So, I've had the 1-2 shad per cast and such. I use a 7', 1/4" mesh net (1.35 lbs per foot) that seems to do okay.

My boat (22' pontoon) is lined both sides with LEDs. At Texoma I just feel like it does not shine deep enough and end up putting out flood light LEDs.

Now, I've searched on this and was unable to find anything. What I want to do is install 1-2 nice white lights that shine deeper into the water instead of sticking out my rigged lights. I keep breaking the wiring and battery hook up is a PITA...etc..etc.

My question is, does anyone know what lights the guides generally use? I can't tell since I stay away from them in the mornings (don't want to interfere). They DO NOT seem like high powered spot/floodlights. Maybe just 55w LED dock lights?

What I'm doing now is turning my greens on to attract a bunch of bait. Then deploy my floodlights, turn off the green lights and wait another 5 minutes and start casting.

I still have not hit a mother load of larger shad. Catch a lot of baby shad with that net.

Anyway...mainly looking to make my shad catching more efficient with a decent install of white lights and just am trying to figure out what I need. I do not want to mount the ones I'm using now since they are a tad on the large side and I'm not real sure they'd stand up to life in the rain and such.

Any input is appreciated.

Thank you,
ceyko

I got two halogen lights like those used for fog lights in all the new truck bumpers that I am going to mount to my bow light for when I need to run across the lake after dark. You could mount it on a swivel and point it at the water to catch bait. Might help.?.?.

Are you saying something similar to these?

http://www.amazon.com/Optilux-12-Volt-55...ogen+fog+lights

I did not even think about "fog lights" as a search topic. They are bright, that's for sure! I'm with you too, I could use some light in the pitch black so dual purpose as well. Good idea, thank you.

http://www.thegreenmonsterfishinglight.com/

You need these type of lights. I saw a dock at PK with these and they lit up the whole area. It was covered with minnows, perch and shad. I caught several nice sand bass there until the dock owner complained so much I decided to call it a day.

I'm getting some myself. Why drive all over the lake when you can throw these out at dusk, sit back and wait for the fish to come.

I have been eyeballing them, but it's out of budget if I'm being honest. Hell, I did not buy a livewell - I made one from a 32 gallon trashcan.

However, I'll probably go with some white lights for seeing/fishing but I am digging into underwater lights. It occurred to me about 2 hours ago - that makes more sense. Especially since Texoma seems to be really murky the last couple of weeks. I may buy into one (12v one, since I need it away from the slip) eventually though.

A friend of mine gave me them from a wrecked bumper off a Chevy truck. They are about 2"s in diameter but very bright. You might want to check at a junkyard.

A 1/4" mesh cast net is for small bait. I bet you catch a butt load of 1" shad in it. I use 1/2" and 5/8" heavy nets. The 5/8" is for bigger bait. It catches bigger baits when thrown in the same places as the 1/2". Infact it catches a bunch more big fish. Like keeper size hybrids, ditch pickles, and more.

Try 5/8" mesh Bait Buster net side by side with your 1/4" net and you will be amazed! It will sink so much faster you won't believe it until you see it.

A 1/2" net won't catch bait smaller than 3" long with most 4"+ you can add a inch to that with the 5/8" net. However if there is only small baits around they will swim through your net.

I built 2 of those 4 ft green florescent ones.
Parts are cheap and easy to find .......

TFG - Yeah, I do catch 20-30 of the tiny ones at one time. Won't lie, 20-30 is nice to have around. Chum the waters, makes me feel like I'm doing something when I suck at fishing.

I noticed I screwed up on the mesh size. May try to take it back to cabelas - I noticed all the local tackle shops sell 3/8 - but you say 5/8 is the way to g0? I'll do some more reading on that one.

fmclee - I may need to read up on building one. I just always find my amateur project like this, I end up spending more money (and time) than just buying it until I get it the way I like it. haha

1/2" and 5/8" is what I like but 3/8" is by far the
most popular. I only throw the 1/2" when I can't catch enough bait with the 5/8" and smaller baits are better than nothing. I use 6' and 7' foot nets. I like 7' but my fishing partners prefer 6'.

Whatever you do get the best quality net you can stand to pay for. They throw better and catch better. I have four nets now and my next one will be a custom made 3/4" net with lighter than normal weight mono and lots of lead. The big fish might tear it up but I bet it will catch the heck out of giant shad. On the true custom nets you can even pic your color. I'm thinking red, purple, or maybe even tie died multi colored.

I agree w/ TFG, go with bigger mesh size, it will most likely solve your problems. I have a 3/8" 7' and a 5/8" 7' net and the 3/8" net stays at home most of the time, the 5/8 sinks much faster b/c there isn't as much mesh material to resist the water when sinking. I bought mine from ssfireman on the forum, he usually takes orders for nets in the catfish section....good price for good net. good luck!

i/4 inch net is too small for texoma and sinks to slow the shad will run out from under it. 3/8 inch is the smallest mesh you should use for shad on texoma

Thank you all for the net input. I'll probably return mine to Cabela's (only reason I shop there is great return policy) and am going to check out the ssfireman ones now and see how much he is asking.

you will find your best nets for the price here http://justcastnets.com/pages/bait-buster-series
they are very fast with the shipping and a great net for shad

I use several lights for catching shad. I use a spot light to find them, green LED two attract them, and to LED spreader lights mounted to my T-top to concentrate them.