April 17, 2007
Fishing at Shabbona Lake State Park, Shabbona Illinois
21.25 Inches, 5 lb 1 oz
20 Inches, 4 lb 5 oz
My second 2007 Shabbona Trip.
But these fish aren't the story of the day. The Illinois DNR was out today pulling in the fish traps they had placed 24 hours before. In a single fish trap, they caught 2 Walleye in the 7-8 pound class, a 30lb carp, 22 Muskies with the largest being 44 inches BUT an amazing weight of 16.8 kg (37.04 pounds) !!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gB7zR0yohQ
After the Entertainment, we shot up to the NE Bay for a little muskie/bass action.
Water was 45-48 degrees, brown stain, visibility 6-12 inches, still with dead shad bodies (but less than before), and very little new weed growth ( I was surprised, but I guess the SNOW has slowed the weed growth !!!).
The bite was slow, but it was probably my own fault. I make the mistake of not listening to the fish during our first hour.
I naturally started with my shallow shad raps, and got nada. Switched up to a grub, got a 15 incher, missed two little guys. Put on a Rat-L-Trap and had a REALLY nice bass slash at and miss it at the boat. Not being a Rat-L-Trap fan in the first place, I blamed the lure and instantly took it off. (I know better, but my temper got the best of me. Seeing a 5 pounder almost get caught, gets my blood boiling.) I went back the the shallow shad raps, picked up a pair of 20-ish inch muskie dinks, an 8-10 inch bass, and a channel cat ???
Finally after a few more hours of howling east wind, dropping temperatures, and no decent fish, I swallowed my pride and put the Rat-L-Trap back on. Within 30 minutes I had the two bass at the top of the report.
Prediction, VERY soon, the water will clear and the weeds will be on fire. Get your gear ready and clear the schedule. It's HERE.
Good Luck Everybody !!!!
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