Does anybody have a magic formula for getting Shad scales off of rods, reel seats, cork, reels, etc? How about something that keeps them from sticking so bad in the first place?

Soap and fresh water used on a micro fiber cleaning rag. When clean on the rods and everything else but the reels use West Marine Star Brite Boat Polish with Teflon or the cleaner polisher for Formica Cabinet tops. Best thing - use no live bait!

Gon Fishn

Ahhh, finally I have a reason to buy some of that expensive boat wax.

I don’t use live bait when I Fly fish because the shad keeps flying off on the back cast and besides that I don’t think my 8 WT line would do a good job turning over a 4 to 7 inch shad on the forward cast either. LOL.

Sorry!! - I am from the bayous of Louisiana and thought that shad was bait not quarry. I also noted on another post today that Tom Doyle fished for bluefish. I charter and a few years ago I had some guys from Philadelphia on my boat. We got in a school of blues that were eating snapper as fast as we hauled them up from bottom - I was cussing them and knocking them in the head and throwing them back in. These guys got awful quiet and I noticed they were having a confidential meeting in the back of the boat. The biggest dude of the lot came over to me and seriously asked me to please keep these treasures of the ocean because they considered them a fine eating fish. All I could see was blood on the deck of my boat! Everybody walks to the tune of a different drummer!

Have a nice day!

Gon Fishn

No Bill your right they are bait, at least in my boat anyway. The scales have been a problem for a long time but I never cared until I started building my own rods. I tend to take much better care of my rods now. Are you anywhere near Venice? Been trying to get down there and do some Tuna fishing for a few years now.

Yep! Venice is the spot. The yellowfin are wearing every one completely out this year. If you plan on making a trip down this way take a look at rodnreel.com and click on the reports section. There are some amazing photos posted now on a marlin adventure posted by Scot Avinzino. I am now a marsh rat for trout and redfish and leave the offshore stuff to the young and strong. When I work on a tuna boat I use the three word phrase that any smart deckhand knows by heart -Here Hold This!

Gon Fishn