Understanding Blueback Herring as Bass Forage

Blueback Herring, also known as river herring, a coastal species that generally lives in saltwater and spawns in freshwater streams, blueback herring have been introduced into many river systems in the Southeast, USA. Blueback Herring are known for their speed and nomadic nature not staying in one location – and the bass follow as such can be tough to find. Some suggest that blueback herring are bass preference forage where they exist over shad and bluegills.

Why is Understanding Blueback Herring Important?

It is important to understand Shad to:

  • Find Bass: Locating shad, especially during the spawn, will find bass. Except for the spawn, some suggest they are moving around the deep water and clearest water in the summer and fall for those that don’t go back to the ocean. It is possible to identify bass feeding on blueback herring as the blueback herring will be busting on the surface for a short period of time.
  • Select a Lure: Selecting the best lure based on mimicking the look blueback herring. 
Understand Blueback Herring as Bass Forage
  • Spawn: During spawning season, it migrates into coastal rivers, and spawns immediately after the bass spawn, and before the shad spawn. Herring spawn over hard bottom often on secondary points and they spawn all day. 
Additional Considerations
  • Locations: Blueback Herring are native to Atlantic Coast migrating into coastal rivers to spawn in fast moving freshwater and now can be found. It an established species in Texas, New York, North Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Nova Scotia and has been introduced to a variety of bodies of water.
  • Color: Blueback Herring are silvery in color, have a series of scutes (modified, spiny and keeled scales) along their bellies, and are characterized by deep bluish-green backs. They reach a maximum size of approximately 16 inches. The most distinguishing characteristic of this species is the black to dusky in color of its the lining of the abdominal cavity.
  • Alewifes Comparison. They can be easily confused with Alewifes. Alewives have larger eyes, greater body depth, and pearly to white peritoneal linings.
Blueback Herring
It's About the Allure

Blueback Herring are very quick and always moving as such:

  • Soft Jerkbait/Fluke: Fast with the lure busting the surface.  
    • Double Fluke: 
  • Lipless Crankbaits:
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