Shad??

[quadrafire]

Stupid question!!

Are these shad edible?
I used to net thousands of them in Missouri when I was a kid and they were just trash fish. I couldn't imagine eating them.

What I meant was, I am asking a seemingly stupid question, Not that shad catching is as stupid thing to do. Sorry about the confusion. It was a serious question. I think it would be a blast. I am not that close to the River and was just curious if they are eaten here. I didn't even know about the use for bait. Color me ignorant (I don't even know if these are the same type of shad we had in MO)

[benhuntin]

Thats cool, they are a blast to catch you can get a ton in the tri-cities in about 2 weeks and then catch some huge sturgeon in august when it opens by the damn.  We did it last year and had a good time.  Good luck

[CP]

Stupid question!!

Are these shad edible?
I used to net thousands of them in Missouri when I was a kid and they were just trash fish. I couldn't imagine eating them.

They are very good smoked. 

[TeacherMan]

PICS!!!! How late in the season is it still good??? Do I have until July 1st???

[1morebuck]

Back from the shad trip. The flow was high and the shad fishin' was slow. Only caught a dozen or so, then we decided to try oversized sea monster fishin. That proved to be a brilliant choice! We hooked nearly a dozen and ended up landing one at 9:59 pm on Saturday night. We were such rookies, we were fishing with 30lb. test and finally got a 7 1/2 footer to the boat. Pics this afternoon!

[1morebuck]

Here is the one we landed, about 7 1/2 feet, not to big, but big enough for us!



Here is one nearly legal sized


And here is our bait that we caught


We (I) also got lucky and caught a 16-inch walleye. Wasn't sure if I could keep it, so I turned it loose (bad idea). I found out after reading the regs that I should have donked it! Shad fishing should pick up in the next few days according to some locals.

[buckhorn2]

I am heading down in the morning. Nice pictures but the water sure looks high do you know if you can keep legal sturgeon there now. Hope to get some pictures to show you.

[1morebuck]

You can keep them below maker 82, I think that is right at Mulnotna Falls (not sure if that is spelled right). I would call the hotline and see. The water was rippin and very high. It seemed like the shad were running in the bushes and trees. Even some guides were having trouble setting anchors.

[Dustin07]

You can keep them below maker 82, I think that is right at Mulnotna Falls (not sure if that is spelled right). I would call the hotline and see. The water was rippin and very high. It seemed like the shad were running in the bushes and trees. Even some guides were having trouble setting anchors.

I've never fished for shad before, but it looks like you had a great time (and got decent weather!). What did you use for shad bait, and where did you launch at? congrats, good pics. I've sturgeon fished before, but something about that picture makes 'em look creepy.

[benhuntin]

dic nites work great from a boat

[fishcrazy]

I fished the same erea yesterday and today. Water was crazy high!!! I ended up with a 25" walleye also. We fished from 6:00 am -1:00 pm on sunday for 5 shad. We fished oversize for a few hrs but wind got bad and we just gave up after a few hrs.

Today the wind was better but the shad bite was still slow. we got a few and by 9:00 am we made a run for the gator grounds. We got a few bites and hooked into a good one. The reel locked up and we lost the fish. Later I pulled it apart to find the factory had left 2 extra screws floating around in it. (new reel) We tried another spot and started getting bites right away. 1 came off in a few seconds due to a week hook set. My brother forgot to put his purse down when he set the hook The next one was picture perfect and the fight was on. We got the fish pulled into shallow water and was about to get a look and it spit the hook. We had to get going as we had 45 min to get back to camp and pull out of th KOA or get charged for anothre day.

The water dropped about 3' in the last 24 hrs. The Sea Monsters were on the bite today and we seen many hook ups!!! Wish we had more time.
Next weekend I'll be chasin June Hogs so this might have been my last trip for Sea Monsters for this year.

Kris

[fishcrazy]

PICS!!!! How late in the season is it still good??? Do I have until July 1st???

Yes! but the run will be on the other side of the peak. It should peak in the next week but might be late from the looks of things.

Send me a PM and I can give you some pointers.

Kris

[1morebuck]

Looks like I may not make it back down again for shad. If anyone catches too many or doesn't keep em, I'll take em!

[fishcrazy]

Looks like I may not make it back down again for shad. If anyone catches too many or doesn't keep em, I'll take em!

Wish I would have known. I tossed a few over before heading home the other day.

You need some for crab bait? I have some frozen.

Kris

[buckhorn2]

Fished the shad rack the last couple days the water was really high and shad fishing poor we caught 12 shad for bait and landed 9 oversize.