2012 Tar River First Shad Contest

Tight Lines

Related Photos

Sponsors and Prize Donations

January 16, 2012

FOR THE DAILY SOUTHERNER Rick Goines The Daily Southerner Mon Jan 16, 2012, 09:52 AM EST

TARBORO — As you read this, the Alosa mediocris are making their annual trek from the Atlantic Ocean, through the Pamlico Sound, and up the Pamlico River, which magically becomes the Tar River as it flows under the Highway 17 Bridge at Little Washington.

To us, the plebeian unwashed masses, those Alosa mediocris are called Hickory Shad.

These fish, like their cousins, the fabled rockfish, are scientifically referred to as an anadromous fish. That means they live in saltwater, but traverse up freshwater coastal rivers to spawn and reproduce. I guess in Las Vegas-speak we could say, “What happens between two consenting adult fish in the Tar River, stays in the Tar River.”

For 2 to 3 weeks in March, I would put the Tar River Hickory Shad fishery in the Tarboro area up against any shad tributary on the East coast. It’s that good folks, hands down.

The first shad caught each year is a rite of passage, and big doings in these parts. With cellphones and computers, it takes about 13 minutes for the entire fishing community to hear the good news. Believe me, rods, reels, darts, and spoons are all primed and ready to go. No instruction needed, just point us in the right direction, and of course add water.

Jimmy Dupree, Jr., is a top notch Tar River shad fisherman. If Jimmy D ain’t catching ‘em, the rest of us can go home, watch a fishing show on cable TV, and stuff our faces. His Jimmy D Custom-Made Shad Rigs are the only baits I throw during shad season. Why? Duh! Because they catch fish, Bunky! The rigs are available locally in Tarboro at Roberson & Dupree Shoe Store, and also at Marrow-Pitt Ace Home Center.

Last year, Jimmy D teamed up with Tight Lines to offer a free card of Jimmy D Custom-Made Shad Rigs to our 2011 First Shad winner.

This year we decided to do it again, and make the prize package bigger and better.

Mission accomplished! We have added some nifty-keen gifts to make a right fair prize package for the winner of the 2012 Tar River First Shad Contest.

The rules for the contest are basically that there are no rules. No fees or registration, and it is a wide open fishing contest to anyone with a pulse.

Of course, this would be somewhat hard to police, but we ask that your fish entry be caught somewhere in the Tar River on hook and line. A little honor system, if you please.

The first person to bring a freshly caught (very convincing if it’s still alive) Tar River Hickory Shad to Roberson & Dupree Shoe Store, located at 418 Main Street, in beautiful, historic downtown Tarboro can claim the following nice prize package: see the chart attached.

To give online readers and newspaper readers an equally fair chance, let’s use Saturday, January 14th as our start date. We have one generous prize package to reward to one fisherman, so it is strictly a first shad, first come, winner takes all contest.

A word to the wise is sufficient. Catch that slimy dude or dudette, and high-tail it over to the shoe store. In the case of a tie coming through the door, a fist fight will determine the actual winner. Just kidding, of course!

Sorry, no room for Hotspot or Rick’s Soapbox this week.

Care to share? Send us your fishing success stories and pictures to CarolinaAngler@Gmail.com.

See you on the water, my friend!

Text Only

Tight Lines

Electrofishing on the Tar River in Rocky Mount
Ever wonder what those NCWRC guys were doing out there in that funny looking boat?
I have heard them called the “shock troops” or the “juice boys.” The truth is that the NCWRC started electrofishing, or sampling the Tar River in 1996 for Hickory Shad, American Shad (locally we call White Shad), and Striped Bass (Rockfish).

May 18, 2012
White Shad Bite Still On At Rocky Mount
I had every intention of doing a different article this week, but I am so impressed and thrilled with the current White Shad bite on the Tar River at Rocky Mount that I feel the need and obligation to share this exciting information with you.

May 11, 2012
Two incredible weeks of fishing for Goines
I have been fishing for more than 50 years, and I would be hard-pressed to find a more productive, enjoyable two weeks of angling. Believe me, it’s not my fishing expertise and prowess. The only time I am the most skilled angler out there is when I am fishing alone.
Seriously, most accomplished fishermen I know also possess some good mechanical skills. Not me, ain’t got none! Anyway, regardless of my limited fishing skills and diminishing physical tools, NOBODY out there on the water enjoys it more than me, I guarantee you.

May 4, 2012
2012 John Cherry Rockfish Rodeo On The Tar
Saturday was a cloudy and overcast day, but did not stifle the enthusiasm of the 61 anglers participating in the 2012 John Cherry Rockfish Rodeo On the Tar. TASS officials began inspecting and allowing the 33 boats to launch at 4:30 a.m. as anglers competed for more than $4,000 in prize payouts.

May 1, 2012 1 Photo
Rock fishing is 'well done' at Weldon
Last weekend was my 18th annual Goines Rock-A-Rama in Halifax County. Family and friends converged on Weldon for a long weekend of exciting rockfish action. The only way I can do it justice is to give you a session-by-session action report.

April 27, 2012
John Cherry Rockfish Rodeo upcoming on the Tar
Save the date, Saturday April 28! It’s the annual John Cherry Rockfish Rodeo On The Tar, and this year’s tournament promises to be bigger and better than ever, with over $4,000 in prize money.

April 6, 2012
Thank you, fellow shadsters, for a great year
Shad season started early this year, so it only stands to reason that it would end early, too, and indeed it has. We had about seven good weeks of a fantastic shad bite in the Tar River at Tarboro this year, starting the last week in January.

March 30, 2012
Incredible Shad Bite at Mouth of Fishing Creek
I have been fishing for shad for 11 years in Tarboro. I have heard about the extraordinary shad bite at the mouth of Fishing Creek since I tied on my first Tar River shad rig. I have been bugging my boating friends to take me there. As luck would have it, I get two invitations on the same day.

March 23, 2012
The fishing destination is Weldon where the shad are biting
The Roanoke River at Weldon is a wonderful, abundant fishery. During Shad and Rockfish season, it’s a good place to hang out. March and April, I spend so much time in Halifax County I joke that I should have my mail forwarded there. I usually fish until exhausted, saving just enough energy to limp home. Those back road farmers between Tarboro and Weldon know my old red Jeep, and always give me a toothy grin and a big wave.

March 16, 2012
March shadness is here for all the fishermen
Basketball fans all over the world look forward to March Madness. Shad aficionados, that's enthusiast for you dudes and dudettes who skipped vocabulary class to go fishing, have the same warm and fuzzy feelings for March Shadness. Giving credit where credit is due, Norfleet Temple coined that phrase last year. Fleet is the son of retired Doctor Peter Temple, an accomplished musician, avid fisherman, and all-around nice guy. Peter has recently hit a rough patch with his health, and our thoughts and prayers are with him. Get well soon, Peter, and join your shad buddies back on the Tar River. We miss you!

March 9, 2012
More Tight Lines Headlines

Tight Lines

Search Results

Related Photos

2012 Tar River First Shad Contest

Site Map