Unless you're using a sub 10' kayak or a light canoe/kayak that you can lift over your head, the launch is worthless. I still launch my yak on the rocks to the right. The launch has many tight, 90 degree turns with too small of landings. While ADA, it's no good for turning corners with a kayak trolly. I'd imagine I'm not the only angler with this issue. I can also imagine there are many people with light kayaks. Mine is 12' and 90 lbs...oh and I'm not the biggest guy hahah. I'm not gonna kill myself lifting that when I can quickly and easily launch on the rocks. As a designer who works on designs with universal accessibility always in mind, I'm clearly more salty than I should be. I'm happy it's good for some people at least.
As for shad, they are there. You can fish for them similarly to how you do on the Rapp. It's not terribly deep, so I toss my 150-250 grain full sink line, but unlike at Fletchers, I barely let it sink before stripping.