Is The Top Water Bite Over?

[Jason Essary]

Champ. I have been thinking because of the huge shad kill we had maybe the are not targeting them. Thoughts anyone???

[Moswimb8slinger]

If you try a floating BBZ1 6 inch, i bet you'd get bit... i do

[dtrs5kprs]

Champ. I have been thinking because of the huge shad kill we had maybe the are not targeting them. Thoughts anyone???

Yes, at least not yet. Have been thinking the same since April. Did see more shad in a few places today. Maybe that will make the traditional shad bites...tw, grub,spoon...materialize. There are still K's up in less than 20' spitting craws.

Will be interesting to see what happens if we hit 80 degree water soon.

[dtrs5kprs]

A first for me today. Just as I was landing a nice keeper Spot it upchucked half of a gp / orange Zinkerz into the drink.....no jig just plastic.

Have seen it before, even back before I started throwing the little rig, and before elaztech became more common. Pieces of regular old senkos, that were torn roughly in half. Think it is really a size they like to target.

[Champ188]

Jason, I'd have to agree that they just don't seem to be targeting shad heavily right now. Even back a few weeks ago during the 100-fish days some were having, nearly all of the bites were coming ON the bottom. And there never was much of a jerk bait bite this spring.

[dtrs5kprs]

Little K's are starting to chase bait in the middle of creeks, off points, over wood. 12"-13" fish.

[Jason Essary]

Ok. So we agree that the normal shad bite is not happing. And most all the fish eating the small craws are 2 lb and smaller with exceptions of course. Larger fish of course have to eat. What are they targeting??? (This is the thoughts I have)

[Jerry Rapp]

just a question. Everything is about a month behind due to the cold, long lasting winter. When does this topwater bite usually start? early June? It just might be later this year?

[Quillback]

Ok. So we agree that the normal shad bite is not happing. And most all the fish eating the small craws are 2 lb and smaller with exceptions of course. Larger fish of course have to eat. What are they targeting??? (This is the thoughts I have)

My guess is smaller panfish, gizzard shad and such. I did see in one main channel area up the White, schooling shad with bass feeding on them, some of the shad schools were deep - 40-50 feet down. Bill Babler has reported some of the guides are getting fish 30-50 feet deep, so I'm thinking with no thermocline the fish have a lot of vertical water they can move in.

[dtrs5kprs]

just a question. Everything is about a month behind due to the cold, long lasting winter. When does this topwater bite usually start? early June? It just might be later this year?

Usually starts in April with the fin, gets better in May and June as spooks and chuggers get added in. For me it sort of tapers off then until October/November.