I've fished 3 days this week and did so poorly that I really don't want to say I went for fear of having to say just how bad I did. I fished the same spots that always produce but the pickin's were slim. It's no hotter this week, so that's not it. Full moon, but that hasn't mattered before. A little rain, but again, not abnormal. The only thing I've noticed is that there are what looks like millions of 2 inch shad EVERYWHERE. They are so thick they look like a bait ball on a national geographic documentary. This was the case both on the tenn Tom and around Ratliff ferry. My excuse...er...theory is this: there are so many baby shad around that the crappie have given up on shade and comfort to chase this buffet. Does this even make sense except in my mind? Could they all just be stacked up under these bait balls and just eating whenever they please?