When working docks, bass pro Mark Davis said it’s important to cover all the angles — down both sides of the walkway, across the face and tracing the T ends.
Pro Terry Scroggins said anglers can get the most out of a day’s shad spawn by minding the shadows. Overcast conditions will also extend the spawning activity, but positioning is the steady factor.
“It’s all about sunlight penetration, so if you have a shaded bank, the shad are going to spawn a little bit longer than out in the open water where there’s nothing to cover them and (block) that sunlight.
“What you want to do is fish the west side of the lake first because that’s the side the sun’s going to hit first. And as the sun gets up, move to the east side because you’ll have low-light conditions longer there than you will on the west side.”
Wind plays a role in this production, as well, but mostly in terms of positioning shad and impacting fish visibility. Blustery conditions and rough water might make a traditional shad-spawn area inhospitable for the baitfish, so consider areas with more of a honeymoon suite kind of vibe.
But Scroggins pointed out that a slight wind will break up the surface and makes it easier to fool the bass.
Lastly, bass pro and Toledo Bend guide Dennis Tietje suggested taking a cue from your feathered friends. Egrets, herons and gulls won’t pass up the chance to reach out or swoop down and grab a spawning shad dinner.
“Always look for birds,” Tietje said. “They will show you the best areas.”
