Sinking Lines for Shad and Other Fish

[Andrew D]

Hey everyone,

So seeing that the first shad was caught on the Potomac made me catch the bug to finally go out and pursue this fish for the first time. But I could totally use some help on the line situation.

I currently have a floating WF floating line for my 7wt rod, which I typically use for bass. Looking on the various discussion boards, it seems like some sort of sink tip in the 250gr neighborhood with an intermediate running line is the name of the game. Ideally whatever line I get would be multi-purpose for bass in lakes and such too - I don't want to get the "perfect" shad line if it's going to be largely useless elsewhere.

I was considering these, but could use other suggestions too:

• https://farbank.com/products/rio-premier-outbound-short
• https://www.cortlandline.com/products/streamer-sink-tip-10
• https://www.cortlandline.com/products/streamer-sink-tip-25?variant=43507878887640

I have an inflatable paddleboard, and was planning on primarily fishing from that on the Occoquan for shad.

Considering this is a decently big purchase for me, I wanted to run it by the hivemind first to make sure I'm not going in the wrong direction.

Thanks!!!

[Doug Graebner]

FWIW, when I shad fished more actively (someone bully me into getting back into it) I did better with a full sink than a sink-tip line. I forget what the line was, but I am 90% sure that Grizz at District Angler can tell you what it was. Actually just do whatever he says.

[Gregg Rockett]

Andrew.

Make sure you view the recording for ShadFest on the Friends of Fletchers site.  Also have a look at my blog on the subject of shad fishing.

Here is the url:

https://www.thetroutbandit.com/post/fly-fishing-for-shad

The Occoquan under the pedestrian bridge is a great spot for shad fishing.  I use a sink top there of 250 grams.

Good luck!  Gregg Rockett

[Andrew D]

Thanks everyone! I'll be sure to check out that link. And yes I was planning on trying to go through district angling for as much of the shad stuff as they have available.

[Daniel Lazenby]

Back then Grizzly was recommending Cortland sink type 9 line

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[Tom Steeley]

The reality is if you are fishing from a boat from around Fletchers and up river, shouldn't we be using a full sink line exclusively?  250 grains sounds about right.

If you are fishing from shore, at many spots the full sink will get hung up on the rocks close in.  Not a good time.  Some spots are OK full sink, but in general sink tip has been best for me.  I used to have an outbound short sink tip with an intermediate running line.  That worked ok.

I haven't been out yet this year, but I'm going to try a floating line/Anadro and add a 7ft fast-sink and maybe add some weight in the deeper channels. 🤞

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[tperkins]

I use the Orvis Depth Charge (Rio and others offer similar style lines). The first 30 feet has a sink rate of about 6 inches per second I think. and then it slows down a bit. Gets plenty deep for shad and other species else where. 250 grain for my 7wt and 300 grain for the 8 wt. 

I used to use this set up for fishing from shore. But it really shines from the boat.