Shad Fishing

[trout17]

I have never been shad fishing and ever year about this time I really start thinking about it but never have to this point. I was wondering if some pointers could be shared with me. Is wading an option or is boat fishing better, easier? I plan on fly fishing so what weight rod would be needed, sink tip, floating, etc.

Jim Kearney

 

[sandfly]

where are you planning to go so I can help...

 

[iceyguides]

I've only ever fished for shad with spinning tackle, but i imagine you'd want something around a 7wt. I haven't fished for them in several years now, because the runs on the susquehanna haven't been worth it.

 

[trout17]

sandfly,

Question #1 - Where is best? I thought the Delaware but iceyguides mentioned the Susquehanna which I know even less about except that as he mentioned, fewer fish.

Maybe I will stop in your shop in the next couple of weeks and speak to you in person. Thanks to both of you guys for your help.

Jim

 

[Fishidiot]

trout17,
Shad are a game I haven't played much but I do have some experience chasing hickory shad in some of the Susky tribs down in MD. This is wade fishing and trout, or better yet, standard smallmouth bass tackle will suffice. I suppose, ideally, a 6 or 7WT rod with a floating line and leader tapered to 8lb test would work. Small streamers and wet flies in the 1 to 2 inch range with lots of flash will get bit consistently. Shad are hard fighters and the hickorys average about 14" and fight as hard as a smallmouth bass. They're great fun. I think the biggest challenge is timing your trip to ideal water conditions and known runs of fish. Tough to do if you live a long way from the right rivers and have to plan in advance - I'd guess they're tougher to plan for than steelhead. Anyway, good luck with your shad fishing - let us know how you made out.

 

[sandfly]

t17, i am closed the weekend of feb.12-15..in the catskills tyin at the museum.. the delawre is your best bet when you stop in I can show you on a map some good spots..

 

[buggerfly]

I have fished for them several times on Deer Creek in MD using a 5 wt rig. Small bright streamers low in the water. Low light level days are best. There are a lot of shad fishers on the Titalfish flyfishing forum. You may want to check in there.

Dan

 

[JeffK]

The Delaware is a good choice, but sadly the runs have been going down. I think you will need a shad stamp in PA or NYS, NJ is up in the air what to do and is caught in an off year for regulation changes. Check regulations before you go. With the falling populations the shad states are instituting recovery plans and things may change.

I would head above the Water Gap. The shad follow the channel pretty closely and the channel below the Water Gap is generally deeper than I like to fish with flies. Above the Water Gap there are more places where wading is easier and the channel is not as deep.

I like to fish at the tails of pools ahead of rapids where the channel merges into the tail. This is typically at the outside of the bend. Just swing the fly near the bottom and hold on. I have found giving the fly action does not help - just hang it in their face and once in a while one will hit from annoyance. You aren't triggering a predatory response like with most gamefish. The hot technique for the boat guys is using a down rigger to hold a flutter spoon at the level the shad are moving and just wait.

If you go be sure to keep tabs on the shad websites and call the shad hotlines. The last few years the shad runs have been short and intense. Most days the fishing has been tough, but if you catch the run right all is good with the world. For some reason early evening is good - a biologist told me that is because that is when the water is warmest and the shad are most active. The shad regulars follow the schools upriver and spend a lot of time figuring out where the schools should be on any given day.

 

[PSUFishMenace]

I know this isn't really what you meant but in summer, head down to Indian River Inlet in DE and fish right in the inlet as the tide's coming in, nonstop action for an hour or two every day for 14-18" shad and bluefish of various sizes. You'd need a boat though unless you can cast a fly over 100 feet.

 

[afishinado]

JeffK above, pretty well nailed it with info on Delaware River shad fishing. The run starts when the water temp reaches 50*. The main run works its way upstream. The best advice is to check with the Shad hotline to mark their progress. By late spring they work their way all the way to the upper D and the fish are spread out throughout the River. As Jeff says, if you hit it right you can have a nice day. Here is the shad hotline link:

http://shad.devhub.com/

 

[trout17]

Thanks for the info fellows! The web site is just what I was looking for.

Jim Kearney