How to Catch Spadefish
Spadefish have recently been recognized as a sport fish. For years, schools of these flat fish have been observed swimming around wrecks, bridge pilings, etc., but they were considered a trash fish. They couldn't be caught, and who would want to anyway! They were more fun for divers to look at than for fishermen to catch.
However, that has changed. Someone finally figured out how to catch them, and found out that they put up a HECKUVA fight! And, of course, once that trend took hold, others figured out that the Spadefish is rather tasty!
A Spadefish's natural prey is Jellyfish. Hence the reason it took so long for folks to figure out how to catch them. This being said, the later in the season you fish for Spadefish, the less likely they are to bite. As the water temp rises, jellyfish become more abundant, and the Spadefish are actually full enough to not be tempted by bait.
Before that happens, though, Spadefish will bite on CLAM.
The best way to fish for spadefish is as follows:
Anchor just up-current of some structure believed to hold spadefish. The closer you can get, the better, as Spadefish will not usually wander far from the structure on which they are congregating.
Get some big cans of ground clam. You can buy big cans at Sam's Club or Costco. Chum with this...just enough to get them feeding. Just a little ladled over the side every once in a while is enough.
Get fresh clams from the supermarket if you can. The kind that are about the size of your fist are best. Smash them open, and use a circle hook about the size of your thumbnail and bury it in the tough part of the foot of the clam, but leave the gooey part hanging down. (Slice the foot into thumbnail-size sections to get multiple baits out of one clam.)
Attach the circle hook to fluorocarbon leader...Spadefish are tackle-shy and will avoid line they can see. Not saying they won't bite at all, but invisible leader is better. Use about 8 feet of fluoro leader.
Free-float the clam/circle hook back into the current with the chum. If the current is too strong, add enough shot weights above the leader to sink the line...usually to about 8 feet max. Alternately, you could use a float (bobber), and let the hook be about 1 to 3 feet below the surface.
As with all circle hooks, do not set the hook...merely let the line become tight...and HOLD ON. Spadefish pull like crazy. They will pull drag off a reel so fast, even if it is only a 6-7 pound Spade. Medium tackle is best...Light tackle if you really want to lose some line.
Don't pull too hard...their mouths are a bit soft and they will pull off if you don't play them with just the right amount of tension. That being said, don't let them wrap around the structure and break off.
And be aware that sometimes they break off on each other...they rub the line across other fish in the school, and this can be enough to break line...especially mono.
Maybe some day I'll post an article on How to Cook Spadefish...but the short version is that the meat is so firm that it works well on the grill!
I hope this has helped you learn how to catch Spadefish! Enjoy!