Shad Set-ups?

[MThompson]

So the last time I pursued Shad in anger (15 yrs ago), I was using a 7wt and throwing a type 4 head with Amnesia.

I'm wondering what folks are using these days.

I have a 6wt and a 7wt with Rio Outbound Shorts in type 3 and type 6. Anybody using those or something similar?

I also have a 4wt Switch rod that I really want to catch some Shad on but I don't think it can handle a sinking tip that's heavy enough for this situation...

Hoping to hear suggestions
Thanks

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

If you get the right short Skagit head on there you should be able to throw fast sink tips.


Andy Guibord or Jeff Ching would be able to tell you what line system to use right now for Shad.

[JasonB]

So the last time I pursued Shad in anger (15 yrs ago), I was using a 7wt and throwing a type 4 head with Amnesia.

I'm wondering what folks are using these days.

I have a 6wt and a 7wt with Rio Outbound Shorts in type 3 and type 6. Anybody using those or something similar?

I also have a 4wt Switch rod that I really want to catch some Shad on but I don't think it can handle a sinking tip that's heavy enough for this situation...

Hoping to hear suggestions
Thanks

So I have a different ideal set up for Shad. Since I definitely prefer to use 2handed rods to swing for them, I’ve been using 4 or 5wt switch rod with an intermediate Scandi Body paired with a sinking polyleader (usually extra fast). As long as you’re throwing small sized shad flies, you really don’t need the mass of a Skagit head+sink tip to turn them over, so a Scandi line + polyleader works well. I like the intermediate because it allows me to fish a bit deeper, but I’ve also used a floating Scandi head with a sinking polyleader in some riffles too.

Between the 4 and the 5wt, I favor the 5wt a bit more when it’s windy (as it often is), and I’ve had a few bigger Shad that I was happy having just a tad more backbone. A 4wt is great too, so if that’s what you have I would definitely give it a go, but of the two I like the 5wt just a tad better.
JB

[Carl Blackledge]

Sir,

If you have a 9 foot 7 wt rod with a set of shooting heads and use amnesia, that's all that's necessary for Shad, you don't have to go out and buy new stuff :) Shad fishing hasn't changed in 50 years only the equipment has. I personally use a 5 wt Loomis IMX 10 footer with amnesia and shooting heads....I catch as many as anybody else here on the Russian River...hope this helps you.

Carl Blackledge

[Jeff C.]

On the American I use two handed rods exclusively. For wading I use a 6126 Sage Igniter with a Rio IShort Skagit Max head and 15 ft sink tips. Sometimes I’ll use a ACR GFR 5125 with a Scandi Body and poly leaders. From a boat I use a Helios 6110 with 30 ft of LC-13, T-11 or T-8 and a Method 6119 with a IShort Max head 15 ft sink tips.

[winxp_man]

The changes with low water that I have noticed is the groups of shad move around more. So two handed rods are the perfect tool. Why? Well what I noticed is when they move around they are at times two strips out, or four strips out.... then after you get a few you notice the group move again and are now 10-15 strips of running line out. So all this gets chaotic to do with a single hand rod. Not that it can’t be done with a SH it’s just easier by a lot with a two handed rod. I have fished some runs where you need to cast 80-90’ minimum which can be crazy to do with a SH rod cast after cast. I would say a 5wt rod min. A 4wt will wear your arms out.... I can attest to it being one year, before owning multiple two handed rods, I did run a 4wt being my 6119 TCX was broken. Boy did I miss my broken rod at the time. So I would say min 5wt. Especially early in the season when the shad fight harder.

As for lines.... for the past 4-5 seasons it’s been rio max heads appropriate to the rods and tips have been type 6 replacement tip or T-11 10’ in the mow tip department. Leader 5-6’ 10lbs ultra green.

[hwchubb]

I use an 11’ 4 wt switch for shad on the surface, and it’s perfect. I agree that a heavier rod (I use a 13’ 6 wt) when going deep is the better choice.

[MThompson]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. Lot's of good information here.

[Skyler76]

IMO which is just that. 6wt single with OBS type 3 is pretty much perfect for most of AR and 4 or 5x tippet. Spey and switch rods are fun and my true passion but not for shad. Constantly solo landing small fish with a spey rod isn't that much fun IMO. If you do use a two handed rod I'd recommend no more than a 4wt if you want to have some fun with them. AR is at 1450 cfs, you don't need much sink at all, even for the deepest holes. As Bill said, a skagit head will throw sink tips on that rod all day.

[winxp_man]

IMO which is just that. 6wt single with OBS type 3 is pretty much perfect for most of AR and 4 or 5x tippet. Spey and switch rods are fun and my true passion but not for shad. Constantly solo landing small fish with a spey rod isn't that much fun IMO. If you do use a two handed rod I'd recommend no more than a 4wt if you want to have some fun with them. AR is at 1450 cfs, you don't need much sink at all, even for the deepest holes. As Bill said, a skagit head will throw sink tips on that rod all day.


What happens when high water comes in? Reason I say this is I have fished shad from 500 cfs up to 15k on the American. And high water requires longer casts at time. Not that a single hand rod will not work, but you will find it harder to get to fish. Had a buddy of mine fish next to me and he was running a setup like yours.... came back the next day with a two handed rod haha.


I’m also a fan of putting the fish in the net in a fast way to give it a fighting chance if it’s not being kept. I have seen scores of dead fish which can be caused be over fighting, and Mia handling. They where not even spawning. Kind of a sucky sight.

But whatever gets you on to some fish I guess... tight lines!

[Skyler76]

What happens when high water comes in? Reason I say this is I have fished shad from 500 cfs up to 15k on the American. And high water requires longer casts at time. Not that a single hand rod will not work, but you will find it harder to get to fish. Had a buddy of mine fish next to me and he was running a setup like yours.... came back the next day with a two handed rod haha.


I’m also a fan of putting the fish in the net in a fast way to give it a fighting chance if it’s not being kept. I have seen scores of dead fish which can be caused be over fighting, and Mia handling. They where not even spawning. Kind of a sucky sight.

But whatever gets you on to some fish I guess... tight lines!

Obviously I hit a nerve, yikes, I didn't even read your post, I was responding to the OP.

My suggestion was right now on AR. Not for last year, not for 2025, but now.

I am not sure why it is it takes you longer to land a fish on a single hander than it does on a spey rod? If I am fishing solo it's quite the opposite due to the netting dance, unless the single is completely underweighted for the task which a 6wt is most certainly not. Also a little confused as to why high flows affect your cast time?

As I said, I am die hard spey guy (the river Spey was literally one of the rivers I learned to fish on) and yes, like you own quite a few spey and switch rods (everything from 2-10/11 wt) but, for me, they're not the best tool for the job of small fish, high volume fishing.

I never take fish, seriously wouldn't eat anything in AR and certainly not shad and I can assure you they all swim away healthy and just as feisty as they were when they took the fly.

My setup selection has nothing to do with me getting on fish. I'll cast to the same place with a single as I would with a two hander.

[winxp_man]

You sure did not hit a nerve bud. Sorry that when we type on here at times emotions, tones of voice, or facial expressions can’t be added in to show context to a post.

I was just making a statement from my experience, especially in these past higher water years. And my point was to tell people that there are times when the fish are not stacking in the same place. And casting as different lengths is a must. Heck least year I got into a pod by having to cast out about 100-120’ that’s not very doable with a SH rod.

I have sat and watched people below me and above me get skunked, and had left early into the afternoon of fishing because their missing some info to get into shad. And regardless of the rivers we fish let’s be real here how many enjoy really getting skunked? Hahaha!


As high water part is that fish sit further out at times. Or you might end up with Grenaders out there launching big ass bobbers with weights to them scare them out of the casting zone for single hand guys. I used to fish them with a SH rod. And there where evenings where I would really struggle because of distance. I can go more into it but I don’t know if it makes a diff go you. And I never said that you can’t do it with a SH rod but that it can get a bit more challenging at times vs a two handed rod.

As for my statement about faster netting time was in regards where in your post you wrote you like to have a bit of fun fighting them. Not that a SH rod give you issues to land a shad. You can go back and reread my post I have not changed it. I was simply stating that over fighting them is no good. I have seen people that like to play with them but a bit to long. And being this is a info thread, why not add the info that over fighting them kills them. And why kill them if your not taking them home? And if you are then it’s all good.

And my post is for shad fishing in all water regardless of flow. It’s why the op posted asking what is used these days for shad. Not about right now.

Hope this give your some understanding. I was simply responding to your post so it was posted as such. Tight lines brother!

[Troutsource]

Gear question here. I have a 7 wt switch rod. Sounds like this might be heavy for shallower swing / lighter flies but OK for fishing deeper?

And a method approach. And I don't have a boat. So what's the best what's the best way to get started as a bank fisherman? Do I need to look for signs of fish, or just hit a certain water type? Once a spot is found, I assume it's the standard down and across swing like for steelhead(?).

I've only fished for mykiss on the American and wouldn't mind branching out a little for some potentially hot action.

[MThompson]

Go to any access and look for a line of guys standing in the river. Squeeze in and start fishing. Same swing but on the hang, jig the fly for a bit with your off hand. Pretty simple. It's common that one or two guys will be catching the hell out of them when everyone else isn't. It's simply that they are in the right position or at the top or bottom of the "race track". If you get into some you'll probably be hooked. Hell of a grab and fight.

[Smitty Fish]

Trout source, I use a 7 wt switch with a 450 skagit switch line by Airflo. And a sink tip .

[Troutsource]

Smitty, Thanks for the info.