Hickory Shad

Season in Delmarva

The Fisherman: shad, including hickory shad, at Indian River Inlet in spring on the incoming tide, on shad darts often behind a Stingsilver; FishTalk: catch-and-release shad at the Ocean City south jetty on small gold spoons, outgoing tide. Spring months inferred. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Indian River Inlet on the incoming tide in spring; the Ocean City south jetty tip on the outgoing tide.

Usually close to shore, so long casts are rarely needed; feeds show as fish jumping and rolling on bait pods (OTW).

What to look for

Herring-shaped fish with a strongly projecting lower jaw, one dark shoulder spot followed by several faint ones, dark green-gray back and silver sides (CT DEEP). Schools jump and roll on bait.

What to throw

Metal casting jig (diamond, Hopkins or Stingsilver style)1 to 2 oz, 3 to 4 in. Fast steady retrieve for mackerel; let it sink and rip it up for blues; jig near bottom for weakfish.

Silver casting spoon (Clarkspoon or Drone style)1/2 to 1 oz, No. 0 to 1 / 2.5 to 3.5 in. Burn it. Fast, steady, just under the surface.

Gold spoon (weedless style)1/2 to 3/4 oz, 2.5 to 3 in. Slow to medium wobble with occasional pauses near the bottom of the trough.

Epoxy jig3/8 to 1 oz, Small, matched to silversides, bay anchovies and sand eels. Fast steady retrieve through the school.

Leader

Light tackle: one writer uses a 7 to 8 ft soft-tipped rod rated to about 1 oz with a 3000-size reel and 20 lb braid; the lighter the tackle, the more fish landed (OTW 2025).

Common mistakes

• Horsing the fish: their paper-thin mouths tear and the hook pulls (OTW)
• Tackle too heavy to enjoy or land them

Landing

Keep light, steady pressure through the jumps; net it if you can.

Handling

No hazards noted in the sources read.

Keep or release

Catch and release is the practice reported at Ocean City; check state shad rules.

Recipes for hickory shad

Typical: Commonly 15 to 20 in (CT DEEP); most 1 to 2 lb (OTW). Large: Largest reported 24 in (CT DEEP). Connecticut state record 2 lb, 18 in (CT DEEP).

Limits

FishOS has not checked the DE and MD and VA limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Delaware DNREC Fish and Wildlife before you keep a fish.

Sources

• The Fisherman: Delaware Surf, Small Wonder, Big Options (Angler knowledge)
• FishTalk Magazine: fishing the Ocean City, MD inlet hotspots (Angler knowledge)
• CT DEEP: Hickory Shad (Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut) (Official source)
• On The Water: Hickory Shad, The Unsung Heroes of the Fall Run (Matt Haeffner, 2025) (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: Spring Stripers and Hickory Shad on the Fly (Michael Mulvaney, 2022) (Angler knowledge)

All the fish of Delmarva