I have some pretty old electronics. Even though I plan on purchasing something much nicer here in the near future, I still would like to understand the shad's day to day habits better. I fish Bull Shoals Reservoir in Northwest Arkansas. The main species of shad that populates the lake are Threadfin and Gizzard. Bull Shoals is a fairly deep (avg. 75ft.) fairly clear reservoir that is about 5 foot up as of now with water temps in the mid 70's. There are lot's of creeks feeding into it along with shorelines absolutely lined with brush due to the high water. My question pertains to anything to do with how the shad will behave in this lake. Should I focus more on the Threadfin Shad or the Gizzard Shad? What are some ways I can predict the schools everyday routines? Any suggestions pertaining to or any suggestions of what I need to know about shad in general would be much appreciated.

Best thing to do is read on the internet about the certain species the way they: spawn and or their seasonal pattern and where they reside...then you can get out on the lake and learn about them.

Just from the small amount of live bait fishing that I have done, we have focused more on catching threadfins as bait. (A lot of this has to do with the sole fact that gizzards are absolutely disgusting fish and just make the bait tank nasty) So, I have a tendency to say threadfins are what you should focus on. However, bass eat both, so I'm not sure that it really makes too much of a difference.

If u have them to use for bait or u have to catch some an easy way to find em is if the wind is blowing from the north they will be on the south bank and visa versa

Bull Shoals can be a very tough lake, big and beautiful and every inch of shoreline looks bassy,

especially when the water is high. Unfortunately, like most lakes, 10% of the lake hold 90% of

the fish. I would strongly suggest hiring a guide for a day or two, specifically Tim "Hot Dawg" Curtis.

http://www.hotdawgguideservice.com/