Fletcher’s Cove DC

[ATBfish]

I just moved to the DC area last year and have some questions about Fletchers Cove. The few times I’ve seen that part of the Potomac the current t absolutely rips. What type of rig do you use for the shad? Just 1/8oz shad darts or do you need to add some weight? 
 

Second how is parking? Like on a weekend what time would you need to get there to be guaranteed a parking spot.
 

Third do they sell any tackle at Fletchers? I think I have like 3 shad darts and there are no shops within a 35 min drive that would have them. Or if someone can recommend a shop in the DC area that has them? 
 

oh yeah the licensing seems funny. Do I need a dc license, va license or md license?
 

thanks!

Edited April 7, 2021 by ATBfish

[Pointguardu]

They used to sell licenses and some specific shad darts and spoons at fletchers. I don’t know with covid and everything if it’s open yet. The phone number is  202 244 0461. When I go shad fishing I fish a tandem rig with a gold or silver spoon at the bottom and then a shad dart 8-16 above sometimes I add a little tandem trailer on the dart. Some days colors matter other days it doesn’t. Pink, orange, white, chartreuse, etc for colors. Plenty of parking when you arrive you want to fish north of the cove mostly unless you rent a boat. *

Edited April 7, 2021 by TimS
If folks have questions they respond in the thread, that’s how discussion forums work :-)

[ATBfish]

1 hour ago, Pointguardu said:

They used to sell licenses and some specific shad darts and spoons at fletchers. I don’t know with covid and everything if it’s open yet. The phone number is  202 244 0461. When I go shad fishing I fish a tandem rig with a gold or silver spoon at the bottom and then a shad dart 8-16 above sometimes I add a little tandem trailer on the dart. Some days colors matter other days it doesn’t. Pink, orange, white, chartreuse, etc for colors. Plenty of parking when you arrive you want to fish north of the cove mostly unless you rent a boat. *

Awesome thanks for info. I’ll give them a call. Is wading necessary to reach them?

[Pointguardu]

*

The fly fisherman use waders to get away from the trees for the most part while casting. They can catch shad with pretty small casts in moving water. There’s a fine balance with catching these fish tackle wise that can really make it fun with the drag really looose and and a light action rod. Casting distance is important but in my opinion don’t compromise the fight with with bigger setups if you can avoid it. That being said I will use a kastmaster from 1/4 to 1/3 of an ounce on the bottom of my tandem since I am fishing from shore and like to cover water with a 60-100 foot cast working it like a jerk bait or jigging. Just make sure you speed your retrieve up at the end of your cast snags galore from wood, rocks, and whatever else. You will lose gear no matter what lol.  Other things they will hit braided fishing line like power pro but mono really is the game and you will catch a lot more. Also two tandem shad darts with trailers instead of the spoon/shad dart tandem works too. 

Edited April 7, 2021 by TimS
Please stop asking people to contact you off this website for questions - thanks.

[ATBfish]

6 hours ago, Pointguardu said:

*

The fly fisherman use waders to get away from the trees for the most part while casting. They can catch shad with pretty small casts in moving water. There’s a fine balance with catching these fish tackle wise that can really make it fun with the drag really looose and and a light action rod. Casting distance is important but in my opinion don’t compromise the fight with with bigger setups if you can avoid it. That being said I will use a kastmaster from 1/4 to 1/3 of an ounce on the bottom of my tandem since I am fishing from shore and like to cover water with a 60-100 foot cast working it like a jerk bait or jigging. Just make sure you speed your retrieve up at the end of your cast snags galore from wood, rocks, and whatever else. You will lose gear no matter what lol.  Other things they will hit braided fishing line like power pro but mono really is the game and you will catch a lot more. Also two tandem shad darts with trailers instead of the spoon/shad dart tandem works too. 

Thanks appreciate the info, very helpful stuff. I’m gonna try to get out there Friday morning and see what happens. 

[T.C.]

Shad are running good right now.  Have gone the past 2 weekends.  You can catch them just about any where but obviously, some spots are better than others.  I was at one spot 10 feet away from another fisherman and he out fished me 15 to 1.  It was very frustrating.  The next outing, I was able to fish one of my favorite spots and did very well.  Caught on tandom rigs.  Switched from 2 Darts to 1 dart and spoon.  Both seemed to work equally.

[ATBfish]

4 mins ago, T.C. said:

Shad are running good right now.  Have gone the past 2 weekends.  You can catch them just about any where but obviously, some spots are better than others.  I was at one spot 10 feet away from another fisherman and he out fished me 15 to 1.  It was very frustrating.  The next outing, I was able to fish one of my favorite spots and did very well.  Caught on tandom rigs.  Switched from 2 Darts to 1 dart and spoon.  Both seemed to work equally.

Thanks for the tips. I still haven’t made it out but hoping to get out there Monday afternoon. I stopped by anglers on my way home from Delaware and grabbed some shad darts in various sizes and some gold 3/8s spoons. 
 

Any shot at stripers from shore at fletchers right now? I have a kayak but don’t feel like messing with that current. 

[T.C.]

I've heard the Stripers are still in the DC area but I can't remember if DC waters has the closure for Stripers right now.  Not sure if the are still up by Fletchers now.  I've heard down by Haines Point and the Woodrow Wilson bridge.

[ATBfish]

Gotcha thanks for info. 

[Seabassplug]

On 4/7/2021 at 9:25 AM, ATBfish said:

Awesome thanks for info. I’ll give them a call. Is wading necessary to reach them?

please do not try to wade in this part of the potomac, the current there is insane and the channel is very deep, people have been stuck under rocks there due to the current and unfortunately  not much can be done, i always go with a 9 to 10 foot rod and cast in the middle at 1pm, slow retrieve , see what depth they are so add couple of seconds until you get hooked. and enjoy you will catch them. 

[Seabassplug]

2 hours ago, ATBfish said:

Thanks for the tips. I still haven’t made it out but hoping to get out there Monday afternoon. I stopped by anglers on my way home from Delaware and grabbed some shad darts in various sizes and some gold 3/8s spoons. 
 

Any shot at stripers from shore at fletchers right now? I have a kayak but don’t feel like messing with that current. 

definitely stripers there, patience is much needed and bucktails works great, from a small boat or kayak seems to bring best results

[ATBfish]

12 hours ago, Seabassplug said:

please do not try to wade in this part of the potomac, the current there is insane and the channel is very deep, people have been stuck under rocks there due to the current and unfortunately  not much can be done, i always go with a 9 to 10 foot rod and cast in the middle at 1pm, slow retrieve , see what depth they are so add couple of seconds until you get hooked. and enjoy you will catch them. 

10-3. Saw that was a bad idea the more I read about it. Not worth the risk. Thanks for tip!

[ATBfish]

12 hours ago, Seabassplug said:

definitely stripers there, patience is much needed and bucktails works great, from a small boat or kayak seems to bring best results

Have you ever rented the rowboats? How could one person handle them? Thanks 

[Seabassplug]

7 hours ago, ATBfish said:

Have you ever rented the rowboats? How could one person handle them? Thanks 

i rented the rowboat once, easy enough at 2 people, I wouldnt do it by myself but thats just me, seems that many people bring their own mini engines for them

[T.C.]

On 4/23/2021 at 3:49 PM, Seabassplug said:

please do not try to wade in this part of the potomac, the current there is insane and the channel is very deep, people have been stuck under rocks there due to the current and unfortunately  not much can be done, i always go with a 9 to 10 foot rod and cast in the middle at 1pm, slow retrieve , see what depth they are so add couple of seconds until you get hooked. and enjoy you will catch them. 

I complete agree with Seabassplug.  Please be careful.  Even if it looks shallow, the mud can be super soft and can trip you up quick.  The rocks are in the water are super slick too.  Even with spikes on my wader boots, I have had my share of close calls.