Jan 28, 2026
GREAT. Water stained; 58.5 degrees & dropping; 1.07 feet under pool. A sharp drop in water temperature is likely to trigger a shad kill, causing baitfish to school tightly with stunned shad fluttering to the bottom and drawing in predatory fish. Bass action is good, especially on jerkbaits, while catfish may move into the schools but are more often holding below them; focus on deeper water with soft bottoms where shad tend to concentrate. Report by Brad Doyle with Bradley’s Guide Service. Crappie have been productive in 15-24 feet around structure, with minnows and hair jigs outperforming plastics lately, though many bites have been very light. Hybrid stripers are responding well to dead-sticking in 22-38 feet, with others catching fish on slabs, spoons, large minnows, and shad; expect to sort through some juvenile hybrids mixed in with white bass, so check identification resources if needed. Always wear your life jacket. Report by Mike Cason, Fishical Therapy.