Shad
UncommonFresh & saltwater
A fast, schooling baitfish species that runs upriver in large numbers during spring, striking small flashy lures out of reflex rather than hunger. Light tackle and a small spinner or jig worked through a school produce fast, repeated action.
Profile
- Fight: 6/10
- Trophy: 1/10
- Wariness: 3/10
- Abundance: 7/10
- Aggression: 5/10
- Table: 2/10
- Typical weight
- 0.4–1.8 lbs (0.2–0.8 kg)
- Record
- 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg)
Season
- Jan: 10%
- Feb: 10%
- Mar: 30%
- Apr: 65%
- May: 80%
- Jun: 55%
- Jul: 25%
- Aug: 15%
- Sep: 15%
- Oct: 15%
- Nov: 10%
- Dec: 10%
Seasonality shown is typical for temperate North America — your local waters may vary.
Time of day
- 12 AM: 8%
- 1 AM: 6%
- 2 AM: 5%
- 3 AM: 5%
- 4 AM: 6%
- 5 AM: 15%
- 6 AM: 35%
- 7 AM: 55%
- 8 AM: 70%
- 9 AM: 80%
- 10 AM: 85%
- 11 AM: 85%
- 12 PM: 80%
- 1 PM: 78%
- 2 PM: 80%
- 3 PM: 82%
- 4 PM: 78%
- 5 PM: 65%
- 6 PM: 45%
- 7 PM: 25%
- 8 PM: 15%
- 9 PM: 12%
- 10 PM: 10%
- 11 PM: 9%
Conditions
Temp57–68°F (14–20°C)
Depth2–13 ft (1–4 m)
PressureAny
LightBright
Lures
Tips
- Time your trip to the spring spawning run, when shad move upriver in huge numbers.
- A small, flashy spinner or jig triggers reflex strikes even though shad rarely feed once in the river.
- Use light tackle — shad don't grow large, but a school can deliver nonstop action.
Live bite index for your spot
Vobbl scores today’s weather against this species’ profile, hour by hour, wherever you fish.