Big M, Cinco De mayo

[Quillback]

Hola Amigos!

Got an early start, found schooling fish chasing shad outside of a cove mouth over 30-50 FOW.  Caught 10 of them on a Yellow Magic Havana, mostly 10-15" spots, with one 2 lb. Largemouth.  Lots of action for about an hour.  Once the sun popped over the hill the TW bite slowed considerably, even thought there were occasional bass chasing shad that would pop up every once in awhile, until the wind started howling.

Went to the bottom dragging stuff, got a lot of bites on the wobblehead with a creature, but mostly those squirrely protect the nest type bites.  I could not see any beds because of the murky water and the fish seem to be spawning deeper this year, but by the way they were biting - thunk it and drop it - I believe they were bedding fish.  Had to swing on them as they would drop it if I tried to let them take it.  Caught 8 or so on the wobbler, 3 keepers.

Fished the Ned for a bit, I could not get anything going with it, had a decent Kentuck that got off halfway to the boat, and caught a couple of micro-dink smallies on the Ned, but that was about it.

Water temps 63-66, water is stained green, 3-4 feet of visibility.

 

[dtrs5kprs]

If the regular cut stick isn't working, try a tiny brush hog (the 15pk one), half of a 4" lizard, or the finesse Shadz. There's usually a little window during the spawn when they want a different look. Ned has written about it quite a bit.

The Gene Larew hoodaddy in the smallest size is really good, but hard to find.

[Mitch f]

Quillback, 

Do you use a wobble head with split ring, or hook directly attached to the embedded wire?

If split ring, do you notice any difference in bites and hook up percentage? Also getting hung up?

[Quillback]

Thanks for the tips Dave.

Mitch - Today I was using wobble heads made by 6th Sense, they come with a hitchhiker or spring type bait holder.  Keeps the bait from being pulled down onto the hook bend on bites, and baits last longer.  I also will make my own. I buy the cheap wobbleheads on Lure Parts Online, cut the lousy hook off that comes with them, put on a split ring, and attach a hitchhiker and put a 90 degree jig hook on.

I don't see any difference in the number of bites, but I think I get better hookups (except today) than if I just rig a wobblehead Texas rigged.

[SplitG2]

Lots of bonus material in the replies above. Thanks all. 

[Mitch f]

38 minutes ago, Quillback said:

Thanks for the tips Dave.

Mitch - Today I was using wobble heads made by 6th Sense, they come with a hitchhiker or spring type bait holder.  Keeps the bait from being pulled down onto the hook bend on bites, and baits last longer.  I also will make my own. I buy the cheap wobbleheads on Lure Parts Online, cut the lousy hook off that comes with them, put on a split ring, and attach a hitchhiker and put a 90 degree jig hook on.

I don't see any difference in the number of bites, but I think I get better hookups (except today) than if I just rig a wobblehead Texas rigged.

Great info, Thanks!

[Nitro 750]

Great info, report and pic.

[Champ188]

3 hours ago, dtrs5kprs said:

The Gene Larew hoodaddy in the smallest size is really good, but hard to find.

How can you not catch fish on a bait called a Hoodaddy?