Shad fishing is not usually the first fish you think of when when you think of recreational fishing in North Carolina. Shad populations have been seriously depressed for some time now. Beginning in the 1900's dam-building, pollution, and over-fishing have lowered shad populations nearly everywhere. The Roanoke and the mouths of certain other rivers like the Neuse were the only place to catch them in large numbers as recent as a few years ago.

Luckily, efforts to restore the shad are underway are substantially benefiting the shad fishery. Still today, many North Carolina residents have never fished for Shad. Shad are a fine recreational fish though; they are a good eating fish and among the most fun fish for rod and reel. Also, there is a good rebound to the population which is well distributed over North Carolina's eastern waters.

Shad are migratory and therefore seasonal. In the warm waters of North Carolina shad begin to migrate usually in February and March. With the dams gone they will migrate in as far north as far as Raleigh (Raleigh Beach or Crabtree Creek) by June. The Roanoke River will see them to as far as the city dams and is an absolute marvelous shad fishery. No need to travel out of the state for shad fishing.

Shad fishing is plentiful during the high spots of the run. Shad darts and spoons, as shown to the left, on a spinning just may the most common method of angling. A medium spinning rod may be work best. The combined weight of a 1/4 ounce dart with a spoon will commonly get the dart down quick enough in shallow water. More weight must be added if fishing from the bank in fast water or in big water such as the Roanoke. I use white or yellow with a red head and a silver spoon. I rig them with 6 pound test. Local outfitters will certainly know the hot color, size, combination, and rig.

Much shad fishing will be done with a fly rod. Fly fishing is good everywhere but may be easier up river or in a tributary to the major rivers. Fly fishing may be tricky from the bank on big water because of trees and the effort and weight it takes to get the fly down in the water deep enough (many roll casts). A 5 to 8 weight combination will do best. I often use intermediate line but some or most will argue for faster sinking lines. Shad fishing flies are usually weighted and either gold or silver flash. I have not found shad to be overly selective in color or size assuming the fly is gaudy enough to be seen in the often muddy water. Many types of streamer and bait fish imitations will catch fish. No matter what you fish with; get used to losing some of your offering.

Fly fish with weighted gold or silver flash. Try some fairly gaudy stream or bait fish imitations. Try sizes 6 to 2. Orvis makes some of the best crafted flies for Shad. Some common flies include:

Woolly Bugger White, yellow, lighter colors Clouser Use the smaller sizes Moto Minnow   Tequeely_Streamer   Crazy Charlies Not a typical Shad fly but very good for NC

Whether using fly or spinning equipment be prepared to lose some flies are darts on the bottom; this will happen. Photo courtesy of Orvis.

Anyone who consistently reads my writing will know I am generally, but not always, pleased with the Wildlife officials of North Carolina. Shad fishing should be considered one of their successes. At the beginning of the century, North Carolina's Neuse River produced more American shad than any other river in the state. Catches of only 25,000 pounds were taken in 1996 from a river that once yielded 700,000 pounds. This depressing drop-off signaled to the local community and public officials that it was time to take action to save the fish. Restoration efforts kicked in. In 1998, over 1,000 miles of migratory fish habitat was opened up on the Neuse River with the removal of the Quaker Neck Dam. The dam removal and North Carolina's commitment to fishery restoration attracted national attention.

I do not keep shad but I am not sure I have a reason not to. Shad are anadromous, meaning that they are born in rivers, then migrate to the ocean where they spend most of their lives, then return to the river of their birth to reproduce and die. Most shad die after spawning because of the high energy exerted during migration. Other shad, however, will spawn and return to the sea making the spawning migration as many as three times. Shad are usually between four and six years old when they leave the ocean to swim back to their home rivers.

Have fun with this wonderful resource. But note there are some special regulations in force for shad fishing. Please check with the "Regulations Digest" or the "Division of Marine Fisheries" to insure you have the right rules before you fish. Enjoy catching them.

Article provided by BC