*CEDAR LAKE*
*REPORTS*

CEDAR LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 11-30-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

The fishing has been fair at Cedar Lake. Largemouth bass are the best option on the lake at this time and probably will be for the rest of the year now as winter has arrived and dropped the water temperatures into the 40s. The weather in southern Illinois has been pretty cold lately and fish activity is starting to slow down a bit all over the region.

Anglers in search of largemouth bass can expect to find fish on points and shoreline banks with timber and other wood cover. The best presentation option for Cedar bass at this time of year is the suspending minnowbait. Suspending Rouges, Husky Jerks and other similar slim bodied suspenders are top options. A slow retrieve is usually the best presentation choice with these lures at this time of year, but be sure to pause them to take advantage of the suspending characteristics of the bait. Bass usually strike when the bait is paused when waters are cold. The best minnowbait colors patterns for Cedar resemble shad and minnows. Sliver lures with an orange belly and either a black or blue back is hard to beat on this lake. Other lure choices that can be effective are spinnerbaits and senkos worked slowly. Shad color patterns are always a good choice for fall fishing in these baits too.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

Crappies are also an option at Cedar right now. Top quality polarized sunglasses designed for fishing like the Master Angler Series from Flying Fisherman (www.flyingfisherman.com), and high performance floating tools designed for fishing like Advanced Lightweight Tools from X Tools (www.xtools.us) are critical items to have along on fishing trips. Real Tree Camouflage Patterns (www.realtree.com) are a vital part of our hunting success when we’re off the water. For office supply needs and the finest printing work, turn to Mineral Area Office Supply (www.maos.com).