Buck or the male of the species make the run up the Delaware River in early spring and the females or roes follow the bucks shortly thereafter. Spawning takes place in water temps in the 56-60 degree range on or near the surface in pools within the river. Juvenile shad then stay and grow in the river through the late spring and summer. Once water temperatures cool and fall rains arrive, the juvenile shad begin a mass migration out to the sea. Once in the open ocean these fish will grow and migrate up and down the East Coast until they are 3-4 years old and then will return to the river in which they were spawned to reproduce the cycle again.
Shad are among the strongest and hardest-fighting fish that are found in freshwater.
The current PA State record is 9 lbs. and nine ounces. They are excellent table fare and also provide great fun when hooked on your line. Medium light spin tackle is my personal choice for catching Shad. Line is also important as Shad have been know to shy away from too heavy a line and too light will break upon fighting these fish. Six pound test is what I recommend.