Target species: Shad

South African record: 10.3kg
DISTRIBUTION OF SPECIES: World-wide in warm temperate-shelf waters (van der Elst 1976)
DISTRIBUTION OF STOCK: SA coastline, primarily from Cape Point to southern MOZ (van der Elst 1976)
South African record: 10.3kg
DISTRIBUTION OF SPECIES: World-wide in warm temperate-shelf waters (van der Elst 1976)
DISTRIBUTION OF STOCK: SA coastline, primarily from Cape Point to southern MOZ (van der Elst 1976)
HABITAT
ADULTS: Sandy and rocky substrata from shore down to 100m (van der Elst 1976)
JUVENILES: Shallow subtidal waters (< 20m deep) primarily in larger embayments in the SEC and SWC (van der Elst 1976, Smale 1984, Wallace et al. 1984a, Wallace et al. 1984b)
MIGRATION: Adults and 0+ juveniles migrate seasonally between the SWC and KZN passing through the SEC and TKI. It is both an alimental and gametic migration with shad feeding largely on sardines (Sardinops sagax) and spawning occurring in warmer KZN waters. Adults are common during the summer and autumn months in Cape waters and during winter and spring in KZN (van der Elst 1976). The migration of 0+ juveniles precedes the migration of larger adults
FISHERY: Elf is the most important shore angling species caught in SWC, SEC, TKI and KZN (Brouwer et al.1997). It is important to recreational skiboat fishers in the SWC, SEC, TKI and KZN, but primarily used for bait by this sector. Elf are important to commercial skiboat fishers primarily in the SWC, especially in False Bay and Struis Bay (NMLS commercial data). Prior to new regulations promulgated in September 1998, elf were not allowed to be commercially exploited in KZN. Elf are also caught by the False Bay trek netters and are caught as a by-catch by the Vetch’s Pier seine netters in Durban (Lamberth et al. 1995a,b, Beckley and Fennessy 1996). SA lands about 0.2% of the global elf catch of 20 000 mt (FAO 1999)
CURRENT REGULATIONS
CATEGORY: Restricted List
BAG LIMIT: 5 person-1 day-1 (recreationals only)
MINIMUM SIZE: 30cm TL
CLOSED SEASON: 1st September to 30th November, both dates inclusive (applies to all fishers)
MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Under the new regulations (September 1998) elf can be commercially exploited in KZN. This is almost certainly going to increase F on this species. Consideration should be given to de-commercialising elf throughout its distribution as this is primarily a recreational species.
The above information obtained from: www.ori.org.za

The shad is a predator and is equipped with a razor sharp teeth. It is believed that they do not grow much bigger than 10kg. Excellent eating, but do not freeze. Shad is most often caught on:
- sardines;
- fresh fillets;
- mackerel;
- chokka;
- live bait (karanteen);
- spoons;

Depending on the size of the fish in the area, wire traces on the hooks are recommended, although if 0.75mm line is used, you may land most of the Juvenal fish, provided that a long shank hooks are used. It is advisable for one to use long baits when fishing for shad.
It is recommended that hooks from 4/0 to 8/0 are used. The use of shad bung is one of the most popular traces used in South Africa.

Total trace length of from the hook to the 3 way swivel = 50cm.
Piano wire = 10-15 cm.
Total trace length for the sinker = 60cm.

Blue marlin introduced a new spinning rods – Trueflex at very good price. Combined with relatively inexpensive Shimano Alivio one can get very good and reliable set up.
Depending on where the fish is feeding (on the surface or on the bottom), when fish is feeding on the surface, the use of drift sardine bait is very effective and popular. A whole sardine is used for bait, as shown on the drawing.

The advantages of using the drift bait method are:

• Relatively less messy (if there is such thing when angling);
• The top hook is hooked through the mouth of the sardine and takes all the strain from the casting action, therefore there is no need for use of cotton;
• The bottom hook is inserted in the general area of the sardine in which the shad will usually strike the bait;
• No cutting of bait required;

When using the drift bait method, make sure that:

• wire is used for the second (bottom) hook;
• your bottom hook is needle point sharp;

Very often one will hear some anglers to refer to “green” shad and “blue” shad, I may be wrong, but I think that we are referring to one and the same specie in different stages of maturity.

In my opinion, the Juvenal shad is the fish specie that is caught by unscrupulous fisherman in huge numbers, despite the set bag limits. The behavior of most of the  law reinforcement officials, tasked with the monitoring of the existing regulations is despicable, when it comes to monitoring and enforcing the declared bag limit for shad. It is very easy to know when and where the shad is running and then make sure that officials are present to enforce the existing legislation.