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South African Fish And Fishing
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South African Fish And Fishing
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Shad (Elf, Blue Fish) Pomatomus saltatrix Information
South Africa's Beautiful Shad (Elf) Premium Angling SpeciesThe Shad is one of South Africa's most well known saltwater fish species and is a prime target of all sorts of anglers. The Shad is a great eating fish, a good live bait and of course a very hard fighting sport fish very popular among fisherman. The Shad has many alternate names such as the Elf, Blue Fish, Tailor (Taylor), or Burrowing Bream. The Shad (Elf) is a streamlined fish that is silver and light green in colour. When a Shad dies the green gradually changes into a blue colour. The Shad can grow up to 120 centimeters and the South African Angling record is almost 11 kilograms... The Shad (Elf) is a very fierce predatory fish and hunts in shoals in a variety of different habitats... This sporting fish hunts by sight and is an apex predator during the daylight hours. The Shad will also feed under artificial light at night. Most of the diet of the Shad (Elf) consists of Anchovies, Sardines and Pinky's. Squid and shrimp make up the rest of their diet. The Shad (Elf) reaches sexual maturity at a length of 25 centimeters and the minimum legal size is 30 centimeters. This fish is not allowed to be targeted or kept from 1st September to the 30th of November as this is an important breeding time for them. The Shad (Elf) can live up to 15 years or more. How To Catch The South African Shad (Elf)There are many ways and many baits you can catch Shad (Elf) on. When they are in the mood they will take any bait and any lure presented to them. The Cork float trace is perhaps the most well known and popular Shad (Elf) trace to use. You can buy these traces from tackle shops or you can make them yourself. They consist of a cork (Used to keep the bait floating and drifting in the current) some wire (Or very thick leader as Shad (Elf) have very sharp teeth), 1 0r 2 hooks may be used depending on what bait you are using between 1/0 and 6/0 hooks are great sizes to target Shad on. A conventional bottom rig with a hook (1/0-6/0) and a sinker will also do the job. Baits that are best are Sardine (Cutlet or the full Sardine), Squid, Shrimp, Aquatic Worms, Octopus and live bait (Such as Pinky, Sand Steenbras, Strepie, or Mullet). Shad (Elf) are also great fish to target on lures and plastics (Dropshot). Shad can be caught on a variety of Bullet Spoons, V Back Spoons and S Spoons. Spinners are very good lures to catch Shad on and when these fish are on the bite they can produce amazing results! Rapala type lures and even plugs and poppers produce the bite. Small jigs work very well and Fly Fishing can also produce a Shad or 2! Shad are great fish to catch and they are very vulnerable to overfishing so it is very important that we stick to the laws and rules of Shad (Elf) fishing. Remember when the closed seasons are and how the big the fish have to be to be to keep them! Other Interesting Information On The Shad (Elf)Common Name: Shad Other Names: Elf Scientific Name: Pomatomus saltatrix Size: Shad can grow to be 120 cm long with a weight of 14 kg. Shad of this size would be 10 to 15 years old - but with the intensity of fishing along our coastline few fish survive to attain this age. Habitat: Shad are mainly found on sandy bottoms in clear water. They are also found close to reefs and rocky ledges where there is foamy water. Eating Quality: The fresh flesh of a shad is excellent to eat, but not after being frozen so only keep what you can eat. Tackle: Heavy tackle is not required Standard Rock and Surf Rod 6 - 8kg line Hook sizes vary from 1/0 to about 6/0 |
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