The web's best fishing magazine
Now, all we need is some wasabi!!
{ 0 comments }
Like most fish that have to swim through the CA Delta, shad numbers are on the decline
This round of Ask JD comes to us from Dave E., who’s obviously got spring on the mind. His question pertains to American shad and it’s relative health in the rivers of Northern California.
JD, How healthy is the shad fishery in Northern California? I fished for shad a good bit 15 to 20 years ago and remember great runs. Has the shad fishery suffered like the salmon collapse? Thanks, Dave
Dave,
Well, I assume you’re talking about the rivers of the Central Valley — the Sacramento, American, Yuba and Feather, right? While there are mini runs in the Klamath and Eel rivers and a remnant population in the San Joaquin River, most of California’s shad come from those listed above. [click to continue…]
{ 4 comments }
Think maybe I'll call in sick tomorrow!
{ 3 comments }
In was windy. Too windy, really, for me to be chucking a big bug-eyed shad pattern, but there I was Monday evening, ignoring the weather and trying to get a couple shad on the ol’ long rod.
A couple casts into it…bingo…a bug in my bicep. I pretty much run everything barbless these days regardless of fish species but, yep, you guessed it, I forgot to pinch this one (of course). So, when you’re in past the barb, just exactly what do you do?
[click to continue…]
{ 2 comments }
Okay it’s spring and that means many West Coast rivers are getting invaded, at this very minute, by big waves of jumbo-sized, fresh from the sea mutant herring…American Shad.
If you’ve never caught these scrappy bad boys, you owe it to yourself to give it a try this year! You won’t find too many 1- to 6-pound fish that fight any better. Here’s a super basic look at how to get in on the fun…
One of the true beauties of shad fishing is the simplicity. Grab a light-action spinning rod (I like 7 footers) and a reel with a smooth drag system and load it up with 4-pound mono. All you really need for shad fishing in the terminal gear department is a few different sizes of shot, some 1/32-ounce jig heads and a few colors of 1- to 2-inch grubs. Keep it simple!
Take a look at my personal shad box and you’ll get the idea…
Keep 'er simple...don't over-think shad too much!
My all-around favorite shad rig…
Just add enough splitshot to get near the bottom and you're good to go.
From an anchored boat or the bank, the down-and-across swing is the best method:
As your lure drifts, give the rod tip an occasional “pop” just to give the bait a little extra action.
Shad aren’t big fans of whitewater, so try fishing below any sort of barrier in the river — dams, rapids and falls. They also really like nice slow flats that are 6-12 feet deep.
Fish here!
Generally, shad fishing is best early and late in the day, but you can also whack ‘em pretty good in the afternoon too. For the most action, hit the river in the late afternoon and fish right until dark.
Read the articles below for more detailed shaddin’ info….
{ 17 comments }
Spring’s here and that means it’s time for American Shad! Here’s a quick crash course on just exactly what these things are…and how to catch ‘em: [click to continue…]
{ 3 comments }
Every year at this time there seems to be quite a bit of confusion about shad fishing – and shad in general – and I often have to field a million questions like: What the heck is a shad? and Shad are just small baitfish…why would anybody fish for those things? So, I figured it was time to clear a few things up. With that in mind, here’s my graduate crash course on shad and shad fishing. You will not be tested.
The first thing we need to set straight is there are several types of shad. In California, we have two varieties: threadfin and American and this is where most of the misunderstanding begins. Threadfin shad are small baitfish that live in most of our lakes and reservoirs and rarely top 4 inches. American shad, on the other hand, run anywhere from 2 to 7 pounds and spend their lives in the ocean and then come up freshwater streams to spawn in the spring of each year. Aside from the size difference, the two species look similar to one another – deep bodies, big eyes, large silver scales and forked tails. Neither is native to the West Coast.
[click to continue…]
{ 2 comments }
