Written by Christina Gordon Monday, 12 April 2010 19:12

During shad season you have a bunch of options for finding and catching fish.  I rely on my fishing contacts to clue me in where to go.  The information exchange is a 2-way street.  I try to give honest, updated, advice and intel every opportunity I get.  Some fishermen are very close-mouthed and secretive, and I respect that, but a good exchange of info suits me better.

So far this shad season, I have enjoyed success on the Tar River in Tarboro and Rocky Mount.  The Rocky Mount spit of the Tar yields some nice American Shad, or what we call White Shad.  Bobby Mason likes to freeze his White Shad, and use them for bait during rockfish season.  I fished with Bobby 3 or 4 times and the man usually has his limit (10 fish) by lunchtime.  Bobby is without a doubt the best White Shad fisherman I have ever seen.  He targets them and he catches them.  A good fisherman makes it look easy, but don’t fool yourself about the fact that an expert fisherman has a lot of trial and error experience.   My guess is that he is just as effective nailing those Stripped Bass.  He likes to put in at Scotland Neck to pursue the much sought after April/May rockfish in the Roanoke River.

Chubby Birdsong, of Roanoke River Trading Company in Weldon, is the man with the plan.  He will give you the straight scoop on fishing his stretch of the Roanoke River.   RTC has everything you need for a successful outing from clothing, gear, bait, lures, snacks, and plain old fashioned good advice.   Call (252) 536-5160 or contact him online at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  I love the name Chubby Birdsong.  With that name he would be a good opening act for a Peter, Paul, and Mary concert.  Any of you young whippersnappers that don’t know who Peter, Paul, and Mary were, ask your parents or grandparents.  They were ONLY the biggest folk singing trio of all times.  Peter, Paul, and Mary were top dogs in the music industry before anyone heard of those 4 goofy guys from Liverpool.  Bing or Google ‘em and learn more.  Legendary is an appropriate word to describe them.

Recently, I have enjoyed some measurable success catching Hickory Shad in Weldon.  The most productive area has been the boat landing and adjacent cove.  Silver spoons and green on green darts and/or jigs are landing a lot of fish.  Get there early, because once the sun rises, it can get a little crowded.  Usually by the time the 9-o’clockers get there, I am ready to leave, and find some groceries to slam down my neck.  Waffle Town beckons!

I have bragged and boasted to my brother, Charles, for years about the good shad fishing we enjoy in the creeks and rivers of eastern NC in the month of March.  I couldn’t wait to get him down here from Maryland to fish with me.  He is not just my big brother, but my fishing mentor and a keen supporter of “Tight Lines” and my other writing ventures.  The middle of March he came down for a few days.  I wish I could tell you that we loaded up on shad, but the truth of the matter is that fishing was dismal and poor.  It was the worst 2 days of shad fishing I have had in a while.  I felt helpless, frustrated, and just plain angry.  I was so desperate to find fish that I drove my Jeep in to a soft mud situation, trying to get to the Roanoke River in Weldon, that got us good and stuck for about an hour.  A very helpful gentleman named Gilbert assisted us.  Getting stuck in the mud only poured salt on my wounded pride that day.  My brother is a thoughtful, sensitive man, and would never say anything negative or hurtful about our little shad fishing clusterdoodle, but I am greatly embarrassed and humiliated by the whole experience.   You have heard me say it before, but fishing is NOT an exact science.

Fortunately, brother Charles, has experienced some good rockfish action in the Tar and Roanoke Rivers in the past, and is scheduled to come back in late April to give it another shot.  I have booked in family and friends for my own personal version of Rick’s Rockfish Rodeo later this month.  If we do not catch some fish, I will be submitting my employment application to the French Foreign Legion.  Do they fish in Timbucktoo?

Hotspot of the Week – When the shad bite is ON, you can find good fishing all over eastern NC.  If you have a favorite shad hole, seek and ye shall find.  If not, ask around for someone to point you in the right direction.  It’s not rocket science people.  Find fish, cast, retrieve, and catch same.  Your welcome!  No need to send money, or include me in your will for that sage advice.  Go get’em, and enjoy!  That’s payment enough for me.

Rick’s Soapbox – At 60 years old, I probably have a little more than my fair share of health problems and medical issues.  I will not bore you with my personal problems, but I do want to extend a BIG “thank you” to my fishing buddies and friends who always go out of their way to lend me a helping hand.  I sometimes get myself between a rock and a hard place while out fishing.  My mind tells me it’s OK to climb down those rocks to get in a good fishing position.  A little while later, my body asks me how I intend to climb back UP those same rocks.   My mind’s willing, but my body ain’t.   Fishermen generally are kind and helpful souls, I have learned over the years.  I have always tried to be that way, and now I am thankful to be on the receiving end of that kindness and good will.  Folks look out for me, and I sincerely appreciate it.  I’m sorry I need the assistance, but VERY glad it is available.  My fishing would be quite limited without it.

Save the Date – John Cherry Memorial Rockfish Rodeo Saturday April 24^th.

Stories, pictures, tall tales, and little white lies are always welcome at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

See you on the water, my friend!