Shad Fishing Tips

Do you want to learn how to catch more Shad? Are you looking for shad fishing tips to improve your fishing skills? Shad are considered overgrown members of the herring family. They are a school fish and are found in large groups. In this article, we share shad fishing tips to help you catch more shad.

How To Catch Shad

1. Cast Net

Using cast nets is a traditional and effective fishing method for targeting shad, small schooling fish prized for their abundance and value as bait. Anglers typically deploy cast nets from the shoreline or from boats in areas where shad are known to congregate, such as shallow bays, river mouths, or along the edges of current breaks.

Cast nets are thrown over the water in a circular motion, spreading out to encompass a wide area and descending quickly to trap shad within their mesh. Anglers then retrieve the net, gathering the trapped shad and transferring them to a holding container or live well for later use as bait.

This method allows anglers to harvest large numbers of shad efficiently, providing a ready supply of fresh bait for targeting a variety of gamefish species, including striped bass, catfish, and largemouth bass. With their simplicity and effectiveness, cast nets remain a popular choice among anglers for harvesting shad and enhancing their chances of success on the water.

2. Casting

Casting can also be used to catch shad although casting nets is arguably the most productive way. You can use a light fishing rod and lures to catch shad from the shore.

Casting is a versatile and effective fishing method for targeting shad, small schooling fish valued as bait for various gamefish species. Anglers typically employ lightweight spinning or baitcasting tackle to cast small lures or bait rigs into areas where shad are known to congregate, such as shallow bays, river mouths, or along the edges of current breaks.

Common lures for shad fishing include small spoons, spinners, or soft plastic jigs that mimic the appearance and movements of shad. By casting and retrieving these lures with varying speeds and depths, anglers can entice strikes from shad actively feeding near the surface or along the water column.

Additionally, anglers may use bait rigs with small hooks and bits of bait to target shad in deeper water or where they are less active. Casting allows anglers to cover a wide area and adapt to changing conditions, making it a popular and productive method for targeting shad and enhancing their chances of success on the water.

Shad Fishing Tackle

A lightweight fishing rod with a 6 to 8-pound test will work for catching shad. For shad fishing, anglers have a variety of fishing tackle options to choose from depending on their preferences and the fishing conditions. Lightweight spinning or baitcasting rods paired with matching reels are commonly used for casting small lures or bait rigs to target shad.

These rods provide the sensitivity and flexibility needed to detect subtle strikes and effectively work lures through the water column. When fishing in areas with dense vegetation or heavy cover, anglers may opt for shorter, more maneuverable rods to navigate tight spaces.

For anglers targeting shad in deeper waters or strong currents, longer rods with greater casting distance may be preferred. In terms of line choice, anglers often opt for light monofilament or fluorocarbon lines in the 4 to 8-pound test range, providing the necessary strength to handle shad while remaining sensitive to detect bites.

Additionally, anglers may use braided lines for increased sensitivity and abrasion resistance in rough conditions. Terminal tackle for shad fishing typically includes small hooks, split shot weights, and swivels for rigging bait presentations or attaching lures. Overall, anglers have a wide range of fishing tackle options available for shad fishing, allowing them to customize their setup to match the fishing conditions and maximize their chances of success on the water.

How To Catch Shad From The Bank

When fishing for shad from the bank, look around rocks, jetties, and other structures that provide shelter from the current. Shad come close to the shore which makes it easy to fish for them to stand on shore or in a boat that is close to the shore.

Use spoons, jigs, spinners, and shad darts underneath a slip bobber when fishing for shad. Shiny lures will bring the best results when fishing for shad. Spring is one of the best times to target them. Casting, jigging, still fishing and night fishing are some of the fishing methods used to catch shad. Shad is a schooling fish. When you locate one, you can catch many of them by following the school all day.

Shad move upriver in lanes and you can find the lanes by varying your casting distance, the distance you cast upstream or downstream, and where you are standing on the shore.

Casting, drifting fishing, bottom fishing, trolling, and using cast nets are some of the ways to fish for shad. Casting nets is regarded as the best way to catch shad.

Shad Fishing Rigs

A simple and effective rig for shad involves attaching a 3-way swivel to your line. Then connect a 3- to 4-foot leader to one loop and the lute. Add a 2 ft dropper line with the weight and drop it to the bottom.

How To Catch Shad In The Winter

During the winter, it is harder to find shad as they go to deeper waters. Many of them die during winter as they struggle with the cold weather. Shad can be found in deep holes in the river and you will see that on the fish finder.

When fishing for shad during the winter, use a fish finder to help you locate them. When you find shad, use a cast net. Use the trolling motor to keep up with the school.

How To Catch Shad In The Summer

When fishing for shad during the summer, one of the best times to catch them is very early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is going down. Look for shad early in the morning around boat ramps, coves, and the shallow waters. Shad will be found in shallow water to escape predators early in the morning.

When looking for shad early morning or late in the evening, look for activity on the water surface.
They will come alive at the surface where bugs may be present as the sun fades away. Casting nets and drifting are some of the best ways to catch shad during the summer.

How To Catch Shad In A River

When fishing for shad in a river, it is important that you find where they are located. Use a fish finder to pinpoint their location. Most shad will go to deeper water, ranging from 5 to 20 feet, in a river. Vary the depths and observe the travel lanes that other anglers are having success in catching shad.

Casting a net is the best way to catch shad and late evening as the sunlight is fading is the best time to fish for shad. However, trolling, drift fishing, and night fishing can also be used when fishing for shad.

How To Catch Shad With A Cast Net

Casting a net is by far the best way to catch shad. Casting a net requires the right net, practicing how to throw the cast net until you get good with the technique, and casting the net in the right area. Use a fish finder to locate shad and then throw your cast net to catch them.

Spend some time practicing how to properly throw a cast net. You can practice in your yard to become familiar with throwing a cast net. When you are familiar with throwing a net, you can get on the water and continue casting the net and improving your technique.

How To Catch Shad Without A Cast Net

Although the best way to catch shad is with a net, you can also catch them without using a cast net. You can fish for them using your rod lures, and baits. The best time to catch shad is early morning and late evening when they can be found closer to the shore. Additionally, spring and summer are the best times to go fishing for shad.

Spoons, jigs, spinners, and shad darts underneath a slip bobber are used when fishing for shad with your fishing rod. When you get them hooked, reel them in quickly. Casting, trolling, drift fishing, still fishing, and night fishing can be used when fishing for shad.

How To Catch Shad In The Delaware River

When fishing for shad in the Delaware River, most anglers use lures and shad darts. They match the shad darts to the conditions of the Delaware River. Use big and bright darts when the water is high and stained. When it is low and clear, use small and bright darts.

Additionally, make sure the weight on your line is enough to get the lure as close to the bottom. A split shot is good to add to your line when fishing for shad to get the line to the bottom.

Shad move upriver in travel lanes following structure or water currents. Therefore, getting your shad darts in the lanes is crucial to catching shad.

Shad Fishing Tips

1. Coastal rivers are where you want to fish for Shad.

2. The best time to fish for Shad is during the spring and summer when they return to the rivers. Fish in the spring and summer. Shad spend their autumns and winters in the ocean, so the best time to fish them is during the spring and summer when they return to the rivers for much easier access. Most people begin fishing Shad in April and May.

3. Fish where there is a strong current. Position yourself so you face the current. This allows you to catch the fish as they swim upstream. Be on the lookout for areas where there is a bend in the river as the current will be faster there and it will propel the fish toward the shore.

4. Look for shad below rocks, islands, and where water flows from fast to slow. Shad can also be found behind a cover that creates a break in the current.

5. Check out the fishing guides for the body of water you intend to fish to determine where to set up. You can catch shad in areas where the water is no more than 10 feet deep and no less than 4 feet deep.

6. You don’t need a heavy rod to catch shad. Opt for a lightweight rod and line. A long, lightweight spinning or fly rod in fiberglass will be a good choice. Use the lightest line that you can find.

7. To make it easy to release other fish that you are not looking to catch, use barbless hooks.

8. Study the patterns of shad. Its location in the water varies with the weather patterns. Search for shad in the early morning or right before daylight during the spring and summer. In the evenings, you can find shad in warmer water towards the back of a cove or creek.

You will also find shad around light sources in the mornings or after dark. You will have to plan around cold weather patterns in the fall. Shad will be pushed out of the creeks and coves to deeper water by colder currents making it more difficult to catch shad.

9. Casting upstream and letting your line float downstream with little current is the best way to fish shad.

10. Shad travels in single file lines and not in large groups. Do everything to find the line.

11. When you find the shad line, keep fishing it. Cast in the same place more than one time. If you found one shad, there are many more in that area.

12. Shad swims close to the shore, usually within 30 to 45 feet of land. This makes it ideal for bank anglers although it is easier for boaters who can occupy the migration lanes.

13. Find out what depth and locations shad are running and work with that information to fish shad. If you find yourself fishing just outside the migration lane, there is a good chance that you will miss out.

14. The best fishing time for shad is just before dark according to most anglers.

15. You will have a good chance of targeting shad in shallower water or up off the bottom on overcast days.

16. You will have to incite a strike from shad when they spawn since they don’t feed when spawning. Casting shad darts and crappie jig heads in bright colors like chartreuse and green might get the strike for the shad.

17. Shad will go into deeper waters to avoid the sunlight when it is clear and sunny.

18. When shad spawn, you may encounter salmon fishing in the same areas. It will be good to check for any current restrictions and regulations regarding salmon and shad for the river you want to fish in.

19. You should know that shad doesn’t actively feed in freshwater.

20. Small, artificial lures such as jigs, spoons, spinners, and similar lures are the best bait for American shad. Shiny or bright-colored lures are the best to use.

21. If the fish are running, chucking lures from a boat or the shore will almost always produce results.

22. Shad travels in schools. If you find a school, follow it and the reward is that you will catch fish all day.

23. If you found schools and learned where they will pass during their migrations, you can set up in that area. You might not have to wait long for results.

24. Set your rod up with a 6- to 12-pound test and use lures or hooks around a 1 or a 1/0 size.

25. Shad tends to linger in the slow-to-mid-flow sections and will hang out deeper in the water when it is dark.

26. Target areas below obstructions on major rivers.

27. Lures that are cast from boats work well.

28. Let the lure or jig drift along and then “dangle” at the end of the line. This is a popular strategy deployed on the northeastern coast.

29. Good places to search for shad are where streams and small rivers flow into the main river. The mouths and shoals of these intersecting inlets create estuaries for them to spawn.

30. Other areas to search for shad are deep, slow pools. During the day when it is hot, they will take refuge in these slow pools. They can also be attracted to long, uniform flats with slow to moderate currents.

31. The final hour of daylight is when shad go all out to eat whatever they can find. They will get even more frantic as the sun fades away and it gets darker. Then all of a sudden it will all go dead as the night comes in. They get into a spawning mode when the sunlight goes away. They won’t bite even though you see them moving around under the surface after dark.

Best Shad Live Baits

1. Shrimp

Shrimp can be an effective bait choice for anglers targeting shad, small schooling fish prized as bait for various gamefish species. While shrimp is not typically the primary bait used for shad fishing, it can still attract shad when presented properly.

Anglers can use fresh or frozen shrimp, either whole or cut into smaller pieces, rigged on hooks or bait rigs and presented near the bottom in areas where shad are known to congregate, such as shallow bays, river mouths, or along the edges of current breaks. The natural scent and flavor of shrimp can entice Shad into biting, especially when other bait options may be scarce or when Shad is feeding opportunistically.

Additionally, shrimp can be a versatile bait option for anglers targeting a variety of species beyond shad, adding to its appeal as a bait choice. While not as commonly used as other bait options for shad fishing, shrimp can still be effective in certain situations and provide anglers with another tool for pursuing these prized baitfish.

2. Worms

Worms are a versatile and effective bait choice for anglers targeting shad, small schooling fish highly valued as bait for various gamefish species. Anglers often use earthworms or nightcrawlers, rigged on hooks or bait rigs and presented near the bottom in areas where shad are known to congregate, such as shallow bays, river mouths, or along the edges of current breaks.

The natural scent and wriggling action of worms can attract shad, enticing them into biting. Worms are readily available at bait shops and can be easily stored and transported, making them a convenient and reliable bait option for shad fishing.

Additionally, worms are versatile baits that can attract a variety of fish species beyond shad, adding to their appeal for anglers seeking a multi-species fishing experience. With their proven effectiveness and widespread availability, worms remain a popular and trusted bait choice for anglers targeting shad, ensuring an enjoyable and productive fishing experience on the water.

3. Plankton

Plankton, while abundant and a primary food source for shad, is not typically used directly as bait for shad fishing by anglers. Shad are filter feeders, consuming plankton by swimming with their mouths open to capture the microscopic organisms present in the water.

Instead of targeting plankton directly, anglers typically use artificial lures or natural baits such as worms, shrimp, or small fish to attract shad. These baits are more visible and offer anglers greater control over the presentation, making them more effective for enticing shad into biting.

While plankton is not directly used as bait, understanding its role as a primary food source for shad can help anglers identify areas where shad are likely to congregate, such as near nutrient-rich waters where plankton blooms occur. By targeting these areas with appropriate bait presentations, anglers can increase their chances of success when shad fishing.

4. Fish Eggs

Fish eggs can be a highly effective bait choice for anglers targeting shad, prized gamefish known for their preference for small, nutrient-rich prey. Shad are known to feed on fish eggs as part of their natural diet, especially during spawning seasons when eggs are abundant in the water.

Anglers can use fresh fish eggs, either from the shad themselves or from other species such as salmon or trout, rigged on hooks or bait rigs and presented near the bottom in areas where shad are known to congregate, such as shallow bays, river mouths, or along the edges of current breaks. The natural scent and taste of fish eggs can attract shad, enticing them into biting.

While not as commonly used as other bait options, fish eggs can be highly effective when presented properly, particularly during spawning seasons or when other bait options may be scarce. With their natural appeal and potential to attract shad, fish eggs provide anglers with another option for pursuing these prized baitfish, ensuring an enjoyable and productive fishing experience on the water.

5. Minnows

Minnows are a popular and effective bait choice for anglers targeting shad, small schooling fish prized as bait for various gamefish species. Anglers typically use small minnows, either live or freshly cut, rigged on hooks or bait rigs and presented near the bottom in areas where shad are known to congregate, such as shallow bays, river mouths, or along the edges of current breaks.

The natural scent, movement, and appearance of minnows can attract shad, enticing them into biting. Live minnows are particularly effective for shad fishing, as their lively swimming action mimics the behavior of natural prey, making them irresistible to shad.

Additionally, minnows are readily available at bait shops and can be easily stored and transported, making them a convenient and reliable bait option for shad fishing. With their versatility and proven effectiveness in attracting shad, minnows provide anglers with a trusted and rewarding option for pursuing these prized baitfish, ensuring an enjoyable and productive fishing experience on the water.

6. Grubs

Grubs can be a highly effective bait choice for anglers targeting shad, small schooling fish prized as bait for various gamefish species. These soft-bodied larvae, typically found in aquatic environments, can be rigged on hooks or bait rigs and presented near the bottom in areas where shad are known to congregate, such as shallow bays, river mouths, or along the edges of current breaks. The natural scent and appearance of grubs can attract shad, enticing them into biting.

Anglers often prefer grubs for their durability and ability to stay on the hook, ensuring prolonged presentation and increased chances of attracting Shad. While not as commonly used as other bait options, grubs can be highly effective when presented properly, particularly in situations where other bait options may be scarce or when Shad is feeding opportunistically.

With their natural appeal and potential to attract shad, grubs provide anglers with another option for pursuing these prized baitfish, ensuring an enjoyable and productive fishing experience on the water.

Best Artificial Baits For Shad

1. Shad Darts

Shad darts are a popular and effective lure choice for anglers targeting shad, small schooling fish highly valued as bait for various gamefish species. These small, lightweight lures typically feature a slender, elongated body with a colorful and reflective finish, resembling the appearance of small baitfish or insects. Shad darts are often rigged with a single hook and a small weight or jighead, allowing them to sink quickly and be retrieved at varying depths in the water column.

Anglers can cast shad darts into areas where shad are known to congregate, such as shallow bays, river mouths, or along the edges of current breaks, and retrieve them with a steady or erratic motion to mimic the movements of fleeing prey. The vibrant colors and realistic action of shad darts can attract shad, enticing them into striking.

Additionally, shad darts are versatile lures that can be used in both freshwater and saltwater environments, making them a favorite among anglers targeting shad and other species. With their proven effectiveness and widespread popularity, shad darts provide anglers with a reliable and rewarding option for pursuing these prized baitfish, ensuring an enjoyable and productive fishing experience on the water.

2. Spoons

Spoons are versatile and effective lures for anglers targeting shad, small schooling fish prized as bait for various gamefish species. These lures typically feature a concave, metallic body with a reflective surface that creates flashes of light underwater, mimicking the appearance of small baitfish. Spoons come in various sizes, shapes, and finishes to match the preferences of shad in different conditions.

Anglers can cast spoons into areas where shad are known to congregate, such as shallow bays, river mouths, or along the edges of current breaks, and retrieve them with a steady or erratic motion to imitate the movements of fleeing prey. The flashy action and realistic appearance of spoons can attract shad, enticing them into striking.

Additionally, spoons are versatile lures that can be used in both freshwater and saltwater environments, making them a favorite among anglers targeting shad and other species. With their proven effectiveness and widespread popularity, spoons provide anglers with a reliable and rewarding option for pursuing these prized baitfish, ensuring an enjoyable and productive fishing experience on the water.

3. Curl Tail Grubs

Curl tail grubs are highly effective lures for anglers targeting shad, small schooling fish valued as bait for various gamefish species. These soft plastic lures feature a slender body with a curled tail that produces enticing vibrations and lifelike movements in the water.

Curl tail grubs are available in a variety of colors and sizes, allowing anglers to match the hatch and appeal to the preferences of shad in different conditions. Anglers can rig curl tail grubs on jigheads or other weighted hooks and cast them into areas where shad are known to congregate, such as shallow bays, river mouths, or along the edges of current breaks.

By varying the retrieve speed and cadence, anglers can imitate the natural movements of fleeing prey, attracting the attention of Shad and enticing them into striking. Curl tail grubs are versatile lures that can be used in both freshwater and saltwater environments, making them a favorite among anglers targeting shad and other species.

With their realistic appearance and enticing action, curl tail grubs provide anglers with a reliable and rewarding option for pursuing these prized baitfish, ensuring an enjoyable and productive fishing experience on the water.

The Bottom Line

Shad are a schooling fish. When you find one, there will be a whole bunch nearby. If you want to learn how to catch more shad, then the shad fishing tips shared in this article will help you accomplish your goal whether you are an experienced angler or a beginner.

If you fish for weakfish, then this article on weakfish fishing tips will help you catch more weakfish. If you fly fish, you can also read this article about fly fishing with nymphs to catch more fly fish.