Elf, also known as shad along the South African coast, are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world.
What does Elf fish look like?
A streamlined fish that is an overall silver colour. They have a metallic green to blue sheen on the dorsal surface and upper flanks. The teeth are extremely sharp.
Is a shad a bluefish?
Bluefish are known as tailor in Australia and New Zealand, elf and shad in South Africa. It is a popular gamefish and food fish.
When can you catch elf?
Elf are most active at first light or last light, but in the right conditions they can be caught all day long, although in smaller number; it is these fish (also known as “blou elwe”) that are caught during the day and usually loners that are the busses.
How do you catch elf fish?
The fresher the better, sardine is the most commonly used bait for these elf. Other baits that are also used is strepie (karanteen) and mackerel. Sardines are readily available as frozen bait from tackle shops. The sardine’s soft, oily flesh is a delicacy when grabbed by the elf with no questions asked.
What is the best bait for shad?
The best bait for American shad are small, artificial lures including jigs, spinners, spoons and similar lures. Shiny or brightly colored lures work best, although shad also are known to bite a shiny bare hook, especially attached to a swivel to give it some swaying action.
How do you cook shad?
To cook the shad, dust with the flour. Heat the oil in a large frying pan that will hold the pieces in a single. Cook for 4-5 minutes each side or until opaque all through. To serve, reheat the red lentil dhall and spoon a portion onto each of 4 warmed plates.
How big can a shad get?
Common length for female adult shad is 24.3 in and common length for male adult shad is 19.7 inches. The maximum reported length for an American shad is 29.9 inches. The American shad’s body is blue or green in color along the top of its body with silvery sides.
Do blue fish have teeth?
Bluefish have two dorsal fins, with the second far larger than the first. They also have forked tails and very sharp teeth.
What is a blue fish called?
bluefish, (Pomatomus saltatrix), also called tailor or snapper, swift-moving marine food and game fish, the only member of the family Pomatomidae (order Perciformes).
Is there Elf at South Africa?
Elf, also known as shad along the South African coast, are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They can grow to 60cm in length and up to 14kg in weight.
How do you target Shad?
Spots to Target
Some great spots for shad include small creeks, dams, places where the river narrows, along riprap, and faster moving current. In the heat of the shad run you want to get on a narrow section of the river. This will be the best chance to hook into a shad.
How do you cook Elf fish?
Ingredients: Elf / Shad / Bluefish fillet. Kosher salt.
- Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees.
- Place fillets skin-side down in foil in a roasting pan.
- Add salt, pepper, Robertson fish spice, lemon slices, butter, lay a layer of thin lemon slices on the top of the fillets once spiced, also arrange butter along the top of the fillet.
Can you eat shad?
“Shad is a great fish to eat, it’s very healthy for you, and you’re supporting a local fishery that’s sustainable.” Shad, a large member of the herring family, are famously bony fish. Cooks get around that by baking the fish to soften the bones.
Can you catch shad on a hook?
Threadfin shad make great catfish baits but are also very soft and if not put on the hook correctly they will get snatched right off the hooks in no time or will even fly off the hook when casting. In this video we walk you step by step through the process of baiting a hook with threadfin shad for catfishing.
Where do shad go in summer?
Shad are easier to catch on warm days, locations would be the backs of coves and creeks where the water has been warmed by the sun all day. Look for stained water since shad will rarely be in clear shallow water and even if they are there they are very hard to get a net on.
Why do people fish for shad?
Shad is a type of fish, much valued as a sport fish. The male shad is an excellent game fish, showing multiple jumps and an occasional end-over-end; it has been called a “freshwater tarpon”. The gravid female does not fight much, but is often kept for the roe.
What is the best time to catch shad?
Fish in the spring and summer.
Shad spend their autumns and winters in the ocean, so the best time to fish them is during the spring and summer, when they return to the rivers for much easier access. Most people begin fishing shad in April and May.
What do you throw when bass eats shad?
A fluke is a great throw-back bait when a bass is interested but unwilling to hit a speedier lure. Why they work: Wide-bodied crankbaits are deadly. The balsa-wood, Rapala Shad Rap is a go-to of mine.
What do shad taste like?
American shad has a wonderful, distinctive, sardine-like flavor that is sweet, salty, and freshly fishy. The texture of the fish—which you can really only savor when it is filleted—enhances its pronounced flavor with an oily, yet resilient, silky sensation as it melts like butter on the palate.
Does shad have more bones?
Shad are especially bony, but northern pike, pickerel, carp, herring, squawfish, mooneye, buffalofish and many other fish are also born with extra sets of bones. Shad take the cake, though: They have 3,000 bones, but their meat is so tasty their Latin name is sapidissima—”tastiest.”