Forums59
Topics1,045,784
Posts14,078,502
Members144,353
|
Most Online39,925 Dec 30th, 2023
|
|
A big shad on a hair rig
#14006927
05/22/21 09:46 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 201
LastCastPodcast
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 201 |
I was going after carp and such on Lady Bird this week, and I kept getting all these line twitches and short runs of my hair-rig corn which lead to nothing. So I set the hook on one of them, and find what's no doubt been eating all the range cubes I've been throwing out there: ![[Linked Image]](https://lastcastpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shadinthenet.jpg) I've never caught one of the big ones before, despite seeing them all over. Think it's a gizzard shad? So take it home. BTW, two hours on the stringer and it did not stop trying to swim for even an instant. It wrapped itself around a reed and just lay there twitching like a Billy Bass. At home I fillet one side, and save the other half for cutbait. This is a stinky fish, like a gar. I had to run the dishwasher half full, because even after getting rinsed, the fillet knife stunk up the whole kitchen. Any rate, I can tell by the way the fillet cuts that this is going to be boney. Each cut sounds like when you run a matchstick up a pants zipper. But the fillet doesn't look half-bad. The meat is very firm, like a mackerel. ![[Linked Image]](https://lastcastpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/raw-shad-fillet.jpg) An hour ago, I fried it up. And you know, it wasn't half bad? My fishing buddy Jamey thought that shad are super-greasy, based on reports from the East Coast shad fishing scene, but I think that fish isn't even related to this. ![[Linked Image]](https://lastcastpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/fried-shad-fillet.jpg) It reminded me of gulf coast sheepshead. A very white, inoffensive flesh with a distinct saltwater tone to it. However, it was absolutely ludicrously boney. It makes carp look like crappie in comparison. Every single bite of flesh had bones ranging from the width of 15pound mono, to barely visible hairlike bones: ![[Linked Image]](https://lastcastpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shad-bones.jpg) I could see how if you scored the fillet and deep-fried it, like a carp, you could dissolve the bones and have a pretty decent piece of fish. But I think I'll be earmarking these guys for cutbait if I catch any more.
|
|
Re: A big shad on a hair rig
[Re: LastCastPodcast]
#14006973
05/22/21 10:25 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 13,004
Curt0407
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 13,004 |
You are the first person that I have ever heard of trying to eat a gizzard shad. As you said they smell so bad that they either end up released or saved for cut bait. Nice try though.
|
|
Re: A big shad on a hair rig
[Re: LastCastPodcast]
#14007283
05/23/21 04:02 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,478
TXMulti-Species
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,478 |
You're not the first to try it! Lol you're right about it being the stinkiest fish. That smell never comes off your hands. Don't get me started about those tiny scales! Nice catch though! I've never caught one on the hair but have heard of others doing so.
|
|
Re: A big shad on a hair rig
[Re: LastCastPodcast]
#14007284
05/23/21 04:02 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,478
TXMulti-Species
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,478 |
Here's Luke from Catfish and Carp catching and cooking them:
|
|
Re: A big shad on a hair rig
[Re: LastCastPodcast]
#14007743
05/23/21 06:17 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,000
Osbornfishing
TFF Team Angler
|
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,000 |
Congratulations on the hook-up. I am always interested in what is nibbling on my bait. ![thumb thumb](/forums/images/graemlins/default/cup.gif)
|
|
Re: A big shad on a hair rig
[Re: LastCastPodcast]
#14007985
05/23/21 11:39 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 77,296
banker-always fishing
Pumpkin Head
|
Pumpkin Head
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 77,296 |
That is one big Shad. ![cheers cheers](/forums/images/graemlins/default/cheers.gif)
![[Linked Image]](http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/823/ycku.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/560/ukw3.jpg) IGFA World Record Rio Grande Cichlid. Lake Dunlap. John 3:16 Sinner's Prayer. God forgive me a sinner. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior !
|
|
Re: A big shad on a hair rig
[Re: LastCastPodcast]
#14008053
05/24/21 12:55 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,175
Pot licker
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,175 |
You're brave! Nice shad btw! ![thumb thumb](/forums/images/graemlins/default/cup.gif)
|
|
Re: A big shad on a hair rig
[Re: LastCastPodcast]
#14009429
05/25/21 12:38 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19,168
Laker One
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19,168 |
Big Shad. Interesting thread.
|
|
Re: A big shad on a hair rig
[Re: LastCastPodcast]
#14013801
05/28/21 08:19 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 6
Jonesing2fish
Green Horn
|
Green Horn
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 6 |
Caught on tiny jig, after years of hearing that wasn't possible. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2021/05/full-109327-98106-20180512_085136.jpg)
|
|
Re: A big shad on a hair rig
[Re: LastCastPodcast]
#14013877
05/28/21 09:19 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 201
LastCastPodcast
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 201 |
@jonesing2fish, nice catch!
I tried targeting shad deliberately last night, using size 12 scud hooks and canned corn, but no luck. I think they were stripping me, but not taking the point.
I should add, that although I took a few bites of that shad I cooked, after the third bite I starting thinking that maybe it wasn't the wisest thing to eat an algae-eating fish from a lake which has had some high-profile poisonous algae fatalities . . .
|
|
Re: A big shad on a hair rig
[Re: LastCastPodcast]
#14024337
06/08/21 10:02 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,168
dmunsie
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,168 |
I was going after carp and such on Lady Bird this week [quote]Originally Posted by LastCastPodcast I'm just saying I get an extra feeling of satisfaction when I murder carp, knowing the world won't miss em. Sweet sweet carp-murder. Hmmmm.
I was just wondering if you are practicing catch and release at Lady Bird?
|
|
Re: A big shad on a hair rig
[Re: dmunsie]
#14025414
06/09/21 02:03 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 201
LastCastPodcast
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 201 |
@dmunsie I am practicing catch and release on lady bird. I'm aware that people make their living off that carp fishery. I even bought a carp mat after a delicate chewing out by one of the local guides.
|
|
Re: A big shad on a hair rig
[Re: LastCastPodcast]
#14077893
07/30/21 05:38 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 96
CurlyTailFishing
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 96 |
Give a man a fish he can eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for the entire weekend!
|
|
Moderated by banker-always fishing, chickenman, Derek 🐝, Duck_Hunter, Fish Killer, J-2, Jacob, Jons3825, JustWingem, Nocona Brian, Toon-Troller, Uncle Zeek, Weekender1
|