April 2022

Top Baits and Locations for the Shad Spawn with Andy Montgomery

Major League Pro Fisherman Andy Montgomery takes us through his top baits and locations for shad spawn fishing.

 

 

Over his career, Andy Montgomery has had a lot of success fishing the shad spawn. He enjoys the high energy and shad-style baits that this type of environment creates during this time. Typically, they flood the bank at night around shallow cover. They will stay up shallow during the night but will move out of these areas as the sun comes up. This is what makes the first hour of fishing so crucial as the bass are still gorging on shad during this low light time.

There are several different ways to attack the shad spawn, but one thing is key: baitfish style baits. One lure that is a staple during this time for Andy Montgomery is the Strike King Sexy Dawg Hard Knock. This topwater bait can be fished around sea walls, rocks, and other open water type environments. “I really like the hard knock, it’s something different that the fish haven’t seen and seems to trigger a lot of bites” explains Andy.

One of the more popular shad-spawn baits is a white Strike King Tour Grade Spinnerbait. This is a bait that you can be very accurate with around cover such as docks, trees, and stumps. “Nothing can imitate shad more than the flashing silver blades and a skirted bait. Keep an eye on your bait as you are reeling it in. The shad see the blades as fellow shad and will cuddle with the blades. This can be a great way to find shad if you keep a close eye” says Andy.