The lake level is at summer pool or 599.7. Water is slightly stained. Water temps are running 67

“CRAPPIE”
I have put away the white bass rods and concentrating on crappie for the remainder of the year. We have boated our three man limit just about every day since I returned from Kentucky Lake three weeks ago. So fishing is pretty good!!!!

Here is what I have been doing. The crappie are on Shelbyville Cubes and Georgia Cubes at or near the bottom. Livescope really helps with this but if you don’t have anything but normal sonar just look for the bottom of the cube to extend out that means there are so many there isn’t enough room. A lot of cubes are full of Buffalo especially those in the wind so you must move around a lot.

I have both my clients up front with me and we are pushing up to the side of a cube with a 1/4oz. trolling sinker on 20lb. braid then a foot long fluorocarbon leader 15lb. and a number two Eagle Claw EL hook and a lively minnow. On a 12ft. rod. Usually fishing with 12-14ft. of line out. We need the 12ft. rod to keep baits out in front of our trolling motor. Then we pull up slightly and drop right inside the cube. With the long leader the bites are subtle and sometimes you don’t feel anything. This is because of the leader and the bigger crappie just suck the minnow in and never move. Just lift up every few seconds ever so slightly and you will feel the weight.

Once the sun comes out I pick up my jig pole and fish a small 1/32oz. hair jig in white or grey with a 1/8oz. trolling sinker above it. The lighter weight allows me to pendulum past the cube and pick up the fish simply because it falls so slow.

We are catching about 75-100 crappie a day so clients are really having fun and really enjoy watching them on my new 17in. Garmin 9217xsv. We see all three baits, watch the fish hit them and if you don’t feel it you can see a fish shoot across the screen.

My November dates are filling quickly as my regulars know that is by far the best crappie fishing on Shelbyville. No water fluctuations and the crappie are fattening up for winter. Plus by then we are on jigs and nothing compares to the hard thump of a fat crappie.

Currently I have November 2,3,9,10,12,17,18,19,20,24,30 and that is it for 2026. It has been a very good year for me. Going to Kentucky Lake twice for a month each time. My customers trust in me to find them some really nice fish, several over two pounds. Then home for the crappie/white bass combo trips all summer. Can’t tell you how many whites we caught but close to 6000 easy. Blessed to be on such a good white bass lake. By my records if I get in all the trips I have currently on the books I am just one short of tying my best year ever. I have my loyal customers to thank for this. I still have 11 openings so I believe we will pass 203 guided trips. Those are full days eight hour days. Few ever do that many this far north since our season is just slightly over nine months long. I turn 70 next year and am asked frequently how much longer before you slow down. My body will tell me but since I actually love my job I keep going. Keeps me in shape and feeling young.

Feel free to call me at 217-840-1221 and let’s fill these last 11 trips. I start booking for 2027 December 1st. Put it on your calendar.

Steve Welch
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