“In another week or two (and that would be in mid-March) a couple of guys can come in here and catch two limits of nice row shad in just a couple of hours,” said Bill. The limit is eight fish per person, and those row shad can be big. The state record is 8lbs. 3oz, and fish in the 6lb range are not uncommon in March.
These fish are moving right now. They will be moving and peaking in Mid to late March on the Ogeechee, and they can be caught by almost anyone. Be aware that because there are few if any impasses this year that will stop and congregate the fish, you are catching moving fish. Move with them as the month progresses..
In early March, plan to put in and fish the Ogeechee right around the US 80 bridge where it crosses the river. As the days pass in March and into April, make plans to launch farther upstream – meaning follow the fish!
Moving upstream, launch ramps can be found at SR 199 close to Ivanhoe, at SR 24 close to Oliver, at US 301 close to Copperville, and just south of Rocky Ford. Each of these launch ramps provide an opportunity to move with the fish as they migrate upstream. While shad can be caught at all of these locations during March and April, the concentration of fish will generally be on the move upstream. They may be heavy at one location for a week or more and the then school and move north.
Because the exact migration speed is difficult to predict, it is important to check in with a knowledgeable information source before heading out. Randy Crosby at Ogeechee Supple in Brooklet is one of those sources. Call him at 912- 842-2555 to find out where fish are being caught and what specific lures are the most successful. He and the folks there go out of their way to help out.
If I were making a trip for Ogeechee shad in March, which I most definitely am, I would add a few lures and tactics to the excellent ones that Bill and Dan provided me. I would include some shad darts in the mix. These small feather or hair bodied jigs come in sizes that range from one-quarter ounce down to one thirty-second ounce. The flat and coned shape of the head on these jigs makes them move and dart (hence the name) when jerked through the water. These darts would be an awesome addition to any tackle used on the Ogeechee.
I would also try drifting with the current, working a jig or dart in a vertical manner under the boat as an alternative to trolling. Dan seemed to think the trash on the bottom would cause too many hang-ups, and he could be right. We didn’t try drifting, but I believe it would be a worthwhile effort.
And, as a last suggestion, I would bring a fly rod. A number four or smaller rod with weighted line and a sinking fly like a small silver clouser or deceiver should work. Cast upstream at a forty-five degree angle to the current. Mend the line and allow the fly to sink until it is directly broadside to the boat. At that point, begin a short, fast, line strip and retrieve the fly. If the fish are there in any numbers, they will hit that fly.
One thing to remember on any method you use is that these fish are generally deep in the water column. Whether using a jig, spoon, dart or fly, getting it deep down into the water column is important.
And lastly, remember that while the shad are migrating, they are just ahead of the stripers. Be aware that you could be tangling with an early striper at any of the places that Bill provided for us!
Bill Stall and Dan Rushing – two of the better shad fishermen on the Ogeechee made a great day of fishing for a fish that I believe is one of the most under rated and under fished species on the coast. You can find these two anglers on the river sometimes four or five times a week during the spring. You can’t miss them - they’re the ones catching fish!
