American Shad Details

American Shad Source: Raver, Duane. http://images.fws.gov. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Water Type: anadromous
  • Latin Name: Alosa Sapidissima
  • Common Names: Shad, American Shad
  • World Record: 11lb-4oz Conn. River, S. Hadley, MA May 19, 1986 Bob Thibodo
  • Last Modified By: davetroy on 08/08/10 11:32 PM
  • Ask about American Shad in our forum

Photos

... gocaveman posted in MA
1
9y
... cjbross23 posted in MA
1
14y
... iamabasshole posted in CT
1
14y
... aqualung posted in CT
2
15y
... alexanderfrancis posted in RI
0
15y

Baits and Tackle for American Shad

Lure (Other) Check Prices

  • Shad dart and spoon

Other Check Prices

  • Shad dart and spoon. Almost all fish caught while trolling
  • shad dart and spoon
  • Sucker Punch Bait Lead Free Micro Shad dart, pink 1/32 oz, pink with silver flash

Marabou / Bucktail Jig Check Prices

  • Tried shad darts and spoons with little luck. Then I turned to a double marabou jig rig (white) and began catching fish steadily. It was not fast and furious but it was steady. Fly rodders were doing the best using sinking line. Clay tried his fly rod with floating line with very poor results, especially compared to their every cast output.
  • Fished a dart & spoon rig.

Panfish Jig Check Prices

Saltwater Jig Check Prices

  • shad darts

American Shad Description

Shad actually spends most of its life at sea and only swims up freshwater to spawn. This species were formerly very abundant in both the Merrimack River of MA/NH and the Connecticut River of CT/MA/NH/VT but now exists at a much smaller quantity as far upstream as Bellows Falls of the Connecticut River and as far as Amoskeag Fishway of the Merrimack River in Manchester, NH. The Amoskeag fishway actually has windows built in to the side of the dam to allow sight of Shad, Salmon and other species while swimming up and down river.

Efforts are being made by multiple organizations to restore Shad to it's former spawning grounds in both watersheds.

Find American Shad in PA

Stay Updated

Sign up for our weekly newsletter for information on American Shad fishing in Pennsylvania right in your inbox. You'll also receive community updates, invites to try new features and promotions from our partners.

PA Fish Finder

Social Links