Shad

[Vince Gray]

Does any one know why there are dead shad every where? went to maumelle Cr. last two weekends and there were thousands of floating shad. also their was hundreds showing up on finder. tryed everything nothing would bite.

[Jason Piper]

When the water temp drops below 42 shad start to die off here on Beaver. I'm sure the same thing happens down there! It's real good if you've got striper on the lake. Just look for the birds feeding on the dead shad and you will sometimes find fish there. Crappie, bass and other species will follow the dying bait also.

[gooch]

How long does the die off last? I know water temps have been below 40 for a few weeks now on the Little Maumelle.

[TJ Adams]

I think all the fish are full...There was thousands! Nothing would bite...

[Jerry Blake]

How long does the die off last? I know water temps have been below 40 for a few weeks now on the Little Maumelle.

Hey Dale:

I've not had to deal with a major shad die off but from what I've heard it can go on for several weeks until the water warms back up. Apparently they don't all die at the same time. With the next couple nights going down to the low to mid-twenties they'll probably still be floating up this weekend. Wonder if there's a shad kill on Conway? I wish I could join y'all for your nightstalk but with two trips scheduled for Saturday and one for Sunday morning I'll sleeping soundly while y'all are out there.

[gooch]

Jerry if all goes well and folks agree I would like to start doing a nightstalk every month or so. Hopefully you and Darryl both can join us on the next one.

Heck we might just have to have the next little nightstalk gathering on Hammilton.

Hey Dale:

I've not had to deal with a major shad die off but from what I've heard it can go on for several weeks until the water warms back up. Apparently they don't all die at the same time. With the next couple nights going down to the low to mid-twenties they'll probably still be floating up this weekend. Wonder if there's a shad kill on Conway? I wish I could join y'all for your nightstalk but with two trips scheduled for Saturday and one for Sunday morning I'll sleeping soundly while y'all are out there.

[creekslick]

Jerry if all goes well and folks agree I would like to start doing a nightstalk every month or so. Hopefully you and Darryl both can join us on the next one.

Heck we might just have to have the next little nightstalk gathering on Hammilton.

I will be at the next one. Hope you guys have a great time.

[jhook]

Vince - I experienced the same thing on the Little Maumelle River back in November or early December..can't remember. At first I thought I was in for the fishing trip of a lifetime. Never got a hit. Others here explained that if you are lucky enough to be on the water at the very beginning of the shad die-off, the fishing is great, but quickly goes south as crappie, bass etc. gorge themselves quickly.

[ceb]

Yeah, there were a bunch of dead shad out at the river a couple of weekends back. I've always experienced bad fishing out there if there has been a shad kill. Water temp was 38-40 degrees the day that they were dying.

But as of this past weekend, the river looks to be in much better shape. I just hope it stays that way until our nightstalk...

[DRPEPPER]

Hey Dale:

I've not had to deal with a major shad die off but from what I've heard it can go on for several weeks until the water warms back up. Apparently they don't all die at the same time. With the next couple nights going down to the low to mid-twenties they'll probably still be floating up this weekend. Wonder if there's a shad kill on Conway? I wish I could join y'all for your nightstalk but with two trips scheduled for Saturday and one for Sunday morning I'll sleeping soundly while y'all are out there.

Jerry
I don't ever recall experiencing a shad kill in Conway personally. Smitty at Paradise landing told me a story about so many of them dying and sinking one year that divers were brought in to see what all of the bubbles were about. This was near the 89 bridge.
I snag them often while casting jigs.
Don