Fishing For Hickory Shad

July 26th, 2010 Posted in Fishing

The Alosa Mediocre is more popularly known as the Hickory Shad. These fish are not terribly big but the fight they put up is becoming known from coast to coast, even resulting in articles in popular sport fishing magazines.  They are a recreational fish, and because of the fight they put up, they are becoming far more popular among anglers.

These fish are readily identifiable by their grayish green color. You will also notice that they have a very dark spot above their heads.  The jaw of the Hickory Shad almost gives this fish an appearance of an under-bite as it curves up towards the head. As a rule, these fish do not get larger than two feet in length, and they generally sport a silvery, shiny body.

The Hickory Shad or Alosa Mediocre feeds on small bait fish, squid, fish eggs and crustaceans. Their spawning time is anywhere during the period of February and June and normally done in gravel bars. The more moderate the temperature, the more likely you are to find a spawning ground.  The female hickory shad typically lays eggs more than one time before she dies.  The eggs harden after being laid and can be found along the sea bottom.  These eggs mature, and typically are sexually mature sometime between the ages of two and four years. We have much to learn about the migratory patterns of these fish, as there is not much information about what happens to them in the open ocean.

Although the western Atlantic coast is where they are typically found, you can find them anywhere between Maine and Florida. Chesapeake Bay is a favorite spawning ground for the Hickory Shad.  Unfortunately, not much research has been done on their movements once they have moved into the open ocean waters, though they are monitored heavily during migration periods.

Fly fishermen are the most likely to be on the lookout for hickory shad.  Generally, the fish are more active and therefore easier to land during spawning season.  They prefer small spoons, artificial lures and flies as bait.  An ideal water temperature for landing the Alosa Mediocre is about 55 degrees, although it’s not unusual to find them in warmer or cooler waters either.  All in all, the recreational fishing enthusiast find these fish fun to fish for, especially given that they have fight in them that sometimes surprises anglers given the smaller size of them.

 

When you are out saltwater fishing it is important to make sure you have the right supplies. Some of the most popular brands include Shimano Saltwater Reels, Penn Reels, and Daiwa Fishing Reels.