June 29, 2006

Fishing at Shabbona

Fat 37 incher

21 inches, 5 pounds 1 ounce

Fat 20 inch Fat 19 inch

20 inch (thin)18 inch 18 inch

Today was my first fishing trip since June 7th (wow, over 3 WEEKS). We arrived when the park opened and fished all day. Water temp was 75 to 78 degrees, clarity 1.5 to 3 feet depending on your location. I was surprised to find that the weeds have not changed much at all over the past 3 weeks, apparently the weed killer has worked, and that's good news for fishermen. That normal giant weedmat that usually forms (hopelessly hiding acres of prime fishing territory) is missing !!!!

The bait of the day:

Blue Black CHATTERBAITS, what else can I say....

We got up in the northeast bay and quickly found that the pattern from 3 weeks ago was still working, but today we had some nice size in the boat. Started things off with a pair of runts in 2 feet of water, pushed out a little to the 3-5 foot zone. WHAM !!!! nice Fat 19 incher, followed by a nicer 21 incher that weighed in at 5 pounds 1 ounce, then an 18 incher, ......... back to the dock for a bathroom break.......next was a Fat 20 incher, another 18 incher, then  SWOOSH !!!! 15 feet from the boat, zzzzzzz goes the drag, NICE !!!! a really Chunky 37 inch Muskie gets in the net. (not the best picture, but it's hot weather, one click is all you get, back in the lake!!!!) Next stop, Lakeside restaurant for lunch, Great Eats, get in there guys !!!! Joey has a new favorite "popcorn shrimp" for lunch and the good ole twist cone for dessert. Back to the lake, pick off another 20 incher, then time for boat rides and Bluegill fishing, another ice cream break, more Bluegill, a few bathroom breaks mixed in, lots of goofing off, gotta keep it fun, he just turned 8.

Good Luck Everybody

See you on the water.

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