The year’s first perch, as shown here, put up quite a battle on ultralight tackle.

The month of March is split by two seasons -- winter and spring. It's time for those of us who wait for the weather to break to start getting our act in gear. Fishing-wise, spring makes me think of having fun with species of generally small fish; those that are perfect for targeting with ultralight tackle. The headwaters of tidal rivers, and freshwater streams and rivers are where you can find the best action. White perch, yellow perch, and shad are found in their spawning grounds. Rivers and streams are well stocked with rainbow and brown trout. Some anglers fish for one or two of these species, but many anglers will find themselves catching all of these species. The best part of it all is that only one rod and reel compo is needed for all these fish

There is an art to fishing with ultralight tackle. The lightest of tackle should be used for just that. Tying on a ½-ounce rattle trap to entice larger species is not very sporting to the fish. Sure you will catch them this way, but by the time you get them landed, they may have fought to utter exhaustion. I prefer to use ultralight tackle for panfish species and other small species like stream smallmouth bass. Ultralight tackle lends itself nicely to the fighting ability of these fish.

I have two favorite ultralight rods. I use a St. Croix Premier 5 ½-foot fast action rod for casting single hook lures such as plastics on jig heads. I also like it for fishing with a bobber and minnows. My other rod is a 6-foot Avid series rod, also with fast action. This rod has a bit more flex than its 'fast action' label advertises, making it perfect for small crankbaits and inline spinners. I use 6-pound test Sufix Siege line. It casts well and doesn't throw loops in the line at the head of the reel's spool. I don't fish with lighter line because I believe 2 and 4 pound test lines break much too easily.

Trout and perch are targeted first while shad make their run a bit later. The last Saturday in March is traditionally when Maryland's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) opens freshly stocked flowing waterways for trout fishing. While trout are stereotyped as a fly angler's specialty, many anglers start the season with 'bows and browns use light and ultralight tackle. In fact, many families make opening day of trout season a tradition. It is often hard for a fly fisher to find enough room to cast with the throngs of spin fishermen along the bank.

You will find two tactics streamside when it comes to catching trout. There are anglers who cast bait. Meal worms, or Berkley Power bait rolled into small wads, are used most frequently. These fishermen carry a small box of split shot in varies sizes to present their bait. Knowing how much weight to use is a science of knowing how deep you are fishing and how fast the current is. The other breed of angler will be casting lures -- mostly inline spinners. Among the best are Joe's and Panther Martin fly spinners. Here, too, a small split shot will help a 1/16 or 1/8-ounce spinner achieve the proper depth in moderate current. In faster currents, a 1/4-ounce spinner would be a better choice.

This winter has been rather mild to the point of this article's writing. Should the rest of winter be so kind, the annual perch runs may start as early as the middle of this month. As with rainbow trout, some anglers make it a family tradition to hit the headwaters for their first angling excursion of the year. Locations like Tuckahoe and Red Bridges are best bets on the eastern shore. The Patuxent River sees its share of perch anglers in the middle bay area, as does Dundee Creek and the Gunpowder River on the upper western shore.

Through the spring months, anglers must fish with barbless hooks for yellow perch. This is done to make it easier to release deep-hooked yellows. If you fish with barbed hooks, use a pair of pliers and mash down the barbs. Check your Maryland DNR regulations guide for those dates. Natural bait or lures work well for white and yellow perch. You will often find fishermen using bobber and bait in the head waters. A minnow, grass shrimp, or piece of worm fished below a float is an enticement that perch, white or yellow, can't refuse. With minnows, it is best to use a small split shot to keep the bait down in the strike zone. I prefer to cast the 1 ½-inch Crème Lit'l Fishie. This lure's design makes it swim like a real minnow. Rooster Tail spinners, and jerkbaits and crankbaits also draw strikes from perch. Remember to be responsible with your take during the spawning season. Keeping too many fish can be counterproductive for catching good numbers of fish in years to come.

Hickory shad make their spawning runs a bit later than perch. You will find them in the Rappahannock, Gunpowder, Susquehanna and her tributaries and other rivers by the first week in April. Be forewarned that if you fish the main body of the Susquehanna, you risk being spooled by a big striper if she should choose to strike your hooked shad during the fight. Hickories travel into Deer and Octorara Creeks that often flow a bit stronger than stripers prefer.

Shad fishing is typical for the angler who prefers casting artificials. Obviously the best lure is the shad dart. You should carry them in sizes from 1/16 to 1/4-ounce. I have had success with a lure known as the Wee Willy, a metal lure in the shape of a tiny money clip. As with bait fishing for other species, this lure needs a small split shot to work effectively. Some anglers will tandem rig a pair of shad darts, or a shad dart with a small spoon. I don't favor this because the fight of one shad can give you all that you can handle on ultralight tackle.

Spring is the ultimate time of year to use ultralight tackle. With panfish and shad being the most active and readily available to the general fishing public, it provides the most fun you can have for these species. All of these species fight hard for their size, and trout and shad perform aerial acrobatics during the fight. This spring give fishing with ultralight tackle a try. I bet you will fish more often in early spring if you do.

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