Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Ernie · Apr-13-23 1:23PM

A while back, Bruce asked if he could bring his grandson (freshman in HS) to do some shad fishing with us. Of course, I said yes and we set up a date. Today. Bob's birthday!

At the ramp, we met up with Don and his buddy, who had never gone shad fishing before. After a chat, we went on our way!

Aidan had never caught a shad before. And had done little fishing.

The boys were ready!

We decided to go up top to see what was going on and the skunk came off the boat. As we went up, Don's buddy got his 1st shad!

Good sign!

At 8:30a, the skunk is off the boat!

And then Aidan got his 1st one ever!!!

And Bruce got his skunk off!

I caught a couple more up there...

...but it was tough to fish with 3 guys in the boat, one being a rookie. So we headed down and the numbers started piling up!

We saw Don's buddy land an 18"er!

Shortly before noon, we called it as Bruce had a long way to drive after dropping Aiden off in Vienna.

Some of the takeaways are that we all had a great time but Aidan really shined at the end. He caught 10 shad in his 1st ever outing. He was a very good student. Carl would have been proud!

The boat got 50 in total (E-26, B-14). Also, while 4lb line is fun, it's a PIA when catching shad. We lost a few rigs boat side because of this. And I think Bruce had a double when the bottom guy decided to go the opposite way and braking off.

We all "hooked" a lot more fish but they got off after a couple of reel turns. Oh well!

Another great day of shad fishing!

Lunch was great as always...yes, I love onions!

What a burger!!

drxfish · Apr-13-23 2:56PM

Congrats to all on a successful outing, especially Aiden!

I use 4 pound main line, but 6 pound Yozuri Hybrid for my rigs. I rarely break off with that setup. I see guys using heavy line, but that takes all the fun out of it.

Ernie · Apr-13-23 3:04PM

I use 8 or 10lb braid (2lb diameter) w/ an 8lb leader. Four pound line (at the leader) is asking for trouble. Ask Bruce...or George!

Bruce · Apr-14-23 3:11AM

It's always fun fishing with Ernie. He has incredible patience in teaching people (especially young people) how to fish. Aidan and I had a day to remember and the bonding experience was special. And the only price to pay was I had to "shake off" many fish to allow Ernie to out-catch me (LOL).
Thanks so much Ernie.

Bruce

hookup · Apr-14-23 9:35AM

Nice job breaking in a couple shad-virgins

4# for white perch but not shad - learned my lesson

AndrewDo124 · Apr-14-23 9:51AM

nice work!! I actually like heavier leader for my rigs. i feel like it helps keep the tandem from tangling but maybe i need a new tandem rig haha.

my mainline is 4 or 6 lbs and i think i was using a 12 or 14 copolymer (just what i had laying around).

Where did you get lunch from?!!? that looks amazing!

Happy Belated, Bob!

Ernie · Apr-14-23 11:58AM

AndrewDo124 wrote:
Where did you get lunch from?!!? that looks amazing!

Brickmakers...right there at the Occoquan Regional Park ramp!

Bass Hunter · Apr-15-23 6:30PM

What a great report!!!

Pacemaker Fishing Forum

#1 Apr-13-23 1:23PM

4-13-23, "O"

#2 Apr-13-23 2:56PM

Re: 4-13-23, "O"

#3 Apr-13-23 3:04PM

Re: 4-13-23, "O"

#4 Apr-14-23 3:11AM

Re: 4-13-23, "O"

#5 Apr-14-23 9:35AM

Re: 4-13-23, "O"

#6 Apr-14-23 9:51AM

Re: 4-13-23, "O"

#7 Apr-14-23 11:58AM

Re: 4-13-23, "O"

AndrewDo124 wrote:

#8 Apr-15-23 6:30PM

Re: 4-13-23, "O"

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