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Posts: 470
| Hey all,
Discovering and learning Muskie fishing on more southern waters this year that have a Shad forage base. Most of my "Tried and True" lure colors/patterns and tactics are not moving fish all that well. My mapwork is there, we are where the fish are (See them chasing shad..) they just don't seem to be interested in the lures we are chucking around the schools. I'm working on learning new tactics and equipment but I was wondering what you all would use as a go-to in this situation?
Any tips appreciated,
RandalB |
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Posts: 115
| How big are the baits you are throwing?? On my home lake which is loaded with shad we throw all smaller stuff. The last 3 weeks they were biting exclusively small crankbaits in the 4 to 6 inch range. Now they wont touch a crankbait and the bite has switched over to blades. We have had action on cowgirls but they mostly hit showgirls and smaller. As for color with cranks natural has been working best, my favorite is just silver with black back. Blades we get em on all colors, natural and chartreuse, but lately theyre liking black and orange best. Dont worry about catching small fish. The big girls will hit the small stuff too. My biggest fish which i lost was upper 40's and ate a 6 inch shallowraider and weve caught too many to count in the 40 to 45 inch range all on small stuff.
Edited by phishmasta 8/17/2014 9:53 AM
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Posts: 470
| We've been trying across the board, All sizes. The family has different levels of skill and ability, so we try broad spectrum until we see something move.
No follows on blades at all, Follows on Phantom soft tails and plastics. I've never seen it where you can't at least get a follow on blades so I'm puzzled.
Not worried about fish size, trying to get my son his first so any action is fine by me.
Going out again next weekend, Planning on trying Kickin' Minnows, Suicks, Blue and Silver blades and plastics.
Liking the weather this summer, water temps are still in the '70's...
RandalB |
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Location: Not far enough north! | I have always done better on spinnerbaits than bucktails in shad based lakes. Don't forget 10" Jakes though they can be dynamite at the right time along the milfoil edges. |
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Posts: 1283
| Small blades and small rubber has been best for us. Friday was the first time fishing Skis that we didnt at least see something in months. |
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Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL | Spinnerbaits, baker baits, Super shad raps, krushers and shallow invaders are some of my top producers on shad based lakes here in Illinois. If they are not committing to natural shad type colors try and throw something more shocking. I have done well on fire tiger, chartruese with black dots and clown type color patterns. If your lake has mostly threadfin shad instead of gizzard throw bass sized cranks with upgraded hardware. I like DT16's, hellbenders and wiggle warts...good luck! |
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Posts: 733
| Super shad raps for sure, and if the water is murky/muddy, don't forget the rattle baits. |
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Posts: 470
| Super clear water and a trip to cabelas got some of your ideas guys... Appreciate the tips!
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Posts: 76
Location: MPLS Metro | Heartthrobs (great schooling imitation) and Rove glide baits, which are in that 7" range. Both have proven successful for myself |
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Posts: 661
Location: Sussex, NJ | Shadzilla jrs |
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Posts: 469
Location: MN | I've made this pattern for Shad-forage waters. What do you think guys? 
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Posts: 470
| Take my money! |
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Posts: 908
Location: South-Central PA | For colors I like anything with a combination of blue / silver / white. I like to throw single or double 8's, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits in the 5-6" range. All have been outstanding for me on shad based lakes.
jeremy |
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Posts: 68
| That spinner looks good! |
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Posts: 469
Location: MN | Thanks Mark,
I've also made traditional minnow head version with Double Colorado & Willow Colorado blades.
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Posts: 114
| Best shad baits for trolling - Tuff Shads, MarShads, and Boss Shads. All will smoke fish. |
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Posts: 337
Location: Pennsylvania | Very nice spinnerbait.
Don't forget the SS shad n the bagleys line of llures. |
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Posts: 489
| Kickin minnow!!!!!!!! |
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Posts: 1202
Location: Money, PA | Try straight white or pearl. |
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Posts: 553
Location: 15 miles east of Lake Kinkaid | Lots of excellent recommendations above, although I think it needs to be added that lots of baits that look nothing like shad in shape or size catch fish in shad based lakes, rivers, reservoirs, etc. I mainly fish southern reservoirs and catch a lot of fish on 10's, 9's, mag dawgs, 10" jakes, and big gliders. As mentioned above, white seems to be particularly effective when using spinnerbaits and bucktails, but bright colors and/or high contrast lures often get the nod when around a lot of bait. |
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