American Shad Fishing Guide

The American shad (Alosa sapidissima) is the largest member of the herring family in North America and an anadromous fish of immense historical importance to the East Coast. Once so abundant that colonists used them as fertilizer for their fields, shad runs in the Delaware, Susquehanna, and Connecticut rivers were among the most massive fish migrations on the East Coast. Males, called bucks, are known as the poor man's tarpon among light-tackle anglers for their acrobatic leaps and energetic fights, though they rarely exceed 5 pounds. Shad spawn in fast-flowing freshwater rivers in spring, and the run correlates with water temperature — typically when rivers reach 50–60°F. The combination of hydroelectric dams and overfishing devastated shad populations in the 20th century, but restoration efforts including fish ladders and habitat improvement have produced encouraging returns on several rivers.

American Shad is a freshwater and saltwater species.

Habitat

Atlantic coast from Florida to Newfoundland in the ocean; spawning in major coastal rivers including the Delaware, Hudson, Susquehanna, Connecticut, and St. Johns. Spend most of their lives at sea in coastal waters, typically within 50 miles of shore, before returning to freshwater to spawn.

Diet

Almost entirely zooplankton and phytoplankton in the ocean, which means shad do not eat biting-sized prey and are nearly impossible to catch on conventional bait in saltwater. In rivers during the spawning run, they strike small, flashy shad darts and spinners out of aggression or reflex rather than hunger.

Fishing Techniques

• Drifting small shad darts or jigs
• Fly fishing with bright streamer flies
• Casting small spoons and spinners

Best Seasons

Spring

Size & Records

Average weight: 3 lbs. World record: 11.4 lbs (Connecticut River, Massachusetts, USA (1986)).