Squid Head

Fishing For Hickory Shad

Anglers love a fish that puts up a fight as it adds a measure of excitement to their fishing expeditions. This is one of the reasons that the Hickory Shad has become so popular in recent times. This little fish has a fight that belies its small size and it’s great for eating on top of that. In recent years, this fish has garnered enough attention to find its place in popular sports fishing magazines coast to coast.

These fish are readily identifiable by their grayish green color. You will also notice that they have a very dark spot above their heads. The jaw of the Hickory Shad almost gives this fish an appearance of an under-bite as it curves up towards the head. As a rule, these fish do not get larger than two feet in length, and they generally sport a silvery, shiny body.

The Hickory Shad or Alosa Mediocre feeds on small bait fish, squid, fish eggs and crustaceans. Their spawning time is anywhere during the period of February and June and normally done in gravel bars. The more moderate the temperature, the more likely you are to find a spawning ground. The female hickory shad typically lays eggs more than one time before she dies. The eggs harden after being laid and can be found along the sea bottom. These eggs mature, and typically are sexually mature sometime between the ages of two and four years. We have much to learn about the migratory patterns of these fish, as there is not much information about what happens to them in the open ocean.

Although the western Atlantic coast is where they are typically found, you can find them anywhere between Maine and Florida. Chesapeake Bay is a favorite spawning ground for the Hickory Shad. Unfortunately, not much research has been done on their movements once they have moved into the open ocean waters, though they are monitored heavily during migration periods.

Catching Hickory Chad is generally done using the challenging fly fishing method. Spawning season is the time you are most likely to have success finding this fish since they are far more visible and active. Small spoons, flies and artificial lures have all proven to be effective bait when properly used. They are most abundant in waters that are in the 55 degree range, though it’s not unusual to find them at other temperatures. Most anglers will use the same fishing gear they would use for light trout or large-mouth bass though these fish definitely have far more fight than either and the gear must be able to accommodate that fight. Hickory Shad are definitely fun to fish for, and most anglers really appreciate the large fight put up by this small fish.

When you are out saltwater fishing it is important to make sure you have the right supplies. Some of the most popular brands include Shimano Reels, Penn Saltwater Reels, and Daiwa Fishing Reels.

Wagamama Head Chef cooks stir fried squid and vegetables on rice