What kind of setup for the Shad run at Fletchers?

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Brian Cohen

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Nov 26, 2016, 8:15:07 AM11/26/16
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Hi there TPFRs - new fly fisherman here.  I've spent the summer trying to figure things out with my 6-weight, and am now thinking ahead to the spring.  Will a 6-weight get the job done for shad, or do I need to add a new rod (7-weight? 8-weight?) to my collection?

Thanks,

Brian

Yambag Nelson

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Nov 26, 2016, 10:00:58 AM11/26/16
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6wt is fine but having an 8wt can't hurt. It is a rod you will use.

TurbineBlade

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Nov 26, 2016, 7:53:45 PM11/26/16
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Agreed, unless you just want to get another combo anyway.  In that case, you can make a "Colorado argument" that you need a 4, 4.5, 5, and 6 weight rod for rainbow trout and apply it to shad.  

For the days when you're catching shad literally on every cast, I prefer a 7' 6 weight glass rod because a stiff 9' rod will kind of beat you up all day ;).   

Gene

TurbineBlade

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Nov 26, 2016, 7:59:42 PM11/26/16
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I meant to steer you away from DH rods!  Damn, how could I forget that? Anyway -- don't go spey.....total waste of money on the Potomac.   

Spey guys aren't much good at basic physics, and therefore generally work in bagel shops in the pacific NW.  The 13-14' rods make the tiny fish feel bigger.  

Gene

namfos

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Nov 27, 2016, 11:37:30 AM11/27/16
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ROFLMAO

Terry C

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Nov 28, 2016, 9:34:36 AM11/28/16
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I have fished a 6 wt for the past 30 yrs  perfect size shad rod In my opinion.  A must is a 250 gr depth charge line.   Its all about getting in the zone.  Once you find it " Look Out".  I have spent numerous days catching fish after fish and the boat next to me very few because they were using a floating line of a 10-15 ft sing tip.   

Carl Z.

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Nov 28, 2016, 7:11:17 PM11/28/16
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My favorite is a 6ft light action spinning rod.  Spoons and darts seem to get down faster and stay down longer than even T-14 line.  And to be honest, once your chucking T-14 I'm not sure it's fly fishing.  You could probably club them to death with that much weight. 



Carl

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Brian Cohen

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Nov 28, 2016, 7:50:42 PM11/28/16
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Wait a minute.... :)

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.
From: Carl Z.
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2016 19:11
Subject: Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: What kind of setup for the Shad run at Fletchers?

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arthur...@gmail.com

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Nov 28, 2016, 9:27:07 PM11/28/16
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Orvis had a rod donation event this year. People Could bring in there old equipment that they don't use anymore ,and have it donated to various organizations like the Boy Scouts, or Project Healing waters.

I was so surprised to see how many fiber glass rods were donated ,and good ones to. I guess didn't realize how many people preferred graphite technology. 

Art



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arthur...@gmail.com

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Nov 28, 2016, 9:54:18 PM11/28/16
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Brian,

Welcome to the group!

I would agree with Terry about the 6wt. It seems to be the perfect shad and smallmouth rod for the river. However , this past spring I started targeting some larger striped bass on the Potomac; big  tackle was necessary. I second Yambag's notion about the 8wt; it's a very versatile rod to have .

Two handed fly rods are another great resource for the river. They are fun and easy to cast long distances. I find that Spey fishing, although sometimes misunderstood and even criticized , is a different experience altogether. Some of our members teach free single and two handed casting lessons on the weekends at Fletchers Boathouse.




Art


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On Nov 28, 2016, at 7:49 PM, Brian Cohen <brian....@gmail.com> wrote:

Douglas R

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Nov 29, 2016, 9:49:19 PM11/29/16
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+1 on the 6wt recommendation.  A 9 foot 6wt salt water rod (with fighting butt) is perfect for shad.  The rod will throw a 300 grain sinking line when fishing from a boat or a 150 grain or floating line equally well when fishing from shore.

Carl

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