shad on the columbia?

[Fisherman_max]

so does that mean in the columbia or smaller rivers.

[lskiles]

so does that mean in the columbia or smaller rivers.

Hey Max,

I while back I thought that shad would be nice to add to my life list so in investagating them I ran accross this little article from WDFW...check it out and maybe I will see you on the river some time.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/outreach/fishing/shad/shad.htm

I do plan to catch a few this spring and eat them up yum!

[cavdad45]

I do plan to catch a few this spring and eat them up yum!

YUCK!!!!!:chef:

[colton]

has anyone ever caught shad and planned on eating them. i heard they dont taste very good and are very bony

[cavdad45]

They are members of the herring family and therefore are very oily and bony. Usual preparations are smoking (which I didn't care for) or pressure cooking to soften up the bones.

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

DEE LEE CIOUS

[colton]

so how do you cook shad, Shad Eating Grin

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

so how do you cook shad, Shad Eating Grin

several ways:

smoked
pan fried
slow baked in low heat in the oven for 4-6 hours
baked in regular heat until cooked

of these methods, only the slow bake method softens the bones. otherwise, you will need to pick off the bones with a fork or your fingers as you eat the fish. some folks pickle them, but I have not tried this recipe (I don't like pickled foods)

there was a fellow on the internet that once posted a video of how to fillet a shad. it's a lot of work (I don't know how to do it). but once someone gets this technique down pat, the results are boneless fillets

eating shad is not for everyone. many people don't like the flavor and/or bones. I like kippered herring and shad taste pretty much the same. to each their own...

shad is not my favorite, but I don't mind eating it. some folks rave about halibut, which I hate. I would have to say that catfish, yellow perch in batter, or fresh sea perch are my favorites. followed by kings (but not sockeye...)

[lskiles]

so how do you cook shad, Shad Eating Grin

several ways:

smoked
pan fried
slow baked in low heat in the oven for 4-6 hours
baked in regular heat until cooked

of these methods, only the slow bake method softens the bones. otherwise, you will need to pick off the bones with a fork or your fingers as you eat the fish. some folks pickle them, but I have not tried this recipe (I don't like pickled foods)

there was a fellow on the internet that once posted a video of how to fillet a shad. it's a lot of work (I don't know how to do it). but once someone gets this technique down pat, the results are boneless fillets

eating shad is not for everyone. many people don't like the flavor and/or bones. I like kippered herring and shad taste pretty much the same. to each their own...

shad is not my favorite, but I don't mind eating it. some folks rave about halibut, which I hate. I would have to say that catfish, yellow perch in batter, or fresh sea perch are my favorites. followed by kings (but not sockeye...)

You can also grind them up and make fish patties which is a common way to cook really boney fish...mmm

[cavdad45]

Lewis, go down Joe's or Fisherman's Marine and you can get one of those Luhr Jensen Tech Reports on shad fishing which also has some recipes on the back. You may even be able to get it on line from them.

BTW, pickling is about the only way I would eat shad. But in reality it's too much hastle and I'm pretty much a C&R angler anyway.

[A9]

Shad fishing is one thing that I've always wanted to do...Wouldn't keep em for anything more then crab bait, but it would be pretty fun to just catch and release a bunch on light tackle...

[nineeleven]

Can't wait for shad season either. Even newbie will catch a few shads. I usually fish at the Dam in mid may. Good eating if you know how to make them. My mom-in-law does this best. Can't wait.

[lskiles]

Welcome to washingtonlakes, nineeleven! Always good to have new members. I too plan to fish for shad this May. It will be my first time. I hope to add them to my life list along with many other species this spring/summer. Maybe I will see you out on the water.

[nineeleven]

Thanks lskiles. PM me if you want meet up to fish for Shad. You will like it, those shad are fun and way too easy to catch.

[lskiles]

Thanks lskiles. PM me if you want meet up to fish for Shad. You will like it, those shad are fun and way too easy to catch.

PM sent...the anticipation of spring fishing is really beating me up. I am going out this week-end for sure. I was suppose to go with a couple of young men from the forum, but if not I will be out on my own.

[racfish]

I've been watching the Bonneville dam cam.I havent seen much in Springers or Shad.If my memory still works I think Shad is more mid April/May.I dont eat the shad itself but its not bad I fry the eggs.The fish I save for crabbing.

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

I've been watching the Bonneville dam cam.I havent seen much in Springers or Shad.If my memory still works I think Shad is more mid April/May.I dont eat the shad itself but its not bad I fry the eggs.The fish I save for crabbing.

you won't see shad regularly until about 1st week of May. Few and far between till you get to mid-late May. By first week of June, the camera shot will be covered with shad.

[lskiles]

Shad can be seen in the fish ladders of the lower Columbia River dams from May to August. The run peaks in mid-June.

They should know...here is a picture to make you want May to be here already!

[mikecrawford16]

shad are a kick in the pants to fish, there strong little buggers though. Fishermanmax has a big ol' shinner on his eye from when my buddy elbowed him there, they were wrestling in my buddies livin' room....funny crap

[Fisherman_max]

and you had to share that little story mike?

it was a cheap shot anyway:-#