That's How I Saw It - Shad Outing 2025

It started like any other chilly spring morning. We packed up the SUV, lovingly called “The Bus.”  Loading up all the fishing tackle, that was rigged the night before, snacks, drinks, food, and the pig cooker. We got the teenagers settled in The Bus and were on our way. The hour-and-a-half ride was filled with teens laughing and napping.

It’s fun to think about our memories with the kids and hope they will think fondly of these times. Robert tied on shad darts and spoons on each pole. The girls excitedly took their fishing poles down to the end of the boat ramp and cast hoping to feel that slight tug. The shore was filled with others with the same fishing dreams! Lines were in the water after finding an open spot with all the other anglers. Guess what? Jessica caught the first shad, followed by 2 more. So exciting!

It was time to fire up the pig cooker and start the hotdogs and hamburgers. Although I didn’t get a headcount, there was enough food to feed anglers from The Raleigh Saltwater Sport Fishing Club, The Piedmont Sport Fishing Club, The Lake Gaston Striper Club, and the Triangle Striper Club. It was great to hear fishing stories and fellowship among old and new friends.

After lunch was cleaned up and the grill was put away, some of the anglers headed back to the water’s edge for more fishing. It was fun to hear the encouragement and see the sharing of tackle to help others catch the shad. Robert caught 4 shad. There might have been a few shad darts that got snagged on the rocks and didn’t find their way back but a good day fishing is still a blessed day! The stresses of the week just melt away when the fish are on! Coming together with friends and family over food, fellowship, and fishing just helped my soul feel a little more a peace.

-Jennifer Carroll