The first time I went fishing for American Shad, I brought a Plano box with shad darts. My friend was fishing next to me. He caught fish. I got shunked. He was using shad flutter spoons. Since that first trip, I have fished shad darts and shad flutter spoons. Shad flutter spoons have consistently outperformed shad darts.
Shad flutter spoons are so light that in order to get them down in the water column, I peg a tungsten sinker Carolina style. I use 1/2 oz, 3/8 oz, or 1/4 oz depending on depth and current. I prefer tungsten because of it’s high density and small foot print.
I make all of my rigs ahead of time and store them in individual ZipLock snack bags. I then store these rigs in ZipLock quart bags based on size: 1/2 oz, 3/8 oz, and 1/4 oz. I quickly change up my rigs by sliding the swivel off-and-on the Tactical Anglers clip tied to my main line. Time is fish!
How a shad spoon is joined to your leader determines it’s action. An improved clinch knot will make the spoon swim in a straight line during the retrieve. I double surgeons loop knot will allow the spoon to flutter side-to-side. I have found that a #2 Decoy Egg Snap provides the maximum flutter action because of it’s rigid radial arch.
The two most popular shad flutter spoon color patterns are: yellow/gold and chartreuse/gold. Ironically, I have had the most success with pink/gold!
The next time you target American Shad, feed them spoons! They cannot resist the seductive fluttering action!!
