Waiting on the Shad
Pool 9 is at low pool now. In my opinion, more dangerous than when the River is running belly-full at major flood. Navigation in backwaters and running sloughs can be challenging–but rewarding.
Yesterday’s clients worked me hrd. they wanted SMB, then a nice mess of ‘gills for the pan. Throwing topwater, Rat-L-Trap and ZMan ned/TRD they put 25+ fish in the boat, several with substantial dimensions. With less than an hour left I went looking for a mostly submerged tree in that neck of the pool where we were fishing. Hadn’t chased gills there for several years. When i navigated thru this cut the tree-top wasn’t visible just 3 days prior the treetop wasn’t even visible.
But yesterday it had poked thru the surface on the falling River–one little staub in 3 fow surrounded by a forest of fallen trees with much better habitat. don’t know why they like this spot (must be cuz of easy food) but at this pool level gills that never see a hook are usually hanging there.. Took only minutes to put dinner in the boat.
Water temp is hovering around 70 degrees. Looks like this temp and low water will continue for at least another week. Sandgrass has started coming down the River in bales, making crankbait presentation on River mainstem rocks ‘challenging’.
The 1st cold front of fall is imminent. When water temps finally drop to 62 the shad will gather and suspend. Find a pod of shad. gamefish will be hanging nearby.
Last year from mid-Sept/mid-Oct I had five trips where clients boated 100 plus bass in a HALF-DAY. Pretty much fish-a-minute on chrome Traps, 1/4 oz big Dude blades and 3″ paddletail plastics.
It has been said that fishermen are not born liars, but they learn quicker than most folks. No need to lie when the truth is better—and the River when it’s sleepy in the fall holds the ultimate truth.