Has anyone gone out for Shad yet? is it still too early? I've pretty much given up on catching a springer so I'm getting geared up for the Shad run now.

"See ya on the river"

Linda

Given up on a Springer?
Keep track of the shad numbers going over Bonneville they will tell you when to go! Usually some time in June.

FJ...out.

I tried a search on this site under "shad", and didn't find much - but I am curious about this fishery. Good to eat? Fun to fish for? What kind of gear?

Thanks!

Start about June 1st,maybe a little sooner.I just use a 1/16 leadhead jig.Try different colors.White, purple green seem to be good.Use a light rod and 6lb test.Bring an extra spool of line.A major kick in the pants.I never ate them,but heard they are great smoked and pickled.
Bring your kids,you'll be their hero.

They fight like mad.

That does sound like a good time. Where do folks fish for them?

I always look forward to fishing Shad. I use a noodle rod and it is like hooking a small fighter jet. Small Shad darts and just enough lead to keep it off the bottom is the ticket. You can easily hook 30-40 fish a day just below Bonneville the first week of June.

Oregon City generally starts seeing the first shad coming in around the second week in May, with catches not picking up until the first week in June. The run will go pretty good throughout the month of June.

I've done well using Dick Nite's or their cheaper knock-offs, small spinners (Flicker Spinners work well here), and small chartreuse grubs/jigs. I run a 6lb leader under the knowledge that springers have a tendency to hit those small spinners as well and I want a fighting chance if that happens. Every year numerous springers are hooked by shad anglers. Makes for quite a fight.

DJ,
Ever hook one of those 6 ft sturgeon swimming by up there? Now that's a fight that doesn't last very long, but it a heart pounder!

Still early for shad around us flasher. But i did hook a springer last year fishin for them. i don't use nuthin less than 8LB test for that reason. It was a hell of a fight. ended up being about a 25 pound nate. caught on one of those flicker spinners. took me from garbage hole to the bulkhead. what a fight.

CMH:

I've only caught one oversized sturgie and that was out of The Dalles. I'm planning on getting into them more this summer. That's why I go out for shad: I hear they're good eating if you are a sturgeon. Personally I don't eat them but to each their own.

Eight pound test? Chicken.

I don't eat them either. I think it is funny to watch down there, once you let your first Shad go, there are people lining up to take them off your hook. Last year we had people sitting behind us with small nets waiting for us to hook up....it is definitely a show down there.