Veteran industry PR man Gary Dollahon issued a press release today announcing that famed trick-caster Shag Shahid died last weekend in Florida. The 86-year-old had been battling several health issues recently.
"It's hard for us, but Dad seemed comfortable and ready when his time came," said son Wade Shahid. "Those who knew him best know he was a competitor in everything he did."
Born to Lebanese immigrants in Charleston, S.C., he grew up in Timmonsville and developed a love for fishing in his early days. He was also fond of team sports and played football, baseball and basketball in high school, and then football and baseball at The Citadel.
In the early 1950s he played semi-pro baseball in the region's Palmetto League as a pitcher. He often used a baseball analogy when teaching casting, saying, "It's just like throwing a baseball; you have to know when and where to let go."
After leaving baseball, he moved to Birmingham, Ala., where he owned and operated Shag's Restaurant. During this time he met Lola Price, and the couple was married in 1955.
The Shahids later moved to Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., where he opened Shag's BBQ in the Gulf Coast region, which became a popular tourist destination. It was during that time in the early 1970s that Shahid pursued an opportunity in the fishing tackle business, going to work for Lew Childre in his upstart rod and reel operation in Foley, Ala. Childre and Shahid became good friends and fishing partners, and together developed some of the fishing industry's most popular rod and reel designs that were marketed under the Lew's brand.
"I'm not sure if Shag got out of the barbecue business because he thought the fishing market sounded better to him, or because too many customers were complaining about their sandwiches having a taste of paint from overspray as he dabbled in painting lures on the side," recalled Casey Childre, son of the late Lew Childre. "Dad and Shag made a good team though, and they worked on a lot of products together. Shag carved from wood what eventually became the pistol grip handle made by Fuji and featured on the Lew's Speed Stick."
Shahid will be buried later this week near his longtime home in Ft. Walton Beach. He's survived by his wife Lola, sister Agnes, sisters-in-law Margaret and Billie, sons Wade and James, and numerous grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
"He was truly a unique man in a special circle of anglers from an important era that helped shape our fishing community," said B.A.S.S founder Ray Scott. "I saw in Shag a compassion for wanting to help people be better at casting and catching fish. And he had a special gift of patience in helping those who needed some extra attention.
"He sure could cast and I always enjoyed watching him entertain a crowd at the shows. I have to say he was truly interested in helping people, and to me that's a great compliment about any person."
