What is a micro-shad?
A micro-shad is a small, flexible lure with a movable tail that vibrates under the effect of water. These vibrations mimic those of small fish, attracting predators with their lateral line, a sensory organ that detects movement in the water.
There are two types of shad used in rockfishing:
- Fast shads: those with a high beat frequency imitate a fleeing fish.
- Slow shads: those with a lower frequency that increase the lure's "presence" in the water, imitating larger prey.
Fast shads are preferred for imitating a fish in distress, which is effective in attracting target fish.
How to animate a micro-shad?
The micro-shad can simply be returned in a linear fashion. However, it is important to vary retrieval speeds to cover different water layers and emit different vibration frequencies.
For wolf fishing, for example, a simple animation is to bring the shad in quickly and then let it glide. Attacks often occur when the shad is gliding.
With pelagic fish such as redfish or mackerel, bites often occur when the lure accelerates after a pause of varying length.
To target rock fish such as scorpion fish or gobies, simply shake the lure vertically with small amplitudes to create intense vibrations and trigger attacks.
The different assemblies
The simplest and most effective set-up for line fishing is to thread the micro-shad onto a lead head.
As for the Drop-Shot rig, it's used to avoid snags and prospect crowded spots. This rig works well with "sawtooth" animations, particularly effective with lures like Daiwa's Duckfin shad.
Choice of colors
To find pelagic fish, use colors that mimic forage fish with bluish or silver highlights. For rock fish, bright colors are often more effective.
The use of micro-shads in rockfishing requires a good understanding of animations and set-ups adapted to the different species of fish targeted. By varying techniques and choosing the right colors, anglers can maximise their chances of success and enjoyment.
