Shad fishing report from the American River

I went ahead and took to my bank spot that i go to just below the S. Watt bridge and went for shad. I went from about 8:00 am -1030am wihout a bite. then my buddy and i went to a spot just above the mouth of the american river just above discovery park and had a hard time drifting because the shallower side is covered in grass and every cast would just get a line full of this native grass. so frustrated i packed up and headed home. My buddy who is a reliable source of information said that he had hooked into 4-5 last week and lost just as many at the same spot just below the watt bridge but I was not able to duplicate his efforts.  they are here, just not in the number that are tpical of a full blown shad run. they will get here, give it another week  manybe 2 and they will be in the american in numbers....

used:
1/16th bare jig head
1 1/2 inch orange curly tail
1/32 piece of split shot
9' ultralight rod
4# test

With the low flows it seems as if they are just swimming through not following the old lines. Really not to many holes to holding so they seem to be everywhere.  Pray for more water to be released.


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I went out Saturday, above Watt bridge, launched the kayak at 5:30 fished till 8. They bite was on and off the first hour, got my first bite 3 minutes in, died off. But kicked back up around 7. From 7-8 pm I landed 8 shad, and lost a few.

They are in, and passing by in large schools, saw them as I paddled down.

yeah i cant wait until it is a steady stream of them for the most part. yeah when they start they are moving up in smaller schools for sure. if you are in when they are there, you will get one. just waiting for the steady trickle...

Thanks for the AR fishing report wetbehindtheears.

Thanks for the AR fishing report wetbehindtheears.

I just put up a new fishing report for the american river for shad. look for my other report. a bit more success this trip. i found a good seam that they pass through

I went out on Friday (Above Sunrise) during my lunch break and had some success.  Fished for about an hour...hooked five and landed 3 (Largest was about 4lbs).  Was fishing with 1/32 jig head with pink curly tail.  Saw numorous schools of fish...should get pretty hot over the next couple of weeks.

Going to try and hit Sunrise on Sunday.I'll report back on how it went.

I went out on Friday (Above Sunrise) during my lunch break and had some success.  Fished for about an hour...hooked five and landed 3 (Largest was about 4lbs).  Was fishing with 1/32 jig head with pink curly tail.  Saw numorous schools of fish...should get pretty hot over the next couple of weeks.

yeah they are huge this year so far. i caught one a few days ago that was about 24' long. that is a monster in the world of shad. i am please with the quality that is moving up so far. im going later today. i will report back with more pictures

i went out to discovery park and howe access the other day to see if anyone was fishing and nada. i need to hook up with you guys. i want to at least catch a damn shad this year!

Remember: If you aren't going to smoke them, consider freezing them for crab bait.  Dungies love 'em.

@ fishcomb When you went to discovery and Howe, what time of day did you fish? Because shad tend to bite in the early morning hours and in the evening before and after the sun hits the horizon.

Biggest ever below Watt.

Biggest ever below Watt.

i thought i saw you with that group of fly fishermen over there, you guys were in the primo seam. i heard you guys hootin and hollering over this fish. it was a whopper for sure

Good looking fish. I hope to get out on Sunday and drag a few in.