What works for shad?

[Gregresh]

I am new to flyfishing but just got a 5wt. and floating line. If the water ever clears on the suskie flats, what would be a good setup for Shad? Flies? Leader?

[Ken Tidy]

Fly line with sink tip.

Four foot leader of twelve to fifteen pound flor or mono.

Chartreuse and red crystal bugger.

[capt.jc]

Bruce's crystal minnow (extaz cut short I think ?) size 4 or 6 and yellow over red> mickey finn, body> silver tinsel wrap. Leaders should be 6 ft. tapered to 4lb. max 6 lb.
Some fly guys even throw small shad darts which get you down when not useing sink tip lines. They seem to like silver or gold tinsel wrapped on the hook shank.
Good Luck

[EricMagsamen]

You guys are getting WAY to technical for this fishery. I use a 5wt with floating line, a short piece (maybe 28”) of leadcore sink tip and 5’ of 6lb mono. That’s what I have been using for a long time. Remember, they aren’t trout and they aren’t too picky. Get it in front of them when the temp is right and they’ll hit.

Should be getting good any day now...

[HJS]

Gregresh - You mention shad on the Flats. Although I guess they are, at times, caught on the Flats, nearly all the shad action is found in the mainstem of the Susquehanna or in Deer Creek. Deer Creek is much more fly friendly than the Susky River. You can also try the Lower Gunpowder between Rt40 & Rt7 or Octorara Creek, although shad action on both of these streams can be hit or miss. Theres lots of fishing access on Deer Creek well upstream of the "pumping station".

[uncle phill]

Just like jackspot1 said, they ain't trout so keep it simple. If you can throw more open loops, small split shot will do too in place of sink tips and leadcore, leaders can be short, real short like 2'. As far as flies, saltwater gotchas in 8 have been best for me, then mickey finns in 8 or 10 when the Dogwoods bloom.

[JimG]

jackspot told u right. dont be running to buy one of those expensive sink tips. bruces shad fly--red and yellow marabou is the best.

[JimG]

jackspot told u right. dont be running to buy one of those expensive sink tips. bruces shad fly--red and yellow marabou is the best.

[Ken Tidy]

Maybe we should just throw all those flyrods away and break out the old hand lines and safety pins!

[djones]

Buggers and mickey finns too technical? This surprises me, but I kind of like the concept because up to now I hadn't considered myself skilled enough to be too technical.

[Salar]

So what if someone wants to get technical while fishing. If that's how they enjoy fishing than that's the best way to do it.

You want to talk technical? I fish a 12' tapered leader and married wing shad flies of my own design. Complicated? Yes, but I enjoy the hell out of it.