April Shoal Bass Fishing

In this video it's mid-April and we're fishing the lower Piedmont section of a river so the Shoal Bass are in all stages of the spawn. Shoal Bass in this part of the state typically begin moving into the shoals in mid-late March and spawning takes place all through April and into May. After spawning, most adult Shoal Bass leave these high gradient shoal areas and by mid-June they're back in some kind of run or flowing pool habitat. Today the river is not too high and the water is relatively clear. Conditions are pretty much ideal for fishing!
I hope you like the video and as always...
THANKS FOR WATCHING!!!
Lures used:
Zoom Green Pumpkin Trick Worm (Texas-rigged)
Gamakatsu 1/0 Offset Worm Hook
Bullet Weight (1/8oz)
Line: Berkley Trilene XL - 8lb Clear
Strike King Shadalicious Swimbait 6.5 inch - Ayu **DISCONTINUED**
Luck-E-Strike Bass Magic Swimbait 6.5 inch - Golden Shad **DISCONTINUED**
Lake Fork Trophy Lures Swimbait Hook 7/0 (1/4oz)
Gambler Lures Swimbait Hook 7/0 (1/4oz)
Owner CPS Centering Pin Spring (Large)
Line - Power Pro Spectra Braid - 40lb Moss Green
Heddon Super Spook - Flitter Shad
Line - Power Pro Spectra Braid - 30lb Moss Green
#shoalbass #riverbass #bassfishing

[@bobgibbs4105]

Another great video… science lesson, fishing lesson, tackle review, etc.

[@bobgibbs4105]

Also… I am amazed that you don’t slip more while standing on a slippery rock with one foot and the other foot holding a kayak in heavy current. I’ve been using the strap portion of a cheap 15’ft ratchet strap that finally gave up, once it’s looped through the front handle of my kayak I tie it around my waist.

[@ShoalBandit]

@@bobgibbs4105 Thanks...I've been doing it for almost 20 years and I have large feet which helps. Also, before I plant my foot on a rock, I sometimes grind my foot and/or kick the surface of the rock to remove any clay, algae, etc... If I do lose my footing, I just transfer all my weight to the other foot inside the kayak so I can't slip or fall.

[@yakmaniacs]

Very informative video as usual. I recently went to the Ocmulgee River to catch a few shoal bass. It was an incredible trip until we hit big shoals and flipped. We lost quite a bit of gear but it was well worth the big shoal bass.

[@ShoalBandit]

Thanks that sounds like a crazy trip! Sometimes you hit the shoals and sometimes the shoals hit you. lol

[@joewalker2172]

Nice catches. Do you ever fish near Albany Ga on the flint?

[@ShoalBandit]

Thanks I do fish the lower Flint just not very often because it's 200 miles from where I live. That's 7 hours of driving both ways for 8-10 hours of fishing. When I was younger (and gas was cheaper) I used to fish down there a lot more.

[@banksandeddys]

Great video!! I would love to fish with you one day!!

[@ShoalBandit]

Thanks! Anytime you want to go just shoot me an email. [e-mail]

[@axps6457]

I fish the chattahoochee a lot. In your opinion, should be not releasing any spotted bass i encounter? Same goes for spots i find if I'm targeting redeye, altamaha etc in other rivers?

[@shaneparker8443]

Are you above Sprewell Bluff or below?

[@ShoalBandit]

I don't want to get that specific about the location because this is a spawning area, but you'll find good fishing (and major spawning areas) above and below Sprewell Bluff.

[@mlewisdental]

These must be redeye bass because they have red eyes

[@ShoalBandit]

Oh no you didn't...

[@FIREbirdaustin]

Bandit, I love watching your videos and there’s so much to learn from them. It’s funny seeing some low key spots in your videos that I’ve fished in my own videos. I enjoy watching your journey to all 10. I’m Currently sitting at 6/10 and hoping to get all 10 again this year plus some more angler awards. Keep up the awesome videos and maybe we can film one together sometime!

[@ShoalBandit]

Thanks and congrats 6/10 this early is impressive! Anytime you want to go just let me know my email is [e-mail].

[@ericbruce1959]

Seems like you caught every bass in the river that day! What was your total?

[@ShoalBandit]

Thanks! For some reason I've never been a 'fish counter' so I really have no idea. If I catch more than 6 or 7, I usually have trouble remembering the exact number.

[@chuanne2]

I don't know how you got in such a good trip. Seems like it rained every 3 or 4 days in April! Great video, hope I can get a shoal bass soon. Keep up the good work!

[@ShoalBandit]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. I spend a lot of time checking the USGS gages. We didn't get too many big rains and the ground wasn't supersaturated every time it rained so that helped.

[@DougBomeisler]

Thank you for making these videos and passing along your extensive knowledge! I am planning a trip up there to catch as many of the "redeye bass" species as possible on fly (I've actually been researching it for a few years now and your videos have been invaluable). I would probably start with the 4 in the Alabama Mobile basin and then head to GA or perhaps save that for another trip depending on my energy level. As a south Florida resident with no experience fishing those waters, I realize that I'm embarking on a great challenge. Would it be possible to reach out to you to assist me with the best time to plan a 7-10 day trip to maximize success?

[@ShoalBandit]

Thank you for watching I'm glad you like the videos! That sounds like a good plan. The biggest challenge is the weather because these fish feed primarily by sight (so you need relatively clear water). I'd be glad to help you plan a trip...feel free to contact me anytime: [e-mail]

[@memofishingga4722]

I fish this river often do you know of any river that fishes similar? Like fish catching wise lol i catch alot of fish here

[@ShoalBandit]

There are you just have to hit them at the right time IMO.

[@jamessmith-hq5mr]

There's nothing quite like it when the Shoal Bass are feeling aggressive.

[@ShoalBandit]

Yes, they're an amazing gamefish and the largest stream specialist in the Micropterus genus.

[@AddictedAngler]

great outing , nice catches bud

[@MackinNC1]

Nice video, My rivers are flooded. and every time I try to get on a float they are flooded except for 1 that is dam controlled and the stripers are there thick so that is probaby where I am going tomorrow,

[@ShoalBandit]

Thanks Mack. I've been looking at gages in several states and they're all pretty high right now. Good luck with the stripers tomorrow!

[@mullet_angler8347]

Bandit, love watching the videos about shoal bass. One of all time favorite fish to catch. I learned so much just watching your channel.

[@ShoalBandit]

Thanks for watching I'm glad you like the videos!

[@TismFishing]

The wind was aweful yesterday at the flint be we had a few good bites. What are your favorite lures for the different species. Trying to get the GA slam done this year.

[@ShoalBandit]

There's been a lot of wind this week but sounds like you had a good trip. I sometimes fish with a guy that has caught all 10 species on a Zoom green pumpkin Texas-rig finesse worm. If I could only use one lure for the GA bass slam that'd be it...1/8oz bullet weight and a Gamakatsu 1/0 offset worm hook fished on 8lb fluorocarbon line/leader. For upland species of black bass (Tallapoosa, Redeye, Chattahoochee, Altamaha, Bartram's) that's my favorite lure. The water needs to be relatively clear for it to be effective but you're going to have a hard time catching those fish on anything if the water is stained because they feed primarily by sight. And you could probably add Smallmouth to that list. For Shoal Bass I like a Texas-rig trick worm but topwater is more fun-buzzbait, Berkley choppo, spook, etc...I like topwater for the Largemouth, Alabama/Spotted bass. If I'm doing a float/moving I like single hook lures like the buzzbait. If I'm stopping and getting out/wading I'll cast lures with treble hooks like the choppo, spook etc... Of course, all those fish will hit a Texas-rig. For Suwannee Bass I like flipping a Strike King flipping tube with a 4/0 Gamakatsu Super Line EWG hook and 5/16oz weight on 20lb fluorocarbon. A Texas-rig Zoom speed craw is also really good and they will hit finesse worms. Black, junebug, black/blue, green pumpkin are all good colors for Suwannee Bass.

[@TismFishing]

@@ShoalBandit thanks, it would be a really interesting video to see your recommendations and reasonings explained. I love a baby brush hog, trick worm, senko, and mini zoom lizard. I like using a underspin and medium wake bait a lot. Then I try to always have some rebel crawfish.

[@ShoalBandit]

@@TismFishing That's a good idea...would you rather see a GA bass slam lure video or a creek/river bass lure video? I guess I could do both. Some of it's seasonal for me like I use crankbaits/spinnerbaits more during the prespawn when the water is usually stained.

[@TismFishing]

@@ShoalBandit yeah I think environmental conditions would factor in more. But coosa bass and some of the smaller stream specialists are very different than want thing I’m used to I think. I fish the flint and lower Chattahoochee so I throw bigger baits in the hooch and smaller in the flint generally

[@variedaddepescacontony146]

a very interesting video about the fish a resemblance to the common bass, greetings from California

[@ShoalBandit]

¡Muchas gracias me alegro que te haya gustado! ¡Hola desde Georgia!

[@BeatlePhillips]

I’m lucky enough to live in the fall line area and absolutely love fishing the river Thanks for posting the video

[@ShoalBandit]

You are lucky...got the best part of the river and all the good BBQ. Thanks for watching!

[@lamarcannon7199]

Thanks for the great videos. I learn so much from them. Keep up the great work 👍

[@ShoalBandit]

Thank you very much I'm glad you like the videos. Thanks for watching!

[@stevenledford8096]

We need shoal bandit content!!!!

[@ShoalBandit]

Sorry about that...I've been working on another project that took longer than expected. More content is on the way!

[@johnjapuntich3306]

I was on that section about the same time as you but a little upstream and had a really good day...Great video Jason, thanks for sharing.

[@ShoalBandit]

Thanks John I'm glad you liked it!

[@MackinNC1]

You always have good days.

[@wetinaline]

Good stuff!

[@ShoalBandit]

Thank you!