What is the biggest shad you would use on LL for hybrids? I picked up some 8" (biguns for me) last Friday night. I know these would be good for picking up blues but are they too big for LL hybrids? Would you use them the same way you do smaller ones?

Mark -- those will work for hybrids and if I am using that size live bait -- I set the clicker and let them run with the bait. They will tend to grab the bait, run off with it, stop/slow down swallow the bait, then move along again -- set the hook right then!!! Some guys use a hook through the nose and a stinger hook in the tail so they do not miss the fish

Second method is to cut the bait in half or thirds and bait up.

I've used some biggens like what your talking about on LL. I did just what Fuzzy said.

+1 for what Fuzzy said

I second the run and stop. I used one that was over 12 on Texoma and it took me 3 or 4 tries to hook a fish. I finally let the fish run stop and run again.

Man, I wish I could find 8" shad on Texoma. Good to know the technique to use them. Thanks.

Speaking of Texoma.......when are you going to be ready for another try at it?????? Have my gas money already put away for it....

What the process for a stinger? Would it just be a palomar for the first hook and leave a long enough tag for a second hook to tie on and then hook through the tail? Circle hooks for both? Thanks.

Excellent site with useful info. Thanks.

I have used shad up to 21 inches long for stripers but normally use foot long and smaller for hybrids. As for a stinger hook, its useless because the shad are always swallowed head first. for 100% hook ups use 3/0 treble hooks but if you plan to catch and release, use circle hooks in the nose or thin skin of the back.

I used to think the shad were hit head first also until the LL hybrids were grabing them by the tail and about half way up the shad. Yank too soon and we get the shad back with the back half of the scales gone. I agree that I have not had the stripers grab the shad by the tail - I have only had them hit head first.

Markk...sorry with the late answer, I have been out of town. We usually use a larger octopus hook for the nose or a decent sized treble...with a treble hook towards the tail area. The nose hook is tied to a dropper loop and the tail hook tied with a palomar. Personally -- I do not like using the stinger method, but it does work.

You could also use the single hook and hook the shad by the dorsal fin.

Mark, those 8" shad will work just fine for bigger hybrids - say in the 22"-24" range. Just allow time for the fish to get the bait turned around headfirst in its mouth.

I've had lots of days where I'm using different sized shad & the big ones almost always outproduce the little ones (but little live bait beats no live bait at all!)

I never said how shad were hit ; only how they are swallowed. I have caught hundreds of hybrids up to 16 lbs. and I can promise 2 things, any shad swallowed tail first is far too small to waist your time fishing with, and if you reel in half of a shad, your tangling with the wrong species and thats a fact!

Im sorry, I miss read the statement about half the shad missing , please disreguard the last comment.

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