This morning after work I decided to see how the hickory shad run was progressing on the Occoquan River which is a tributary to the Potomac River. I have to drive over it on my way home so it's a convenient stop...
I hooked 9 hickory shad and landed 5, with 1 breaking off and 3 throwing the hook while taking their wild tarpon like leaps. The shad ranged in the 11"-16" range with a couple being roe laden females. Boy do these fish fight and jump! Just like miniature tarpon!
A nice roe laden female
A side view of a nice hickory shad
I was fishing a tandem rig, with the dart in front and a spoon in back. This was the only shad of the 5 I landed that hit the dart.
