I don't see a problem with the shad. I have NEVER been to Patoka without catching at least a dozen keepers. That goes for Bass, Bluegill, and Crappie. I absolutely love that Lake. I also usually only go for a 4 hour period unless I'm in a Bass Tournament. That's pretty good fishing in my book. As far as the Bass are concerned, any day I go I can catch em' on a Spinnerbait, Jig, Plastic Worm, or Buzzbait. Just depends on what the Bass want that day, not what you want to throw at em'. So I never go there without at least 4 poles rigged with those baits. My 5th pole I keep in the boat just in case. It's a Daiwa setting on a 7' pole with a 5:4 ratio for crankbaits....great for lipless crankbaits too. Slows down the bait and keeps it in the strike zone longer. I have noticed with those Bass at Patoka, speed is VERY important.