Quote Originally Posted by Mustangwilliam View Post
It was late in the day when I figured a pattern, i decided to throw an imitation of the shad I saw. I was targeted wood especially the shady side of wood cover with a crankbait. This seemed to work the best. I also worked my bait all the way back to the boat at very speeds, the slower the better it seemed on that particular day.

I have not figured out how to reach the shad being busted and catch fish in that feeding frenzy either. I have been told to throw spinnerbaits and even a lipless crank into that school, but I have not had success. Anyone else have a suggestion?
I have had some limited luck using a red popper into the schools when they are getting busted up, mostly some smaller fish, but last year I got a couple of 4+ pounders while doing it (along with a gar or two on the bucktail). If they hit that short, I go with a blue 3" senko that always seems to find what is eating those shad.

As for the crank, I have had the best luck either matching the hatch as you did, or with a complete opposite color that has plenty of chartreuse in it and concentrate on the stick ups out into the river from fallen trees or mudslides that take trees with them. The river fish seem to be very fickle at times and I always have at least 5 rods ready and throw everything at them until I find what they want.