I was wondering if anyone else has been fishing for shad this spring?  If you have never tried it, it is great fun.

For me, shad fishing is a great way to pass the time between the start of the warmer spring weather and the arrival of the striped bass.  One of the best parts about shad fishing is that you can use pretty much any light tackle spin/fly gear that you are already using for trout or other freshwater fish.  Shad jigs and spoons are very inexpensive and you don't need much to get started.

I fish for the American Shad in the Merrimack River in MA, but I'm sure there are other shad runs that are just as productive up and down the NE coastline. 

Around here, the shad start running around the third week of April and grow in numbers through May and sometimes into early June.  There are several widely known spots around here that get a lot of attention, and for good reason.  When the shad are in thick it can be great fishing for these 4-6 pound mini-tarpon.  I usually fish for them wading from shore, using a 9' noodle rod to cast my home-made shad jigs into the current seams.

I live 5 minutes away from a great spot and have been lucky enough to get in a few hours fishing here and there on the right tides.  So far this year has been pretty good - which in my case means picking up a half-dozen fish in a couple hours fishing.  Shad fishing can really be hit or miss.. hit the right spot at the right tide and you will catch fish after fish.  Come an hour or two later and you will get skunked.  Like any other type of fishing, learning how different spots fish at different stages of the tide takes some time on the water.

I snuck out this afternoon for a quick lunch-time trip.  There was only one other fisherman there when I arrived, and he was coming in with his canoe.  He reported the fishing had heated up a couple of hours earlier for the guys fishing from shore, but they had all since left and he hadn't got a bite.  I made my way to the water, waded in and began fan casting and covering water, enjoying having the room to roam without any other fisherman around. 

After about 15 minutes I got my first fish of the day, and he was quickly followed by three others over the course of the next half hour or so.  A couple of the fish really fought hard and kept launching themselves out of the water as they got closer to the shore.  The deep bellies of shad combined with a fairly strong river current make them even more fun on ultra-light gear.

I know everyone likes pictures to go along with fishing reports, so I tried to get some shots with my work phone (which was sealed in a fancy ziplock to keep from getting wet) and they didn't come out that great.. next time I will bring my small waterproof point and shoot, even though it will pretty much guarantee that I don't catch any fish

For reference, the fish in the pics were about 4.5# and 16-18".

So, I'm not sure if anyone would be interested, but thought I'd post anyway and maybe get someone motivated to give it a shot.  I know I have certainly appreciated the info I have picked up here and converted into excellent fishing trips in waters I would have never tried otherwise.

Good luck!

-- Tom

Quote by: TomS

After about 15 minutes I got my first fish of the day, and he was quickly followed by three others over the course of the next half hour or so.  A couple of the fish really fought hard and kept launching themselves out of the water as they got closer to the shore.  The deep bellies of shad combined with a fairly strong river current make them even more fun on ultra-light gear.

 

Tom that jumping is why some call them the poor mans salmon.

See Yah

Lee

Great Post!

I haven't thought about shad fishing in a long time. I only fished for them once many many years ago just below Groveland on the Merrimack. I  went with someone that knew what they were doing and we caught quite a few. We found them in the slower currents on the inside bends of the river. Makes sense that the best place to spawn would be away from the main river/tidal current.  You've peaked my interest and I might take the boat down sometime this week. The stripers will soon follow!

Tom,

What tide works best for you? When I went years ago we fished the start of the outgoing.

Paul-

Hi Tom,

Rocks Village is the spot I'd try. I figured that's where you were going but I didn't want to spot burn your post. The last time I drove by the ramp last fall they were still working on the bridge and they had equipent in the way at the boat ramp. I'm assuming they're done with construction and the ramp is clear? Maybe I'll see you down there. I drive a blue Chevy Colorado with NH plates. Lot's of fishing stickers on the back window.

Paul-

Tom,

I have a 12' aluminum that fits in the bed of my truck that can be easly dragged down to the water. I'll just use my trolling motor and fish the inside bend. Thanks for the intel on the ramp I would have trailer my bigger boat and been upset when I arrived.

Paul-