Actually, we don't have shad up here, except for a run of transplanted American shad that don't make it up this far due to blockage from dams. The crappie and bass sure do like the gray/white color pattern, though. I think it imitates the young of the northern pikeminnow (AKA squawfish) or peamouth chub, which there are a lot of in the rivers around here.
Your good then.I'm used to seeing shad with a dot,too many years in Arizona.I do see a darker mass in the shape of a square sorta behind the eye.I think the dot would do good there also.It's fun to do also,lol.