NC Shad

[JAYNC]

Where in Eastern NC can shad be found and caught, I have read so many posts that shad is one of the best baits out there, but I have no idea where to catch them or what they even look like. I normally fish the Neuse and the Cape fear

[fwmud]

Well if you're lucky during may you can cast net more than you'll need when the gizzard shad are runnin.
other times you can use a sabiki rig to get em near the docks, creeks ect.
Hook up with Tristan(southernraised) he can show you a lot around fayetteville area.

[Southernraised84]

Go to the lock and dams on the Cape around bridges, piers and riprap but on the cape i would say the locks are your best bet.

[fwmud]

Heres apic of the gizzard shad we caught w/ castnet this past spring
being held by bigblaze's boy. We were getting around 15 to 30 at a time in the cast net. This was one of the medium sized ones.

[playinghooky]

how do you locate them.do you watch the surface for activity or is it a toss and hope thing

[Southernraised84]

Well i would just get out aroun the locks toss it in and hope for the best...lol.Just try and stay away from places with snag.I plan on getting a crap load next time when spring come around.

[mycat]

Is there any bream in/ around lock 1 or the river in case the shad don't show up on the Cape Fear? :confused: Any lakes close where they are plentful?

[JAYNC]

I appreciate the feedback on the shad, I hope to find some soon, and if I do I will be freezing about as much as my deepfreezer can hold.

[fwmud]

Tarheelers, please check out gathering thread if you haven't done so already.
We want this one to be as large as possible. Lotta guys here with knowledge to share.

[Bottomline]

The Hickory and American shad are the one that run in the spring. They will actually bite a hook. Gizzard shad are always around.

[fwmud]

To add to what bottomline said;
The hickory and american shad are gamefish and can be caught with either a sabiki rig or a shad dart. (don't get caught cast netting them,stiff fine).
The gizzard shad you can get with a cast net. They won't hit lures because they feed on plankton mostly.
The gizzard shad can be caught in great numbers around here during may/june when they run.

[JAYNC]

when do they usually run up stream, what month

[fwmud]

Jay, we got the most in late april thru mid may. Give me a PM or email and I'll give ya my number and go get some.
The ones we were getting were gizzard shad which is a non-game fish so it's legal to cast net em. Just be sure to be able to tell the diff between them and american shad,it's a game fish.

[JAYNC]

ok cool, I will get back in touch with you whenever they are running upriver.

[fwmud]

Here is a correction to the post I made on american and hickory shad;

American and hickory shad may be taken with dip or bow nets
from March 1 through April 30.
In the inland waters of the Roanoke River upstream of the U.S.
258 bridge, only a single barbless hook or a lure with a single

And another for those fishing at lock# 1(just found it;)

Use of any net or net stakes is prohibited within 800 feet of the
dam at Lock No. 1 on the Cape Fear River.

Also if useing "gamefish for bait;(didn't know this either)

● It is unlawful, while fishing, to remove the head and/or tail from
game fish that are regulated by a size limit.
● It is unlawful to possess fish outside of the size and daily