My best 5 went over 47lbs

[Smalliebigs]

On 11/12/2021 at 4:02 PM, top_dollar said:

Holy cow man, I have got to figure out how to catch those things.  Great job catching. 

They are not easy to target lol these things are weird as hell. I have gone back to my spots and can’t buy a bite it’s like the water is dead now lol 😂 they are unusual 

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, Smalliebigs said:

They are not easy to target lol these things are weird as hell. I have gone back to my spots and can’t buy a bite it’s like the water is dead now lol 😂 they are unusual 

I disagree.  They are easy to target.   Just hard to catch😂.   I used to drive over to Illinois and target them in spring.   Success ratio was about 1 in 10.  I love catching them but I gave up.  

[FishnDave]

1 hour ago, Smalliebigs said:

They are not easy to target lol these things are weird as hell. I have gone back to my spots and can’t buy a bite it’s like the water is dead now lol 😂 they are unusual 

But when you score, you score BIG!   I dunno how you do it.  I went looking for them again on Saturday morning.  At least I didn't get skunked this time. Caught just one little fish in the river.

I just assume its ME.  Like the time my buddy was catching big White Bass at the local reservoir in Iowa...he called me at work to tell me he'd been catching them for hours..and that I should come out during my lunch hour.  I did.  I pulled into the parking lot, I could see him still catching fish!  As soon as I opened my car door, the fish disappeared suddenly and immediately.  😒

Anyway...my lack of success on Saturday morning made me choose to go fish for other things at other places.  Enjoyed the day. 😁👍

 

[BilletHead]

                 My thoughts for what it's worth to you experts is,

   The only thing other than thinking they are going got to spawn you should rely on is food they like mainly shad and I repeat again SHAD.  Of you go and food is not there it will be tough to the point you may not catch at all. Follow the shad and your chances and success rate will increase. 

   I go and go early ask @grizwilson and @curtisce.  If you don't see shad being blown up some you fish for a spell or go home or even go catch some crappie. This is in shallow skinny water which I prefer and with the fly rod. 

    Same thing on the lake going deep for them use your electronics and find them but when you do there will be food involved. They will be shallow at times there also but so will the food source. 

[FishnDave]

15 minutes ago, BilletHead said:

                 My thoughts for what it's worth to you experts is,

   The only thing other than thinking they are going got to spawn you should rely on is food they like mainly shad and I repeat again SHAD.  Of you go and food is not there it will be tough to the point you may not catch at all. Follow the shad and your chances and success rate will increase. 

   I go and go early ask @grizwilson and @curtisce.  If you don't see shad being blown up some you fish for a spell or go home or even go catch some crappie. This is in shallow skinny water which I prefer and with the fly rod. 

    Same thing on the lake going deep for them use your electronics and find them but when you do there will be food involved. They will be shallow at times there also but so will the food source. 

Of course you are right @BilletHead.  I've seen no baitfish at all the 2 times I've gone searching for these.

[snagged in outlet 3]

33 minutes ago, FishnDave said:

Of course you are right @BilletHead.  I've seen no baitfish at all the 2 times I've gone searching for these.

Every time I went to Illinois there were so many shad it looked like a hatchery.  Cloudy skies and water temp the same as when we smoked em.  Not a bite. In fact none of the 20 guys there got a bite.  

[BilletHead]

1 hour ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Every time I went to Illinois there were so many shad it looked like a hatchery.  Cloudy skies and water temp the same as when we smoked em.  Not a bite. In fact none of the 20 guys there got a bite.  

  Just My experience. Mostly rivers and skinny thin water. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

3 minutes ago, BilletHead said:

  Just My experience. Mostly rivers and skinny thin water. 

This is a dam outflow.  

[BilletHead]

10 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

This is a dam outflow.  

         Deep water?

[snagged in outlet 3]

14 minutes ago, BilletHead said:

         Deep water?

No.  Couple feet at most.  I have a buddy that lives near there and he goes all the time.  It’s either on or off.  Nothing in between.  He might go 5 times a week to catch it when they are on.  I don’t live close enough for that.