Monday, March 16, 2009

Fishing our tidal rivers in springtime



Fishing anytime from mid-March through May and you are likely to encounter these fish (pictured on bottom), which are anadromous. Averaging around 1 lb., with fish up to 2 lbs. Fish with light spin casting, using very small, brightly colored shad darts, spoons, jigs, or minnow imitation lures. Silver-sided with grayish-green back and a prominent dark spot, followed by a row of lighter spots (especially when fresh - not too evident in photo), on the upper part of the side just behind the gill cover; body long but compressed, asymmetrical top to bottom and in cross section it is wedge-shaped; the lower jaw protrudes significantly beyond the upper jaw when the mouth is closed. you can see this on the illustration. Each scale on the sides has a small dark spot.

If you are lucky you may even catch its larger cousin - in the same genus. What would that be?

2 comments:

  1. The fish shown is a Hickory Shad (Alosa mediocris), although I initially thought it was an Alewife. The larger cousin you're referring to could be the American Shad (Alosa sapidissima)?

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  2. you are correct on both answers.

    the alewife is similar. However eye is too small. Eye of alewife is greater than snout length. and alewife do not grow that large - usually maximum length of ~ 12 inches.

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