Fishing for Shad at Sawyers Rapids, Elkton Oregon

If you like to catch fish that put up a serious fight then go to Sawyers Rapids, 10 minutes west of Elkton, Oregon and catch some Shad weighing 2 to 4 pounds on average. The time of year to fish is March through May, May is the best time. Check to see how the fishing is before you go by calling Sawyers Rapids RV park(541)584-2226 (there is camping) they always give me the latest information. You have to have a drift boat to get to the rock on the other side of the river and you have to pay to launch your drift boat. I don't recommend trying wade out to fish the rapids I had to pull a fisherman out of the river that tried this once and he was very lucky to be alive. Once you get to the rock park your boat on the west side and get out. I use an ultralight with 4lb line. You want to add as many split shot weights it takes to get to the bottom quickly. I use two to five medium split shots whatever it takes the river could be high or low. Then you want to add a pumpkin seed glitter color(pictured above) 1.5 inch curly tail jig with a bullet jig head weight with a gold hook (pictured below). Make sure there is 12 inches between your weights and hook. Tie the hook directly to your line, no swivel. Pumpkin seed jig is the only color you will need . When you cast, cast across the rapids to the middle of where the two rapids come together the center of the calm part. Let your line out until it hits the bottom then reel up keeping you line tight. On windy days it's impossible to feel them bite. Let the weights bounce the bottom slowly until it comes back into the main stream of the river. You will snag a lot so take plenty of tackle. If you get a bite and you miss setting the hook let it sit for a few seconds before reeling in a lot of times they will hit again. The challenge with these fish is their mouths are so thin and they tear easy you cant give them any slack in your line or you will loose the fish. We catch anywhere from 20 to 75 fish every time we go at the peak of the fish run. Setting the hook can be tricky but, once you get it you will have a blast. I hope you like this article. Come back soon to- http://willhuntforanything.blogspot.com/