One of my goals for this year was to catch an American Shad. This month I targeted American Shad exclusively. My fishing journal is full of trips without fish. On each trip, I learned something new and applied it to my next trip. Today all the pieces of the puzzle snapped into place and I could see the big picture.
I started fishing pre-sunrise. After a few casts, I saw a fish break right in front of me. The adrenaline rush enhanced all of my senses. I made a cast up current and allowed my pink/gold flutter spoon to drift into the spot where the fish broke the water’s surface. Nothing! I then made a cast right at the spot where the fish broke the water’s surface. Nothing!! I made a third cast down river from where the fish broke the water’s surface. Nothing!!! I moved 10 yards down river. On my third cast, a fish hit my flutter spoon like a run-away bus without breaks. BANG! I instantly felt the full weight of the fish on my St. Croix rod.
The fish did not jump; it swam towards deep water. A fter several runs, I landed an American Shad. I handled the fish with care. The fish was 21″ in length and weighed 3 lb 3 oz. For an American Shad, the fished looked HUGE! Roe is not my dish. She swam away to spawn.
