gizzard shad bass fishing

Inks Lake is offering stained water with 2–4 feet of visibility, water temperatures around 84 degrees, and a water level at normal pool. The best fishing has been around offshore rock where schools of bass are feeding on large gizzard shad.

Large swimbaits and topwaters have been producing well, with early morning, late evening, and periods of dam generation providing the best feeding windows. Outside of these windows, urchin style baits fished around cover and structure have been producing consistent bites.

Big Bass Score = 4; Numbers Score = 2; Total = 6

Two large largemouth bass caught on Inks Lake while targeting offshore schools feeding on gizzard shad — A couple of big Inks Lake bass from a productive summer feeding window. These fish were part of schools of bass using offshore rock to ambush large gizzard shad.

Inks Lake is offering water temperatures around 83 degrees, with water clarity varying throughout the lake from stained to clear and a water level approximately 1 foot below full pool. The best fishing has shifted toward offshore rock structure, where schools of bass are concentrating around the lake’s large gizzard shad.

A variety of presentations have been effective, including River2Sea Rovers, finesse worms on drop-shot rigs and shaky heads, Texas-rigged 10-inch worms, urchin style baits, and large swimbaits. Once a school is located, rotating through different presentations has been key to keeping the fish fired up and generating additional bites.

Big Bass Score = 4; Numbers Score = 3; Total = 7

Inks Lake Fishing Report – Offshore Gizzard Shad Bite & Key Feeding Windows (August 15, 2026)

Inks Lake Fishing Report – Offshore Rock & Gizzard Shad Pattern (August 8, 2026)