May 3, 2007

Fishing at Shabbona Lake State Park, Shabbona Illinois

19 Inches

20 Inches

Coldfront, 20 mph East wind, doesn't matter, IT'S MAY !!!

I made a last minute decision to put everything on hold, hook up the boat, and hit the lake. On the water by 7 AM, off by 5 PM.

Water temps 58-60 degrees, visibility 12-18 inches, weeds still very thin.

I started in the NE Bay throwing Rat-L-Traps. Quickly picked up a 19 incher, followed closely by  an 18 incher. FAST retrieve through 5 feet of water. Tried a shad rap, then a chatterbait, then a grub, spinnerbait, other crankbait... all caught bass...SMALL bass...... VERY small bass... in 2-5 feet of water.

Fished the entire East shore, and half the No Motor Zone, bay by the dam with the same results... lots of small bass..

Made my way back to the NE Bay with the Rat-L-Traps. Better fish, 16 incher, 17 incher, another 17 incher, and finally a nice 20 incher.

Well, if it ain't broke... don't fix it.

Soon, I expect the "Rattle-Bite" to end as the weeds thicken and the water clears. By next week the "shad rap/spinnerbait/grub-Bite" should be starting. The small bass are schooling around any shallow cover. As the weeds thicken the better bass will move in and hold. Seems like they are still cruising in and out right now.

18" 17"17"16"

Good Luck Everybody !!!!

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