HENDERSON, N.C. – Few things are more confidence-boosting than getting a big limit right off the bat. And there are few better ways to do it than with a shad-spawn bite.
Well, with what’s happening on Kerr Lake, that quick start is going to be a big focus for anglers fishing the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine North Carolina Division event.
What to expect
If you talk to local Chris Brummett, this event will be broken down into two periods.
The morning shad spawn bite … and whatever you do after it.
“That shad spawn bite this time of year is so strong on Buggs (while it’s referred to as Kerr Lake, locals often refer to the fishery as Buggs Island),” Brummett said. “So, anyone who can find it and run it in the morning could win doing just that.”
Needless to say, that should be a focus for pros during practice.
From there, it’s committing to either deep or shallow.
If it’s shallow, it’s focusing on spawners and fry guarders in and around flooded bushes. At the time of this writing, the bushes weren’t all that flooded, but forecasted rain prior to the event should have plenty of water in them come the event. Meaning, there should be plenty of bass in them, too.
Meanwhile, there will also be a strong contingent of anglers who stay offshore with forward-facing sonar. However, because of the way the lake sets up and its sheer size, Brummett says you need to do a lot of moving around to use FFS, and you need to be in a certain area. Hence, the commitment to either shallow or deep.
“Buggs is so big, when you ‘Scope, you want to ‘Scope multiple areas,” Brummett said. “Basically running spots versus a single area. So, you’ll spend a lot of time running. And then, when your window is over, you’ll want to go back and refish those spots. So, you burn a lot of time and gas, which doesn’t leave much time to also fish shallow.”
Baits to bring
With the shad spawn being so key, spinnerbaits and white swim jigs will be must-haves for anyone who can key in on it.
After that, shallow pros will want walking and plopper topwaters to cover water, with a flipping rod rigged with a Texas rig always at the ready. And don’t rule out a drop-shot, which is a local favorite pitched in front of bushes.
For the forward-facing sonar aces, minnows should be prevalent, but so, too, should be Neko rigs.
What will it take?
As mentioned numerous times, anyone who finds a good shad spawn bite is going to stand a real chance at winning in the first hour or so.
“I think somebody will find the right shad spawn fish, and they’ll catch somewhere in the high 18- or low 19-pound range,” Brummett said. “I don’t think anyone will break 20 pounds, because not enough fish will have recovered from the spawn yet. But the fish gorging on the shad spawn will be the heaviest.”