Quote Originally Posted by Big_Red
We went out again on Wednesday and nearly got skunked! I only caught one, my buddy, zero. They were breaking the surface everywhere but wouldn't touch a thing we threw at them. Guess next time we'll have to try live minnows.
Sometimes it be like that, on Herrington. They get a jones for one specific size of Shad, and they won't touch nothing bigger or smaller. A lot of times, too, when they are breaking everywhere ... they're so scattered that it's hard to get a bait in front of one, before they dive and move. I'm referring to casting to them, though. Never did much trolling for White Bass, at Herrington.

If the Shad they're after are "tiny" (1" or less) ... try 1/32oz Roadrunners, No Name Lure, Micro Spoon, or white wet fly -- and a split shot or two/three, up the line a couple of feet (for casting or trolling). Or tie on a deep diving crankbait, like a Hot-n-Tot, and tie a leader to the front hook eye (about 12-18" long) and put a jig or one of the previously mentioned baits on the end of the leader (strictly for trolling)

If the Shad are "small" (1-2" long) ... try 1/16oz Roadrunner, smallest Kastmaster or Johnson Silver Minnow Spoon, or 1/16oz jig on a popping float or topwater popper bait (8-12" leader)--- again, mostly for casting to the "jumps". Equivilant sized jigs (or these same baits) can be trolled (with split shots or behind crankbaits).

If the Shad are "big" (2-3" long) ... Pop-R's, small Silver Buddy's, 1/8oz Roadrunners, Kastmaster's, small crankbaits, Tiny Torpedo's, Zara Puppy's, and other baits similar to these, will work.

Having a minnow hanging over the side (while casting), may get you a strike or two, as well ... but, I'd have the rod(s) in rod holders --- sometimes White Bass will nibble on a minnow, like a small Crappie/Bluegill -- and sometimes they'll slam it :p

These are just some "suggestions" ... based on my experiences/success with White Bass at Herrington and Taylorsville. I leave the treble hooks on any topwater/diving crankbaits used, since it is possible to catch Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Stripers, or even larger White Bass on these (rather than the smaller bait trailing).

What area of the lake are you fishing ?? I've had my best luck out in front of Red Gate Creek, and around the Cane Run Creek area.
If you've got a 5gal bucket, aerator pump, and a 1/4" mesh cast net ... you may want to try and net some of the Shad, and use them. If the Shad are in the 1-2" length range ... you could also drop them down next to some of the standing trees, about 10-15ft deep, for Crappie. (even around some of the private docks, is a good place to drift around ... though you may want to fish a little shallower around them).

Thanks for the report, keep 'em coming !!

.... luck2ya ... cp