If the word shad conjures images of an oily baitfish whose only mission in life is to bolster the growth rates of bass, walleyes, stripers, and other sportfish, think again. Historical evidence suggests that huge schools of migrating American shad fed George Washington's starving troops during the winter of 1777 and 1778. Today, runs of anadromous American shad continue to sustain many popular sportfisheries. Shad fishing is spectacular fun-these fish possess the characteristic pulling power of migratory saltwater fish. Add their leaping ability and broad sides, which they use to advantage in current, and you have all you can handle on medium-weight spinning equipment.

When

Each spring, shad run up Atlantic coast rivers from Newfoundland to the St. Johns in Florida, with time of migration linked to water temperature. In the St. Johns, the migration may peak in mid-January when water temperature is in the mid-50F range, and occurring progressively later northward, with runs as late as July, north of the St. Lawrence River.

Tackle

 

Rod: 6- to 7-foot light-power spinning rod.

Reel: medium-capacity spinning reel.

Line: 4- or 6-pound-test mono.

Rigging

Although shad don't feed once they enter freshwater, they instinctively bite small lures and flies. Angling for shad has been popular in northern rivers for decades and is growing fast in southern and western rivers. The most popular lures are shad darts-small leadhead jigs tied with sparse bucktail. Some theoreticians claim that darts resemble the small shrimp that shad eat in the ocean, but spinners, small spoons, streamers, and other styles of jigs are effective as well.

Presentation

In rivers, shad follow current seams between fast and slack water. Quartering casts across current is most effective. Retrieve baits steadily for the best hookup percentage. Large groups of shad also hold behind islands, points, jetties, or other current breaks, seemingly resting during their journey. Areas like dams that prevent or constrict migration also are high-percentage areas.

Restoration

The primary factor for angling success is the abundance of shad. Shad runs are well synchronized and massive on some rivers. Since runs on the Hudson River have been revitalized, gillnetters

harvest about 350,000 pounds per year. On the Connecticut River, restoration efforts have brought more than half a million shad back each year, where they're primarily caught throughout New England. On the Columbia River, recent runs are estimated at around 4 million fish, apparently enough for tribal fishermen, commercial netters, and recreational anglers.