AMERICAN SHAD (Alos sapidissima)

RANGE: The St. Mary's and St. Johns Rivers of Northeast Florida.

HABITAT: Shad live at sea but run up river to spawn, beginning about mid-January. That's when anglers find them in mostly well-known spots or areas in the river, most of them near DeLand and Sanford in Central Florida.

DESCRIPTION: Gray to greenish above, with silvery sides. The fins are soft. A dark spot just aft of the gill cover is followed by a series of smaller black dots.

SIZE: Average catch runs 1-4 pounds. World record 11 pounds, 4 ounces; Florida record 5.19 pounds.

FOOD VALUE: Very good, but very bony. Excellent smoked. Roe is a famous delicacy.

GAME QUALITIES: A terrific and showy battler, nicknamed by many "freshwater Tarpon."

TACKLE AND BAITS: The majority of Shad are caught with spinning or baitcasting tackle and silver spoons or jigs. Most fish hit near bottom.

FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Trolling.