I went fishing with Sam Heaton today. Well, not physically, but I carried his B’n’M Sam Heaton Super Sensitive Rod and his new DOA Fresh Water Crappie Kit to the St. Johns River. 
The new kit has a great selection of different colored Tiny Terroreyz and the little bitty shrimp.
The target was American shad. I tied my normal tandem rig with a DOA Tiny Terroeyz on the bottom and a small (1/32 or 1/16 ounce) pink Road Runner about 12 inches above on a drop leader. I always like bright colors to attract the American shad, but had some great luck with a clear glitter Tiny Terroeyz today.
Once hooked, the American shad normally go aerial like a tarpon and put on a nice fight. Gear up with light tackle and it is more than a little fun. The shad are only in the river from about Christmas to mid-March, so if you get an opportunity to chase some shad in the St. Johns or in your neck of the woods, just do it.
It was not a banner day, but we put enough fish in the boat to call it a good day. I believe they are just beginning to show up and the numbers will only get better. A little later in the year they will start showing themselves on the surface in larger shcools and you can cast directly to them instead of blind casting like we did today.
We top off the day with an eagle sighting before heading to the house.
Fish with passion.
by Ron Presley
