Post by: Trapper John on June 01, 2019, 08:26:02 AM
I see the shad are starting to run. Anyone catching any?
Do you need a fishing license and whats the daily limit?
I have got to find some time to go fishing.
I hear they can be big ............. Lets see your catch
JC
Post by: acrocker on June 01, 2019, 09:02:54 AM
"When the Scotch Broom is in bloom, the shad are running....", was always the catch phrase to remember when the fish were in. Lot of fun, hard fighters on light tackle, and good crab bait. Ran anywhere from 2-4 pounds, the ones we caught.
Good Luck!
Post by: gee_unit360 on June 01, 2019, 09:23:20 AM
Post by: h2ofowlr on June 01, 2019, 09:28:11 AM
Post by: WSU on June 01, 2019, 10:31:50 AM
Post by: doyourtime89 on June 01, 2019, 05:57:45 PM
I see the shad are starting to run. Anyone catching any?
Do you need a fishing license and whats the daily limit?
I have got to find some time to go fishing.
I hear they can be big ............. Lets see your catch
JC
I wish you would have said something before yesterday. My dad and I hit them up yesterday down by Bonneville. It was on fire, we only kept about 20 or so each (for crab bait). I have no idea how many we gave to the people fishing around us and fought and lost even more. It was a blast, check the count today and it said 355,000 went over yesterday so we picked a good day.
Post by: Bigshooter on June 01, 2019, 08:16:19 PM
Numbers look good.
Post by: hard hunter on June 02, 2019, 12:19:28 AM
Post by: Pete112288 on June 02, 2019, 12:46:12 AM
Post by: fowl smacker on June 02, 2019, 05:16:19 AM
When going out to fish for these guys is there anything specific you look for as far as a place to try? A certain depth, or type of bank or anything?Fishing a seam behind an island or other natural barrier is a good place to start.
Post by: Trapper John on June 02, 2019, 01:04:14 PM
Any special lure or color? Hows those shad darts?
Anyone ever eat them or does everyone use them for crab bait.
I know a guy that uses them for trapping (bait) skunks.
JC
Post by: Hilltophustler on June 03, 2019, 08:41:59 AM
Post by: The Marquis on June 03, 2019, 09:02:50 AM
We did 200+ in a few hours last year. Smallest nickle and green dicknite you can fine. Ran a dropper set up. We used whole shad for halibut and they yielded the biggest fish. Pass on eating them. :chuckle:
They are great eating if breaded and fried, but better for bait. I caught 20 in an hour (nearly every cast) back when only 15k went over the dam (last Saturday I think). I use the cheapest 1/16oz crappie jigs (heads only) and like I said, one hit nearly every cast. The size is important. They tend to hit the larger jigs a lot less frequently.
Post by: Bill W on June 03, 2019, 09:29:28 AM
Post by: The Gobble-stopper on June 03, 2019, 09:59:41 AM
Post by: dilleytech on June 03, 2019, 02:21:08 PM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on June 03, 2019, 02:53:05 PM
A few years back, I violated them:yike:
Post by: Smossy on June 04, 2019, 05:13:21 AM
Heading back this weekend so monday/tuesday ill be at bonneville dam all day.
Post by: Timberstalker on June 04, 2019, 05:16:32 AM
Was out a few weeks ago learning the technique, hooked two landed 0. Left early.
Heading back this weekend so monday/tuesday ill be at bonneville dam all day.
They have super soft mouths. Watch the hook set.
Good luck.
Post by: Smossy on June 04, 2019, 05:20:47 AM
Yup, one of my mistakes, also was using like 1/8th size jigheads. Way too big. Got some 1/32 and 1/16 for this weekend. Gonna fill the cooler. Im poor and need all the free food i can get :chuckle: Plus gonna get back after crab this year so yeah theres that.Was out a few weeks ago learning the technique, hooked two landed 0. Left early.
Heading back this weekend so monday/tuesday ill be at bonneville dam all day.
They have super soft mouths. Watch the hook set.
Good luck.
Post by: gaddy on June 04, 2019, 07:25:26 AM
Post by: 762Armo on June 04, 2019, 08:56:47 AM
Yup, one of my mistakes, also was using like 1/8th size jigheads. Way too big. Got some 1/32 and 1/16 for this weekend. Gonna fill the cooler. Im poor and need all the free food i can get :chuckle: Plus gonna get back after crab this year so yeah theres that.Was out a few weeks ago learning the technique, hooked two landed 0. Left early.
Heading back this weekend so monday/tuesday ill be at bonneville dam all day.
They have super soft mouths. Watch the hook set.
Good luck.
Interesting that 1/8th is too big. I just ordered 3/16th, sounds like I'm screwed. haha.
Post by: Smossy on June 04, 2019, 11:11:39 AM
If your using just jigheads your probably fine, I had big curly tail grubs and I only hooked 2 but there was also only 44k shad through the damn YTD when I went. Says 1.4mill YTD right now :drool:Yup, one of my mistakes, also was using like 1/8th size jigheads. Way too big. Got some 1/32 and 1/16 for this weekend. Gonna fill the cooler. Im poor and need all the free food i can get :chuckle: Plus gonna get back after crab this year so yeah theres that.Was out a few weeks ago learning the technique, hooked two landed 0. Left early.
Heading back this weekend so monday/tuesday ill be at bonneville dam all day.
They have super soft mouths. Watch the hook set.
Good luck.
Interesting that 1/8th is too big. I just ordered 3/16th, sounds like I'm screwed. haha.
Post by: The Marquis on June 04, 2019, 12:47:59 PM
Are you guys just using the lead jig heads and no tails ? Like a crappie jig ? Never fished them.
Yep, exactly. No tails at all. Exactly this. Can work in other colors too. Don't think that part matters nearly as much as the size
(https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODAwWDgwMA==/z/v~IAAOSwZFJcayL~/$_1.JPG)
Post by: Machias on June 04, 2019, 02:24:34 PM
Post by: Jake Dogfish on June 04, 2019, 02:38:47 PM
What is the main limiting factor? Did they benefit from the spring increased flows? Are they limited by food in the Ocean or spawning habitat, Predation Etc?.
Did we plant salmon and they came back as Shad? :dunno: :chuckle:
Post by: GBoyd on June 04, 2019, 10:07:54 PM
I like to eat shad either pickled or smoked. It's a really tasty fish, similar to herring. Check Hank Shaw's website for the recipes. Be prepared to gross out your more rednecky acquaintances if you eat them. There are many people who've never tried it but still have extremely strong opinions.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 04, 2019, 10:18:03 PM
Post by: BigGoonTuna on June 05, 2019, 07:11:03 AM
Post by: The Marquis on June 05, 2019, 09:08:11 AM
i learned not to waste money on jigs, a really small corky or a bead works just as well.
I'm absolutely going to try this.
Post by: gaddy on June 05, 2019, 09:29:32 AM
Post by: Timberstalker on June 05, 2019, 09:32:58 AM
Anyone fish them around Ice Harbor ?
Lots and plenty of times!
Out of a boat and from the bank.
The advice given above is solid.
I usually fish them with a bobber from the bank
Should be smoking hot in a couple weeks.
Post by: SteelheadDC on June 05, 2019, 09:40:42 AM
Post by: Skillet on June 05, 2019, 09:43:43 AM
Post by: KopperBuck on June 05, 2019, 09:47:21 AM
Post by: WSU on June 05, 2019, 10:35:03 AM
Hmm, anybody ever use these for shrimp bait?
I haven't but halibut and crabs love them. They are basically a giant herring.
Post by: Skillet on June 05, 2019, 11:36:01 AM
Hmm, anybody ever use these for shrimp bait?
I haven't but halibut and crabs love them. They are basically a giant herring.
I'd be interested in getting my hands on a couple hundred pounds to try as shrimp bait this fall, in case anybody wanted to get rid of any.
Post by: WSU on June 05, 2019, 11:39:51 AM
Hmm, anybody ever use these for shrimp bait?
I haven't but halibut and crabs love them. They are basically a giant herring.
I'd be interested in getting my hands on a couple hundred pounds to try as shrimp bait this fall, in case anybody wanted to get rid of any.
Don't cork me. I asked first!
Post by: Skillet on June 05, 2019, 11:44:07 AM
Hmm, anybody ever use these for shrimp bait?
I haven't but halibut and crabs love them. They are basically a giant herring.
I'd be interested in getting my hands on a couple hundred pounds to try as shrimp bait this fall, in case anybody wanted to get rid of any.
Don't cork me. I asked first!
Haha, my bad. Didn't even think about it. If anybody has any to pitch after WSU is stocked up, I'm interested. :tup:
Post by: Smossy on June 05, 2019, 11:44:58 AM
Post by: singleshot12 on June 05, 2019, 11:51:47 AM
Post by: WSU on June 05, 2019, 11:52:44 AM
Hmm, anybody ever use these for shrimp bait?
I haven't but halibut and crabs love them. They are basically a giant herring.
I'd be interested in getting my hands on a couple hundred pounds to try as shrimp bait this fall, in case anybody wanted to get rid of any.
Don't cork me. I asked first!
Haha, my bad. Didn't even think about it. If anybody has any to pitch after WSU is stocked up, I'm interested. :tup:
I'm kidding. Go for it and let me know. But I wouldn't mind a few also.
Post by: Skillet on June 05, 2019, 12:08:13 PM
Let's pool our efforts and corner the market. A shad cartel? I've watched Narcos, I think it's doable. :chuckle:Hmm, anybody ever use these for shrimp bait?
I haven't but halibut and crabs love them. They are basically a giant herring.
I'd be interested in getting my hands on a couple hundred pounds to try as shrimp bait this fall, in case anybody wanted to get rid of any.
Don't cork me. I asked first!
Haha, my bad. Didn't even think about it. If anybody has any to pitch after WSU is stocked up, I'm interested. :tup:
I'm kidding. Go for it and let me know. But I wouldn't mind a few also.
Post by: WSU on June 05, 2019, 12:21:38 PM
Post by: Moe the Sleaze on June 05, 2019, 02:06:10 PM
First, there is the general awkwardness of "combat" fishing. Just finding a place to squeeze in was a challenge.
Then, it took me a long time to "feel" the bites. I'm not sure if I had the wrong rod, or the wrong line, was casting in at too acute an angle, or what. I think people who've mastered drift fishing for steelhead have an easier time. That is most assuredly not me!
The shad, to me, seem to just pick up the lure, and I never felt anything I could call a "bite". Just a VERY subtle pickup and that's it. Of course I only felt this (or maybe I should say did not feel) two or three times over the course of two days, so what do I know?
I spent big money buying the latest and greatest darts from the locals down there, but all to no avail. People all around me were catching fish and I tried to copy the gear they were using and their technique, but it never worked out for me. Which is doubly frustrating, because everyone talks about "how EASY it is". Yah.....no!
I will admit that, when you hook one, it's a very entertaining fight. I also vouch that they are hands down the BEST crab bait out there.
Some day I will try again. Not this year.
Post by: The Marquis on June 05, 2019, 02:20:52 PM
I have fished for Shad at Bonneville Dam a couple different times now. Contrary to what most are posting on here, I found it to be anything BUT a slam-dunk. I struggled.
First, there is the general awkwardness of "combat" fishing. Just finding a place to squeeze in was a challenge.
Then, it took me a long time to "feel" the bites. I'm not sure if I had the wrong rod, or the wrong line, was casting in at too acute an angle, or what. I think people who've mastered drift fishing for steelhead have an easier time. That is most assuredly not me!
The shad, to me, seem to just pick up the lure, and I never felt anything I could call a "bite". Just a VERY subtle pickup and that's it. Of course I only felt this (or maybe I should say did not feel) two or three times over the course of two days, so what do I know?
I spent big money buying the latest and greatest darts from the locals down there, but all to no avail. People all around me were catching fish and I tried to copy the gear they were using and their technique, but it never worked out for me. Which is doubly frustrating, because everyone talks about "how EASY it is". Yah.....no!
I will admit that, when you hook one, it's a very entertaining fight. I also vouch that they are hands down the BEST crab bait out there.
Some day I will try again. Not this year.
Did you just use the darts? Strangely having caught many Shad, I've never been able to catch any on a Shad Dart. My worst day of Shad fishing (when about 60k ran the dam) I got just 6 fish, all after I switched out my dart for a crappie jig.
Good luck next go though. There is a bit of an art to where to cast your lure, how fast to reel and WHEN to give up those slow reels and reel in. It's also important to adjust the time you let it sink before reeling depending on if you're getting bites or not. When you miss em, you can miss for a while, but as soon as you find the spot, you're in for the rest of the day.
Post by: Smossy on June 05, 2019, 02:22:22 PM
I have fished for Shad at Bonneville Dam a couple different times now. Contrary to what most are posting on here, I found it to be anything BUT a slam-dunk. I struggled.This year was my first time fishing for shad and Ill admit to being right there with ya in all departments. Seen old dudes bringin them in all around me and I only had 2 hookups. I know now I was setting hooks too hard, paper thin mouths, lost lots of setups (let it drift too long, STICK STRICTLY 10-2 casting, reel in. Repeat.
First, there is the general awkwardness of "combat" fishing. Just finding a place to squeeze in was a challenge.
Then, it took me a long time to "feel" the bites. I'm not sure if I had the wrong rod, or the wrong line, was casting in at too acute an angle, or what. I think people who've mastered drift fishing for steelhead have an easier time. That is most assuredly not me!
The shad, to me, seem to just pick up the lure, and I never felt anything I could call a "bite". Just a VERY subtle pickup and that's it. Of course I only felt this (or maybe I should say did not feel) two or three times over the course of two days, so what do I know?
I spent big money buying the latest and greatest darts from the locals down there, but all to no avail. People all around me were catching fish and I tried to copy the gear they were using and their technique, but it never worked out for me. Which is doubly frustrating, because everyone talks about "how EASY it is". Yah.....no!
I will admit that, when you hook one, it's a very entertaining fight. I also vouch that they are hands down the BEST crab bait out there.
Some day I will try again. Not this year.
I went down just before memorial day weekend and seen lots of fish caught all day, however when I checked fish counts YTD it only said 44k.....
Well as days progress, the fish numbers increase tenfold. As of 2 days ago count was at 1.4 mill with 200k + averaging a day. Much better odds then when I was dealing with. Gonna be out there myself on monday/tuesday.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 05, 2019, 04:05:19 PM
These out fish then 10-1
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 05, 2019, 04:09:31 PM
Post by: WSU on June 05, 2019, 04:31:47 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 05, 2019, 05:03:58 PM
Post by: GBoyd on June 05, 2019, 05:54:00 PM
I have fished for Shad at Bonneville Dam a couple different times now. Contrary to what most are posting on here, I found it to be anything BUT a slam-dunk. I struggled.This year was my first time fishing for shad and Ill admit to being right there with ya in all departments. Seen old dudes bringin them in all around me and I only had 2 hookups. I know now I was setting hooks too hard, paper thin mouths, lost lots of setups (let it drift too long, STICK STRICTLY 10-2 casting, reel in. Repeat.
First, there is the general awkwardness of "combat" fishing. Just finding a place to squeeze in was a challenge.
Then, it took me a long time to "feel" the bites. I'm not sure if I had the wrong rod, or the wrong line, was casting in at too acute an angle, or what. I think people who've mastered drift fishing for steelhead have an easier time. That is most assuredly not me!
The shad, to me, seem to just pick up the lure, and I never felt anything I could call a "bite". Just a VERY subtle pickup and that's it. Of course I only felt this (or maybe I should say did not feel) two or three times over the course of two days, so what do I know?
I spent big money buying the latest and greatest darts from the locals down there, but all to no avail. People all around me were catching fish and I tried to copy the gear they were using and their technique, but it never worked out for me. Which is doubly frustrating, because everyone talks about "how EASY it is". Yah.....no!
I will admit that, when you hook one, it's a very entertaining fight. I also vouch that they are hands down the BEST crab bait out there.
Some day I will try again. Not this year.
I went down just before memorial day weekend and seen lots of fish caught all day, however when I checked fish counts YTD it only said 44k.....
Well as days progress, the fish numbers increase tenfold. As of 2 days ago count was at 1.4 mill with 200k + averaging a day. Much better odds then when I was dealing with. Gonna be out there myself on monday/tuesday.
It sounds to me that both of you might be reeling too slow. I seem to have good luck casting out, letting it sink for 5-10 seconds and then reeling back at a moderate pace. The line is tight the whole time, so there's no problem feeling bites. Also, I do just a really soft hook set.
Another strategy I saw a couple weeks ago:
There was a guy with a really stout pole with a large hunk of lead cast out about 30 yards. He stuck it in the bank to keep tension. He had a second smaller pole that he clipped onto the line from the big one with 2 ounces of lead and three droppers with shad darts. He let that run down to the end of his bigger line, left it for a minute and pulled his three shad back up. He was catching so many that he had a buddy there just running buckets of fish back to the rig. I admire the invention, but don't see any reason to catch more fish than I do normally.
Post by: doyourtime89 on June 05, 2019, 05:58:47 PM
Post by: HntnFsh on June 05, 2019, 06:08:03 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on June 06, 2019, 08:07:42 AM
We have always fished them with a bobber and drifted with great success.
Post by: dilleytech on June 06, 2019, 08:21:58 AM
None of you ever fish them with a bobber??
We have always fished them with a bobber and drifted with great success.
I have always wanted to but I think I finally will this next trip. For me the key to catching shad is finding the right cast angle, weight on line, and weight of jig to put you in the zone. They will bite a lot of different stuff. My favorite lure is a dicknite. Sometime a salmon will hit it too. If your not catching them your likely swinging your gear over there head. I’ll run at least a 20# leader so I never loose any gear and the fish don’t care. And remember smoked canned shad is awesome if your into canned sardines. And shad roe fried in butter is great as well.
Post by: The Marquis on June 06, 2019, 09:07:34 AM
None of you ever fish them with a bobber??
We have always fished them with a bobber and drifted with great success.
I wouldn't dream of it at Bonneville, It's combat fishing. It'd screw up the flow of things with a bunch of anglers 3-5 feet apart.
Tell me you aren't doing it up near Bonneville fish ladder. I just can't imagine, and I've never seen anybody doing it.
Post by: Timberstalker on June 06, 2019, 09:15:11 AM
Generally, there aren't many people at the east side dams. It works well.
Post by: The Gobble-stopper on June 06, 2019, 05:13:12 PM
sorry my tablet auto corrected? I just saw it and repostedA few years back, I violated them:yike:
Post by: h2ofowlr on June 06, 2019, 05:20:57 PM
I am always up to try new ways to fish for what ever. This year was the first time my dad and I tried dick nite, we did good with those but I ended up.going back to the same old shad dart I have been using for years and was getting them left and right. Like someone said earlier it does take a bit to figure out how far out to cast, how long to let sink before starting your slow reeling, how much weight to use on a given day and it does take getting used to on knowing a bite. And lighter more sensitive rods help too. Here are the ones in have been using for ever. I only had a package of the small ones left so if they are 1/32 the bigger ones most be 1/16. I did better on the bugger ones but my dad standing right next to me did better on the smallers ones.
Your middle jigs are the ticket? The smaller jigs out catch the larger ones 4:1.
Post by: h2ofowlr on June 06, 2019, 05:35:00 PM
Post by: Smossy on June 06, 2019, 05:48:54 PM
Post by: Sandberm on June 06, 2019, 06:45:18 PM
Just me and the asians :chuckle:. I was the only white guy I ever saw in the half dozen times i fished along the bank. It was as if they got off work at 3pm at the beef plant at Wallula and started showing up at 4 or so. Friendly people no doubt.
I hope to hit it this year again. Gotta figure out a way to make em taste decent though.
Post by: Matth on June 07, 2019, 10:12:09 AM
Post by: h2ofowlr on June 07, 2019, 11:25:54 AM
363,000 went over yesterday.Been a solid week of 300K plus fish going over the damn. Were probably looking at the peak of it right now. It will start dropping. Lots of fish!
Post by: The Marquis on June 07, 2019, 02:31:08 PM
Post by: CP on June 07, 2019, 03:25:26 PM
Post by: RC on June 10, 2019, 08:21:51 AM
Hmm, anybody ever use these for shrimp bait?
A friend of mine used ground up shad for spot prawns in the San Juans on the opener. He put down two pots with straight ground shad, and two pots with his standard cat food/pellet mixture. He caught shrimp in both and limited on the trip, but the cat food/pellet mix out-fished the shad 2 to 1. So yes, they work, just not as well.
Post by: Stein on June 10, 2019, 09:02:29 AM
Post by: elkrack on June 10, 2019, 09:29:18 AM
Man, I wish the salmon numbers looked like that graph.
No kidding!
Post by: The Marquis on June 11, 2019, 08:23:05 AM
Post by: Bill W on June 11, 2019, 09:45:23 AM
Post by: Smossy on June 12, 2019, 10:20:41 AM
Ill tell you this now feeling that kind of power behind a line has me HOOKED. Next year sturgeon fishing from shore is gonna be a real serious thing for me.
I have a video of the airborne sturgeon, Gonna get it pulled off gopro later.
Great day arrived at about 6pm fished for a few hours.
Went to riffe, limited coho again, went to mayfield and watched a young guy on a kayak hook a 56" tiger muskie and he came to shore to land it.. "My first time ever seeing tigers in person" Soo cool. Basiclly knocked 3 more fish species off my list that Ive never seen.
Post by: bearpaw on June 12, 2019, 10:55:22 AM
Post by: AL WORRELLS KID on June 12, 2019, 11:34:45 AM
Treat them right and they can be a real treat to eat.
Try making smoked shad or (I like to Pickle mine.)
Doug
Post by: bearpaw on June 12, 2019, 11:38:59 AM
If I went shad fishing I'm wondering if I should keep them or just throw most of them back?
Post by: The Marquis on June 12, 2019, 12:26:43 PM
How do they taste canned? Would they be anything like kippered snacks? Does anyone have some recipes they like for shad?
If I went shad fishing I'm wondering if I should keep them or just throw most of them back?
Keep some for bait, some to eat (fried or pickled) and some just to find Roe. They are invasive and very much plentiful, so throwing them back isn't doing any good.
Post by: Smossy on June 12, 2019, 12:52:05 PM
Post by: Remnar on June 12, 2019, 12:59:07 PM
How do they taste canned? Would they be anything like kippered snacks? Does anyone have some recipes they like for shad?
If I went shad fishing I'm wondering if I should keep them or just throw most of them back?
Yes they are very good . Put a light cool smoke and then can in a little olive oil .
Post by: bearpaw on June 12, 2019, 06:07:49 PM
How do they taste canned? Would they be anything like kippered snacks? Does anyone have some recipes they like for shad?
If I went shad fishing I'm wondering if I should keep them or just throw most of them back?
Keep some for bait, some to eat (fried or pickled) and some just to find Roe. They are invasive and very much plentiful, so throwing them back isn't doing any good.
I thought they were a native fish? Maybe the orcas better start eating them instead of salmon?
Post by: nwwanderer on June 12, 2019, 07:04:05 PM
Post by: Stein on June 12, 2019, 07:16:16 PM
Post by: Sandberm on July 02, 2019, 09:03:24 PM
A guy I ran into Saturday says if they are canned they taste like tuna. Be nice to find a way to make em taste decent.
Post by: Timberstalker on July 02, 2019, 09:11:06 PM
I think the peak at Ice Harbor has passed.
If you’re gonna go, now is the time.
@ Sandberm
Best of luck.
Post by: gaddy on July 03, 2019, 09:41:36 AM
Post by: Timberstalker on July 03, 2019, 10:22:14 AM
Post by: gaddy on July 03, 2019, 10:49:07 AM
Post by: Timberstalker on July 03, 2019, 12:16:01 PM
Use a green or pink 1/8 oz jig head. Bring a lot as you will lose some.
Or use a slip bobber. Start at 5' depth and work from there.
You'll catch them.
Good luck.
Post by: gaddy on July 06, 2019, 09:55:59 AM