Shad attack.

No offense, but those don't look like shad to me. Wrong body shape and fin configuration and shape. I don't know what they are exactly, but, like I said to me eye, they do not look like shad.
Why do you want to catch them?

Regards, Tiny

Those are definitely shad. Yup. Yes they are. The trick is to "catch" them by reeling them in real quick. Throwing them on a size 2 hook and tossing it out there.

They are! all the pictures i have seen in my books and others have comfermed it. I want to catch one because i want to say i did. People go for one or two species i hunt them all.

I know i can use them for bait, but what bait can i catch them with?

I caught one over the weekend on a shad rap trolling but it was much bigger than those. I used a cast net were I fish. I have never seen one caught on a baited hook.

Shad are filter feeders. So you're talking very small hooks, small flies. try a size 22 or smaller midge.

Schools of shad and shinners are common this time of year.

After last nights rain you might actually go to the pond and catch a temperature drop die off.

Shad are most excellent bait. I catch them with a cast net, and freeze them in small bags..They are very fragel when thawed, so you must use them quick. Good luck

back east we like to catch hickory shad on light tackle.call them "trenton tarpon" good chunk bait for striped bass,bluefish and catfish. we also netted peanut bunker which resemble those.wide and flat

i accidentally snagged one on a jerkbait a couple years ago...great bait, super slimey

The photo clearly shows a black spot toward the head, thats a shad alright, great bait for wipers!

I have had large adult shad, over 12 inches, up to 18 inches, take a small fly and also small streamers. It's rare but does happen.

@cookster.. I thought cast nets were illegal to use in colorado? Not trying to harp.. i used them all the time in the south, if they are legal i'd love to use one here in co, but I could have sworn they are illegal.

Some lake do allow seines and cast nets. Just have to check the regs for your lake.

sweet thanks!

Since ACF is in Adams County- cast net, seine nets, etc are prohibited for the taking of fish

4.f. The seining, netting, trapping and dipping
of fish is prohibited statewide in all natural
streams, springs, all waters in Adams, Arapahoe,
Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver,
Douglas, Gilpin, Elbert, Jefferson and Park
counties, and all public standing waters in Rio
Grande, Saguache, Conejos, Costilla, Alamosa,
Mineral and Hinsdale counties in the Rio
Grande drainage. This does not apply to fish
handled or produced at commercially licensed
aquaculture facilities.

So if you have a kastmaster throw it out near that bait ball and as it flutters down you may catch yourself a nice fish!