Help with Shad

[njmultispecies]

I was interested in fishing the shad run this year. About what time do they start running? I have heard about shad darts, but don't know much else about what lures, line, rod, ect to use. Any suggestions? Thanks

[Capt. Lou]

The best method to take them is definitely on the fly rod , that being said if you are not a fly fisherman then spinning with the darts produces very well .
I use a 7 - 7.5 light action spin road with 6# mono . Darts range in colors but if u stick with silver or gold that's all u need . Tails optional , Imnever used any with tails , plain body only .
More importantly is understanding how to fish the darts , most approach this wrong .
It's best to cast slightly up and across stream , once dart settles in a hard jigging motion is imparted to dart as u retrieve on down stroke , u repeat this until jig gets hit or retrieve completed .
U cannot go too fast , they love those super hard jig motions & fast retrieves !
Dart size is generally 1/4 or heavy enough to,reach holding water .
The other part of this equation is locating the shad . They are active in evening but certainly can be caught all day .
Mid depth riffs , tail outs , major seams all can produce . Water temps early fifties gets em going , but best fishing occurs mid to late fifties !
Stages of runs can be noted by commercial,netter located on lower river usually peaks late April,thru mid May .
You. An sub rive to his website , I forgot his name but u can google it I'm sure

[MudCat08]

I'm going to be targeting them this year as well as I still need to add them to my list.
I hear they start in April and continue until May and even June.
I'm going to try spoons, and flutter spoons with shad darts. Something's gotta work! Going to be using a small reel with 6lb line and a 7ft-8ft rod.

It's shad in the evening then walleye as the sun sets!

[Capt. Lou]

Flutters usually work best from a boat trolling or on DR's . I would stick with darts from shore they've always produced very well for me .

[acabtp]

if you want to get the shad reports send an email to steve meserve at lewisfishery(AT)comcast.net and ask to be added to the shad list. that's the netter capt lou mentioned. they are the last/only "commercial" shad operation on the delaware (very small scale, basically for historical/demonstration/shad fest purposes at this point) at lewis island in lambertville.

in 2016 the shad were at trenton by 3/15 and the run was over by 5/23

[Mark B.]

http://drsfa.org/shad-fishing

http://www.woofish.com/FISHREPORTS.html

[NJSquatch]

Agree with everyone's comments...

You will be fine with any rod length but I use a 10' noodle rod with a larger arbor reel and 6# mono from the banks. This combo allows me to be able to throw 1/4oz darts and spoons with an inline weight a really good distance. The noodle rod and mono combo act as a shock absorber for when the fish make runs. These fish will give your drag a work out.

Vary your lures and retrieve to figure out what they want. Ask the other fisherman for advice. Unlike other types of river fishing, guys are more than willing to help each other out especially if you tell them it is your first time fishing for them. You might even be given a handful of lures.

Monitor the fishing reports to see where the shad are located and the water temps. The fishing will be more consistent with the water above 50.

You will be addicted once you get into them.

Good luck and see you out there!

Resources
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fish_shad.htm
http://www.woofish.com/shad.html

Reports
http://drsfa.org/fishing-log
http://www.woofish.com/FISHREPORTS.html

Delaware Gauges
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/current/?type=flow

Cheap Noodle Rod
https://www.amazon.com/Pinnacle-Vert...dp/B002TFCV2O/

Shad Lures
Ramsey Outdoors has darts
Dicks in Rockaway has darts and small spoons
http://www.woofish.com/
http://www.ebay.com/sch/russell_tackle/m.html?
http://www.ebay.com/sch/woofish/m.html?

[AndyS]

Never fished a shad dart till a friend of mine handed me one and said just fish it like a spinner !! BINGO fish on !!

[MudCat08]

From some of those reports it sounds like the Shad are ready to move up soon. should be going through the Gap by early April, at least I hope.

[FASTEDDIE29]

All great advice! Don't forget the Raritan gets a nice run of Shad! Darts on the Raritan for me! These fish will lay low and stop pushing up with the current polar vortex were having! It's early, make sure your ready!!!