What time of the year and when do the shad come closer to shore in East Texas? Are there certain conditions they prefer?

The shad will come shallow and close to shore when the water warms up. In June and July I see then in water less than a foot deep.

For consistent shallow shad you will need to wait until the spring. With the water still being cold and the night are still cold the shad will stay out deeper than from the bank. But with that being said with this week of warm weather we are having right now there should be some moving up on shallow mud flats during the afternoons as the water temp rises.

You can also find shad in main feeder creeks during the winter in shallow water. The creek water is usually warmer.

The peak spawn is the month of May. They show up in late March on warm days and into April. But, Mid May is the peak in NE Texas

Usually in late March or April. all depends on weather and water temps

So what would be the ideal water temperature for shallow shad?

63 to 65