Pontic shad Fishing

A migratory shoaling fish that grows in the Black Sea and runs up the Danube to spawn. The run starts in late March and peaks in April and May, with shoals moving up the main current line. Cast a narrow 7-15 g spoon, a small spinner or a feathered rig across the flow and retrieve fast in mid-water; once you find a shoal, bites come back to back. Its mouth is soft, so do not strike hard, and check the Romanian season and quota rules.

Alosa immaculata

Pontic shad (Alosa immaculata)
Photo: Zsoldos Márton · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Season calendar

Jan
Feb
MarAprMayJun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Active periodSpawning period — release what you catch

Season
March–June
Water temperature
8–18 °C
Spawning
April–June
Behaviour
Migratory — runs into fresh water

Techniques

  • Spinning
  • spoons

Frequently asked

When is the best time to catch pontic shad?
The productive window for pontic shad runs March–June. April–June is the spawning period; releasing your catch during these months is strongly advised.
What water temperature does pontic shad feed in?
Pontic shad is most active between 8 and 18 °C. Outside that band its feeding rate drops off.
How do you fish for pontic shad?
Common methods: Spinning, spoons.

Species that fish under similar conditions

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