore was pretty quiet. Look for activity to pick
up by next weekend when the Holyoke tourney gets underway.
Steve
|
| 118.15 | What a fighter | VICKI::DODIER | | Mon May 11 1987 16:48 | 18 |
| Went and tried shad fishing for the first time this past weekend.
Now I see what all the excitement is about. I went Saturday at the
Merrimack river and hooked 5, landed 2. Sorry to say this but a
shad, as far as fight is concerned, puts largemouth *and* smallmouth
to shame. Considering that the fish ranged from 4-6 lbs. average
and they can easily peel 75+' of line *multiple times* and jump higher
than a smallmouth, there is just no comparison. I also saw 2 smallmouths
pulled in while shad fishing with shad darts. If these babies ran
all year, I'd give up bass fishing and just fish for shad.
At the same place I'm fishing, rumor has it that some atlantic
salmon have been caught. You of course must release these as they
are on their way to spawn. My friend thinks that he hooked one last
Thursday. Something big took almost all (200 yards) of his line
out before he turned it around. It spit the lure before he could
land it.
RAYJ_who_is_now_hooked_on_shad_fishing
|
| 118.16 | | AIMHI::TOMAS | Joe | Mon May 11 1987 16:55 | 11 |
| Ray...
Where did you put in on the Merrimack??
I've never been shad fishing before, so what's the technique? I
understand you use shad darts...aren't they kinda like little jigs?
Then what....what's the best way to fish them?
One last thing...how long does the run usually last?
joe
|
| 118.17 | shad techniques | ARMORY::CUZZONES | The jerk on the dry end | Tue May 12 1987 08:13 | 26 |
| RE: .16
Joe,
Shad fishing technique is pretty simple. You tie on a dart, maybe
two. Darts run from 1/16 up to 1/4 oz commonly. You use the smallest
darts that will still allow you to remain in contact with bottom,
so it varies with water depth and speed. Lighter line (4-8 lb)
is best although I use 10 lb because I fish over a bottom of sharp
rock. You cast across and slightly upstream. You should feel your
dart ticking along the bottom. If you feel something different,
set the hook but not too hard, they have soft mouths. If you don't
get a strike, wait 'til your line is parallel to the shore then
reel in. Most strikes seem to come when your line is at about 2
o'clock as you face the opposite shore. Boat fishing is a little
different as there is no need to keep reeling in and casting. You
don't have to use darts either; I've seen a whole range of methods
from flyfishing to bare trebles. Even a piece of red yarn on a
hook is ok, just don't try live bait.
The shad run here (Conn river) through the first week in June but
the peak is the 3rd and 4th weeks in May. It might be a little
different in the Merrimack. By all means, try this. I went last
year for the first time and I'm hooked ;-).
Steve
|
| 118.18 | Everything I know about shad fishing | VICKI::DODIER | | Tue May 12 1987 08:36 | 18 |
| The previous note describes the technique. The shad are running
the Merrimack fairly good from Haverhill on down towards the mouth.
I was fishing from shore although if you want to put in with a canoe
you can do it in a number of places. As far as putting a boat in,
the closest ramp I know of to where I was fishing is in Haverhill
at the the Haverhill/Groveland line. You take a left just before
you leave Haverhill at the Groveland bridge. It's a place called
Red Slavits.
It seems that what you want to look for are quiet coves with fast
moving water nearby. A cove with a rocky point is ideal.
I'm new to this shad fishing stuff so I can't tell you much
other than hearsay. I've been told that the shad run lasts about
2-3 weeks. I also heard that the shad do not eat on their spawning
run. They hit the shad dart (which looks like a jig with an 3/4"
long tapered head and deer hair tail) out of anger more than anything.
It takes a lot of casting to finally get one but well worth
it when you do.
|
| 118.19 | | AIMHI::TOMAS | Joe | Tue May 12 1987 09:20 | 16 |
| Thanx...Steve & Ray...
It sounds like it fun! Maybe one of these days I'll get away to
give it a whirl. My only comment is that if you use shad darts
that are as small as 1/16 - 1/4 oz., then unless you use a light-weight
line (6-8 lb. test), your casts will end up being relatively short.
Obviously shad must come fairly close to the shoreline.
A few more questions...is shad fishing strictly a daytime sport or
do they hit at night as well? Is there a "best" time to go after
them...are they edible?
Thanks...
-Joe-(thinking_"hum...I_wonder_if_Fletcher_is_up_for_it?")
|
| 118.20 | Dwight Evans need not apply | ARMORY::CUZZONES | The jerk on the dry end | Tue May 12 1987 10:47 | 12 |
| Joe,
I don't know about night time shad fishing but I had more action
when the sun was behind the clouds than when it was shining bright
and things seem to pick up at dusk. You'll have to try it at night
and let us know.
Where I fish just below the dam in Holyoke, shad can be seen within
a foot of the shore....hundreds of them! You don't need a rifle
for a casting arm.
Steve
|
| 118.21 | I'll catch 'em, YOU eat 'em. | ARMORY::CUZZONES | The jerk on the dry end | Tue May 12 1987 10:50 | 5 |
| Oh yeah.....I tried eating one last year and didn't find it to my
taste; too oily, too fishy. And just try and bone one......hah!
Better sport than eatin' in my opinion.
Steve (not a big seafood lover, anyway)
|
| 118.22 | A little more trivia | VICKI::DODIER | | Tue May 12 1987 14:32 | 15 |
| As far as eating them, I heard too that they are very, very
bony (i.e. they make pickerel seem like a jelly fish in comparison).
However, I have seen some people keep the females. From what I heard,
they remove and fry the shad roe. Thanks but no thanks. I'll just
throw them back so they can lay them eggs for next years shad.
Joe, your right about the line weight. I can get off a decent
cast (40 or so yards) with a 1/4 oz. dart and 6 lb. test. This adds
to the thrill of it all. You have to tire the fish completely before
you can land it. Also, you may have to revive the fish (move water
past the gills) to get them to swim off. The run, as far as I can
tell, is starting to peak. My friend went last night and caught
4 and his father got 5 all in about 3 hours.
RAYJ
|
| 118.23 | How about putting in at Newbpt? | AIMHI::FLETCHER | why are we here, anyway? | Tue May 12 1987 18:05 | 9 |
| Ray, my folks live in Newburyport and I know about the landing right
there on Water street. Is that too far down to get a boat (25 horse)
up to where the Shad are? Haverhill isn't too bad but it would be
nice to put in more in the Amesbury area for me...
How long are they gonna be around?
(Sounds like a trip too me...)
Cris
|
| 118.24 | | VICKI::DODIER | | Wed May 13 1987 08:23 | 9 |
| Newburyport is O.K.. Amesbury would be better if you know of
someplace to put in.
I don't know if I mentioned it before but the shad have very
soft mouths. You can't just horse them in. If you try to, you'll
probably rip the lure right out. This means light line *and* light
drag.
RAYJ
|