The Fish Are Winning

[Ben Eipert]

I fish Norris down in TN which is more of a really deep river than a lake. It has no current and really clear water. Most of the time I can catch them on tubes or jigs but  recently I have started having trouble. Three weeks ago the fishing was killer and I could catch them all day long but now no luck. This is mainly a shad lake and I can see them busting shad off of points but I cannot catch them. The depth where the fish are now is around thirty foot and both lm and sm are long and skinny. Any ideas?

[ColdSVT]

They usually do lol

Sound like post spawn conditions.

Look for a reaction bite, do some deep crankin as well

[Ben Eipert]

Ok. Also when I was catching them they were running shad or fry along the banks. The bass have been off the beds for a while bu the bluegill have just finished up.

[WRB]

The fish don't know they are winning.

OK, how you trieng to catch these bass? What type of tackle, lures and presentations have tried?

Tom

[Ben Eipert]

I mainly fish finesse tubes off of rocky/clay points, rock banks with drop offs, and bluffs. I also throw jigs there. I just do not have much confidence in anything else. I occasionally crank a DD22 and grind it into the bottom. Paddle tail worms on a round head jig and shakey head worms  get used sometimes also.

[WRB]

When bass are targeting Shad schools you either go to lures that replicate injured Shad, use live Shad or target bass not feeding on Shad.

Early in the morning before the sun moves the Shad out into the deeper water, the Shad are hiding in brush or under docks, good places to start. When the sun is up overhead, the Shad move out of hiding to feed on plankton and school up for safety, then structure or flutter spoons, tail spins, lures that drop vertically like tubes in Shad colors, drop shot, dart head jigs or fast moving surface lures or jerk baits in Shad profile work.

Tom

[Ben Eipert]

That makes sense because the tubes I use are smoke colored about the same size as the alewives down here. I was catching them around noon when they were running them along the banks. Just so I am getting this straight fish brush, rock piles, docks etc. early and then fish structure like points and dropoffs later in the day. 

[WRB]

That makes sense because the tubes I use are smoke colored about the same size as the alewives down here. I was catching them around noon when they were running them along the banks. Just so I am getting this straight fish brush, rock piles, docks etc. early and then fish structure like points and dropoffs later in the day.

Yep! If there is any brush near the deep drop offs and long tapering points, the bass tend to use it, could be just a few stick ups.

Tom

[Ben Eipert]

Thanks for the help! I will give it a shot this weekend. I will let you guys know how I do.

[CRANKENSTIEN]

You said you see them busting. Have a spook type bait or a jerk bait on to run through there and deep crank it when they disappear. They may not know when they are winning but they can probably figure out when they are losing LOL.

[Catt]

Google alewives bassresource, you'll find a treasure trove of information.

[38 Super Fan]

You said you see them busting. Have a spook type bait or a jerk bait on to run through there and deep crank it when they disappear. They may not know when they are winning but they can probably figure out when they are losing LOL.

I'll second that. Always keep a spook tied on, and don't just use it when they're busting either. Topwater is an overlooked technique on those deep clear lakes like Norris.

 

Oh, and good luck!

[Ben Eipert]

Thanks all. Also when I mean I see them busting shad I mean I sea one or two shad jump out of the water then a splash. Does all that still apply even though they are not ¨schooling¨ for lack of a better word?

[WRB]

There is a difference between shad and alewives; size, color and locational habits. Alewives is about a 5"-6" heavier body fish, threadfin shad about 3"-4" and gizzard shad about 7"-10". Shad schools are usually big and can be close to the surface, alewives and herring hangout deeper in smaller size schools unless they are spawning.

When you a few baitfish jumping doesn't indicate the size of the school, just the fish the predators are chasing jump.

Chrome spoons, both heavy structure or lighter weight flutter spoons work good. Bigger bass tend to stay below the baitfish schools, a spoon falls down to them. Spooks, Sammy, Pop-R types all work at times.

Tom

[brgbassmaster]

I would throw a spook off those points with the bass chasing bait. Especially post spawn. Should be killer.

[the reel ess]

L'il George for schoolies that are suspended. It's old school, but should still do the trick. Having said that, I have one I haven't used in years. Toss it past the school (they'll cast a mile) and let it come under the action a bit. Worth a try.

 

Also, try a double fluke rig. They could be stripers. If so, hold on!

[Ben Eipert]

What color spooks would you guys recommend. I only have two of the clear puppy spooks now

[the reel ess]

I have caught fish on shad and baby bass. But consider what a fish would see from directly below. They won't really know or care what color it is. Especially if the belly is white.

[Ben Eipert]

Alright thanks everyone I am gonna give these a shot.

[WRB]

It's hard to beat bone white surface lures or Shad colors.

Consider using a larger size Spook 4 1/2" for the type of bait you have, easier to cast a longer distance for schooling bass.

R.I. Vixen is ideal size in bone or ghost Shad, little pricey but worth it.

Tom