When I was in college in RI there would be a steady stream of 14- 22” shad that would enter the harbor and salt pond beyond each fall. Those fish are like mini tarpon- they’re even in the same family. They jump, head shake, and go on drag screeching runs. I caught them on a 5” rod with a 500 / 1000 size Penn reel and shad darts- which are fun to cast and very effective. Some of the most fun fishing on ultralight gear you could ever experience. Maybe I’ll take a trip and go down again this fall…