The Alosa, a large member of the herring family, is a pelagic fish that lays its eggs in fresh water every spring. In the Mediterranean it is almost absent, while its presence is abundant in the oceans. In the United States it is present on the eastern coast, but is also found in abundance along the western coasts. The Alosa can be caught for food and for sport, and is also used as a bait for larger fish, such as blue catfish, perch or sea bass. To learn the strategies that will help you catch a lot of Halos, read from step 1.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding the Alosa
Step 1. Fish for Alosa in coastal rivers
The Alosa spends its time between the sea and coastal rivers, where it will travel in the spring to lay its eggs. It can go upstream for hundreds of kilometers during a season, and is nicknamed the "poor man's salmon". Unlike salmon, however, most Halos do not die after breeding.
- In the western United States, the Colombia and Sacramento rivers are the best places to fish for Alosa.
- In the eastern United States, the best place to find it is in the Connecticut River. However, it can be found in rivers in the far south, such as those of Florida.
Step 2. Fishing in the spring and summer
The Alosa spends autumn and winter in the ocean, so the best time to fish for it is in spring and summer, when it goes up rivers. Most sport fishermen start fishing for it in April and May.
Step 3. Fish where there is a strong current
It is advisable to face the current so you can catch fish as they ascend it. These will move towards the shore, where there is less chance of being carried away by the current. Look for areas where there is a bend in the river, as the current here is faster and will tend to push fish towards the shore.
Shades often congregate just below rocks and islets, and where the water flows from fast to slow
Step 4. Fish at the right depth
It is easier to catch the Alosa in places where the water is from 1, 20 to 3 meters deep. Check out the river fishing guides of your choice to find out where to station yourself.
Step 5. Fish within 9 meters of the shore
Since fish tend to skirt the shore in an attempt to avoid the current as they try to climb up the river, you are more likely to catch them if you cast within 30 feet of the bank. Depending on the spot you have chosen for fishing, it may be advisable to anchor a small boat for better opportunities to cast the line.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing the equipment
Step 1. Get a light rod and line
For the Alosa there is no need for a heavy rod. Choose a long, light casting rod or a fiberglass fly rod. Use the lightest line you can find considering the size of the fish in the fishing area.
Step 2. Use barbless hooks
The use of hooks without tailstock will make it easier to release the fish you don't want to catch. Silver or gold, those of size 1 or 2 are good for the Alosa.
Step 3. Use the right bait, natural or artificial
To catch the largest and heaviest specimens you will need to lure them with suitable baits. Replace them to experiment with the ones that work best with the fish in the area.
- White or yellow flies with red heads are quite common.
- The beads for the endings should be used in cold waters to entice and attract the Alosa found at greater depth. It launches against the current, slowly sliding the beads towards the Alosa, attracting its attention.
- Darts should be used when fishing in deeper and colder waters. They will sink deeper and faster than a fly.
- Rotating spoons should be used when fishing from shore, dragging them from upstream to downstream.
- The undulating spoons work more efficiently at about half the water level. Use them when fishing from a boat, launch them, and then retrieve them at medium speed.
Step 4. Consider using a fill pattern
If you want to catch smaller fish to use as bait, you can try a net. This must have the right size mesh for the Alosa you want to take. The smaller ones will go through the holes of a large mesh net. A typical Alosa throwing net has about 2 m in circumference, weighs just over 220 g, and has 1.3 cm meshes.
Prepare the net to make it easier to cast and more effective by soaking it overnight in a washing machine or tub with hot water and fabric softener. Then keep it in the sun for a day. Once dry, the net will be more flexible and easier to use
Part 3 of 3: Using Effective Techniques
Step 1. Learn the behavioral patterns of fish
The position of the Shades in the water varies with the weather conditions. In spring and summer, look for them at the beginning of the evening or before dawn (although you can take them at any time of the day).
- In the evening, you can find them in warmer waters in the most sheltered areas of a bay or inlet. In the morning or after sunset, Alosa can be found near light sources.
- In the fall you will need to plan taking into account the behavior of the fish during cold weather. The colder currents will push the Alosa away from inlets and coves towards deeper waters, making it more difficult to capture.
Step 2. Launch against the current
The best way to fish for Alosa is to cast against the current and let the line travel downstream following the current. The lead should slide slightly on the bottom, but without going to the bottom completely to avoid running aground. If you are lucky, you will be able to cross the path of an Alosa colony. Make sure you cast no farther than 30 feet from shore, and try where the current meets slower waters.
Step 3. Try to find the row of fish
The Alosa moves in rows, rather than in large groups. This means it's easy to go home empty-handed after a day of fishing in the wrong place and miss the line by a few inches. Don't give up too easily if you don't bite on the first few rolls.
Step 4. Launch several times in the same place
When you find the line, keep fishing there. Where there is an Alosa, there are others. The popularity of Alosa fishing is partly due to the fisherman's ability to return home with a refrigerator overflowing with fresh fish at the end of the day; all you have to do is find the line, and you are good to go.
