American shad

US fish and state coverage

Alosa sapidissima

A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.

Peak months
Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr
Typical depth
Typical size
Up to 20 inches (12 pounds)
Catch minimum
National record

See state records · Browse all fishing records

Biology, seasons and size reflect the canonical source record, which may contain Florida context. They are not state-specific guidance for every linked state. Missing fields remain unfilled.

Overview

Habitat summary
In Florida, it occurs only in the northeast, mostly in the St. Johns River and Nassau River when it returns from the ocean to spawn, typically between late December and early April.
Diet
feeders, but will strike small, bright spoons or flies.
Water type
saltwater

When to fish

Peak months
Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr
Good months
Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr
Seasonality
FWC: anadromous; freshwater entry for spawn late Dec–early April in NE Florida rivers.
Migration notes
Anadromous: mature in salt water, return to freshwater rivers to spawn (FWC).
Bite time of day
daytime during river runs

Where to fish

Habitat summary
In Florida, it occurs only in the northeast, mostly in the St. Johns River and Nassau River when it returns from the ocean to spawn, typically between late December and early April.
Habitat zone
offshore
Fishing zone
both

How to catch

Techniques
Historically the sport fishery was mostly a troll boat fishery with some spin casting from the bank. In recent times, fly fishing has become very popular. The sport fishery is primarily located between Sanford and Melbourne. The flesh is good, especially smoked, and the roe is excellent. Image Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles

Bait & lures

Preferred bait
primarily artificials (shad darts); flies
Preferred lures
Plankton feeders, but will strike small, bright spoons or flies.

Size

Typical size
Up to 20 inches (12 pounds)

Records

Recorded catches retain their source scope; state and world catches are not national records.

state record evidence

Source context: Florida

Record type
florida state
Record weight lb
5.19
Record location
St. Johns River, Seminole County
Record date
2/15/1990
Record angler
Bud Dankert
Record catch text
5.19 lb; by Bud Dankert; on 2/15/1990; at St. Johns River, Seminole County

Browse sourced catches for this species

Related states & places

Place links are planning context, not proof of local species presence. Florida city links marked local context follow existing directory relationships, not catch reports.

Source-linked directories

Real local listings currently cover Florida only. Boat-ramp, charter and creator links below follow existing Florida species relationships. Bait-shop links are city context only, not species-targeting evidence.

Boat ramps — Florida

Selected examples from 1199 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida boat ramps directory

Charter captains — Florida

Selected examples from 1 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida charter captains directory

Bait shops — Florida

Selected examples from 657 source-linked city-context records.

Browse the Florida bait shops directory

Fishing creators — Florida

Selected examples from 1 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida fishing creators directory

Related species

Navigation links share a recorded scientific genus or a source state and water-type grouping. This is not a claim of identical habitat or legal targeting.

Source evidence by state

Legacy Florida source profiles

LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.