Shad Help?

[Chris]

Me and Jay are kinda new to the whole shad fishing thing. We went the other day but got skunked. What are some tips to do to catch them, what type of conditions should we look for and what are the baits and how do you present them? We saw some guys who would cast their dart out then let it drift then real it in but Ive never seen that done before. Fishing1

[fisher16]

Me and Jay are kinda new to the whole shad fishing thing. We went the other day but got skunked. What are some tips to do to catch them, what type of conditions should we look for and what are the baits and how do you present them? We saw some guys who would cast their dart out then let it drift then real it in but Ive never seen that done before.

Heres some help try tossing the shad dart up stream at a forty five degree angle similiar to trout fishing. Slowly reel as the dart continues down stream that way you can keep slack out of the line, and feel any hits on the dart. Sometimes shad hit hard other times its just a light tap. As the dart starts to begin a circle is usually when your gonna get the hit. When the dart comes around from the circle reel in especially if your fishing on the holyoke side because you will get hung up on the rocks, and other anglers. If your not getting anything put a couple of split shot sinkers about a foot up from the dart to get it further down in the water column. Hope this helps and I'm sure you guys will get them next time.

[JayW]

Thanks fisher. Im not afraid to admit it but Im really clueless when it comes to shad fishing. Ive managed a few in the past but not in the numbers where I would like them to be. Chris' father knows more about shad fishing and gave us a heads up and some techinques before we wnt the other day but nothing seemed to work. It must have just been a bad day. Its kind of hard to find information on fishing for shad on the internet. Stripers on the other hand the internet is flooded with information.

[noresman]

I've found shad prefer stronger current. I seem to have the most luck if I can find a spot where fast current meets slacker water especially if there is a deeper channel in the faster current. A favorite place of mine was in the Westfield River about 1/2 mile upstream from the Dunkin Donuts bridge on the Agawam side. There is a big pool there where the river comes back together after going around an island. Bring a pair of waders with you and wade out just above the pool, throw your dart as close to the shore line of the island as you dare and reel just fast enough to keep the slack out of your line. Let the dart drift through the last fast water section before it empties into the pool. There is a deeper channel right there the shad used to run through after schooling up in the pool. I remember fishing there in years past and having schools of shad swimming between my legs as I was fishing.

[YOTE BUSTER]

Park at the chicopee boat ramp walk down stream to the chicopee river.Throw your dart or willow leaf up into the chicopee and let it drift down into the conn. While your there put a pole in with cut bait for stripers they pretty much run the same channleGrinning1 PS Keep a close watch on your striper pole it can be gone in a sec.Cry1

[JayW]

Great Thanks. The Chicopee Launch is the one right next to the Sewage Plant correct? How do I get there when I get off the Mass Pike or 91. Thanks

[YOTE BUSTER]

91 two 391 first exit after you go over chic. river you will see it on your right side left at end of ramp. about 2 to 3 miles traiffic light take a left keep bareing left you will find it.

[YOTE BUSTER]

91 two 391 first exit after you go over chic. river you will see it on your right side left at end of ramp. about 2 to 3 miles traiffic light take a left keep bareing left you will find it.

[YOTE BUSTER]

91 two 391 first exit after you go over chic. river you will see it on your right side left at end of ramp. about 2 to 3 miles traiffic light take a left keep bareing left you will find it.