Give the Shad a Shake
Visit George Washington’s former Mount Vernon estate on the Potomac River and you’ll learn about what history considers “America’s Founding Fish” — the American Shad. In decades past, this was an abundant and economically important fish throughout much of the Atlantic Coast. Native American tribes, early colonists and many who followed depended on them for food sources. Washington himself capitalized on this schooling species for local meals and a commercial income stream. Today, while commercial activity has decreased, recreational anglers recognize American Shad as one of the year’s prized light tackle opportunities.
Life Cycle
Also known as Atlantic shad, common shad, and white shad, the fish scientists call Alosa sapidissima are built for distance swimming with a rounded head and deeply forked tail. An aesthetic fish, shad present shimmering silver sides with soft greenish hues and prominent violet dorsal tones.
Atlantic shad are anadromous, which means they leave their ocean habitat to make long treks up coastal rivers to spawn in the waters of their youth. If that sounds similar to Pacific Northwest salmon, it’s no surprise, Atlantic anglers often call shad the Southern Steelhead.
Florida anglers may see these spawning runs as early as November, with action lasting into April or early May. Still, fishermen farther up the Atlantic coast usually find the runs starting in the early months of a new year and into spring.
Likely Areas
In their riverine destinations, shad broadcast spawn during the low-light to overnight hours, after which fertilized eggs sink to the bottom. Spawning success requires clean, hard bottom, so consider those deeper bends and anywhere accelerated current keeps the area swept clean.
In dammed rivers, the tailrace areas are typically dependable. Shad will migrate regardless of weather patterns, but from an angler’s standpoint, a sunny day benefits the fish’s visibility, while calmer conditions facilitate casting distance and accuracy.
What They Like
Biologists may assert that shad suspend their feeding once they enter coastal rivers, but experienced anglers say otherwise. Grass shrimp and small minnows typically top their menu, so choose baits accordingly.
Also, watch for active surface feeding when the shad push baitfish topside. And if you notice a bunch of terns or seagulls hovering and dipping, that often means they’ve spotted the shad before you did.
One of your most effective presentations for migrating shad is a small minnow imitator. Flies work well, but for beginner-friendly efficiency, try a 1/16- to 1/8-ounce Mustad Addicted Jig Head with a 2-inch Mustad Mezashi Z-Tail Minnow. Baitfish colors are best, but the key is keeping the jig off the bottom, generally about half your depth.
In deeper waters, like dam tailraces, spoon baits offer an effective option. Remember, you don’t want bass-size tackle, so the LIVETARGET Flutter Shad in the 1 3/4- to 2-inch versions fit the shad’s feeding profile.
Whatever you throw, expect the shad to leverage current seams for optimal feeding opportunities. Rocks, logs, bars — any subsurface current break will influence water flow and bait movement, so fan cast promising areas until you dial in consistency.
Once you find “the cast,” you’ll enjoy plenty of action with one of the Atlantic Coast’s most fascinating fish.