Thread: Shad Patterns

I'm sure that the huge numbers of shad we are seeing will translate to some huge crappie being caught at some point....but I haven't heard whether the crappie spawn was any good this year or not. The spring weather was so up and down that people were catching crappies still full of eggs in late May. It could be that we have bigger, but fewer fish a couple of years from now, based on the assumption that it takes 3 yrs for a crappie to reach 9-10". I guess I could go out and net some shad...sure not catching any crappies

Yep never seen so many shad on Truman. Crazy!

I've seen at least 3 sizes of young shad at Smithville this week, with the smallest being only about 1/2"-3/4" in length. All right on the surface.

Lots of small shad at Smithville. Smallest I've ever seen this time of year. Makes fishing tough though. When there's this much food in the water a jig just doesn't look as appealing. Crappie growth should be off the charts this year. I've gotten into the white bass this past week and they are going nuts on the surface after the small shad. Tons of fun on an ultralight. I may not crappie fish for another month!

I seen a few eruptions on Truman today. Schools are still everywhere, but not as many as before.

Originally Posted by vic n

I've seen at least 3 sizes of young shad at Smithville this week, with the smallest being only about 1/2"-3/4" in length. All right on the surface.

At least 3 sizes...

Originally Posted by MOfishmgr

Lots of small shad at Smithville. Smallest I've ever seen this time of year. Makes fishing tough though. When there's this much food in the water a jig just doesn't look as appealing. Crappie growth should be off the charts this year. I've gotten into the white bass this past week and they are going nuts on the surface after the small shad. Tons of fun on an ultralight. I may not crappie fish for another month!

Do you have any info or thoughts what the success of the spring crappie spawn was at
Truman, Smithville, Stockton etc. was? Thanks.

Originally Posted by crappies nightmare

Do you have any info or thoughts what the success of the spring crappie spawn was at
Truman, Smithville, Stockton etc. was? Thanks.

This is a good question, and one I'd like to have answered as well. I would suggest starting a new thread to make sure they all get to see it and respond.