Spring 2025 Shad and Striped Bass
Fly Fish the Rappahannock Fall Line for Spring Shad and Striped Bass
Fly Fish the Rappahannock Fall Line for Spring Shad and Striped Bass
Fly Fish the Rappahannock Fall Line for Spring Shad and Striped Bass
Shad are also known as the "Poor Man's Tarpon," because fishing for them is affordable and they jump like tarpon! We offer $250 half-day (4 hours) wade-fishing tours on the Rappahannock Fall Line in Fredericksburg. Acrobatic Hickory Shad stack up in the rapids beginning in early March. Striped Bass soon follow, their run peaking in late May. It's the perfect time of year to sharpen your skills while wade fishing shallow water with an abundance of fish. Our Fall Line fishing adventures are customized for beginners, families, young people, and old hats who just want a refresher lesson.
Read more:
Spring Shad Run Hits Hard On the Rappahannock Fall Line - Virginia Water Trails
What should clients bring?
Fly Fish the Rappahannock Fall Line for Spring Shad and Striped Bass
Fly Fish the Rappahannock Fall Line for Spring Shad and Striped Bass
For spring shad and stripers, 5-8 weight rods are preferable, rigged with a sink-tip fly line. Floating lines will work, but sink tips are great for streamer fishing in fast current. Check out this Orvis line as one example. This sink tip is versatile, and you'll use it under many circumstances.
The water is cold until early May, so wade fishing in the spring for shad & stripers calls for hip or chest waders. By mid-May you can wet-wade in river shoes like Chacos and wear shorts & a t-shirt. That's good gear through the summer months, too, when we are targeting Smallmouth Bass and sunfish.
A hat and polarized sunglasses are game-changers! You want to see your fly and the fish.