Shell knob 5/2 and 5/3

[196champ]

Started out Saturday morning shallow throwing a bigger swimbait and quickly had a few nice LMs.

Switched over to a wacky rigged stick fished over the beds in spawning areas and did really well, nothing of any size but fished until 2:00PM.  It was like the 4th of July out there!

   

Sunday i decided to stick close to home due to the storms rolling in and glad i did!

Threw a spook over a gravel run out and just got into them, it was non stop for over 2 hours, always nice when the stars align like that every once in a while

I had 2 right at 20" and one a bit over, 75% were smallmouth and were just crushing the bait.  boat in 30' casting toward the bank.  Some schooling activity but it was flat when i pulled up.

a dixie jet would have been the ticket a little later i believe but picked up a few on the swimmer.  Overall one of the best mornings for quality and quality i've had in some time.

I have one for fish ID.  Initially I thought it was a spot but after looking at pictures it appears to be a meanmouth.  Right at 20"

 

Meanmouth?

 

 

SM just over 20"

   

[bferg]

Awesome day!!  We fished on Friday and saw a little topwater activity but it was spread out and pretty mellow- I could tell it was just days away from blowing up and based on a couple of reports looks like it did over the weekend.  Great report. 

I am no Fish ID expert but that does look like a mean mouth to me. 

Curious about your big swim-bait.  I am kinda just getting into the bigger swimbait game.  Do you mind sharing what you were throwing?

[mojorig]

Meanmouth..

[Bill Babler]

I know.

[Guest]

NICE ONES!  i here you about the crowds.  for me, i am done with daytime fishing.  too many people.

bo

[196champ]

28 minutes ago, bferg said:

Awesome day!!  We fished on Friday and saw a little topwater activity but it was spread out and pretty mellow- I could tell it was just days away from blowing up and based on a couple of reports looks like it did over the weekend.  Great report. 

I am no Fish ID expert but that does look like a mean mouth to me. 

Curious about your big swim-bait.  I am kinda just getting into the bigger swimbait game.  Do you mind sharing what you were throwing?

I don't mind sharing at all, it is the 6" Megabass Magdraft.

About this time of year that bite starts up and really gets good post spawn.

I have way more track the bait right to the boat than eat it but it will at least show you where they live.

I throw it on a 7'2" MH rod with 15lb Floro and seems to do the trick, started using it a few years ago and once you catch one on it, it can get addicting.

The only thing about this bait is the retrieve has to be very consistent and slow for it to run correctly, peg a weight in the belly and it will get you a few more feet of depth

[whiteley.matt]

Had the same type of top water action Sunday morning by the dam.  Must have been turned on all over the lake.  It was a blast.  We had a glass surface as well when we started fishing around 615 but it was quickly broken with fish and shad activity all over where we were.

I had actually debated on going to Shell Knob because I have been catching fish there pretty consistently.  But, my buddy joining me lives by Chateau and so I figured might as well give the dam area a try.  Sounds like it was good fishing in both places.

[dtrs5kprs]

2 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

I know.

Yep. But I have issues.

[mixermarkb]

I throw the Magdraft on a Cara super duty that I bought from Mr. Babler. It only hurts a little less than throwing an Arig... Sometimes I just have to pick up the Ned to give my shoulder a break. It is addicting, and expensive, because the dang things get all tore up and out of whack easy. Now, everyone shush up about it. Mod, please delete this thread. It's all political and potty mouthed and whatever else will send a thread to an early grave... 

[dtrs5kprs]

36 minutes ago, mixermarkb said:

I throw the Magdraft on a Cara super duty that I bought from Mr. Babler. It only hurts a little less than throwing an Arig... Sometimes I just have to pick up the Ned to give my shoulder a break. It is addicting, and expensive, because the dang things get all tore up and out of whack easy. Now, everyone shush up about it. Mod, please delete this thread. It's all political and potty mouthed and whatever else will send a thread to an early grave... 

Have you seen a 10" magdraft?  Big critter.