Charlie Newton was kind enough to invite me to speak to the First Coast Fly Fishers club on January 6, 2026. This is a recording of that presentation. It covers topics like:
1. What is a Shad and when are they here?
2. What types of rods, reels, and lines do we need to fly fish for shad?
3. What types of flies are effective for catching shad?
4. Where can I catch shad on the St. Johns River, and how to access them?
5. How do I find fish and how to catch them once I do?
6. What water conditions are best to catch shad?
There is a ton of information on flyfishing for shad on the St. Johns River in this presentation and I hope you learn something and enjoy yourself along the way!
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction- Flyfishing for Shad on the St. Johns River
03:40 What is a Shad?
10:12 Can You eat Shad?
13:25 Do Shad Eat (while spawning?)
17:13 Equipment- Rods, Reels, and Line
25:12 Flies That Catch Shad
30:26 Access/ Locations- Where to Find Shad
39:20 Tactics to Catch Shad on the Fly
44:28 Gages- Water Levels to Catch Shad
48:42 Q&A Session