Shad fishing

[Trapper John]

I tried shad fishing 35 years ago back on the Connecticut River once.  I haven't tried since.  Just retired and thought I would try it again.

Does anybody know of a good spot and what month is best?
I hear they run in May and June.

What's a good lure if any beside the shad dart to use if any?  I made up a bunch of shad darts and painted them white base and different head colors, green, red, black, etc.  Is there one color that is better than the others?
JC. 

[92xj]

Dick nite, Columbia river from the mouth to the tricities. Google, dam fish counts, click link and watch the numbers. I start when I see 5000 at whatever dam I want to fish. Move different depths until you find the one that the fish like the best. When they're in a 100 fish couple of hours is catchable.

[syoungs]

I generally will run a wiggle wart as a diver, and to give my dick night a little more action, I usually have 4-5 on the boat, and the boat back on the trailer in 30 minutes when im headed down to sturgeon fish.

[Bill W]

I've fished them below the John Day dam.   Only problem with there is most run up on the Oregon side of the bridge.  Having said that there's still enough to fish for on the WA side.

[doyourtime89]

Usually beginning for June it will start getting good, right below the Bonneville Dam.  Shad darts are the go to there.  Tie one on with about a 3 foot leader to about 1/2 oz weight depending on water flow.  But that's about it.  If you hit the right day they are one after another.  In no time you will have a stringer full of the best crab bait out there.

http://www.fpc.org/currentdaily/HistFishTwo_7day-ytd_Adults.htm

[Fishnclifff]

They will start showing mid may in Vancouver. We start fishing the dam about the end of may.
We run about a 2in piece of hollow pencil lead on the main line, a bead, a barrel swivel, to 2-3 ft leader, then a shad dart or dick nite.
You can also tie about 6-8 in dropper line off the swivel and pinch the lead on the dropper line, instead of the slider. Usually you only lose that piece of lead when you hang up.
We take a 1/4lb roll of pencil lead, cut it into 2in pieces, gives you about 25 weights.

If you don't make it down, get hold of me, we catch them and give them away every year.

[h2ofowlr]

What's the hot dart color?

[Trapper John]

Thanks for the info guys.  I'm going to give it a try this year.
JC   

[Tealer]

What's the hot dart color?

Bright. Grub tails add a little flare.


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[Carp Commander]

JC,

I still owe you a catfish trip. Plan on coming over in June and we can make it a catfish/shad combo! We catch hundreds of Shad every year. Plenty of room on the boat for you.

Doug

[Trapper John]

JC,

I still owe you a catfish trip. Plan on coming over in June and we can make it a catfish/shad combo! We catch hundreds of Shad every year. Plenty of room on the boat for you.

Doug

Doug,
I am soooooooo ready to head your way.    I am making plans as we speak.
Looking forward to it    Thanks Buddy.
JC   

[HntnFsh]

What's the hot dart color?

Darts are expensive. Go to Bobs or someplace and get a packs of colored jig heads About 1/8 oz. Different colors. Reds, chartreuse, pink, orange, pearl. They work great and way cheaper than darts!

[92xj]

JC,

I still owe you a catfish trip. Plan on coming over in June and we can make it a catfish/shad combo! We catch hundreds of Shad every year. Plenty of room on the boat for you.

Doug

Doug,
I am soooooooo ready to head your way.    I am making plans as we speak.
Looking forward to it    Thanks Buddy.
JC   

Once you guys set a plan pm me with the info. I'll meet you guys on the river, can most likely convince gasman and et11763527 to head this way to join me. Of course, if it's an open invite to shoot the breeze, do a little boat to boat hollering, catfishin shad story throwing kind of time.