Will these temps cause a larger than normal Shad die off ? What will that do to the winter cat bite ?

there will be no bite cats will be full

Oh yea. The shad kill will be extreme all across Texas !



Side Note: Maybe the die off will be less severe on active power plant lakes.

I talked to a friend in Port Aransas and he has dead mullet and pinfish behind his house, so yes there will be shad kills in various places across the state.

Hopfully talapia and plecos!

The cats will be fat

Fortunately, should make for some excellent early spring fishing.

After sitting for four hours without so much as a single bite, gonna say the shad kill is in full effect. Birds were just leisurely plopping down and scooping up shad. Weren't even dive bombing them. So, evidently there's plenty of food for all, without having to pursue it.

I sort of expected that to be the report. With the wind up like it is, I didn't think it would be worth the trip. And you've confirmed it... Next weekend they are calling for rain... as long as it's not snow...

Has anybody seen any dead shad on Fork? I have not yet.

Pretty much what I expected too, just wanted to get out of the house more than anything else.

Reports are that they haven’t seen any. I have not been out myself so I cannot vouch for it.

I”ve been on 2 lakes and haven’t see any evidence of a kill. Maybe they haven’t floated up yet, Idk, but I caught plenty of live shad in 38 degree water.

Sometimes they don't float up. Look for oily spots that looks almost like light scum. Already found some on Grapevine going to make for some exceptional fishing this spring.

OK, help me with my education on this stuff please.

I understand cold water/weather kills shad... which - gizzard or threadfin or both?
I understand that a bunch of dead/dying shad make for easy pickings for the fish to eat.

How long does the "shad kill" last? Do they all die within 3-4 days, or does this stretch out over a week or two? With the water warming back up this week, and our typical Texas -2 last Tuesday and 70 this Tuesday, how does that impact this?

Dead shad are not worth much for food after a couple of days, right?

Fish are full and fat for a few days... then they need to eat again. Does this impact or change the way they eat? Reason I ask, is multiple comments about "should be good spring fishing"? Why will this shad kill make for a good spring?

Where should I start looking for shad - live shad for bait, next weekend?

As always, thank you in advance all!

Ken