American Shad fishing
About American Shad
The American shad is a large, hard-fighting member of the herring family that runs up east-coast and introduced west-coast rivers in spring to spawn. Anglers intercept the runs from boat and bank, casting small bright shad darts, spoons and flies into the current and swinging them through holding water. Fresh-run fish are silver, acrobatic and pull far above their weight, which has earned shad the nickname poor man's tarpon.
Typical size: Usually 1.5-3 kg; trophies over 4 kg, to about 60 cm. Record (approx.): approx. 5 kg (varies by region).
Season, time and habitat
Darker cell = more active that month. Based on the species' usual yearly rhythm.
Common questions
When is the best time to catch American Shad?
American Shad fishing is usually best around May-Jun. The best windows in the day are usually dawn, dusk.
Where can you catch American Shad?
American Shad is most often found in river, coast. Napp shows the nearest waters and the live odds on the bite right now.