I have noticed that a lot of people like to throw big pencil poppers on reservoirs like Clarks Hill where there are Bluebacks.  Where I fish we have a big population of ten inch gizzard shad.  We may also have some Blue Back Herring.  I was wondering how you guys think a seven inch Cotton Cordell pencil popper would work.  

We have those big gizzard shad down here in Virginia, too, but from what I have seen the bass aren't eating them.   I've never seen any evidence that the gizzard is the main forage fish in our waters.  Down here, threadfin are the main forage fish.   And down here, striped bass eat the big gizzards.  Ospreys, too.   Though I'm sure a bass would happily eat a small gizzard if it had the chance.  But the big gizzards, I think, and just too big for bass (at least ours).  

Are you sure those people you see throwing big pencil poppers are LMB fishing?  Or are they striped bass fishing?  

The people who were throwing the pencil poppers were the guys on the elites at Clarks Hill.   Up here I think the bigger bass eat the 10 inch gizzard shad.

I'd take that bad boy down to the surf, pencil poppers are great striper plugs. Come spring take that plug down to the surf, and hook into a few cows.

It's true that many people here on Clarks Hill throw Pencil Poppers but I don't. Those big monsters wear me out. I have just as much success with a clear Super Spook Jr.

As for the Gizzard shad debate. There are many pros here in the south that call the gizzard shad the Southern Trout. Big bass love them. The best immitation of a Gizzard shad that I've seen is this one. It's called the Bull Shad.

He also makes a Blueback Herring

Who would that HE be?    

Who would that HE be?

X2

Who would that HE be?

X2

x3

Also one thing that I think would play a big role in the gizzard shad vs Blue Back in the bass' diet is that the Blue Backs are much more streamlined than the Gizzard shad (As Fluke's picture illustrates very nicely).  I think the bass in the SC/GA region key on the Bluebacks more because they can digest them easier than a 10" gizzard shad.  I don't doubt that a large bass won't eat a 10" gizzard shad though.

HE is Triton Mike and you can find him here...

http://www.tritonmike.com/

Enjoy!!