Shad

[TightLinesMaine]

Was a fun sunday afternoon, only landed two (shad), but one was a hog! one of my two biggest shad to date, possibly a new PB.  LOTS of drag peeling with the usually shakes and runs.  Caught with 6 lb test on the ultra light spin rod (no fly fishing today).  Got hits on yellow, white, and pink lures.  Had a hunch they'd be biting today at this spot, had to work for 'em but love it when hunches are right.   

[MG39]

That's a chunky one for sure. I didn't get to fish for the shad this year, first time in many trips. Pound for pound they don't take a back seat to any other fish.

[TightLinesMaine]

That's a chunky one for sure. I didn't get to fish for the shad this year, first time in many trips. Pound for pound they don't take a back seat to any other fish.

have to agree, they're right up there with Salmon/trout, Smallmouth and Striped bass

[franklin fisher]

  Cool to see something different on here.  Thanks for sharing.

[Jim C.]

Way to go, Randall!

I caught a few in the CT River a few years ago, but none in Maine.  Definitely a blast.

[TightLinesMaine]

Way to go, Randall!

I caught a few in the CT River a few years ago, but none in Maine.  Definitely a blast.

did you ever get into any on the fly rod Jim? that's a goal of mine,  though I'll need an 7/8 wt or a two hander/switch rod to get into 'em I think.  No great room to backcast where I was. 

[caught_the_fever]

Was a fun sunday afternoon, only landed two (shad), but one was a hog! one of my two biggest shad to date, possibly a new PB.  LOTS of drag peeling with the usually shakes and runs.  Caught with 6 lb test on the ultra light spin rod (no fly fishing today).  Got hits on yellow, white, and pink lures.  Had a hunch they'd be biting today at this spot, had to work for 'em but love it when hunches are right.   

I seem to recall you mentioning catching a few of these was a goal of yours - congrats on making it happen.  I can't say I've ever caught one but it sounds like quite a fight.  Good luck with your pursuit on the fly rod.

[TightLinesMaine]

I seem to recall you mentioning catching a few of these was a goal of yours - congrats on making it happen.  I can't say I've ever caught one but it sounds like quite a fight.  Good luck with your pursuit on the fly rod.

thanks, 2016 I got into my first shads, got just under a dozen or so and I've been hooked since

[Jim C.]

No, just on spinning.  That was an interesting trip.  I also caught walleye, bass, etc. mixed with the shad. 

did you ever get into any on the fly rod Jim? that's a goal of mine,  though I'll need an 7/8 wt or a two hander/switch rod to get into 'em I think.  No great room to backcast where I was. 

[fish wayniac]

Congratz on your PB! I have not targeted those fiesty fish yet. Sounds like fun.

[BigCort]

Shad are great fish to catch used to get them in the Delaware River when they turn sideways in the current they really fight good

[fishlessman]

awesome fish on light tackle or fly. atlantics will move in with them, ive caught and watched a few searuns landed when the shad were running years ago down on the merrimac in mass. i settled in on a six weight 10.5 footer for a single hand modified spey cast, heavy rod to cast for that weight

[stripernut]

Nice Fish! Love getting them on light tackle! When I use a fly rod, a 5 wt gets the job done for me...

[TightLinesMaine]

awesome fish on light tackle or fly. atlantics will move in with them, ive caught and watched a few searuns landed when the shad were running years ago down on the merrimac in mass. i settled in on a six weight 10.5 footer for a single hand modified spey cast, heavy rod to cast for that weight

Is that like a Snap T cast? or is that something different? (don't know anything about spey casting/two handed casting)

this would be a dream to be able to do...

[fishlessman]

Is that like a Snap T cast? or is that something different? (don't know anything about spey casting/two handed casting)

this would be a dream to be able to do...

not much snap to it except for the very end where im reaching forward. very smooth pickup, sort of figure 8 with a loop up river, bringing it down river for a second loop, then bringing it forward and up stream and snapping the wrist forward at the end of the stroke for a little power. that foot and a half at the end of the rod makes it really heavey. the rod works better for me with a smooth stroke with that added weight although it will easily cast the steelhead line way into the backing with a double haul, its not something you want to cast all day. works fine for the last part of an incoming tide for shad. i say modified because ive never looked into spey casting methods