Shad Spawm and Bass Beds.

[Bill Babler]

Fished from 11 till 5 yesterday in the wind.  Easy 2 footers between Baxter and Point 9. Big Phoenix just flat ate it up. 

Surface temp at H hwy. ramp 58. Backs of some of the pockets 60. I looked and looked and saw zero beds. Water main lake between Baxter and Point 9 probably 8’ to 10’ visibility. 

NADA. 

What I did find was just flat one of those great days of fishing.  As I pulled into a creek and it’s a BIG 2 part creek on the right channel with the wind screaming in there were at least 50 Loons. One of the biggest flocks I’ve seen.
 They were spread for I’m guessing a 1/4  mile.  Really probably more than 50. Quite a few gulls also. 

Boat was in 85’ of water and both of the Garmin’s 2D sonar on my console just flat blacked out. Solid shad top to about 60’ deep  

I shut down and moved to the Livescope and 2D on the bow there were holes in the schools everywhere. Lots from fish but I could see the Loons swimming thru the schools. The underwater acrobatics of the birds was just mind boggling. Much like a cat with a mouse that has no chance. 

At this point I haven’t even picked up a rod. Then I hear what I thought was a feed and immediately turn my head and they are busting on the surface, thru the waves. I snatched up the 2.8 and it was on. Caught 6 all big thumper K’s, one 19” that weighed close to 4 pounds. 

I started paying really close attention and back further in the creek I could see them on top all over in small pods. I put a white W. Plopper on and caught two more right off the bat then they would not hit it again. They would and did continue to eat the little Keitech.  Surface temp was 59.1. 

Stayed in there for 4 hours and had 32 total all but maybe 1 or 2 were solid prespawn keepers. Caught all three black bass varieties.  At least a dozen really nice 17” to 19 inch Jaws.  Had one 3.52 and one 3.74 LM. 

Probably could have caught more but I couldn’t quit watching the crazy antics of the Loons. 

I know y’all are going to hate this but I saw 90% of the fish eat that little swim bait.  It got refused a bunch too.  You might despise Livescope but it was one of the most entertaining days I’ve ever spent in the water. 

You basically catch or get bit by one out of 20 that see your bait.   Educational and fascinating. 

Now here is another deal. I caught as many shad as it did bass. I accidentally snagged shad from 3” in size to smaller than your little fingernail. 

Yes we all know and see a shad spawn in the bushes and on the docks in late May.  I would like to know how many times a year shad spawn. I snagged two shad at one time on the little  size 1 hook that it would have taken 4 to cover a dime. They were so small they were transparent.   The wind had blown millions and millions into that creek. The fish were bloated with them. 

Would really love some thoughts on the shad spawn. 

Its just about to bust loose. 

Good Luck











 

[96 CHAMP]

Looks like a fun day for sure, These warm day & night temps next week in the 50s $ scattered storms  should make a good night  bite. 

 

[Phil Lilley]

Glad to see your reports again.

[Bill Babler]

Champ, tried the Magdraft and a Big Glide bait. Nothing on the Magdraft not even a follow. I thought in the wind they might have a go at it. Nope. 
I did get one total slam on the 9” Glider and a ton of follows. 

Friend threw the Chimira Shad yesterday. I think it’s 7.5”. He caught one huge K on it but that was it. Didn’t weigh it but said it was just under 20”. Also had a ginormous LM swim in with it. He watched it on Livescope but it never got within a couple of feet of it. The goofball even did a figure 8 at the boat 🤣🤣

Said he thought it was at least 6 pounds  

Wife and I are headed up to Door County 1st.week of May  Cherry blossoms and Small Jaws  I’ll be better this go around  

 

[Ron Burgundy]

On 4/19/2025 at 11:20 AM, Phil Lilley said:

Glad to see your reports again.

X2!

[shark bait]

I went out on Wednesday in the Holiday Island area. I threw a spinner bait, square bill and jig - nothing. Only 2 bites on the jig, that I missed. Moved around a bit then found a bunch of shad with bass around them at the mouth of little cuts and coves. I tied on a Ned with a small 6th sense swim bait and started catching them. Had a couple of 16" lm, lots of small spots and a few decent spots here and there. Water temp was 55 starting out and got to 58 by the end of the day. I didn't see any beds either. All the fish caught were in 2 to 10 ft of water. I don't have ffs but it sure would have been cool to see what you saw Bill!

[DavidB]

On 4/19/2025 at 10:14 AM, Bill Babler said:

Fished from 11 till 5 yesterday in the wind.  Easy 2 footers between Baxter and Point 9. Big Phoenix just flat ate it up. 

Surface temp at H hwy. ramp 58. Backs of some of the pockets 60. I looked and looked and saw zero beds. Water main lake between Baxter and Point 9 probably 8’ to 10’ visibility. 

NADA. 

What I did find was just flat one of those great days of fishing.  As I pulled into a creek and it’s a BIG 2 part creek on the right channel with the wind screaming in there were at least 50 Loons. One of the biggest flocks I’ve seen.
 They were spread for I’m guessing a 1/4  mile.  Really probably more than 50. Quite a few gulls also. 

Boat was in 85’ of water and both of the Garmin’s 2D sonar on my console just flat blacked out. Solid shad top to about 60’ deep  

I shut down and moved to the Livescope and 2D on the bow there were holes in the schools everywhere. Lots from fish but I could see the Loons swimming thru the schools. The underwater acrobatics of the birds was just mind boggling. Much like a cat with a mouse that has no chance. 

At this point I haven’t even picked up a rod. Then I hear what I thought was a feed and immediately turn my head and they are busting on the surface, thru the waves. I snatched up the 2.8 and it was on. Caught 6 all big thumper K’s, one 19” that weighed close to 4 pounds. 

I started paying really close attention and back further in the creek I could see them on top all over in small pods. I put a white W. Plopper on and caught two more right off the bat then they would not hit it again. They would and did continue to eat the little Keitech.  Surface temp was 59.1. 

Stayed in there for 4 hours and had 32 total all but maybe 1 or 2 were solid prespawn keepers. Caught all three black bass varieties.  At least a dozen really nice 17” to 19 inch Jaws.  Had one 3.52 and one 3.74 LM. 

Probably could have caught more but I couldn’t quit watching the crazy antics of the Loons. 

I know y’all are going to hate this but I saw 90% of the fish eat that little swim bait.  It got refused a bunch too.  You might despise Livescope but it was one of the most entertaining days I’ve ever spent in the water. 

You basically catch or get bit by one out of 20 that see your bait.   Educational and fascinating. 

Now here is another deal. I caught as many shad as it did bass. I accidentally snagged shad from 3” in size to smaller than your little fingernail. 

Yes we all know and see a shad spawn in the bushes and on the docks in late May.  I would like to know how many times a year shad spawn. I snagged two shad at one time on the little  size 1 hook that it would have taken 4 to cover a dime. They were so small they were transparent.   The wind had blown millions and millions into that creek. The fish were bloated with them. 

Would really love some thoughts on the shad spawn. 

Its just about to bust loose. 

Good Luck

Bill,

I'm happy to see your reports again, especially in advance of our yearly week at Happy Hollow, beginning this Sunday, the 27th.  Hope you keep 'em coming.  I look forward to your tutorials throughout the year.

Am I correct that you prefer 2d to downscan?  If so, can you elaborate?

It's also good to hear from another Sturgeon Bay convert.  What a fishery, whether on the Green Bay side, or Lake Michigan, or out around Washington Island.  A buddy and I are making our third trip this June, and this will be our first year to take the ladies.  I know that they'll enjoy the little villages with their shops and nice restaurants, while we're (hopefully) reeling in 4 and 5 lb. smallmouth!

Please post a report after your Sturgeon Bay trip.  As a side note, on our first trip one of our guides had just returned from his tour of duty at Fort Polk, 20 miles up the road from our home.  We shared stories about Toledo Bend, which he fished regularly while he was here.  He'll be guiding us again this year.








 

 

[DADAKOTA]

Sounds like an awesome day.  I can't wait to get back up to Door County and chase some smallies.  Enjoy your trip.