33 sleeps now
Shad Fishing 2023
Well the first 400 darts are getting there white primer baked on at 120 degrees for 24 hours. Slow cook made a 30 pack group of my Super Special specks for when the Shad won't bite go tiny. myself and 1 other proved that out in the last Sat in may last year in Middleton. We were the only two at the point pm fish consistently catching fish all pm. He left and a friends son 8ys old jumped in beside me. I tied one on for him and you should have heard his dad. I'll pay you 20 bucks for one! Nope there for me and your son. I made Jeff 5 for this year. Yes I share with the youngins.
made a 30 pack group of my Super Special specks for when the Shad won't bite go tiny. myself and 1 other proved that out in the last Sat in may last year in Middleton. We were the only two at the point pm fish consistently catching fish all pm. He left and a friends son 8ys old jumped in beside me. I tied one on for him and you should have heard his dad. I'll pay you 20 bucks for one! Nope there for me and your son. I made Jeff 5 for this year. Yes I share with the youngins.21 - 40 of 80 Posts
Just think 30 days till I hit the road to Middleton. and Shad madness.
Fly fishing shad is far more enjoyable than spin fishing. Early in the season it may be slightly less effective if you don't know where to fish but as the water warms and lowers it is far more effective. I never used to see others fly fishing for shad but the last few years there are more and more fly fisherman. My preferred set up is a floating line with a 1/64 oz fly. It handles better than sinking tips etc.I am going to be in Nova Scotia for the summer. Never Shad fished before. I have a fly rod and a spinning rod, is there any preferred way to fish them? It sounds like it can be lots of casting and getting the hook low, fly fishing may not be the best then?
If the smelts and gaspereau are early shad should be also Shad enter rivers when water gets about 40 degrees F, spawning begins around 70 F.
Smelts enter rivers at around 40 degrees F also but spawning is most active at 50 degrees.
Has anyone monitored water temperatures out of interest for the arrival of shad?
Smelts enter rivers at around 40 degrees F also but spawning is most active at 50 degrees.
Has anyone monitored water temperatures out of interest for the arrival of shad?
I also have fished Shad with a fly rod and a Ultralight rod both successfully. Warm water makes it easier but sinking line in the early season gets the fly to them also. The same as a dart. Myself and the arch mage Ted S of fly fishing on the river had the point to ourselves on the second weekend of May. We settled the Question who gets more Shad. After 4hrs it was simply i could play and retrieve the shad faster than the fly rod and cast faster. Both getting hook sets every second cast..Latter in the evening he took a rest and i played 11 and landed on his fly rod. Just for the fun of it.
Shad Cam on the Virginias Bosher's dam is active.
All indications the smelts are in the Kennecook river.Problem is fishery is closed till Sun. They are a week early this year,
Is there any spots for shad around the eastren shore, and what do you use to catch them
Shad can be caught in the following rivers in NS:
- Annapolis River
- Comagun River
- Minas Basin
- Musquodoboit River
- Nictaux River
- Nine Mile River
- Shubenacadie River
- St. Croix River
- Stewiacke River
- St. Mary’s River
The Cogmagun has no Shad ,only Smelt .Gasperu, White perch, Sea run and spec. Trout. And Stripers. St Croix has not had a run since 1900s Fished these rivers for 58years Hard.Still go afterSpes and Sea Trout.The Kenncook Had a run but illeagle fishing and 1900s hay fork fishing, and daming it up . Took a hard toll on the fish plus the Pickerel .
.Thanks for the help guys, I have been wanting to get into shad fishing for a bit now so im hoping i can this year.
The Cornwallis River does have shad but not in large numbers. I sometimes catch one while trout fishing and I know a guy who fishes specifically for them in the Cornwallis during the shad run time and he catches as many as a half dozen in an evening.Shad can be caught in the following rivers in NS:
I've caught the odd shad in the Musquodobit river while fishing for trout so that would be the closest to you. I've found the Nile Mile river and Shubanacadie river to be pretty good BUT if you want to have the most fun take a trip to Middleton and go to the confluence of the Annapolis river and Nictaux river. You will likely have the most fun you've ever had fishing. You'll need to use shad darts. S. Jollymore, who posts here, usually sells them when he's on the river, which will be most weekends between the beginning of May and mid-June. He's one of the best for catching shad that I've seen so if you see him down there, he'll help you learn the best techniques. I exclusively fly fish which is amazing for shad. Good luck!
- Annapolis River
- Comagun River
- Minas Basin
- Musquodoboit River
- Nictaux River
- Nine Mile River
- Shubenacadie River
- St. Croix River
- Stewiacke River
- St. Mary’s River
If you know the river in Middleton and you do not stick to one spot you can average 70 on a slow day ie. May 1 last year alone on the river. On a good day i limit myself out at 85 am and 85 pm.Bu t there was days in the past 15 am and 20pm
I'm starting to get pretty excited for the arrival of shad. I've booked my accommodations for the long weekend in May so should be on the Annapolis and Nictaux for four or five consecutive days 😀 Before that, I'll be spending time at Nine Mile. Do you think the run will start early this year?If you know the river in Middleton and you do not stick to one spot you can average 70 on a slow day ie. May 1 last year alone on the river. On a good day i limit myself out at 85 am and 85 pm.Bu t there was days in the past 15 am and 20pm
I booked my days from Thru to Mon on the Long weekend in Middleton also. You'll have to stop over for lunch.Will be heading down on the Last Sat in April to check things out.
How early do you start fishing on Nine Mike normally? Would next weekend be too early ?I'm starting to get pretty excited for the arrival of shad. I've booked my accommodations for the long weekend in May so should be on the Annapolis and Nictaux for four or five consecutive days 😀 Before that, I'll be spending time at Nine Mile. Do you think the run will start early this year?
I usually start on the first weekend in May but will likely check out the river next weekend. I'll post on here after I've fished the spots where I know I'll get a few shad as long as they are there.How early do you start fishing on Nine Mike normally? Would next weekend be too early ?
Went to Kingston yesterday midday. Not a bite where the rivers converge. Spent an hour and half, lost two lures. Someone had thrown two suckers filled with eggs on the bank. Probably the night before or morning.
One weeks and it should be Shad time, nothing on the Shad cam and these Temps and no rain are not helping.
Went 2 nights ago seen a few rolling but no bites ! See some fresh scales on river bank tho so figured someone got 1 that morning as scales were not dried out an it was sunny
21 - 40 of 80 Posts
Nova Scotia Fishing Forum
A forum community dedicated to fishers, anglers and enthusiasts in Nova Scotia. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, boats, tackle, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
S Jollymore
17 Replies
ScottishFlyman
7 Replies
TheCanadianFisher
5 Replies
Recommended Communities
