Shad Season

I am new to the group, living in Stedman and hopng to get in on shad season this spring. Where should a feller go and starting when?

Starting right now on the Neuse River between New Bern and Pitchkettle areas. When April approaches shad will run up the Cape Fear River and Lock an Dam #1 will be a good place to head em off at the pass.

Welcome to the group Hone. Glad to have you with us, hope to see you on the water.
When the Shadbushes start to bloom is a good indicator on the Cape Fear. They are the first white blooms you see in the woods.
What’s in a Name?
The plant is known by a variety of names, each reflecting an aspect of a particular culture. Where streams and rivers flow into the Atlantic, the name shadbush came about because its blooming coincided with the time when shad migrated upstream to spawn.
Shadbush

Scott that would be Lock and Dam No. 1 , 3 is all the way up here in Fayetteville. Hopefully one day we will see a shad and striper run up in Fayetteville.

Dam #1: Site is located approximately 7 miles north of Riegelwood on NC 87. Watch for US Army Corps of Engineers signage.

My bad there Eddie...I went back an did an edit..

Sok Scott I know how it is when you get older

Hoping to get there for some shad this year. Might try to get down to Core Creek and try there also. Alan and Rhonda have been trying to get Sharon and I back down there with our Yaks. Sharon wants to go back and get into the Bowfin again.

So where would be a good place to access the river? I have a kayak

Right there at the Dam , there is a boat ramp there that is protected from the river current. There current shouldn't be too bad unless we get a lot of rain and they let more out of Jordan. I hadn't thought about but I may take my Yak there for that , get a cheap anchor like a brick , cement in a can , etc. lots of junk under there easy to loose an anchor.

Sorry about the previous post but the Lock and Dam park and ramp are closed for the repair of the scour hole at the base of the dam , We just went there today to check out the river to see if it would be alright for Kayaks. Gate is locked and signs everywhere.
Hey Scott do you know of a access point to the river without going all the way into Wilmington?

Good news though, here are a couple of shots at the Fish Wier at Lock and Dam no2. So once the scour hole is repaired and they get the weir at no 1 the Shad and Stripers will be able to get up closer to Fayetteville.

I called the number listed for the lockmaster at Lock & Dam #1 (910-655-2605) and the recording lists that the boat ramp will be open 12 March.

Thanks for the info there Hone, Might have to head that way next week.

Sorry for the late welcome hone, but welcome to the fishing hole! I to am looking forward to hunting some shad this year! if anyone plans on trying to get some shad let me know!

Rob are home? I was thinking about trying to take the Kayak down to lock 1 and give the shad a try.

I was in McCullum's on Ramsey Saturday (19th) getting some gear. Couple of their folks were down by lock#1 Thursday and shad were not running yet. Probably going down this Friday to check myself.

Hone, are you taking your kayak down there? If so and you want some company Aloha dog and my self might be able to join you .I was wanting to check it out to see if the water was slow enough to be able to fish it from the kayak.

yes Eddie i am back in NC and i hope for awhile!

I'd appreciate the company. If the weather is decent probably roll down Friday morning (not too early) with the kayak. Will check back Wednesday and confirm trip.

Sounds good to me, hopefully my back will be good by then. Looking forward to meeting you and fishing for shad.

Looks like the weather Friday will be a little cooler but still nice. I will roll out of Stedman about 9 and it appears to be about 1 1/2 hours down so see you in the parking lot of Lock #1 about 1130? I have white Ford Ranger with blue camper shell and yellow kayak. Or call me @ 910-366-6841.
Hone

1130 at the ramp parking lot. Sounds like a winner. I have blue Expedition and a orange and red Kayak on top , but might be in a red pick up truck with two yaks sticking out of the back if Eric can make it..Can't miss us. Looking forward to it. My back is still jacked up but I will be there, it is going to hurt no matter what it might as well hurt on the river.

good luck out there guys! I wish i didnt have to work on friday but uncle sam says he really needs me on friday! so good luck!

DeepBlue, Eric and I fished below Lock #1 on Friday the 25th for about 3 hours. Eric had a respectable catfish grab his beatlespin but broke off at the boat. I didn't have a hit. Shad aren't running quite yet. Another 6 or so boats below the dam with us and I saw maybe 10 shad brought in. Probably try again weekend of the 9th. Good day on the water and I appreciate the company. Thanks guys!