What is a shad?
The shad is a lure that is in the family of soft lures. The shad is easily identifiable thanks to the paddle which is at the back, i.e. the caudal fin, which will emit a lot of vibrations. There are different sizes of shad and many colors to fish for all types of predators, whether in fresh water or in the sea.
The size of the caudal is adapted according to the size of the shad and this one will be chosen according to the targeted fish, for example the smallest for the perch and the biggest for master Esox or catfish.
It can be mounted on different rigs, such as the Texas rig, to fish off the top of the weed beds for big hungry pike.
So we have different variants of shads with different looks as well as shads with rings, which are small rings that are on the top of the lure and which emit different vibrations. These rings also allow to retain a little bit more the attractant when we use it.
After that, we have much more classic shapes in line, very long with caudals that can vary in size and height.
As you will have understood, the vibrations are emitted really according to the models thus according to the shape of the lure, the size and the paddle.
The shad, a versatile lure
The shad is one of the most versatile lures available. You can use it on leaded heads whether they are round, soccer or articulated to fish in linear, in traction and in vertical.
You can also fish with a shad in drop shot, or mount it on jigs (swimming jig or micro jigs). The shad will be just as effective with a Texan. The shad will be just as effective on a Texan, Carolina or simply weightless (soft lure mounted on a Texan hook without an extra lead to fish over weeds without getting hooked).
The shad can also be an excellent teaser for spinnerbait of buzzbait or chatterbait. It will add extra vibration to your setup and allow your setup to move more slowly down the water column, with a more gliding swim.
Larger shads can be rigged with shallow rigs which allow the hooks to come loose from the lure to save it from predators' teeth .
Small or big, with a realistic body or not, with a fluorescent or imitative color, the shad remains the easiest soft lure to use. You just have to cast it and its caudal will emit vibrations which will inevitably attract the different predators. It is a sure value to be used in all the situations as well in fresh water as in sea. It is generally the soft lure that you throw in the water first when you arrive on a spot.
