Question catching shad?

LincolnLunger · 06-07-2008, 11:42 PM

this is kinda a dumb question but when i go to harlan county i want to catch some shad to use for bait but im pretty sure you cant use castnets this time of year... so i dont know how im going to catch them, any ideas how to try to catch them? i thought maybe a super small jig or a small hook with a little bit of nightcrawler

im not sure what size the shad average out to be there but i figured they werent too big.

**Chad** · 06-08-2008, 09:26 AM

I think it might be more productive to find a different bait or bait source. Catching shad is possible, but unlikely.

Done · 06-08-2008, 10:07 AM

You can try these.

Quote:

• Baitfish seines of one-fourth inch
nonmetallic square mesh only and
not more than 20 feet long and four
feet deep.
• Baitfish dip nets of one-fourth inch,
nonmetallic square mesh. Neither
length nor width may exceed 36
inches.

Alex T. · 06-08-2008, 10:10 AM

TNT.

However,the fine may be more than using a castnet.

Alex

fishnguy · 06-08-2008, 10:47 AM

Good lively shiners work nearly as well as shad and are a lot easier to keep alive. They sell good shiners at Harlan.

Harold · 06-08-2008, 03:17 PM

A lot of "if's", but at least a LEGAL way to catch shad for bait:

At night, with your boat, drop your "styrofoam covered headlight" over the side (connected to your 12v battery) and use your minnow dipnet and "scoop" up a couple dozen as they "school by" the light.

There are limits that you can "dip" for personal use. Check the rules, don't rely on my memory that thinks about 100.

Also, be aware that they will most likely be DEAD by morning (if not earlier), regardless of HOW you try to maintain them.

You can always FREEZE them for later use in "no live bait" locations, or at the "catfish hole". I would suggest putting them on ice soon after they are dead, or you may be limited to producing a "catbait creme". Ha

Or, you can just buy some shiners at the bait shop as suggested.

Harold F.

06-07-2008, 11:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
LincolnLunger Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: on the water 24/7 Posts: 415 Thanks: 33 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	catching shad? this is kinda a dumb question but when i go to harlan county i want to catch some shad to use for bait but im pretty sure you cant use castnets this time of year... so i dont know how im going to catch them, any ideas how to try to catch them? i thought maybe a super small jig or a small hook with a little bit of nightcrawler im not sure what size the shad average out to be there but i figured they werent too big.

06-08-2008, 09:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
Chad Director Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Gone Fishin' Posts: 6,211 Thanks: 25 Thanked 20 Times in 13 Posts	I think it might be more productive to find a different bait or bait source. Catching shad is possible, but unlikely. __________________ He might be a hen. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-08-2008, 10:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
Alex T. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: does it really matter??? Posts: 3,104 Thanks: 0 Thanked 22 Times in 16 Posts	TNT. However,the fine may be more than using a castnet. Alex __________________ CHECKIN' THOSE SEXY LITTLE LEGS LOOKIN' FOR IRON........

06-08-2008, 03:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
Harold 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kearney Posts: 613 Thanks: 80 Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts	A lot of "if's", but at least a LEGAL way to catch shad for bait: At night, with your boat, drop your "styrofoam covered headlight" over the side (connected to your 12v battery) and use your minnow dipnet and "scoop" up a couple dozen as they "school by" the light. There are limits that you can "dip" for personal use. Check the rules, don't rely on my memory that thinks about 100. Also, be aware that they will most likely be DEAD by morning (if not earlier), regardless of HOW you try to maintain them. You can always FREEZE them for later use in "no live bait" locations, or at the "catfish hole". I would suggest putting them on ice soon after they are dead, or you may be limited to producing a "catbait creme". Ha Or, you can just buy some shiners at the bait shop as suggested. Harold F. __________________ "Catching fish on a fly makes me giggle like a school girl. Probably because, when you think about it, it’s such an absurd thing to do." -OBG

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06-08-2008, 10:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
fishnguy Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Central NE Posts: 143 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Good lively shiners work nearly as well as shad and are a lot easier to keep alive. They sell good shiners at Harlan.