Annual Shad Tournament
Started in 2005 by Gary Bevell with the help of local anglers, the Annual Shad Tournament has become a tradition among anglers and family alike. On one Saturday of the year during February or March, anglers flock to the waters of the Neuse River in pursuit of the migratory White (American) and Hickory Shad that travel up the river to spawn.
These fish, often called the “Poor Man’s Tarpon”, have aggressive attitudes as they run and jump in the current. They can be readily caught from the banks of the river and tributaries. Some also chase the shad by boat, but many times find themselves jockeying for position with the bank anglers for the best spots.
On the day of the tournament, registered anglers begin fishing at daybreak. Some will often camp out to preserve their spot on the river. They know that it may be shoulder to shoulder before the end of the day. As the day progresses, anglers often wander in and out of the shop seeking fishing reports, but all must return by 4:00 for weigh-ins.
The children usually line up at the certified scales first. They aren’t trying to catch a monster, they fish for free and are competing for the smallest shad of the day! The smallest shad usually wins a gift card to the shop - to help mom or dad buy more tackle that may have been lost to the “Tree Rats”. The “Tree Rats” take this tackle and decorate the trees overhanging the river at the best spots to help the anglers know where to fish…
The adults line up next for weigh-ins in three separate categories; Heaviest White Shad, Heaviest Hickory Shad, & Heaviest Legal Creel. Anglers are sure to follow all wildlife regulations because the shop is supportive of all our Wildlife Officers and they are cordially invited each and every year! What happens to the shad after the weigh-ins are completed? Those who wish to keep their prize catches are encouraged to do so, the rest is set aside for the catfish anglers to take as bait, or any who may wish to get them. Of course, all NC possession rules, even if you didn’t catch them.
Immediately following the weigh-ins, anglers are provided a meal cooked locally and the prizes are given out! No angler leaves empty handed, as the prizes are drawn and given out, anglers realize that they are all being provided by local or family business! EZ Tackle takes pride in supporting the community that supports it. Sometimes names are drawn twice or even three times due to the amount of mutual support. In addition to the door prizes, all the children get a fishing rod and reel, before the winners of the tournament are announced and prize money divvied out. Exhausted anglers then leave the shop in excited anticipation of the next years festivities!
Some folks choose to eat them directly or scramble the Roe Shad’s eggs amongst their breakfast eggs, while many save them for use as bait to catch the record breaking cat fish of the Neuse. The locals along the Neuse will tell you that the Shad Run happens with the blooming of the Dog Woods, science say that they start spawning when the water reaches 58 - 62 degrees. Use what ever method you like… see ya at the river!
