Biggins Early

[Bill Babler]

Shad kill is not a seasonal trend, although it does happen with some frequency. Severe Winters and Surface Water temps of usually 42 degrees of lower puts stress on the Thread Fin Shad. When this happens they either die, or become very sick and disorentated. It is something that the trout fishermen on Taneycomo and the Upper White River below Bull Shoals and Table Rock dams prey for. Cold Stunned Shad coming thru the dams, really stimulate the trout. Some years it happens, most years our waters do not cool down enough for it to take place.

Shad were lying dead by the thousands along the Bluffs in the Horseshoe Bend area of Bull Shoals lake yesterday. You could just see them lying on the bottom along the ledge rock, and dying all over the surface. For the most part, this is not a good place to bass fish. We were talking yesterday, and nither one of us has ever done well with that ammount of bait dying where we are fishing. Hundreds of gulls were working the area, picking off the dead and stunned Shad. Also saw at least a dozen Eagles on the same feeding spree.

Lots more shad from Tucker down, didn't notice that much up river from Tucker.

I was probably moving the bait faster than Bill yesterday. He was fishing the back of the boat, and just letting his bait drag and as we call it "Soak." The last 3 yrs. from the back of my boat, he has caught a 9+ and 2 over 7 pounds. I pick the spots, and he catches the fish. Does not seem fair does it. I usually will catch 1 or 2 more fish than he does, but he blows me away on tonage.

The Stickbait was made for Bill. He is a very through fisherman. His tenique is to snap the bait down, and then just maintain prussure on the bait. He usually double snaps the head when he does move it, and he will let it set sometimes for way over a minute. He has a fantastic feel for how fast to move the bait. At times, he will jerk it fast, just depends on how they want it. How does he know that? It's all feel. He is also a master of color, depending on conditions, and will change his bait multiple times during the day, depending on conditions. We are very fortunate to have lots of custom made and painted baits that are maybe just a little different than anyone else. Combine this with our love of Stickbaits and our years of knowledge fishing them ie "Were Old" and that helps us to no end.

Do you need all this special stuff. NO, absolutely not. A couple of years ago, I bought a Gold sided Purple back rogue off a shelf in a bait shop, and caught dozens of bass on it till I lost it. Have never seen the color again. All the usual culprits as far as colors however, will catch them probably just as well as our custom stuff. Without a doubt. Throw it in front of one that wants to eat it and there you go.

Good Luck

[solus_vero]

Hey, Thanks for the explanation!!

I've never heard of a shad die off.

I grew up fishing the rivers and just started fishing the lakes last summer.

Man, am I in for ALLOT of new lessons! And good, wise people with lake experience like you will be a HUGE help.

Thanks again!

[Greg nicks]

Looked liked the first picture bill was using a megabass in a color called M TNG metallic tango good color.