Shad? Sure, But Don’t Forget Craws
Keep an open mind in autumn and several baits ready on the deck. (PAA: Alan Clemons)
PAA Communications
Shad migrations get the attention during autumn when cooler temperatures and shorter days have many people thinking of hunting deer instead of bass.
IMA pro Michael Murphy of South Carolina takes a different tack. Instead of focusing solely on shad, he also throws crayfish into the mix for his autumn planning.
Shad definitely are top dogs in autumn. After a summer of spawning and growth, their migrations and movements put bass on the prowl. But Murphy suggests keeping the mudbugs in mind.
“Either fast or slow, pitching a creature or throwing a crankbait,” he says, because of “the shortening of the length of days and the draw-downs that usually take place in the fall on reservoirs in preparation for the spring rains. That always put the crayfish on the move. Look for rock transitions, like rock to clay or rock to sand.”
Murphy keeps things simple, opting for a 7/16-ounce Tabu Tackle Open Water Series jig in a Soft Shell or Peanut Butter and Jelly color. He adds to that a green pumpkin Reins Axe Craw trailer.
“It has a super strong, light-wire hook to catch those bigger bites you may not pick up on or feel,” Murphy said. “This is a great way to catch some of the biggest fish of the year, and of a lifetime.”
Yes, he likes shad
Bass-chasers know in autumn that shad move shallow and bass follow … providing a flurry of action before winter sends almost everyone indoors clinging to thoughts about those great final days on the water.
One super thing about autumn is it can be wide open, as far as lure selection. You might enjoy throwing a Shad Rap on light line, or frogs on heavy braid. Maybe it’s square-bill crankbaits around shallow wood, swim jigs along shoreline weeds, buzzbaits or spinnerbaits on windy points … there’s not a singular thing that is “it” for the season.
“I like to throw an IMA Skimmer topwater in the Bone, American Shad, or Ghost Minnow colors when fish are still on points and starting to migrate into the pockets,” Murphy said. “I like to throw an IMA Rockin’ Vibe in a Chartruese Shad or Chrome/Blue Back when fish are active, not committing to the IMA Skimmer and are up on points or flats in ambush.
“As the water cools down and fish suspend more over creek channels and ditches, I like to pick up an IMA Flit in the Misty Shad or the Tennessee Shad. These baits and colors are all excellent for this time of year. Focus on the flashy colors when it is mostly sunny, and the dull, non-flashy colors when it is mostly cloudy.”
Simplicity is the key, Murphy suggests, and that’s a good rule of thumb to follow. Bass may be roaming or keying on structure or cover as they follow and set up on shad. Have an open mind with your lure selections and look around until you find the fish.
“Have a handful of baits that will cover the top, middle, and bottom water columns quickly and easily,” Murphy said. “Fish this time of year are on the move, typically scattered, and are typically aggressively eating to put on weight. Cover water, look for transitions, bait fish flickering, and keep your bait wet.”
