Shads

[thewestwind]

I'm currently stocking up on Daylights, Cod Feathers, Hokkais, Jiggers etc. in fact everything I feel I need for the coming season.
I've been reading quite a bit lately about how highly rated Shads are as Cod lures.
Just wondering if any of you experienced Boat guys have had much success with them and if so what particular make and colour have proved to be the most prolific for Cod fishing.

Thanks for any advice

[SIXFOOTSTEVE]

You need to speak to Jeff mate ,he swears by them and caught a nice five pounder on a blue ( mackerel ) type aboard Slinky Kate last season.

[mick dunn]

I,ve bought some Shads for this season. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Mick.

[jason]

fish with them everytime out when the water is clear - normally the blue storm style shads. they have out fished all other methods i have used (although on its day some other methods do produce).

normally fish with a 16lb class rod small high speed multiplyer with 30lb braid. Do not use any booms or anything like that as it causes more tangles than is worth use just about 2.5ft of 20-30lb mono with a quality swivel at one end and a link swivel at the other, clip you lead onto your mainline swivel and clip the swivel end of the shad trace to the same clip. Put shad on the other end lower to the sea bed and fish it either by slowly moving the rod up and down (hopper rig) or wind in a few times then let go back to the sea bed (number of turns vary but for cod not normally more than 10 turns) when you get a bite continue to wind for a few turns then give a small strike (do not strike at all bites as you will miss more than you will catch).

i find this set up you can use on charter boats without causing undue tangles to your fellow anglers.

kind regards
Jason

[AndyJames83]

good old cod daylites have always worked best for me but i did do well on them orange squid royd lures last year.

[Norman]

shhhhh andy

[thewestwind]

Thanks for the replies Fellas especially you Jason that's the type of info I was looking for.

[jeff]

Hi West Wind,

Pretty much same as Jason except I do use a boom, (Mustad Flying Collar). The reason for this is I use 15 to 20ft of Amnesia or Fluorocarbon line before tying to the Shad and not the shorter "hopper" type rig. If you try to use this much trace line without a boom you will end up in a whole world of sh@t. Subseqently, due to trace length I also count to 20 turns up before dropping again.

Blue is most succesful Shad colour I find but also had fish on green and pearl.

My rig would not be suitable for Charter boat fishing, Jason's would be better. I count my lucky stars I don't have to do that too often as once you've fished on a private boat with your mates you never want to go back.

It's all about what works best for you.....experimenting with different rigs makes fishing what it is.

Cheers,
Jeff

[jason]

absolutely spot on jeff. The flying collar rig would work down south with all the guys on the charter boat fishing the same with the skipper orchastrating who drops when and then moving around the boat to allow those just dropping to drop short of those already fishing.

it is amazing still how many people give you a dirtly look when on a charter boat with a 16lb rod and fishing rubber stuff against those with broom sticks and ripper rigs and 100lb mono main line.

[Glenn Kilpatrick]

All colours work - Blue is said to be best with the best brands being storm. Calcutta are not bad too.

Have a read of this site its quite interesting

Shad fishing at Whitby

[mickthefish]

i prefer to use the pearly coloured ones this time of year or when theres a bit colour in the water .
i lost what i presumed to be a crackin pollock on one a couple of weeks ago .
bugger!

[mickthefish]

oh.. the tempest ones work just as well too.
get some sidewinder sandeels too , blue and pearl are the only colours youll need.
ive just ordered some calcutta flashfoil weighted shrimp thingys.they look canny and hopefully ill get a chance to try them over the next couple of weeks.

[thewestwind]

Thanks again Fellas it's much appreciated.