American Shad

I haven't gotten around to writing many reports so let me put up a summary here for you guys. I've been making shad trips out when I can, I've been able to get out maybe 2-3 times a week depending on work and have fished various areas of the barbless section of the American River with great success.

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Most nights I have gone out and caught anywhere from 5-30 fish depending on if I try for stripers or not. I've personally seen and caught a lot of big females this year ranging from 2-4lbs. Fish for me have been falling victims to the pink champagne grubs in either 1 inch or 1 1/2 lengths on a 1/16th jig head. Some days when the flows got high I was adding a 1/32nd split shot to get a better and deeper drift, but I've had great luck just free lining the grub as well.

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I've had good luck throughout all times of the day, but the evenings from 1700-2000 has been the best time frame for the hot bite.

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Starting the week before Memorial weekend the crowds have been coming out in full force, including the rafters but they don't effect the bite too much.

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I have tried free lining live shad out for the big stripers several times now. I've had my shad get chased around a few times, but I haven't personally had any hits or runs on them yet. I'll keep trying though.

Have fun out there guys the season is on!

Mark