Shad We Go Fishing

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The shad are running in full force this spring.  And hundreds of fishermen can now be seen casting for the spawning fish along the James River near Rocketts Landing.

Shad can grow to be as big as eight pounds. They reproduce in the James because it has an abundance of moving water. The current is necessary for the fish’s eggs to properly hatch.

Jess Cadwallender has been fishing for shad on the James and Rappahannock Rivers since he was young. Cadwallender holds an IGFA (International Game Fishing Association) World Record, and he drives a Jeep Cherokee with a Virginia license plate that reads, “SHDRUN.”

“This year we’re seeing a strong run,” he said. “The shad will populate the rivers as far south as Florida and some of them come from as far north as Prince Edward Island, Canada. Legend has it; the spawning fish saved Gen. George Washington’s army from starvation at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War. ”

When fishing for shad it is important to remember that they, like any fish, do not fight the current all the time. They sometimes seek the edge of current rips, less turbulent water behind rocks, and the relatively calm water in feeder creeks.

Shad can be caught on a variety of lures, the most popular being small “shad dart” jigs and small gold or silver spoons.

“Every year there is always somebody down by the river peddling their homemade darts, claiming they're the best,” Cadwallender told me. “Sabiki rigs have grown in popularity lately as well. Each Sabiki rig has eight to twelve hooks on it with artificial fish skin or feathers attached.”

In terms of fly tackle sinking fly line is a requisite, as shad for the most part like to stay deep in the current. A short eighteen-inch leader is all that is needed, and small clouser-type flies in a variety of colors work well.

A lot of people eat shad despite their boney flesh.  After scaling the fish, I cut a filet off each side. I then rinse each filet and with the skin side down make half-way deep perpendicular cuts through the meat at quarter inch intervals. Salt, pepper, roll in corn meal, and then fry the filet until crispy. The slices in the meat cook the small bones, making them edible.

Cadwallender, on the other hand, likes to eat the shad eggs most of all. “I sauté the row in a pan with bacon and lemon juice and sometimes mix it all in with my scrambled eggs at breakfast. It’s not a bad way to start your day.”

Photo / Flickr user Western Sport Shop