*LAKE SHELBYVILLE*
*REPORTS*
LAKE SHELBYVILLE, IL
Sport fishing report for 11-30-07
From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.
& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE
The fishing for muskie and bass on Shelbyville rates fair to good at this time. The water temperatures are ranging from the mid to upper 40s throughout much of the lake. The water level is a little low and the clarity ranges from lightly stained to moderately clear in much of the lake. The clearest waters are found in the lower third of the lake in areas with rock.
The muskie fishing at Shelbyville has been pretty good lately. Most of these fish are relating to wood cover along irregular shoreline banks and on points in shallow water. The key is to cast as close to the bank as possible and work the lure erratically away from shore. Shallow diving crankbaits have been producing fish, especially those with a really wide wobble that produce a lot of vibration. Shad color patterns have been producing and so have bright patterns like firetiger and orange tiger. Simms School N Shad Spinnerbaits from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com) in the 4-blade 2 1/2oz size have been producing muskies with all nickel, or nickel & gold blades finishes. The black & glow pattern and the firetiger pattern have both been good, but the orange & black color pattern has been the most effective, and produced the 40” muskie that helped Lenny Goldsmith and Dennis Ledgerwood take 2nd Place in the IMTT State Championship Tournament on Shelbyville this month. The occasional fish is also being taken on diver style jerkbaits like Suicks in firetiger and other hot color patterns.
Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. For small, average and large muskie lures, and for big bass lures used for muskie fishing, the Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. For extra large muskie lures and big saltwater lures used for muskie fishing, the Ugly Stik Lite Graphite Muskie Rods are the best choice. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leaders and Predator Trolling Leaders from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).
Anglers looking for largemouth bass can also find fish using wood cover, but a bit deeper than the muskies. Most bass are holding in thick wood cover like brush, tightly bunched standing timber, and laydown trees with lots of limbs. The best spots for bass are along breaklines with a shallow ledge or flat on top and a fairly steep slope to deeper water nearby. 3/8 ounce tandem blade spinnerbaits in the chartruse & white color pattern with nickel & gold indiana and colorado blades are the best option for Shelbyville bass right now. Diving crankbaits from around 1/4 to 1/2 ounce like Rapala Jointed Shad Raps and Bomber Fat Free Shads are also taking some good bass in shad color patterns. Chatterbaits in chartruse & white patterns are also taking a few fish. Some white bass are also being caught on these same baits when fishing for largemouth bass.
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).
Walleye and crappie are also options on Shelbyville at this time. 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).
SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers competitively priced guide trips with some of the best professional anglers & hunters in North America. Outdoor enthusiasts can book guided sport fishing, hunting, site seeing and nature photography trips at many great destinations throughout Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin & Ontario with the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE & SIMMS OUTDOORS OUTFITTERS, get the very best fishing lures and leaders from SIMMS SPORT FISHING TACKLE, read fishing, hunting & other outdoor sports articles, stories, journals, recipes, tips, columns, reports and more at SIMMS OUTDOORS MAGAZINE, get sponsor links & product and service information at SIMMS OUTDOORS SPONSORS, and purchase top notch professional outdoor photos from SIMMS OUTDOORS PHOTOGRAPHY, by visiting SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. on the web at: www.simmsoutdoors.com, by calling: 618-521-0526 or 573-358-5948, or through e-mail at: info@simmsoutdoors.com. Good luck and please support these fine sponsors: All Star Rods, Pflueger Fishing Tackle, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, X Tools, Real Tree Camouflage, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses, Mineral Area Office Supply, Bait Rigs and Roberts Outdoors.