Omar Khalid
Fishing with plastic shad is a popular and versatile method for catching a wide variety of fish species. Soft plastic shad lures are designed to mimic the appearance and movement of real shad, making them effective in both cold and hot weather conditions. When fishing with plastic shad, it is important to consider factors such as water depth, temperature, and fish activity levels. Additionally, the retrieval technique can vary depending on the species of fish being targeted. In this article, we will explore the different techniques and strategies for fishing with plastic shad, including the use of jig heads, jerk baits, and weighted hooks, to help anglers improve their catch success.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lures | Soft plastic shad lures on a jig head |
| Jig head colour | Hot pink, pearl white, chartreuse |
| Grub colour | Chartreuse, pearl white, bright white |
| Fishing rod | Light action graphite rod, ultralight or light action rod |
| Fishing line | Six-pound test |
| Fishing technique | Rig a shad body on a large single hook, cast out and then twitch and pump the lure back erratically just below the surface |
| Fishing conditions | Moving tide, lower light hours, water temperature near 50 degrees |
| Fishing location | Coastal rivers, thin water, underwater highways, choke points, bridge pilings, deep channels within shallow stretches |
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What You'll Learn
Shad darts and spoons are the traditional go-to
Shad darts and spoons are particularly effective when fishing on a moving tide and during lower light hours in the spring. A light action graphite rod or an ultralight or light action rod paired with the appropriate spinning reel and line that is a six-pound test is ideal. Crappie jigs and split shots are also simple and enjoyable to use because they frequently catch a variety of other species.
When shad leave saltwater and enter a freshwater river, they stop feeding entirely. In saltwater, hickory shad are more aggressive and will attack schools of baitfish, whereas American shad are full-time filter feeders. Once these fish enter freshwater, they are solely focused on spawning. To catch shad in freshwater, your lure must be right in their path and practically collide with their noses. As they move upriver, shad tend to hug the bottom where it's darker, so fishing will often be better at dusk and dawn.
Shad follow underwater highways that offer the least resistance. Fishing from a boat or shore, you increase your chances by keeping your offering in that path and hoping you're there when a wave of fish swims through. Constrictions in the river, such as choke points and bridge pilings, are popular spots. However, soft seams on the edge of fast currents, eddies, and deep channels within shallow stretches can also be part of the shad superhighway.
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Best fishing times and locations
Shad fishing is a great activity for anglers of all kinds, from beginners to experts. While shad fishing is not overly complicated, the tricky part is knowing where to go and what conditions are best. Here are some tips for the best fishing times and locations:
Best Fishing Locations
Shad can be found in various locations, and their preference for a particular spot may change depending on the season. Here are some places to look:
- Creeks and coves: In the spring, you can find shad in the backs of creeks and coves where the water has been warmed by the sun. In the summer, they may move into the coves in the afternoon. In the fall, they move back into creeks and coves but may be pushed out into deeper water by cold fronts.
- Deep, slow pools: These spots are good places to find shad, as they tend to hold throughout the heat of the day and wait for the evening to continue upstream.
- Long, uniform flats: Look for areas with a slow to moderate current, such as the mouths of tributary streams, current seams, and soft current edges.
- Below falls and rapids: Shad often stack up below falls and rapids. Just be mindful that they are not big fans of ascending these obstacles, so look for them just downstream.
- Rivers: Shad are known to enter freshwater rivers when they leave saltwater and travel upstream to spawn. They can be found in coastal rivers, particularly during the spring.
- Lakes: Pickwick Lake is mentioned as a productive location for shad fishing, specifically along a shallow grass line inside one of the major creeks.
- East Coast rivers: If you're on the East Coast, target rivers like the Delaware, Pamunkey, and Connecticut.
- West Coast rivers: If you're on the West Coast, shad can be found in big rivers like the Columbia and Willamette.
Best Fishing Times
The best fishing times for shad may vary depending on the season and weather conditions:
- Spring: The fun usually starts when the water temperature nears 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and it's typically all over by June 1.
- Summer: Summer can be a bit tougher, but you may have luck fishing around marina lights and in the mouth of creeks and coves before daylight.
- Fall: This season offers a good opportunity to catch bait before a cold front hits.
- Winter: Winter can be challenging, but with decent electronics, you may catch more shad in the winter than any other time of year.
- Early morning: Shad spawns tend to happen first thing in the morning, and you may have a short window to catch them while they are actively spawning.
- Overcast days: Cloudy, dreary, and rainy days are ideal for all-day success. Shad are very sensitive to light, so they may be more active when there is less light.
- Dusk and dawn: Shad fishing can often be productive at these times, as the sudden loss of light may prompt them to move forward in the water.
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Using a soft plastic shad lure rigged on a jig head
Soft plastic shad lures rigged on a jig head are a versatile and inexpensive option for fishing. They can be used to catch a wide variety of fish species, including crappies, pike, bluegills, muskies, pickerel, walleyes, smallmouths, largemouths, trout, catfish, steelhead, salmon, white perch, yellow perch, and white bass. They are also effective for saltwater gamefish.
To rig a soft plastic shad lure on a jig head, start by choosing the right jig head for the depth of water and the fish you are targeting. If you are fishing in moderate or deep water, a slightly heavier jig head may be needed. The colour of the jig head can also make a difference; hot pink, pearl white, and chartreuse are all popular colours that can attract fish.
Once you have selected the appropriate jig head, rig the soft plastic shad lure onto it, ensuring that it is straight. The lure should mimic the movement of a scared shrimp or injured baitfish to trick the fish into striking. Cast your line and allow the lure to sink to the desired depth. Keep the line tight so you can feel any strikes, as fish often strike when the lure falls.
When retrieving the lure, vary your technique depending on the species of fish you are targeting and the temperature of the water. In general, a faster retrieve is better for more active fish in warmer water, while a slower retrieve is more effective for less active fish in colder water. Adding twitches to your retrieve can also trigger strikes, especially during the pause after the twitch.
When fishing with a soft plastic shad lure rigged on a jig head, it is important to consider the fishing conditions and the species of fish you are seeking. This technique is particularly effective in thin water with actively feeding fish. Additionally, pay attention to the light conditions and the river clarity, as shad are sensitive to light and may be more active at dawn and dusk or in darker waters.
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Rigging a shad body on a large single hook
To rig a shad body on a large single hook, you will need a heat source and a set of pliers. A small camping gas stove, blow torch, gas cooker, or even a hot gas lighter will work as a heat source. It is important to note that an electric cooker is not recommended as the hob or ring may be damaged.
- Hold the hook against the shad to determine where the point will exit the body. You can use a marker pen to indicate the point of egress.
- Securely hold the eye of the hook in the pliers and heat the point, bend, and lower shank.
- Once the hook is heated, hold the shad in a heat-resistant, gloved hand.
- Slowly push the point of the hook into the centre of the nose of the shad.
- Thread the shad onto the hook until you reach the marked point.
- Rotate the tip of the hook out of the shad to expose the point, ensuring it is not buried completely in the plastic.
- It is normal for a small amount of molten plastic to erupt around the hook when threading the hot hook into the shad. This can be easily cleaned up when it cools, and wearing long sleeves and gloves will protect your skin from burns.
When fishing with a shad body rigged on a large single hook, cast out and then twitch and pump the lure back erratically just below the surface. This technique can provoke violent strikes from the targeted fish.
Additionally, if you are fishing in deeper water or in windy and strong current conditions, you may want to consider using a jig head rig. Jig heads allow the bait to dive straight down headfirst due to the weight placement, creating an erratic action that can attract fish.
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The right way to rig and retrieve soft plastic jerk shads
Soft plastic jerk shads are a versatile lure that can be used to catch a wide variety of fish species. They can be rigged in several ways, depending on the fishing conditions and the type of fish being sought. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to rig and retrieve soft plastic jerk shads effectively:
Rigging Soft Plastic Jerk Shads:
- Choose the Right Rig: Soft plastic jerk shads can be rigged on a jig head or a weighted swimbait hook. If fishing in deeper creeks or docks, a jig head is a better option. For shallow flats or shorelines, a weighted swimbait hook is more effective.
- Rigging on a Jig Head: Select an appropriately sized jig head, such as a 1/8-ounce hot pink or pearl white jig head, which is popular for crappie fishing. Rig the soft plastic jerk shad straight onto the lure, ensuring it is centred and not curved.
- Rigging on a Weighted Swimbait Hook: Use a 3/0 Owner TwistLock hook, or a similar sized hook, and insert the centering pin through the centre of the lure. Twist the lure onto the spring and bring the hook point out through the top of the lure, ensuring it is centred.
- Test the Rigging: To ensure the lure is rigged correctly, drag or pop it through the water. If rigged correctly, it should swim straight. If it spins or helicopters, the rigging needs to be adjusted.
Retrieving Soft Plastic Jerk Shads:
- Twitch-Pause Retrieve: Retrieve the lure with a twitch-twitch-pause motion to resemble a fleeing shrimp or injured baitfish. This erratic motion can trigger strikes from predatory fish.
- Vary the Retrieve: Experiment with different retrieval speeds and techniques. Try cranking moderately, then pausing and repeating, adding a twitch during the pause. Adjust the reel speed to ensure the jig stays in the water column where the fish are, based on the current's power.
- Target Active Feeding Fish: In thin water, rig a shad body on a large single hook to make it weedless. Cast it out and then twitch and pump the lure back erratically just below the surface to mimic an injured baitfish. This approach can provoke violent strikes from bass, pickerel, and pike.
- Fish on a Moving Tide: Shad darts and spoons are traditional choices for shad fishing. For the best results, fish during a moving tide and in lower light hours, such as spring mornings or evenings.
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Frequently asked questions
A light action graphite rod or an ultralight or light action rod paired with the appropriate spinning reel and line that is a six-pound test.
Rig a shad body on a large single hook so it's weedless and fish it like a soft-plastic jerkbait. Cast out and then twitch and pump the lure back erratically just below the surface.
The spring shad run is an underrated fishing opportunity. From Northern Florida to Maine, American and hickory shad leave the ocean and pile into coastal rivers every spring to spawn. The fun usually starts when the water temperature nears 50 degrees, and by June 1, it’s usually all over.
An 1/8-ounce hot pink jig head seems to be the best choice, but a pearl white jig head also works well.
