What should I throw for shad chasing bass before first light?

The bass (and crappie) are chasing shad in the ca delta where I have been going. The water is about 49 degrees and 6 foot visibility, (I can see a white lure 6 feet deep during the day). Soft white swimbaits and a double fluke rig are both working great after the sun comes up, but while it is dark I have been throwing texas rigged plastics with a bead for noise, but it is only producing an occasional fish. I can see fish chasing shad, or at least some kind of baitfish, on the surface, so I know they are active. I figure they cannot find the swimbaits in the dark, so I haven't been giving them much of a chance. Am I wrong?

Thanks for all the help. This site, between the forum and the articles, is responsible for most of the fish that get a look at the deck of my kayak.

Opie

1/2 oz Shad lipless crank...

I'd try a buzzbait, a spook, and a shallow crank.A  100 series Bandit in white would be my first choice. Good luck.

The biggest chug bug you can find and don't be afraid to really use it!!

why not try what works the rest of the day?  you don't always have to do something different.

I figure they cannot find the swimbaits in the dark, so I haven't been giving them much of a chance. Am I wrong?

They have to be able to find the real thing in the dark, so why wouldn't the swimbaits work then? If you want a little more commotion you could also try the Castaic Original Hardheaded Shad. When I lived in Ca and Az those Castaics were what I used at all times of the day. The hardheads act like a shallow crank that looks realistic. If you have crappie, they also have a baby crappie that did me a lot of good too.  Also the Castaic Rock Hard Trout in 4in is a good alternative too.  The hard body actually clicks against itself when you burn it.  I have found in low visability conditions I twitch it while burning it back to the boat.  A really fast and hard cadance twitch will elicite strikes from a lot of fish who normally won't bite.  And don't worry if you don't have trout in your waters, I'm in swampland here in VA and there aren't any trout, but my rock hard is one of my best producers.

Even though that water is pretty chilly, if those bass are chasing up high in the water column, don't be afraid to throw a buzzbait.  Another bait would be a shallow running crankbait. 

Good luck man

I had trailer trouble so I did not reach the spot in time to try anything out, but my two buddies that got there on time just happened to try two of the suggestions. One threw a translucent white 3.5 inch skinny soft swimbait for three largemouth. The other saw all the surface activity and pulled out his spook for not one bite.

I hope to do some more on the water research on lipless cranks, shallow cranks and buzzbaits soon.

  Thanks for all the ideas.

Opie

BLACK BUZZ BAIT WITH TRAILER HOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kelley

BLACK BUZZ BAIT WITH TRAILER HOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kelley

Much as I hate to admit it, I have to agree with Kelley. ;D Before first light and after last light. Where is Muddy and his Jitterbug? If you are fishing where you might get hung up or snagged every other cast, try a Rage Shad.

BLACK BUZZ BAIT WITH TRAILER HOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kelley

I haven't seen him on for a while, but say it.....Jitterbug!

Much as I hate to admit it, I have to agree with Kelley. ;D Before first light and after last light. Where is Muddy and his Jitterbug? If you are fishing where you might get hung up or snagged every other cast, try a Rage Shad.

BLACK BUZZ BAIT WITH TRAILER HOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kelley

^

My all-time most productive nighttime bait!

A black Jitterbug is pretty good too.

Tom

Definitely a popper.