We have shad die-offs here, too.  Usually big, really big, gizzard shad.  Out on my home waters, I'll see them near death swimming in circles and floating on the surface.  There will be dozens in a hundred-yard stretch of river.  It doesn't seem to effect fishing, though.  And eagles and ospreys don't go hungry, either. 

I've never seen a smaller shad die off.  Even when the waters ice-over. 

I've never seen a smaller shad die off. Even when the waters ice-over.

You should've come to Smith Mtn last year. It was looking to happen again this year but the temps came up about a week too soon and gave 'em a break.

Still lots of winter left so it's still a possibility.

Nothing, not even a single bite. We talked with

just about every other boat on the river. As far

as I can tell, one drum was caught among the

twenty or so fisherman. Otherwise, no one got

a bite on artificials or live bait.

Thanks for the suggestions anyhow!

-Kent

HA! I bet that drum was the one I caught! I'm famous!

No. No other bites though... :-[

Well I gave it a try today. Put in at Paris Landing and fished the East side of the lake from Lost Creek north to Byrd. No bites  :'(

after reading these reports i feel lucky.  i fished the tn river on the 14th with a buddy and 15th with another buddy.  33-36 degree water temps.  ice chunks floating down the river.  46 bass on thursday.  37 bass on friday.  nothing big but fast action and lots of fun with several doubles.  baby rage craws were money for me on both days.   

I hate your paul!!

BTW can you send me some of them baby rage claws??

pm'd ya Simp.

after reading these reports i feel lucky. i fished the tn river on the 14th with a buddy and 15th with another buddy. 33-36 degree water temps. ice chunks floating down the river. 46 bass on thursday. 37 bass on friday. nothing big but fast action and lots of fun with several doubles. baby rage craws were money for me on both days.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Paul, picking off a bass or two might be "lucky",

but those numbers you caught have nothing to

do with luck!

You da MAN!

8-)

-Kent

Whew! Makes my accomplishments yesterday pretty pale.

Threw a Spro Lil John in spring craw and a Lucky Craft pointer in Clown. 5 fish in 3 hours. All measured. They were skinny tho....kinda odd, but I hadn't seen any dead shad.

we had a fish kill down in louisiana this summer. mostly shad, carp, spoonbills, and gous and I have never caught more bass during one trip at any time in my life.