Looking for a different fishing experience but don’t want to break the bank on a back country excursion or high priced guides? Maybe you should try your hand against an the American Shad. While it may appear to be an oversized herring this is a one of the king game fish, not a tasty treat like its smaller cousin.
This robust game fish, sometimes called “herring on steroids” or “poor man’s tarpon” can reach over seven pounds if you hook a female waiting to spawn. Males tend to be slightly smaller with top weights averaging 4 pounds. But regardless of which member of the household you might hook stand by for long runs and breath taking jumps – both of which make catching this silver trophy thrilling and challenging.
The majority of shad fishing is done on light tackle with very tiny lures. While shad are curious by nature they are also extremely cautious, a combination which makes selecting your gear tricky. The right choice will turn a school into a feeding frenzy, go too big and each and every fish will become a ghost. In most cases you will want to go as light and small as possible, but more on that later.
Another character trait you need to be aware of concerns how the school itself moves. Most fish travel in large, wide spread patterns. Cast anywhere near these schools and it is likely you will pick up a straggler or even turn the school itself. But shad move in long, narrow lines – almost single file. Toss your lure too far to one side or the other and you will think the river is as empty as the surface of the moon. It is very important that your cast in a manner which places your lure as close as possible to the school itself as possible.
Next there is the matter of feeding patterns, there are none. When at sea shad eat plankton and when migrating they rarely eat at all. This means that lures which resemble bait fish or other normal food sources are useless. When shad do strike a lure it is out of curiosity rather than hunger, which is a second important factor to keep in mind when stocking your fishing vest.
Finally, you need to know where to find the fish or more accurately where not to find them. Another of the shad’s oddities is their dislike for swift current or obstacles – both natural and manmade. Falls, fish ladders or floating logs in their path will quickly stop their progress and are also unlikely locations to get lucky when looking for your first fish.
So, now you know a little bit about your opponent it is time to select your gear and learn just what this non-feeding but curious traveler will hit. But that is a topic for next time. Before long you will be dreaming of silver flashes and chomping at the bit to catch your next one.
Good luck and good fishing!
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