Shad Spawn questions????

[Dalton Tam]

Ok...... never researched too much about the shad spawn but I'd like to learn about the behavior of bass during this period. I was always familiar with spawning bass but never really knew what the shad spawn was all about. Another reason I want to learn is because we recently had the shad spawn here in our local lakes and now we have these tiny shad swimming around that are hard to see but the big bass really aren't being caught. Why is this and what are some techniques I can try to increase my catches on large fish this time of year. I know that the moon hasn't been right for the past couple of weeks and the fish have really had a good case of the "lock Jaw". I've tried going after the fish with crawfish to see if they were eating crawfish better during this period and I've tried downsizing too but nothing seems to be working well. Do these big fish just go deep for a while and then come up in a couple of weeks? I really need some information and some help during this time of year.... any information would be appreciated.

[WRB]

Try Google threadfin shad or gizzard shad.

When LMB transition from post spawn to summer period, they have a lot of young of then year bait fish to choose as prey. Bass targeting shad; use either live shad or reaction lures with a lot of flash that look like shad and you have hundreds of choices.

Keep in mind that threadfin shad hide in cover during dark hours and move out into open water during the mid day.

There isn't a panacea for summer bass fishing, everything may work and you need to first locate the bass and decide what method to use.

WRB

[pkelz]

What could be the problem is that since there is such an abundance of shad in the lake, the bass just don't waste time with artificial lures. I've pretty much found this to be true in my lake during the summer too. I'm no expert on the topic but it's definitely something to consider.

[fishfordollars]

What could be the problem is that since there is such an abundance of shad in the lake, the bass just don't waste time with artificial lures. I've pretty much found this to be true in my lake during the summer too. I'm no expert on the topic but it's definitely something to consider.

Bet it's Lake Lanier.

[pkelz]

What could be the problem is that since there is such an abundance of shad in the lake, the bass just don't waste time with artificial lures. I've pretty much found this to be true in my lake during the summer too. I'm no expert on the topic but it's definitely something to consider.

Bet it's Lake Lanier.

Close! Lake Oconee  8-)

[Matt Fly]

Shad will spawn throughout the summer numerous times up until fall.

Shad spawn prior to sunrise, once the sun is up, they are done and on the move the majority of the time.

Bass are preditors by nature, the big girls know where the easiest meals are at all times of the year and at this time of the year in our region, its bream and bluegills.

This time of the year, the bream are stacked shallow and easy targets while they spawn.   Wasn't too long ago, bass beds were easy targets for bream.

 

[cart7t]

Threadfin shad are basically AM spawners. The best area's are shallow, rocky, hard bottom places.

With the shad up shallow and spawning on their mind they've become easier prey for the bass that often cruise up very, very close to bank. The shad can be attacked with little in the way of escape routes for them.

A particularly good set up would be with a slight wind blowing into a rocky, hard bottom bank or point and the water a little off color. This cuts the visibility for the bass to see way down and forces them to attack via movement. Crankbaits tossed very, very shallow can be killer as well as a spinnerbait. Expect to get hung up but the results are worth the effort.  You can and will catch big fish fishing the shad spawn if you hit the conditions just right.

[Catt]

Click on any section of the forum, look at the top under "Best Of" BassResource.com, and then look under Bass Forage for all your answers.