Kim City - Jan 3, 2026 - Deep 2.8 swimbait- LM at the surface

[Dock-in-it]

I fished this morning and the bite was steady. I scouted 2 locations that had no bait or fish, then my 3rd spot was loaded. I was around bait, fish, and birds all morning. The LM were under pods of shad at the surface and most of the K's used the entire water column. I targeted the LM and left the K's alone until about 9Am when most of the surface activity started to dwindle. 

Used a 2.8 SB with a 1/4 and 3/8 tungsten jig head. Some days they respond well to the 1/2 oz with a 2.8 but these fish were not buying it today....the shad were real small.

WT 52-53 

[Bill Babler]

Nice. They were actually chasing on top up the White day before yesterday. 

I never barged after them as I was getting bit decent on the bank.  Was pretty sure if I chased them they would be gone when I got there. 

Your acumen with the FFS  is fantastic separating the K’s from LM. I can discern species do to school structure and of course gar and spoonbill, but I can’t pick a LM out of a school of bait if the K’s are the same size. 

Any tips are much appreciated. 

Thanks for the report. 



 

[Dock-in-it]

Bill, my FFS skills are just at the basic level. Here is the scenario I was around this morning. I would throw at the surface activity and catch mainly LM with very few K's or SM in the mix. When I first arrived I caught fish postured deep under the trolling motor and they were K's, so I just left them alone and chased the surface activity. Later in the morning I fished deep again and just caught K's. 

The loons would keep the surface fish and bait moving at a steady pace.

[Bill Babler]

Durn, I was hoping for a secret 🤫 Got it, however your recognition skills were top notch. 

Thanks for all you do. 
 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I was at Cape Fair Crappie fishing, and running down the lake we saw a lot of birds diving. Finally I couldn't take it so I stopped and made one cast with a Ice Jig, and sure enough a 2.5 LM. That was later in the day when it was time to go home. Should have done that all day. Crappie were biting but not many keepers lot and lots of short fish. back to Bull for me

Flat Creek/James  water temp 46. Cape Marina and down lake I saw 52