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Hickory Shad

Hickory Shad

Hickory Shad (Alosa mediocris) are anadromous fish native to South Carolina's coastal rivers, spending most of their adult lives in the Atlantic Ocean before migrating upstream to spawn.

Scientific Name: Alosa mediocris

Physical Characteristics:
  • Silver-sided fish have gray-green backs that fade to silver, with a distinctive row of dark spots along their sides and a darkly colored lower jaw that projects distinctly forward beyond the snout - a key identifying feature that distinguishes them from American Shad.
  • Adults typically reach 14-24 inches and average 4 pounds, with females growing larger than males.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Occur sporadically in South Carolina's lower coastal rivers, primarily the Pee Dee, lower Santee, Cooper, and Savannah river systems.
  • The Santee-Cooper system reportedly harbors one of the largest populations in the state.

Key Locations

  • Lower portions of the Pee Dee, Santee, Cooper, and Savannah river systems.
  • Santee River and Rediversion Canal where daily limits are higher (20 per person versus 10 elsewhere), and areas around the St.
  • Stephen Dam fish passage.

Specific Spots

  • Tidal freshwater areas, deep pools, slow-moving currents near tributary mouths, and channel edges of tidally influenced freshwater reaches over mud, sand, and gravel bottoms.

Hickory Shad FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Hickory Shad in South Carolina?

Small bright lures including shad darts, small spoons, and minnow imitations in colors like pink, orange, chartreuse, red, and yellow.

What flies work for Hickory Shad in South Carolina?

Small Clouser minnows, Crazy Charlie patterns, or micro jigs with bright colors and flashy materials.

When is the best time to fish for Hickory Shad in South Carolina?

Late February through April, avoiding the peak spawning period of February to early March.

How do you catch Hickory Shad in South Carolina?

Cast upstream and allow lures to sink while drifting downstream with light jigging motions. Both hook-and-line and cast net fishing are legal with appropriate freshwater or saltwater licenses depending on location.

What do Hickory Shad eat?

Primarily piscivorous, feeding on small fish, crabs, aquatic insects, squid, and fish e.g.gs, with juveniles preferring small fishes over the crustaceans favored by other shad species.

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