How can you tell when a shad spawn is going on?

Shad spawn is likely over by now in most areas. Usually happens with water temps in the upper 60s or low 70s. Here in Indiana that's about the third week of May, give or take. You'll see all the commotion as little packs of shad herd each other tight to the bank and start splashing around, sometimes nearly out of the water. Usually happens during low light time periods, but not always.

 

-T9

The shad spawn has just finished here in Delaware, you will see the fish flicker on the surface, go to structure near the banks and you should find some. If the lake has shad

Signs such as described above. Sometimes a lot of bird activity can give locations away from a distance. Depending on the type of shad they will spawn more than once a year. I may have this backwards but I think gizzard shad is just in the spring while tthreadfin can be two or three times through the warmer months.

Shad spawn anywhere there is something they can stick eggs onto; brush is favored, docks, your engine lower unit, etc. Water temps for threadfin shad is around 7075 degrees, near the end of the bass spawn about the same time as the bluegill spawn.

Tom