when will the first shad show up!!

SalmonJeff · 04-21-2005, 01:27 PM

with all the depressing springer news I was curiouse when you guys thought the first shad will cross the dam. last year it was about now if I remember right. I cant wait to start over at O.C!!
I will keep checking waiting for the first and tieing a million bead leaders for O.C!! I was planning on trying it over in o.c about mid may???

Chrome Bumper · 04-21-2005, 01:29 PM

Haven't seen any at Coon Island, cold water will probably stall them too.

elk003 · 04-21-2005, 02:00 PM

We did not have a wipe out of all species this year; PERIOD!!! Everything is just running late for whatever reasons. Mark my words: In the end, the runs will be adequate and very close to what was predicted.

6wapiti6 · 04-21-2005, 02:01 PM

The shad are hanging out with the smelt and springers and won't be making an appearance this year.

elk003 · 04-21-2005, 02:05 PM

Wanna bet!!!!! :lurk:

SailCat · 04-21-2005, 02:20 PM

From the April 19th Release regarding the Columbia closure:

"Facing the second-lowest spring chinook counts on record for this date, Oregon and Washington fishery managers today decided to close all sport angling and commercial fishing for spring chinook in the Columbia River, effective 11:59 p.m. Wednesday night.

"The decision closes the fishing season for salmon, steelhead and shad in the mainstem Columbia River between the mouth at Buoy 10 upstream to McNary Dam near the Oregon-Washington border."

The bold emphasis is mine. Thoughts?

~MT
The Guide's Forecast

GoFish · 04-21-2005, 03:41 PM

I think that they included steelhead and shad to prevent a lot of catch and release on the chinook. It's possible to hook all three with the same terminal tackle and in the same water.

Of course, there's always the theory that the fish commision just likes beating up on the sports fishing community.

Gundog · 04-21-2005, 03:44 PM

I have never fished for shad what do they look like and how do you catch them? Are they just used for bait?

feisty's wife · 04-21-2005, 04:23 PM

Typaclly, they are used for crab and over-size bait, though yopu can cut them into strip's and use as regular gator bait, try eating them and you will find they have about a bazillion bone's, not again for this kid, nuh-uh!!!

elk003 · 04-21-2005, 04:27 PM

Try presure cooking them in a presure cooker. They come out like sardins and you eat bone and all. Try it! You'll be suprised.. ELK

OceanBlue · 04-21-2005, 04:33 PM

I hear they're good smoked. A lot of work, but really tasty.

Maybe someday when I have nothing else to do.. uh, yeah...

Until then, they're for the halibut (and the crabs) and just a whole lot of fun! (and slime)

Gundog · 04-21-2005, 04:37 PM

How big are these fish? sorry for all the dumb questions but I could not find anything on these fish doing a search. I would like to know how you catch them and well everything I guess. I remember fishing in the Sac Delta years ago and seeing some very small fish I was told were shad like 3".
Mike

OceanBlue · 04-21-2005, 04:57 PM

Shad fish identification

They're part of the herring family. They stink. They're slimey. They fight like heck.

Use a herring rod or similar light gear. Lots of people fish with spoons. Last year, Puffin's Crew turned us on to using a barrel swivel and bare hook. Worked like a charm. Do a search on shad fishing. I bet you'll find it. If not, look up Puffin's Crew and ask him to do a tutorial.

Looking forward to the shad harvest. Lord knows, our household sure isn't getting out for anything else these days

Good luck and have fun!

SKP · 04-21-2005, 05:01 PM

Shad run 2-5 pounds on average, some more, some less. When they are in, they are great fun, they are good fighters. You can catch 50 or more in a day, easily. It's fun to take the kids. They are the best crab bait too.

SKP

Snapshot · 04-21-2005, 05:05 PM

Jeff, I can hardly wait as I am ready to toss my springer tackle in the river and start fishing for trout again. That's really stooping low for me but that seems to be the direction I am headed. Sad Sad story. Only two springers and both had to many fins, (dorsal) oh well, maybe the shad will be catchable.

*Fish only bite wet hooks*

goinfishin · 04-21-2005, 05:15 PM

We have fished for shad for a few years and have done very well on a simple set up. Use a 3 way with about a 1 1/2 to 3 foot drop for your lead heavy enough to back bouce from the boat or cast and have it stick. The best lure we have found is a simple dick nite. It's a little spoon, colors all depend on what they are hitting that day but a lime green one usually seems to work. You want about a 4 1/2 + foot leader, again depending where the fish are swimming. Light tackle is also a must. They range from about a pound and half to about 4 pounds on the average. We have caught bigger and yes even smaller but they all fight like heck and when they are running you catch them in abundance. Mainly use them for crab bait or catching oversized. Also a great fertilizer if you have a garden/field, just till em' into the soil along with all the other roots. Gramps taught me that one, only reason he goes shad fishin anymore.

Fishstix · 04-22-2005, 09:24 AM

I use trout rods with triple teasers or chrome hooks. The funny thing is that the chrome hooks usually produced more fish. It gets really fun when you get into a school of them and everyone in the boat hooks a fish. Everyone is trying to keep their line untangled and trying to help net the fish.

steelhead22 · 04-22-2005, 09:34 AM

ELK- Are you leaving the skin on. For most of my canning I take the skin off? Same deal with the shad?

I had some canned shad from Tony's Fish Market once, it was very good with crackers and football. Just like sardines.