How to Use Shad Bait
Shad are a bony species of fish prized for live bait. As young fry, shad live for a year or two in fresh water before migrating downriver to the ocean. They are commonly found along the Eastern seaboard of the United States. Baiting a live shad requires modest skill to keep the fish alive as long as possible in the water. There are three basic ways to hook a shad, each differing in the way the bait will be presented to the gamefish.
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Instructions
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Hook a shad through the lips from the top to the bottom to keep the bait alive as long as possible. This technique forces the bait to swim downward toward deeper water and is a good rig for trolling.
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2
Hook the shad through the dorsal fin to make the bait swim upward. This results in a lively presentation, but the shad is likely to wear out faster than when lip-hooked.
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Insert the hook through the anal fin to force the shade to swim deep and away from the line. This is a good rigging when fishing from shore or anchored in the water on a boat.
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Cast the line gingerly to prevent the bait from flying off the hook and to minimize shock when the shad hits the water. Vigorous casting will knock scales off the shad, shortening its life and ability to swim.
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Aim for submerged structure such as dead trees and shrubs or underwater vegetation where big fish lay in wait for a meal.
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Let the shad do its work. Leave the bait in the water as long as possible so gamefish will be drawn to the sight and sounds of a distressed baitfish. Remember, frequent casting will kill live shad more quickly than the patient angler who casts once and leaves the shad to swim.
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