YOYO is the word for end of April first part of May. The lake came up to summer pool or about five-feet then back down two-feet now back up nearly three-feet to a foot and a half over summer pool expected crest. Water temps hit 65 then back to 55 now back up to 67. The crappie spawn is in full swing but with the lake rising a lot of the beds I have been using are now too deep. So I am always moving. It seams like ten-feet on my slip bobber set up is as deep as I [...]
Water temps today was 60-61 on the north end. Color very dirty up by Wilborn and over at Bo-Woods. The lake levels are at 599.7 ft. above sea level or summer pool. They are dropping it pretty fast down to 596. This will relocate fish for sure. Currently I am seeing male crappie take on their spawn colors and today April 18th I saw some females with bloody egg sacks so some spawning is starting. This weekends cold weather will slow it up a bit but they are really dedicated and the bite should still be good. Today we boated [...]
I am down on Kentucky Lake until April 18th. I am relying on several of my guide buddies for a fishing report on Shelbyville. The lake should come up to 596ft. above sea level April 1st. This will help because it is as low as you will ever see it right now. Water temps. will still be bouncing all over the place and you will have to search out clearer water just like every spring. The pre-spawn period never gets going until mid to late April or we see consistent water temps. in the mid 50's. All other movements in [...]
My first fishing report for 2024. The lake is 595.04 or 1.04ft. above winter pool. Very low but normal this time of the year. Summer pool is 599.7. Winter is 594. With all the warm weather we have experienced the water temps. have went up quick. Today I found as high as 54.8. The crappie are up shallow basking in the much warmer water temps than the deep water. With all the wind we are tight lining a 3/32oz. Deep Ledge Jig and a Brushpile Hammer or Dart in either Peppercorn, Wyatt's Blue Magic or Green Goblin. Today the Dart [...]
Lot's of clients have reached out asking "when are you going to start booking for next year?"... Well here goes... Kentucky Lake - Big Sandy March 25-27,31 April 7 Might open up March 20-24 as well. These trips are in the wall-hanger timeframe & a must see Bucket List Opportunity. Lake Shelbyville Pre-Spawn-Spawn Crappie April 19-24 May 1-3,5,8-11 Walleye/Crappie/White Bass - Pulling Spinners May 12-16,22,24-29,31 June 1-5,7-12 Be aware for the later trips in June, if the walleye quit and I can't give you a decent trip then I switch to post-spawn crappie. June 12-28 Crappie/White Bass on slip bobbers [...]
Rockford Il. Boat, Vacation and Fishing Show February 2,3,4 Booth and Seminars Tinley Park Il. Tinley Travel & Outdoor Expo February 16,17,18 Sullivan Il. VFW Crappiefest March 9
Spring will be here before you know it and those great Kentucky Lake Crappie spawn trips will be gone. Last year I took Lee Sharp down and went right to a shallow laydown in four-feet of water. Our first six fish were all blackened up males with spawn colors over 14in. long. He was hooked on Kentucky Lake from then on and jumps at it every time I say let's go. Their water temps run about ten degrees or more warmer than Shelbyville in the spring so I get a three to four week jump on the spawn. Love starting [...]
I will be in attendance at the following winter fishing shows in 2024. Collinsville Il. Let's Go Fishing Show January 5,6,7. Booth and Seminars Lawrenceburg Indiana, Tri-State Outdoor Show January 13,14. Booth and Seminars Effingham, Il. Lake Sara Open House January 17. Seminar Schaumburg Il. ChicagoLand Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo January 25,26,27,28. Booth and Seminars Tinley Park Il. Tinley Travel & Outdoor Expo February 16,17,18 Sullivan Il. VFW Crappiefest March 9
My Calendar for 2024 is up on my website. I am up in Chicago Tinley Park Show February 16-18 for one more fishing show to book spring trips. A lot of good dates still exist but won't for long. Give me a call at 217-840-1221 or go to "Book a Date" on my website and send us an email from the website. I currently have the calendar updated so those trips are available. I currently have these dates open March 11-22, 24-29 April 19,21,22,24,26 May is booked June 5,6,11,12,13,15-20,22-28,30
Water temps on the north end are bouncing around 60-63. The south end 65-66. The lake is about a foot below summer pool and stained to clear north to south. I have put away the white bass gear to concentrate on crappie for the remainder of the year. Whites really like warm weather so it is hard to put many in the boat. Crappie however love cooler weather and they are really putting on the feed bag. Every fish you catch just has shad poop running out of them they are just gorging. I have the three seat system in [...]