Shad Fishing

ConcordBridge · 06-09-2007, 02:32 PM

Someone mentioned in passing that they had recently been out shad fishing.

I have heard they are a lot of fun. Any tips for catching them? Remember, this boy has no boat.

Leigh M
Portland

JTLunker · 06-10-2007, 01:39 PM

Hey Leigh,
A friend showed me how to catch some Shad from shore. We went to Bonneville dam at the fish hatchery. All you need are Shad darts, or simple jig heads. The colors that are key are flourecent green, pink, and orange. I fished with #10 line and a small piece of hollow lead about 3 ft above the jig head. If you come in the main entrance go around the hatchery and find a parking spot. Then walk down to the Columbia and look for a large rust colored tank or tower. Fish off the rocks slightly down river from the tank. cast out let her sink and reel in slow. They didn't hit hard so be ready for a slight tug. They are a blast to catch though. Hope that helps a little. Good luck!

southside_10 · 02-24-2008, 10:11 PM

Clackamette park in Oregon City is a very popular bank fishery when the shad are running good. They start showing up in the Willamette around mid May.

They are aggressive biters and like bright and shiny baits. One of my all time favorites is the "Willamette river shad killer" witch is nothing more than a new size 7 brass swivel and a size 10 siwash hook. I like to use about a two foot dropper for the sinker and a three foot leader to the shad killer for starters. Find some good current and bounce it back.

Wee Dick Nite lures in green and white or red and white are also very productive.

They are a hoot on light tackle.

I have a 14 ft. boat and fish there often. Please let me know if you want to go when the run starts. A couple of hours after work is a blast.

Peace, Tom

JTLunker · 02-25-2008, 08:59 AM

I would love to go sometime. Send me a PM when you think you will be going. I live by the boat ramp on the West Linn side. I want to catch some to make Sturgeon bait out of. Thanks .

southside_10 · 02-25-2008, 07:09 PM

You got it, JT. I will contact you when they show up.

Peace, Tom

JTLunker · 02-29-2008, 08:52 AM

Right on !

lordcaradoc · 04-17-2008, 07:57 AM

Southside,

So, have you ever seen anybody taking Shad on the fly there at Clackamette park? I am very interested in giving that a try.

Regards,
Tim

phillk6751 · 04-17-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTLunker

I would love to go sometime. Send me a PM when you think you will be going. I live by the boat ramp on the West Linn side. I want to catch some to make Sturgeon bait out of. Thanks .

wow, that's a good idea, i would have never though of that....considering shad have no catch limits, and are free(no need to use bait to catch).....and tackle shops sell them to you for a pretty $$$. I'll have to hit that up, and bring a bucket or two, lol.

joro79 · 04-17-2008, 03:09 PM

Is the Shad any good to eat? They are ocean fish and I read somewhere that they do not feed in freshwater. I am concern about contamination.
I haven't fished for shad yet but I heard that they are pretty good fish so I cant wait for them to start the run.

southside_10 · 04-17-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordcaradoc

Southside,

So, have you ever seen anybody taking Shad on the fly there at Clackamette park? I am very interested in giving that a try.

Regards,
Tim

Hi Tim,

My buddy used a fly rod last season but did not cast with it. He was backbouncing from a boat. Great fun fighting these fish on light tackle.

joro79,

They are a big food fish back east. Do a search on eating shad.

I have eaten it canned and it is quite strong flavored. They have a bunch of bones and are very oily.

It is getting close to the time of year they start showing up.

Peace, Tom

06-10-2007, 01:39 PM	#2
JTLunker Master Angler Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tigard, OR Posts: 508	Hey Leigh, A friend showed me how to catch some Shad from shore. We went to Bonneville dam at the fish hatchery. All you need are Shad darts, or simple jig heads. The colors that are key are flourecent green, pink, and orange. I fished with #10 line and a small piece of hollow lead about 3 ft above the jig head. If you come in the main entrance go around the hatchery and find a parking spot. Then walk down to the Columbia and look for a large rust colored tank or tower. Fish off the rocks slightly down river from the tank. cast out let her sink and reel in slow. They didn't hit hard so be ready for a slight tug. They are a blast to catch though. Hope that helps a little. Good luck! __________________ JT FISH ON!!!!

02-24-2008, 10:11 PM	#3
southside_10 Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 41	Clackamette park in Oregon City is a very popular bank fishery when the shad are running good. They start showing up in the Willamette around mid May. They are aggressive biters and like bright and shiny baits. One of my all time favorites is the "Willamette river shad killer" witch is nothing more than a new size 7 brass swivel and a size 10 siwash hook. I like to use about a two foot dropper for the sinker and a three foot leader to the shad killer for starters. Find some good current and bounce it back. Wee Dick Nite lures in green and white or red and white are also very productive. They are a hoot on light tackle. I have a 14 ft. boat and fish there often. Please let me know if you want to go when the run starts. A couple of hours after work is a blast. Peace, Tom Last edited by southside_10 : 06-25-2008 at 12:19 PM.

02-25-2008, 08:59 AM	#4
JTLunker Master Angler Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tigard, OR Posts: 508	I would love to go sometime. Send me a PM when you think you will be going. I live by the boat ramp on the West Linn side. I want to catch some to make Sturgeon bait out of. Thanks . __________________ JT FISH ON!!!!

02-29-2008, 08:52 AM	#6
JTLunker Master Angler Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tigard, OR Posts: 508	Right on ! __________________ JT FISH ON!!!!

04-17-2008, 07:57 AM	#7
lordcaradoc Neophyte Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2	Gettin' close to May Southside, So, have you ever seen anybody taking Shad on the fly there at Clackamette park? I am very interested in giving that a try. Regards, Tim

06-09-2007, 02:32 PM	#1
ConcordBridge Neophyte Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland Posts: 3	Shad Fishing Someone mentioned in passing that they had recently been out shad fishing. I have heard they are a lot of fun. Any tips for catching them? Remember, this boy has no boat. Leigh M Portland

02-25-2008, 07:09 PM	#5
southside_10 Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 41	You got it, JT. I will contact you when they show up. Peace, Tom

04-17-2008, 03:09 PM	#9
joro79 Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 28	Is the Shad any good to eat? They are ocean fish and I read somewhere that they do not feed in freshwater. I am concern about contamination. I haven't fished for shad yet but I heard that they are pretty good fish so I cant wait for them to start the run.

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