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[Silex-user]

Did some American shads fishing mid last week at Bonneville dam. It was consistent action during time I was fishing there. Basically I was just using shad dart jigs casting and retrieving it back slowing. First 2 days I landed 89 shads from the small males about 1 1/4- 1 1/2 lbs and females about 2 lbs average. They are definitely scrapy fighters. I just love the action and fight. I also snagged 2 sturgeon in close not intentionally. The sturgeons are feeding on shad guts and heads where the fishermen tossing the wastes out into the river. I was lucky that I hooked into summer King (chinook) but unlucky lost it close to shore. It was missing adipose chinook. I was using 6lb test leader and very small shad jig.

I kept about 10 shad for smoking and gave rest away to friends. They are very boney. There no size or limit on shads. I seen guys and gals kept over hundreds of them. Great fishery for newbies and family  member especially young kids who never fished before. Very easy to catch them.

Shads start migrating up the Columbia river around late May and peaks around June and taper off around July.

Silex user

[RalphH]

Thanks for the report! Very interesting the shad are so plentiful and easy to catch.

[clarki]

Thanks! Always interesting to hear about different fisheries

Edit: now you’ve made me watch a bunch of YouTube videos

Let us know how they turn out smoked.

[wallygator24]

The Shad fishery is a good fishery because it is action packed.  Also, you get sturgeon bait while you're at it, if you want to target oversized sturgeon.

[Silex-user]

Smoke shads tasted alright. Basically its like any smoked fish. Not fishy at all. All the fine bones are melted. Being fishing for them over 7 years. I am very open minded to other fisheries.


Silex user

[Stratocaster]

Thanks for the report!  I was also watching many Youtube videos about the fishery including the catch and cooks.  Very intrigued but it has always been one of those things that require alot of planning i.e. where to go, what to use, how busy does it get etc... I'd love to do it for sure and a side trip to Portland would be nice to well.