The Amazing Shad Spawn
By Mike DelVisco
Mid-Atlantic Staff Writer
May 19, 2009
Around much of the country the first major wave of spawning bass have either finished or are close to finishing. To many anglers this may seem to be the beginning of the post spawn blues, but I am here to tell you about a unique pattern that coincides with the start of post spawn. There are a number of things that happen in nature to ensure the continued chain of life for many creatures, and the bass fishing world is no different. About the time the newly born bass fry emerge and the larger female bass are hungry and recovering from the rigors of spawning, a very prolific fish and a favorite meal of the bass is beginning its spawning ritual -- the threadfin shad.
Threadfin shad can be found in many lakes across the country and are the staple diet of many bass, especially those that live in the Southeastern region. The abundance of these shad in many waters, both big and small, and the fact that they mostly are a schooling fish and high in protein make them the perfect forage for hungry bass. Threadfin shad generally grow to a size of five inches and are comfortable in a wide range of water depths and temperatures.
Typically the shad are triggered to start their spawn when the water temperature ranges between 70-77 degrees. This is just about the same time that the first major spawn of bass ends and it’s an opportunistic way for the stressed female bass to feed up and regain some strength before they transition to summertime locations. The shad will find varieties of habitat to spawn depending upon the type of lake. These areas can include shoreline grass or lily pads, rip rap, wood cover and even boat docks. On lakes like the famous Lake Guntersville shad can also be found spawning on the main lake grass ledges in slightly deeper water.
First Hand Experience
I first took interest in this relatively obscure pattern during a BASS event at Lake Eufaula in Alabama. It was mid May and the majority of the bass spawn was over and temperatures were rising. The fishing was real tough, but I developed a pattern pitching a Hula Grub to isolated lily pad patches. With the exception of a few I caught on a spinner bait, it was the only way I could get a bite. 
On day one, feeling a little unsure about what I found in practice, I decided for the first hour I’d take a look at a stretch of bank that I did not fish in practice. It was parallel to a main channel, had deep water access and patches of lily pads. It was also really close to the take off so I figured I could maximize a potential top water or early morning bite and catch a few before spending the remainder of the day pitching my Hula Grub. Little did I know that the shad spawn was on the verge of erupting and the bank I selected was a prime location. As quick as I could cast to a patch of pads super aggressive bass were smashing my spinner bait and I quickly had a nice limit of bass. I spent the remainder of the day trying to locate additional areas and upgrade my catch. I ended up in second place after the first day, just slightly more than two pounds out of first place.
I think one of the things that kept the fish biting was a bit of overcast skies that day. On day two I returned excited to catch another quick limit, but the weather was much different with the sun peeking up just as I made it to my special spot. I managed to catch the last few minutes of this spawn before it all ended for the day. I only managed a couple of decent fish before it was all over and had to rely on my backup pattern to add a few more fish to my bag.
One think to note about the shad spawn is that it’s a pattern that is all about timing. Shad will move into a spawning area over night and start the ritual with it usually ending for the day by first sun up. They will then move out to deeper water once the sun comes up and begin the process all over again as the next night wears on. The bass that are keying in on this spawn will usually be very inactive having filled their belly’s on the easy meal. Sometimes you will actually get a little longer opportunity when cloudy skies prevail or when targeting slightly deeper water.
The Lure of Choice
I have found that regardless of the area it is essential to fish the right bait -- one that you can capitalize on catching the most fish in the quickest amount of time. For me the choice is clearly a spinner bait. I can make accurate quick casts, cover a large amount of water, create a reaction strike and catch them really quick with a spinner bait. I favor 3/8 to 1/2 
ounce size spinners with willow leaf blades so I can fish it quick. Of course I try to select one that closely matches the shad. My absolute two favorites are from Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits and they are the 77 series baits in 702 and 703 colors.
The 702 with its pearl blue glimmer skirt is great for slightly stained to clear water and the 703 chartreuse is great for stained to dingy water. With the exception of additionally throwing a crankbait when fishing slightly deeper-water, the spinner bait is my clear choice. I like to cast the spinner bait right up close to the areas I see shad flipping. I was actually out fishing the other day and came across a bank where the shad were actually bubbling on the surface. There were so many along the bank it was incredible and the bass were right there devouring them up. I try to switch up retrieves, either fast of slow with occasional twitches of the bait, but it often doesn’t take much to entice a strike.
I believe one of the reasons this is such an obscure pattern is the fact that so many anglers simply do not get to see it happen. It’s an early morning deal that only last for a couple weeks and can happen in a variety of alternating areas. It’s a really cool pattern to discover and an even more rewarding one to fish. It’s got ups and downs, hot and cold, furiously aggressive to dormant but it is a way for nature to continue the chain of life. As the shad spawn ends and their fry emerges, it provides food for the young bass fry to feed upon and so goes the cycle. Nature is an amazing thing.