School Saved the Day

This school made a slow day a distance memory. I had caught 20 with 5 keepers on brush. Most brush was bare. Went to a pile I found a couple months ago that had a few fish. Caught 1 when BAM!! Saw a big school swim by close. Got a few and they move off, started searching and found them and Spotlocked at 40-45 feet and start catching. Had to chase them several time and Spotlock. Stayed on them almost 2 hours. Got over 40 out of it. The picture is at the end. It was bigger when I started. Finally just called it quits and took the picture, had my limit and headed home. No big ones. All were 9 1/2-11 1/2 inch. This is my preferred way to catch em. Open water sniping is fun on schools but single fish in the spring is the most exciting. Attachment 414608


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Thanks for sharing and congratulations

I’ve had a couple of decent days where I found a big open water school like that on live scope. Some days they are moving faster and are hard to keep up with. Do you find it helpful to use a heavier jig head so it can get down in them quick when you spot them. I moved from a 1/16 oz head to a 1/8 oz and that seemed to help.

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Originally Posted by 91tiger

I’ve had a couple of decent days where I found a big open water school like that on live scope. Some days they are moving faster and are hard to keep up with. Do you find it helpful to use a heavier jig head so it can get down in them quick when you spot them. I moved from a 1/16 oz head to a 1/8 oz and that seemed to help.

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I prefer a 1/16 but my range is 40 feet. Adding a split shot when I need a longer range. Sometimes they won’t let you get close. Believe me, they know you’re there. You also have to increase retrieve speed which sometimes they don’t want. It’s definitely a trade off. I can never catch them while chasing. I usually follow at 60 feet so not to spook till they stop and I ease up into range.


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I totally agree with not getting too close to them. I’ve actually caught quite a few while jigging for perch and stripers with a 1/2 oz Berrys spoon. I would be jigging and spot a school out in front of me 50 or 60 feet out. I would fire the spoon out to them expecting them to be stripers and sweep the spoon back and pick up over sized crappie. That’s what got me to thinking a 1/8 oz jig head may be better.

Good save for a slow day

Tackleboat is it better to retrieve though the top, middle, or bottom?
Have you noticed a difference?
Thanks


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Originally Posted by Redge

Tackleboat is it better to retrieve though the top, middle, or bottom?
Have you noticed a difference?
Thanks


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I always start to keep it about a foot above. I usually short cast to hit the closest edge also, then work farther and deeper if not getting bit.


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