Catching fish around migrating shad

Ok, this time of the year the shad are really schooled up and moving up the creeks/rivers to the headwaters of the lakes I fish. Often they are out over the channel just under the surface. I've tried for 2 or 3 years to figure out how to catch fish around them(assuming they are there). I've used crankbaits,spinnerbaits,blade baits and topwater. May have even used a fluke at one time. I'm graphing fish under them but can anybody help me with this? Most usually in the fall I end up fishing the channel banks around wood/rock with cranks to pick up fish.

You catch em just like I do. When the shad get into the shallower areas a fluke or trap can work well.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Neilslure &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You catch em just like I do. When the shad get into the shallower areas a fluke or trap can work well.</TD></TR></TABLE>

What he said! http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

A couple of other baits I keep tied on for this.
Little George. This thing is awsome for schooling bass!!
A prop Topwater bait like a tiny torpedo. There's something about the sound of the props that drives schooling fish crazy!

Daniel,

Those baits will all work, especially when the fish reach the backs of the coves and creeks.

Other baits to try are Buzzbaits and also a 5" or 6" Senko in a shad color like white, etc.

Cast the Senko a few feet beyond the school and then bring it back by slowly lifting the rod and then stop just before you reach the school and allow the bait to fall. Watch the line. Don't do anything, just wait. As it falls the Senko will do everything it is supposed to do. Try both the Tex sposed and also the wacky rig, fish will tell you which one works best.

The fall can be one of the absolute best times for fishing the Senko http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

I've done well just pitching a finess worm on a jig head and letting it fall through the bait ball.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by shawn706 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've done well just pitching a finess worm on a jig head and letting it fall through the bait ball.</TD></TR></TABLE>Same idea Shawn http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif I just like the Senko's action, but for years we fished one of Charlie Brewer's 4" Slider worms on his head and caught them too. Biggest thing is to let the bait fall through the school, and don't do anything to it except hold on http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

Couple of baits I've used at times, extra small crank, crappie crank, wee wart or something similar and quarter ounce, single spin w/small Colorado in a shad pattern. My best retrieve for the spinner bait is just let is drop thru the school and helicopter down. A slow retrieve seems to be the key for me.

so, do you guys just find the balls of shad at the surface and just fish them assuming there are fish around them or how do you pick which ones to fish?

The Little George is very good and if you match the hatch with a jigging spoon that can be deadly. I catch fish all year on jigging spoons from right on the surface to as deep as you can get.

If the shad are migrating, look for a good ambush spot, like a point, edge of flat, some standing timber on a channel bend, etc. The bass will be sitting waiting of the shad to pass, as well as following under the schools.

I know where there is a row of stumps on the river channel/bend that sit in about 8'. It's the side of the channel away from the bank where one side is right on the bank. Going to give that a shot http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

Daniel...have you considered/tried using an Acme Kastmaster spoon or similar spoon? Two approaches you can use....like a crankbait...or let the spoon fall (mimicking a dying shad) through the shad ball. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif I have seen occasions when schooling fish just don't seem to want to hit anything I throw (topwater, cranks, etc)...and maybe it's related to "not matching the hatch"....if that is the case, I'll tie on a spoon (like an Acme) and usually catch a few fish. http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

I use
A. Spinnerbait. Tandem willow leaf, white in color, lot of flash
B. Small crankbait in shad pattern
C. Jig, swim through the shad or bounce under them for bigger fish

A jigging spoon is a great choice but I cant find a bait that works better in that situation than a Fish Head Spin rigged with a super fluke jr.