Ground I think I have discovered part of your problem Steve...Manning wrote:You said that you have had no luck with DOA. I am a very happy DOA fisherman. My favorite combo is a DOA shad tail on an 1/8 or 1/4 oz. I just throw it out and reel it back at a speed that keeps it off the bottom. I don't do any working or jerking it. With this method I make lots of casts, but I cover lots of ground. Favorite shad tail color is Arkanas Glow. Rod #2 has a spook jr. in bone coloe. This is a great topwater lure. My third rod usually has a spoon on it or a or a Mirrodine. If you can't get the job done with these things you aren't fishing where the fish are.
Actually if you do just what Steve suggests...I'm pretty confident you will have some success. Only difference I incorporate is color of the Shad tail...I just prefer white. Also for a spoon...I highly recommend the Aquadream spoons. I use a quarter ounce gold when the water color gets a little dingy. I would suggest a Spro swivel between leader and split ring on the spoon.