Finding Prespawn Bass on Highland Reservoirs with Shad Raps

Ott DeFoe grew up bass fishing heavily-pressured highland reservoirs like Douglas and Cherokee Lakes, where seemingly covering similar-looking rocky banks with a crankbait was required to find subtle irregularities to be successful. DeFoe goes into great detail on finding and patterning winter and prespawn bass on highland reservoirs using the naked eye in conjunction with electronics and balsa crankbaits like the Rapala Shad Rap as a tool to cover water cast and trigger bites.
KEY TACKLE and GEAR
• Rapala Shad Rap Crankbait, sizes #5- to #8 (top colors: Crawdad, Silver, Shad): wired2.fish/Ra...
• VMC 7547 Hybrid Treble Hook, size 6 (upgrade to stock hooks): wired2.fish/VMC...
• Terminator Pro Series Jig: wired2.fish/Te...
• Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris CarbonLite 2.0 Spinning Rod: wired2.fish/Car...
• Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Carbonlite 2.0 Spinning Reel: wired2.fish/Car...
• Bass Pro Shops XPS KVD Signature Series 100% Fluorocarbon Fishing Line: wired2.fish/Car...
When it comes to finding bass in rock lakes, DeFoe draws a useful comparison to grass lakes. He treats transition zones between different rock types and rock and sediment (e.g., where veins of slate meet pea gravel or sand) as key ambush areas similar to grass lines. Additionally, wind-induced mud lines form temporary edges that function the same. When you catch a bass, make detailed notes on depth, rock type, and location (i.e., main river channel, primary or secondary creeks) to establish a pattern. As with many lakes, windblown shorelines are usually the most productive.
DeFoe's history fishing the Rapala Shad Rap dates back to the beginning of his fishing career. Few baits imitate shad in cold water better than the subtle yet lively flash and roll of this balsa bait. DeFoe shares his go-to Shad Rap sizes and top 3 colors. He also details his spinning rod setup for maximizing casting distance and hookups. Despite lacking grass, woody cover like laydowns, stumps, and brush are a common fixture on many highland reservoirs. He adds a versatile flipping and pitching jig to the mix when he approaches isolated woody cover.
FISH FINDER and BOAT CONTROL
• Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging: wired2.fish/ME...
• Humminbird HELIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N: wired2.fish/HE...
• Minn Kota Ultrex Trolling Motor: wired2.fish/Mi...
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[@af4od02]

Ott is an excellent fishing instructor.

[@richardblake4777]

Won a club tournament in the mid 80's on a #5 shadrap on laydowns. Fifteen other anglers had no success. Caught a ten fish limit weighing 54 lbs in the early 90's on a #7. Both in March. One of the best coldwater baits ever.

[@Wired2Fish]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing that story. We have similar best day stories on a Shad Rap. My first 20-pound limit on Kentucky Lake was on a Shad Rap decades ago.

[@carlalexander2028]

instablaster...

[@scottsinclair9525]

Another awesome video! Your underwater footage of these baits is gold! Thanks!

[@Wired2Fish]

Appreciate it Scott -- it's good feedback for us knowing the bait underwaters help support the content and teaching points. Good fishing to you - Wired2fish staff

[@SuaSponte75]

Ott is the most informative Pro... Keep getting him back for more.👍

[@Wired2Fish]

More to come!

[@aharondaniel9285]

I live on Neely Henry. Hoping soon to catch the biggest one of the year.

[@poststalone1496]

Nice to see a highland reservoir video. All the lakes near me are like this just replace slate with granite.

[@Wired2Fish]

Ott really gave some great tips for fishing these waters this time of year.

[@JonJonsOutdoors]

I’m all about that pause!! I can even get a strike sometimes in open water w a ripping reel in and a few pauses they’ll come up to it even w out bottom contact. Appreciate ya jj

[@Wired2Fish]

Right on!

[@JaredKirkwood]

I grew up fishing Lake Barkley's creeks and ledges. I now live in central KY. I feel completely lost when I visit a highland reservoir and see 70ft+ on the sonar sitting 20ft from the bank. This video was very helpful.

[@joshuagreene9976]

My 1st 5lb bass was fishing on the bank in Rimmer Creek throwing a Shad colored Shad Rap about 25 years ago.

[@mattfields2033]

Be on Douglas in about 3 weeks and can’t wait. Should be getting really good.

[@BassGeek]

Love that lake it's fun to fish deep in the summer.

[@johnnyblaze2620]

Thank's Ott!

[@MountainMenAxes]

Yes. That's just like Boone not much structure,grass,or timber with clay banks but since it's been down for 7 yrs and now they are raising it hopefully all that new forage will help. I went out on the kayak yesterday and other than a little bass chasing my stick bait I only cought a brown trout. I could use some major help breaking down Boone.

[@deborahotis4015]

I hit it yesterday with a shad rap. Shallow number 4 made them chew. Of course we're having a smaller warm spell.

[@ralo4265]

Good stuff Ott! 👊🏼💯🇺🇸 Thanks for the tips my friend!

[@alcav54]

Ott is the man!

[@Wired2Fish]

We love shooting with him!

[@fishingwithivanich1809]

Very beautiful video ! Thank you from Russia !

[@Wired2Fish]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by and watching and commenting!

[@gregoryburris6374]

My all time favorite lure! 😉

[@danielyourko1714]

It’s funny how many new crankbaits are out there !!! But the shad rap 5-6-7 are such fish getters.

[@michaelgunter3197]

Because they're proven fish catchers for over 30 years

[@Wired2Fish]

A good bait is a good bait no matter how many new ones come along.

[@michaelgunter3197]

@@Wired2Fish yes that's very true

[@davidgalloway904]

Ott great info on this video. I don't know if I'll ever get a chance to fish a place like that but it's disheartening to see people's trash halfway up the slate point you were talking about at 2:40. Same trash I see in Everglades everyday!

[@Wired2Fish]

Yes people that litter bum us out too.

[@jakestevens8552]

That shadrap in the gold is the ticket this time of year.

[@Wired2Fish]

a lot of pros think like you Jake 👍

[@jakestevens8552]

👍👍 you boys should come out to Lanier.

[@jakestevens8552]

I’m just a big fan and watch everything y’all do

[@davidtreichler5616]

Great video. Thank you Ott.

[@Wired2Fish]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@patrickh.5435]

Picked up a 360 today I'm excited to use it

[@Wired2Fish]

You'll have a lot of fun exploring with it.

[@spencercochran3908]

GD! What a box of shad raps!

[@mikeantes9597]

Great instruction thank you so much. Good fishing to you this coming year.

[@tylertorwick]

Excellent video! I guide on Lake Travis in Austin, TX and there are so many similarities with Douglas Lake and Travis. I just uploaded a video with a ton of similar information, so this was great to watch.

[@Wired2Fish]

Glad it was helpful! We'll have to check out your video!

[@benclark1376]

Fished Douglas today. There weren't any fish in there today. 😆

[@Wired2Fish]

It can be a challenging fishery for sure!

[@DFox-ud3gx]

OTT, Sunday great evening it's frozen outside ice on our waters. To thin to walk on. It's OTT time.

[@Wired2Fish]

You got that right!

[@DFox-ud3gx]

@@Wired2Fish Ott has a great radio voice to me and reminds me of the Bass Professor ( the late Doug Hannon ) Do you remember him ???

[@stoneysdead689]

I just go everyday- that way I know I'm there on the right ones. Yeah I have a lot of slow days but, a slow day fishing beats the hell out of doing anything else I can think of... and I can think of quiet a lot.

[@Wired2Fish]

For sure. We'd go everyday too if we could.

[@dsskid456]

Great video

[@NickQlatey]

nice fishing trip broo...

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks for coming

[@dannyhudson5405]

Ottawa have you ever fished laurel Lake in Kentucky it's close to Douglas

[@Wired2Fish]

He has fished Laurel some.

[@dannyhudson5405]

How you do what you fishing with

[@OhMyLarryFishing]

Awesome information!!!

[@vtxdaryl]

That happens to me all the time, I don’t think there are any bass in the lake on the days I fish.

[@mikeybalzz]

fishing on the moon LOL dig it!

[@Wired2Fish]

😂

[@guywithagoprofishingshow3011]

Dang,did Kyle get to shoot this with Ott?I'm in FL right now and these friggin fish are post -spawn -so I went from 35 degree water in WV to the "post spawn struggle" ;lucky to catch a few fry guarders here in FL.Got my Shad Raps and Red Craw crank box with me when I'm workin my way back home.Going out Thursday on Johns to throw chatterbaits and swim jigs thru this Florida grass..Try to get an FL "piggy" b4 the trip home.Great vid,as always from the W2F Crew!!(will share on Twit)

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks buddy. Let us know how you do on the SJR.

[@aharondaniel9285]

It was 70 degrees for 3 days, today was raining until lunch. I think the high is supposed to be 65 at around 4 o clock, I don't know what to throw now. How quickly does the water temperature change? Have the bass moved up it those few warm days?

[@mattalan6559]

I wonder if he sands the finish off his shad raps? I’ve heard that’s a really popular trick in cold water

[@Wired2Fish]

He for sure has played around with it. He tinkers a lot with lures.

[@leterrip2816]

Nvm you got it in the description

[@Capper69]

We’ve smashed them on mud lines out here on the west coast they absolutely use them

[@Wired2Fish]

For sure. Especially in the spring.

[@leterrip2816]

Are those diawa reels? Gorgeous 🔥

[@Wired2Fish]

Bass Pro Shop rod, reel and line setups. Product links in the video description.

[@patg2544]

Hands down can be used all year. Try the silver SR like a jerk bait.

[@alexfamie5255]

Do you prefer cranks on a spinning or casting reel?

[@alexfamie5255]

@TT Bassing yes I agree. I cannot find a small enough casting reel for small cranks, I've been searching for a good spinning combo. But for let's say, KVD 1.0 and up I use casting hands down.

[@Wired2Fish]

Ott does most of his cranking on baitcasting gear. But because of how light a Shad Rap is even in the bigger sizes, it fishes a lot more controlled on spinning gear.

[@alexfamie5255]

@@Wired2Fish so in your opinion, where's the cutoff, weight wise, with a casting reel?

[@alexfamie5255]

@TT Bassing I need to invest in a nice mid size like 2000 series reel spinning for small cranks I've made up my mind lol gives me a reason to go to Bass Pro Shop 😎

[@Wired2Fish]

We usually throw 3/8 ounce or heavier on baitcasting and 1/4 ounce or lighter on spinning reel. Balsa baits can be deceiving. Some 3/8 ounce balsa throws better than others based on shape. A smaller squarebill profile throws great on baitcaster but a long slender minnow profile tumbles too much and throws better on spinning gear.

[@aharondaniel9285]

What pound test line is ideal for that shad rap on a spinning rod?

[@Tyfixisall]

Said 8lb fluoro in the video.

[@tgeer123]

What does “achin’” mean?

[@thesenutz77]

Can you fish two rods in a tournament?

[@markmeierotto7409]

Tell us about the tattoo on the bass tails. Is this natural or something from the hatchery?

[@Wired2Fish]

It's called melanosis. We ran an article on it a while back. Very common in the spring when their hormones get ramped up. www.wired2fish.com/biology/why-do-some-bass-have-black-splotches/

[@firstlightangler6049]

So Ott says to use a parabolic spinning rod, says he uses the med lt or med 7’2” carbonlite spinning rod; he says not to use a rod that’s too fast. I work at bass pro and didn’t remember the carbon light spinning rod being made in a parabolic action so I followed you’re link to the rod; which doesn’t link to a specific model but just the carbonlites in general, and low and behold it only comes in fast and extra fast action. So Mr Defoe, and wired2fish, that doesn’t make much sense to me. You say to use a parabolic rod and avoid too fast an action, & then the recommended rod is only available in fast and extra fast. Is the fast action parabolic enough?

[@Wired2Fish]

Parabolic is a taper. Fast is an action. Parabolic means it loads throughout the rod. Most rods are designed to load only in the top half of the rod. A parabolic rod can still have fast actions or even extra fast actions. Action is how fast a rod loads or unloads. Which is to say it loads and unloads fast or extra fast or moderately fast or moderately slow. So when you combine power, taper and action you can make all sorts of wild combinations. It's why you can have a heavy power tuna rod that bends all the way to the butt but still has a fast action because it can unload and load quickly. So yes the carbonlite rods can have a parabolic taper and still have fast actions. I personally have no experience with that rod. I'm just speaking generally about rod building which I have a lot of experience with. - Jason

[@firstlightangler6049]

@@Wired2Fish I disagree. Taper is action. It’s two words for the same thing. Like moderate action and parabolic action. Same thing. A fast action bends quickly in the tip, hence the fast, a parabolic rod bends throughout , a slow rod bends in the butt section. Power and action are different. But action and taper are the same thing. You just got really confusing and contradicted a lot of what I know to be true of rod actions. I’ve handled all the carbonlite spinning rods, none of them are parabolic.

[@Aynalwartz]

🔥🔥🔥

[@_BLacKWaTeR_]

What gloves are those !!??

[@Wired2Fish]

It's the Buff FullFlex Glove: www.buffusa.com/buff-products/gloves/fullflex-glove/reflection-brown/15573?

[@EpIc_NaChO]

Does this mean shad raps are sold out on TW now lol

[@Wired2Fish]

There are still a few in stock!

[@tabefishing9396]

👍👍👍

[@cheeseburguhgaming9581]

we can't even fish Minnesota early in the year for bass we have to wait until the second week past may to fish we don't have a catch and release date all year around like all other states it's not even fair and Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes

[@Wired2Fish]

Yeah, it seems a bit excessive. A catch and release season would be a great tool to get people and kids outside and connected to the resource.

[@duanetheimer7215]

A paper mill empties my lake every year like a flushing toilet.

[@justinshearer9628]

Why aren't you throwing a jerkbaits

[@dannyhudson5405]

Phone got you name wrong sorry

[@bamadondon0495]

If you can't catch them on the Shad rap then you need to quit fishing.