Well, the fishing wasn't exactly fast-paced, but it was steady & consistent. Started fishing abut 5pm, using 10/0 VMC circle hooks (the ones I use offshore for red snapper) with big gizzard shad & they worked very well. Landed 7 hybrids - the smallest was 22" - and had a few that got away.

The big circle hooks set in the lower jaw or corner of the jaw every time; not a single gut-hooked fish. Made releasing fish much easier - and yes, I let them all loose after taking pics of some. Will post those later today. The fish were in slightly deeper water today (18-23) until about 7pm, then I was getting them in shallower water.

Tried working slabs & sassy shad and did not get a single fish on the lures. There were some boats around me using slabs & getting sandbass. But, I'll take half a dozen big hybrids over 50 sandies! Two years ago, I could only dream about having consistent catches like this. Now the goal is to get them consistently on artificials like DTA does!!

Here's the photos that came out clear ... using the timer on the camera gave me some blurry snapshots.

First fish of the day:

and last fish of the day:

Nice fish ZEEK!!!!!! One of these days I'm gonna have to get out there with you and try the whole "bait" thing!!!!

You're welcome onboard Bob! Took the redheads dad out on 5/18 & it was a blast with both of us hooked up at once. I'm sure the 'get the net' dance becomes hilarious to an observer then lol

looks like alot of fun.... water was pretty choppy HUH!!! man i like to take my daughter out fishing but trying to pick the right day - and want to make sure there is not alot of traffic at the lake she's only six safety comes first

Thanks for putting those fish back. I'll be out there soon to pick those back up from you Just wished it was easier for me to get out during the middle of the week.

Good report

Very nice! Couple questions: live shad? Where'd you get them? How'd you fish them- weighted with a leader? I'm getting better at crappie and sandies on LL, but not so much with the hybrids. Thanks!

Good looking fish.....

Yeah, live shad - also live perch (bream, brim, bluegill, whatever name you use). I've been finding them in shallow water (12-36 inches).

My live bait rig is a Carolina rig (egg sinker, swivel & long leader). About 1/2oz to 1oz weight depending on conditions & the hook size depends on the bait size. With smaller shad, I use a 1/0 hook & just leave the rod in the holder - the hybrids hook themslves almost immediately. With the bigger baits, I'm using large circle hooks & freespooling the bait - keep tension on the spool with my thumb until the bait gets picked up, then let the fish swim off for an approrpiate time before reeling down on him.

If you fish this way with circle hooks do NOT jerk the rod to set the hook - you'll usually just yank the hook out of its mouth.

NIce report. I have been getting them near the 121 cut but that is a popular spot. Might have to come over west and try the humps that you were on. Do you have a bait clicker on your reel? That is always fun to hear it screaming out with a big hybrid on it.....good pics.

What part of the bait fish do you like to put the circle hook through?

Rocky

Hook them sideways through the nose - don't get the hook in their eye sockets or they die fast.

Have bait clicker reels, but if I'm using a big live bait, I just keep the rod in hand with the reel in freespool.

Ok - 5/20. Ryno went with me & we started a bit earlier than I've been doing the last few days. Had a fish here, a bite there, but not much happening until about 7pm, then the hybrids went on a feeding frenzy Total was 12 hybrids - Ryno actually had one undersized! - 1 chunky sandbass, 1 crappie, 1 LMB, and 1 nice blue cat that got off at boatside ... ggrrrr. Kept some this time so Ryno could have fresh fish dinner. Also figured out that I don't have to hit the water till about 6pm now through probably most of the summer.

Finally worked out what to do to get hits on a sassy shad - for one thing, I had to go up to the biggest one I had in the boat. But, other than that all our fishing was with live bait (again). Have one more day off from work this week, so I'm gonna try to get the redhead to go with me tomorrow evening so she can get her first keeper hybrids

Nice 23" fish!


Bloody decks! I LOVE BLOODY DECKS!


Ryno with a nice pair of fish ... yes, these went in the cooler ...

good lord, someone hit that poor thing with an axe...LMAO...good pics...

where do you hook on a shad?, I tried on its nose, the bait took off with a fish. Thanks