[atvracer]

My wife and I are gonna try doing some boat tourneys this year after doing a couple bank ones last year. Had to do a lot of prep work as we didn't have a live well and getting the boat and trailer more road worthy. Hitting up Turtle Creek and then as many ICA's as possible 6/8 gets you into the Classic at end of year. Also hitting up some odd ball ones as weekends allow. Going to be a learning curve staying prepped and organized not to mention learning new bodies of water. Now if I can just get better at locating and netting shad.......

 

[typer181]

What's your closest lake for catching shad? Maybe I can help...

 

[atvracer]

I'm close to Glendale F&W and Boggs. I do have a sonar but it's just a small Garmin 4. I've seen what I think are shad on it before at Cataract but I didn't bother to throw the net till later in day. I was going to try this weekend but with 30 degree weather may wait a few days ....

 

[Jbuck]

Good luck with it. Tournaments & conventions (of any kind) are a very good way to come in contact with folks who have been at it awhile as well as folks who are just getting into it. It's been my experience the majority of precipitants are somewhat willing to share what was working for them after the competition has ended. Tournaments and conventions have always been a learning experience for me.

 

[typer181]

The closest lake I fish to you is Monroe. I've done well around the 446 bridge, but sometimes there are too many bluegill under that bridge. I've had trouble finding shad on Monroe myself. At my local lake, Eagle creek, they are fairly easy to find but that's way too far for you.
A good rule of thumb is on a sunny, windy day, look for a muddy shoreline that is getting hit with waves. The waves churn the bottom and release food which rings the shad dinner bell. No matter the lake, this has helped me find nice shad. Even if it's cold and cloudy, this rule can apply.

 

[DerbyCat]

No tournaments for me, don't have the know-how or a large enough livewell, but I enjoy reading the results. There's a tournament at Leavenworth this morning. Good day for a full enclosure and buddy heater.