SHAD 2025!!!
- Thread starter Yard Sale
- Start date
I don’t plan to partake, but if anyone in the south Snohomish, north King co area goes and has extra shad, I’ll gladly take them off your hands to use as crab bait. Name your price, beer, flies….
Thanks
SF
Thanks
SF
Yard Sale
Life of the Party
I got my first two weeks ago. Gonna try and scout some spots closer to home in my boat the next few days in between carp.
Nice! I like to live dangerously so I'm waiting for them to get a couple dams east of you.
Totally makes sense. I learned a while ago when fishing before the first wall that those big dam count numbers are fish that aren't there anymore
so I like to fish when they're there.The first for me in 2025 two weeks ago.
It was a boy. Ask me how I know.
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Way to ring in the shad season Evan! That one looks big and...eager. 
And @Yard Sale Rainier or PBR? I like both! I'll be hitting the Cedar in a couple weeks. Gorge carp trip possibly on the 7th & 8th. I'll definitely be looking for some early shad in the mornings and evenings.
And @Yard Sale Rainier or PBR? I like both! I'll be hitting the Cedar in a couple weeks. Gorge carp trip possibly on the 7th & 8th. I'll definitely be looking for some early shad in the mornings and evenings.
the_chemist
Life of the Party
Any reports of purported lake washington tributary shad?
I know you make joke, but for those not in the know: There's like a mile of bank below that to fish. Everyone piles into the top end for shad, then the very bottom to plunk for springers. Lots of spots and plenty of fish inbetween them on the WA side.
Haven't been there for that party in almost 10yrs, but know lots of guys who go do that and find plenty of space.
SilverFly
Legend
Same effect with tributary salmon. 90% of fishermen clump together in 10% of fishable water (or would be fishable if it wasn't being pounded to death). Almost like the fish teleported from one honey hole to the next.
Well, truth be told, the shad DO seem to teleport straight to Beacon Rock and hang between there and Bonneville. They do not seem to exist below Beacon though. It's the weirdest thing. I may attempt on Thursday night again because I'm determined to find a way to catch them closer to home.
But the best Shad spot isn't right below the dam there, it's right off Ives Island in what they call the "Shad Rack." Takes a boat to fish it, but it's ridiculous.
Very true. I fished the tree spot below Bonneville about 7 years ago and hammered them. Damn they smell, but great crab baits!
Great crab bait, great halibut bait (my use for most of them), and truth be told, once you get their exterior removed, they are a very, very good fish for consumption. If you can get rid of the bones or just deal with them, their meat is far, far better than anyone would expect. Like, waaaaaaaaay better. I eat a few every year and just deal with the bones. Despite having freezers full of Columbia River salmon, tuna, and halibut, I think shad is excellent.
You can also can them to soften the bones, and it's great in anything you would usually used canned tuna in. But I have so much canned salmon that mine rarely gets consumed. Usually grill up a few fillets and enjoy that.
dflett68
Steelhead
meshach? abednego?
Bow before the golden hook (best shad lure ever) OR ELSE
The shad are not in on a certain LW trib. However, using 6lb fluoro while single-hand skagit casting did reap some benefits for future fisher people. Took down a major dead overhang and got a 5 for 1 deal.
My buddy that guides the river thinks the Copper John might be his.
Unfortunately, they were all junk. Most likely all from last year or 2 years ago.
My buddy that guides the river thinks the Copper John might be his.
Unfortunately, they were all junk. Most likely all from last year or 2 years ago.
I have yet to crack the LW/L Sam trib shad code, but it's not for a lack of effort. I've slayed Pike Minnow with shad darts in my feeble attempts to find them. My kid’s rugby practice on the Cedar this year so I’ll be there a couple times a week trying to find them along with willing trout when I see the signs.
With the sunshine, I'm mostly finding day-drunk degens splashing around where the fish would be. Bless their hearts…
With the sunshine, I'm mostly finding day-drunk degens splashing around where the fish would be. Bless their hearts…