April 17, 2008

Fishing at Shabbona Lake State Park, Shabbona Illinois

Today was my second Shabbona trip of the year (the first was a Carp Catch / Muskie-bass skunk on April 15th , and it won the "Worst Catch of the Year, so far" Award )

Water temp was 48 in the main lake, 52 in the shallows, visibility/clarity about 12 inches with a tea colored stain.

I started in the NE Bay throwing Rat-L-Traps for bass/muskie. After 2 hours, I had one 17.5 inch bass and nothing else. I worked a few other patterns through the 2-5 and 6-8 foot zones and couldn't find anything.

After a few hundred unanswered casts, I got bored and decided to catch a few channel cats. I just wanted to feel something pulling on the line. Nightcrawlers on circle hooks in 2 feet of calm water got the job done !!! I landed about a dozen channel cats. Best channel cat was 7 pounds 3 ounces (I didn't measure or weigh any of the others).

Just for fun, I put the best fish in the muskie net and then shot a little video.

Releasing Channel Cats Video Clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpoI8T5HCMk

As the water warms, the bass and muskie action will get much better. I promise.

Good Luck Everybody !!!

I hope to see you on the water very soon.

Tired of checking-in looking for "Recent Catch" updates ?