Fishing Report
12-29-2021
‘As you can tell | don't post many reports on this site as its a pain and time
- consuming to do. That being said the best way to keep up with whats going on is
‘on my facebook pages.
or call for info 217-259-7621.
2022's going tobe an exciting year with the introduction of aline of crappie
rods designed by me that are designed for the guys who throw slip bobbers like |
do 80% of the time. These will be the HOTSPOTS MEGA EYE 10 Rods with the
‘stone being 10 ft. medium action with big eyelets all the way to the tip. You
will be able to use this rod anyway you like jigging,tite lining, casting but if you
throw slip bobbers this thing is AWESOME!!! Hopefully will have them before
crappie spawnis completely over this spring
Now to let you know how we kinda run during the year.
‘1st we fish crappie year round, if the lakes not froze up and the weather is not to
bad we are fishing. In the spring | only do crappie trips and these are full day trips
and we fish for up to 8hrs OR we get our limits whichever comes 1st.
Towards the end of May we start to go after Walleye so we will do crappie and.
walleye on those trips. When the crappie are done spawning (end of May /early
June) we will fish Walleye through the end of June and give the crappie a break
and let them get out to their summer spots and recooperate from the spawn,
Starting in July we start looking for the whitebass and are still catching walleye in
with them and we also go back after crappie so these are mixed bag days and we
will fish this way all summer until fall when we will follow the fish back shallow as
the water temps. drop.
‘The fall whitebass and crappie bite is some of the best fishing of the year always 2
good time.
Looking forward to starting my 26th season as a guide and seeing all the friends
have made over the past 26 years and looking forward to meeting new faces out
there this year.
Book early and lets go rip some lips!!!
217-259-7621 Todd
- consuming to do. That being said the best way to keep up with whats going on is
‘on my facebook pages.
or call for info 217-259-7621.
2022's going tobe an exciting year with the introduction of aline of crappie
rods designed by me that are designed for the guys who throw slip bobbers like |
do 80% of the time. These will be the HOTSPOTS MEGA EYE 10 Rods with the
‘stone being 10 ft. medium action with big eyelets all the way to the tip. You
will be able to use this rod anyway you like jigging,tite lining, casting but if you
throw slip bobbers this thing is AWESOME!!! Hopefully will have them before
crappie spawnis completely over this spring
Now to let you know how we kinda run during the year.
‘1st we fish crappie year round, if the lakes not froze up and the weather is not to
bad we are fishing. In the spring | only do crappie trips and these are full day trips
and we fish for up to 8hrs OR we get our limits whichever comes 1st.
Towards the end of May we start to go after Walleye so we will do crappie and.
walleye on those trips. When the crappie are done spawning (end of May /early
June) we will fish Walleye through the end of June and give the crappie a break
and let them get out to their summer spots and recooperate from the spawn,
Starting in July we start looking for the whitebass and are still catching walleye in
with them and we also go back after crappie so these are mixed bag days and we
will fish this way all summer until fall when we will follow the fish back shallow as
the water temps. drop.
‘The fall whitebass and crappie bite is some of the best fishing of the year always 2
good time.
Looking forward to starting my 26th season as a guide and seeing all the friends
have made over the past 26 years and looking forward to meeting new faces out
there this year.
Book early and lets go rip some lips!!!
217-259-7621 Todd
Fishing Report
04-04-2019
Ihave decided to no longer guide on Mill Creek due to the crazy price increase
inlaunch fees and stupid Crappie limits on what size fish you are allowed to keep
and | will also be no longer Guiding on Lake Sara,
Lake shelbyville. Mattoon and Charleston are all great lakes and offer a variety
on ish species to choose from. Book early!
inlaunch fees and stupid Crappie limits on what size fish you are allowed to keep
and | will also be no longer Guiding on Lake Sara,
Lake shelbyville. Mattoon and Charleston are all great lakes and offer a variety
on ish species to choose from. Book early!
Fishing Report
03-26-2019
Tha Crappie fishing has started and looks like another great year ahead! Water
‘temps right now are 43-47 and | am still catching fish on deep main lake brush
14-25" deep either tite lining aig in the brush on cloudy days or floating a jig and
bobber over the top of the piles on sunny days. It's only gonna get better from
here on out so dont wait too long to book your trips.
I have been on another lake early in march and did really well on some limits of
12"-141/2" fish. l will be Crappie fishing until the end of may or early june untill
they are done with the spawn then it will be on to walleye/sauger and white bass
for alot of the summer. | will still do some crappie fishing this summer when they
move back out to the main lake brush piles so the summer fishing is a mixed bag
cof wallys whites and crappie. | fish anoth lake also in the summer as the crappie
fishing is also good there on main lake brush during the hot months.
Follow me on facebook to keep up with the fishing reports as itis easier for me
to post on there than to put the info on this site and we can message each other
easier if you have any questions.
Good fishing!
‘temps right now are 43-47 and | am still catching fish on deep main lake brush
14-25" deep either tite lining aig in the brush on cloudy days or floating a jig and
bobber over the top of the piles on sunny days. It's only gonna get better from
here on out so dont wait too long to book your trips.
I have been on another lake early in march and did really well on some limits of
12"-141/2" fish. l will be Crappie fishing until the end of may or early june untill
they are done with the spawn then it will be on to walleye/sauger and white bass
for alot of the summer. | will still do some crappie fishing this summer when they
move back out to the main lake brush piles so the summer fishing is a mixed bag
cof wallys whites and crappie. | fish anoth lake also in the summer as the crappie
fishing is also good there on main lake brush during the hot months.
Follow me on facebook to keep up with the fishing reports as itis easier for me
to post on there than to put the info on this site and we can message each other
easier if you have any questions.
Good fishing!
Fishing Report
05-30-2018
The fishing on Shelbyville is great right now,| am still catching some Crappie but |
am starting to go after the Walleye and Whitebass, most of the Crappie are done
but there are still some shallow finishing up the spawn.the Crappie fishing this
year has been really great one of the best and easiest years with lots of fish being,
‘caught We will still do some summer Crappie fishing but we will mainly be
Walleye/Whitebass fishing now. | am catching a mixed bag of fish now soiif you
want Crappie/Walleye/Whitebass now is the time.
am starting to go after the Walleye and Whitebass, most of the Crappie are done
but there are still some shallow finishing up the spawn.the Crappie fishing this
year has been really great one of the best and easiest years with lots of fish being,
‘caught We will still do some summer Crappie fishing but we will mainly be
Walleye/Whitebass fishing now. | am catching a mixed bag of fish now soiif you
want Crappie/Walleye/Whitebass now is the time.
Fishing Report
05-01-2018
‘The water temps on Shelbyville are starting to move into the 60's so the fishing is
going to get red hot in the next few weeks.| have been catching most of my fish in
15! to 25' of water on the main lake points over brush,throwing a 1/4 o7. jig with
variety of jigs and catching 100's a day.
| did finally find some fish shallow in a pocket in the back of a cove but they had
just moved in so its only getting started.The eggs are stil small and it will still take
‘a couple weeks to get into full on spawn.you might find some early fish here and
there but the majority are still suspended out in deeper water waiting to move
inYou just have to remember that they dont build their eggs sacks over night and
ifthe water is 65 that is surface temp and its not that warm 4 or 5 feet down,
going to get red hot in the next few weeks.| have been catching most of my fish in
15! to 25' of water on the main lake points over brush,throwing a 1/4 o7. jig with
variety of jigs and catching 100's a day.
| did finally find some fish shallow in a pocket in the back of a cove but they had
just moved in so its only getting started.The eggs are stil small and it will still take
‘a couple weeks to get into full on spawn.you might find some early fish here and
there but the majority are still suspended out in deeper water waiting to move
inYou just have to remember that they dont build their eggs sacks over night and
ifthe water is 65 that is surface temp and its not that warm 4 or 5 feet down,
Fishing Report
04-22-2018
Fishing at Shelbyville is hot, we are catching fish on the south end off the drops
and points over brush with jigs.going through alot of unders right now but we are
catching over 100 fish a day and that keeps it fun.
and points over brush with jigs.going through alot of unders right now but we are
catching over 100 fish a day and that keeps it fun.
Fishing Report
04-18-2018
‘The Crappie are biting on Shelbyville and it's gonna get real good shortly.
Ihave been fishing deep on the south end over brush and drops and catching alot
of fish.Don't wait to get in on the action because its good NOW!
34-2018
‘The Crappie have been biting on Shelbyville despite the crazy weather,| have
been catching them off deep brush mid lake to the south endWith the recent
rains the water will be coming up and getting muddier but we will still be able
to catch fish as the weather will be getting better so dont wait to book trips as |
willbe filled up if you walt for nice weather.
3-20-2018 LAKE SHELBYVILLE WATER TEMP 43-46
+ CRAPPIE ARE BEING CAUGHT AT ALOT OF DEPTHS RIGHT NOW
‘THROUGH MID LAKE AREAS.
+ SUNNY DAYS THE STANDING TIMBER IS GOOD.TRY DIFFERENT.
DEPTHS TILL YOU START HITTING FISH AND KEEP MOVING AND
‘COVER ALOT OF WATER
+ THERE ISSTILL TONS OF FISH DEEP ON BRUSHPILES NEXT TO THE
DROPS AND SUSPENDED IN DEEP WATER,USE YOU ELECTRONICS TO
FIND THESE AREAS,
+ BEEN CATCHING FISH ON THE SOUTH END 12' DEEP UNDER BOBBER
OVER STUMPS AND BRUSH.
* -1-4-2017
As you can tell [dont keep the reports on this site as often as I should but Ido
LAKESHELBYVILLEGUIDESERVICE.COM nage on facebook so friend me at
Todd Lavehhunn and you ill get more uptodate reports,
2016 was a great year and | did add another lake in 2016 due to several
requests and had a good year there in Effingham on Lake Sara and look forward
todoing it again this year,
| will be at the Arthur outdoor expo Feb. 10-11th 2017 booking up for the
2017 season and also selling Ozark crappie rods so come onout and get adate
booked on 1 or several central llinois lakes this year.
Jalso added all new electronics in 2016 with 4 Lowrance units so the fishing has
become a little easier as | can locate brushpiles and such a little quicker and
with more accuracy than before,so give me a call and get your trips
booked Looking forward to another great year! 217-259-7621 Todd
Ihave been fishing deep on the south end over brush and drops and catching alot
of fish.Don't wait to get in on the action because its good NOW!
34-2018
‘The Crappie have been biting on Shelbyville despite the crazy weather,| have
been catching them off deep brush mid lake to the south endWith the recent
rains the water will be coming up and getting muddier but we will still be able
to catch fish as the weather will be getting better so dont wait to book trips as |
willbe filled up if you walt for nice weather.
3-20-2018 LAKE SHELBYVILLE WATER TEMP 43-46
+ CRAPPIE ARE BEING CAUGHT AT ALOT OF DEPTHS RIGHT NOW
‘THROUGH MID LAKE AREAS.
+ SUNNY DAYS THE STANDING TIMBER IS GOOD.TRY DIFFERENT.
DEPTHS TILL YOU START HITTING FISH AND KEEP MOVING AND
‘COVER ALOT OF WATER
+ THERE ISSTILL TONS OF FISH DEEP ON BRUSHPILES NEXT TO THE
DROPS AND SUSPENDED IN DEEP WATER,USE YOU ELECTRONICS TO
FIND THESE AREAS,
+ BEEN CATCHING FISH ON THE SOUTH END 12' DEEP UNDER BOBBER
OVER STUMPS AND BRUSH.
* -1-4-2017
As you can tell [dont keep the reports on this site as often as I should but Ido
LAKESHELBYVILLEGUIDESERVICE.COM nage on facebook so friend me at
Todd Lavehhunn and you ill get more uptodate reports,
2016 was a great year and | did add another lake in 2016 due to several
requests and had a good year there in Effingham on Lake Sara and look forward
todoing it again this year,
| will be at the Arthur outdoor expo Feb. 10-11th 2017 booking up for the
2017 season and also selling Ozark crappie rods so come onout and get adate
booked on 1 or several central llinois lakes this year.
Jalso added all new electronics in 2016 with 4 Lowrance units so the fishing has
become a little easier as | can locate brushpiles and such a little quicker and
with more accuracy than before,so give me a call and get your trips
booked Looking forward to another great year! 217-259-7621 Todd
Fishing Report
04-30-2016
Been fishing Shelbyville and Mattoon lately and the crappie fishing is eood to
great when we have a few consecutive days of stable weather,the rain and cold
fronts nock them little and make ita little tougher for a couple days but can
still manage a nice mess.
Have been fishing a slip cork and jig tipped with wax worms or throwing
twister tails The bie females have not moved in yet but we are still catching
nice fish and lots of smaller ones right now:The water temp. has been anywhere
from 56-66 depending on what lake or where we are fishing on the lake.The
tempis getting right for the spawn to start but the fish still have to have the
right amount of time to build they're egg sacks and that doesn't happen
overnight no matter how fast the water warms up,
Going to be hitting Lake Sara in Effingham in May so If vou want a trip there to
try.at nice big crappie get in touch with me soon because open dates are
running out.
great when we have a few consecutive days of stable weather,the rain and cold
fronts nock them little and make ita little tougher for a couple days but can
still manage a nice mess.
Have been fishing a slip cork and jig tipped with wax worms or throwing
twister tails The bie females have not moved in yet but we are still catching
nice fish and lots of smaller ones right now:The water temp. has been anywhere
from 56-66 depending on what lake or where we are fishing on the lake.The
tempis getting right for the spawn to start but the fish still have to have the
right amount of time to build they're egg sacks and that doesn't happen
overnight no matter how fast the water warms up,
Going to be hitting Lake Sara in Effingham in May so If vou want a trip there to
try.at nice big crappie get in touch with me soon because open dates are
running out.
Fishing Report
04-20-2015
WATER TEMP. 57-64
Had trips onall the lakes that l guide on the last 2 weeks and they all are
coming on.the crappie are starting to head for the bank with the water temps
pushing into the 60's and we have been catching them 2 to 4 feet under aslip
bobber with tube jigs and wax worms for the most partThe cold temps at night
this week might back them off a little but it wont last long.just cover water tll
you hit pockets of them and work different depths till you find them.Get your
trins booked before its over by the end of May or so and then we'llbe ready to
getafter the walleye on Shelbyville
Had trips onall the lakes that l guide on the last 2 weeks and they all are
coming on.the crappie are starting to head for the bank with the water temps
pushing into the 60's and we have been catching them 2 to 4 feet under aslip
bobber with tube jigs and wax worms for the most partThe cold temps at night
this week might back them off a little but it wont last long.just cover water tll
you hit pockets of them and work different depths till you find them.Get your
trins booked before its over by the end of May or so and then we'llbe ready to
getafter the walleye on Shelbyville
Fishing Report
04-01-2015
WATER TEMP. 40-49
1st trip to Mill Creek In 2015 and we managed 26 crappie that we kept with 5
over 13",
Allthe fish were caught in 7-10 fow fishing 4'-5' down under a slip bobber,
Using 1/8 and 1/4 o2 jigheads in char or orange and purple sparkle/char or blue
sparlke/char tube jigs filled with crappie nibbles and tipped with awax
\worm.the fish seamed to be in the upper half of the water column near wood
where the water was warmer We were fishing the dirtlest water we could find
and not the clearer deeper water since the dirty water warms quicker and the
warmest water will hold fish in the early spring time.
1st trip to Mill Creek In 2015 and we managed 26 crappie that we kept with 5
over 13",
Allthe fish were caught in 7-10 fow fishing 4'-5' down under a slip bobber,
Using 1/8 and 1/4 o2 jigheads in char or orange and purple sparkle/char or blue
sparlke/char tube jigs filled with crappie nibbles and tipped with awax
\worm.the fish seamed to be in the upper half of the water column near wood
where the water was warmer We were fishing the dirtlest water we could find
and not the clearer deeper water since the dirty water warms quicker and the
warmest water will hold fish in the early spring time.
Fishing Report
03-16-2015
WATER TEMP. 40-43
AST-TRIP OF THE YEAR WE ENDED UP WITH 30 CRAPPIE AND A BONUS
‘SAUGER FISHING SLIP BOBBER AND 1/8 OZ. TUBE JIG 6-7! DEEP ON THE
1ST.DROPSMOKE GLOW AND ORANGE SPARKLE/CHAR TUBES W/CHAR
‘OR ORANGE HEADS.MORE REPORTS TO COME
3-21-14
HAD A QUICK LAST MINUTE TRIP TO ANOTHER LAKE TODAY AND DESPITE.
AHARD WIND THAT KEPT MY FOOT ON THE TROLLING MOTOR THE
ENTIRE TIME WE MANAGED A NICE MESS OF CRAPPIES IN A FEW.
HOURS.AGAIN SLIP BOBBERS CHART. HEADS BLUE/CHART.SPARKLE TUBES
TIPPED WITH WAX WORMS.ITS GONNA TURN ON HARD ONE OF THESE
DAYS SOON DONT WAIT TO BOOK YOUR TRIPS
MARCH 2014
‘SHELBYVILLE 3-20 14
WATER TEMP,39-44
HAD 4ST TRIP OF THE SEASON AND HAD OUR LIMIT OF OVERS AND A FEW
LUNDERS FISHING THE NORTH ENDWE WERE USING SLIP BOBBERS SET AT
2:7' FISHING 3-10 FOW.
‘CHART, HEADS AND ORANGE CHART,GLOW TUBES TIPPED WITH WAX
worMs.
LOOKS LIKE WE'LL BE WAITING OUT ANOTHER COLD FRONT ON THE 23-
25TH THEN BACK ATT.
SEPT 2012
(SHELBYVILLE)
THE FISHING HAS BEEN GREAT ALL SUMMER AND NOW ITS TIME FOR THE
FALL CRAPPIE AND WHITEBASS BITE WHICH IS REALLY FUN THE FISH
‘START TO MOVE SHALLOW AND ARE EASIER TO FIND THE CRAPPIE WILL
MOVE INTO THE STANDING TIMBER AND SHALLOWER STRUCTURE
CLOSER TO THE BANK ON THE MAIN LAKE AND THE WHITES WILL BE ON
‘THE SHALLOW SAND FLATS THAT HAVE WIND ON THEM AND CATCHING
1100'S IS PRETTY EASY ONCE YOU FIND THEM.
IEYOU NEED A BREAK FROM SETTING IN A TREE AND WANT TO GETINON
‘SOME GREAT FALL ACTION CALL AND BOOKA TRIP.
May 2012
(SHELBYVILLE)
THE CRAPPIE ARE IN ALL STAGES AS OF MAY 7, CATCHING FISH REAL
‘SHALLOW AND IN 15 TO 25 FEETYOU CAN FISH MINNOWS OR JIGS DEEP
OR SHALLOW AND FIND FISH ANY WAY YOU WANT TO CATCH THEM.
‘THE WHITEBASS CAN BE FOUND ON THE FLATS OR DROPS ON THE EDGES
(OF THE FLATS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING.
‘THE WALLEYE FISHING SHOULD START TO PICK UP ANY TIME
(THE MILL)
CRAPPIE ARE STILL GOING AND WITH THE FULL MOON THE BLUEGILL
AND REDEAR ARE ON THE BEDS NOW IN THE TIME TO BOOK A TRIP IF
YOULIKE CATCHING THEM.
LATE MAR\EARLY APRIL 2012
‘THE WARM SUNNY DAYS HAS THE WATER TEMP. ON THE RISE AGAIN,60-
67 AND THE CRAPPIE ARE FEELING IT.BEEN FISHING ON THE OTHER LAKES
(NOT SHELBYVILLE) THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS AND ITS GETTING BETTER.
‘SLIP BOBBERS AND TUBE JIGS HAVE BEEN THE TICKET LATELY,1/4 OZ. TO
1/16 O7. JIG HEADS DEPENDING ON WHAT DEPTH WE ARE FISHING,
LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GETTING READY FOR SOME MORE COLD NIGHTS FOR
‘FEW DAYS JUST HOPE IT DOESNT DROP THE WATER TEMP TO MUCH.
MID MARCH 2012
WE HAVE BEEN FISHING SHELBYVILLE AND SEVERAL OTHER LAKES
LATELY AND WAS DOING REALLY WELL UNTIL COLD NIGHTS HIT US AND
DROPPED WATER TEMPS 10 DEGREES AND PUT THE DAMPER ON OUR
CURRENT PATTERNS, HOPEFULLY IT WONT LAST TO LONG.
MAR.2012
FISHING HAS BEEN GOOD ON ALL THE LAKES WE HAVE BEEN GOINGTO.
LATELY, THE CRAPPIE FISHING IS STARTING TO HEAT UP BUT THEY ARE
NOT GOING CRAZY YET.WE ARE ENDING THE DAY WITH SOME REALLY.
NICE STRINGERS OF FISH BUT WE'RE STILL HAVING TO WORK FOR THEM.
KNOW ITS BEEN REALLY WARM FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR AND WHEN WE
GET ZAPPED BY SOME COLD FRONTS,AND WE WILL,IT WILL SLOW THEM
DOWN FOR A FEW DAYS BUT THATS SPRING FISHING
‘FEB.29 2012
GOOD DAY ON SHELBYVILLE TODAY WATER TEMP 39 TO 43,THE WIND
WAS BRUTAL SO WE DIDNT MAKE A BIG RUN JUST FISHED LICK
CREEK.HAD 25 KEEPERS,FISHED 1/4 OZ, JIG7 TO 9 FT.DEEP UNDERSLIP
BOBBER IN 8 TO 13 FOW INTHE STANDING TIMBER.
‘SHELBYVILLE IS A GREAT LAKE FOR SEVERAL SPECIES OF FISH BUT THERE
ARE SEVERAL OTHER LAKES AROUND THAT ARE ALSO GREAT.WITH MORE
LIBERAL LIMITS THAN SHELBYVILLE.
I'VE CAUGHT CRAPPIE UP TO 18" BIG BLUEGILL AND REDEAR AND REALLY.
GOOD CATFISHING ON LAKES OTHER THAN SHELBYVILLE,
1AM NOT NOCKING SHELBYVILLE AT ALL ITS GREAT AND I DO 75% OF MY
GUIDING THERE BUT IF YOU DONT WANT TO FIGHT THE TRAFFIC THAT
YOU HAVE ON THE BIGGER LAKES,AND CAN ACTUALLY CATCH MORE AND.
BIGGER FISH ON A SMALLER BODY OF WATER.YOU NEED TO CALLAND-
BOOK A TRIP. MARCH AND APRIL IS WHEN THE CRAPPIE REALLY GET
GOING AND I GET BOOKED UP PRETTY FAST SO CALL EARLY.
OcT.2011
THE CRAPPIE ARE STARTING TO BITE EVERYWHERE,HAD A GOOD TRIP AT
‘THE MILL AND CAUGHT CRAPPIE 4’ TO 8' WITH JIGS TIPPED WITH
MINNOWS AND JIGS AND WAX WORMS,BOTH WORKED.
‘THE CRAPPIE ON SHELBYVILLE ARE AT ALL DEPTHS, BEEN USING JIGS.
‘TIPPED WITH MINNOWS UNDER SLIP BOBBERS,BUT SEEMS THE LAST
WEEK TUBE JIGS AND WAX WORMS HAVE BEEN OUT PRODUCING
MINNOWS.
BEEN FISHING 6' TO 12’ FEET OF WATER WITH MOST FISH AROUND 8!
DEEP UNDER ASLIP BOBBER,
WHITES HAVE BEEN BUSTING IN THE BACK OF THE BIGGER COVES AND.
ALSO ON FLATS THAT HAVE WIND ON THEM.THIS TIME OF YEAR
EVERYTHING IS FEEDING HARD JUST COVER WATER. AND YOU'LL FIND:
FISH
AUG,2011
‘TRIP-TO MILL CREEK, HAD GOOD AFTERNOON CRAPPIE FISHING FISH ARE
14°10 20:
FISHING TIGHT LINE AND MINNOW OVER BRUSH AND STUMPS, ALSO.
HAD LUCK WITH JIG AND MINNOW UNDER SLIP BOBBER SET 7 TO 14"
DEEP,AND JUST FLIPPING JIG AND MINNOW PAST STANDING TIMBER,
ANY WAY YOU LIKE TO FISH WORKS,
CATCHING LOTS OF BASS DURING THE DAY ALSO.
APRILMAY 2011.
BEEN GETTING 2 AND 3 MAN CRAPPIE LIMITS ON SHELBYVILLE EVERY
TRIP,
CATCHING FISH ON ON TWISTER TAILS BY RUNNING DOWN THE BANKS
INTHE BACK OF THE BIG COVES ON THS SOUTH END COVER WATER TILL
YOU HIT POCKETS OF FISH.
NOREALBIG FISH YET.
YOU CAN ALSO CATCH THEM WITH SLIP BOBBERS AND JIGS INTHE
‘STANDING TIMBER,CATCHING LITTLE BIGGER FISH IN THE 8-12 FT. RANGE,
HAD A QUICK 3 HOUR TRIP FOR WALLEYE ON 5-12 AND CAUGHT 20 SOME
WALLEYE ON 2 POINTS AND HAD 7 KEEPERS UP TO 17.5"\SO THEIR
GETTING READY TO GET HOT,
5-14-11
HAD A TRIP ON ANOTHER LAKE TODAY,ENDED THE DAY WITH 30 CRAPPIE
‘UPTO 15.5".4 REDEAR UP TO 3/4 OF A POUND AND4 CATFISH,
WATER TEMP RUNNING IN LOW 70'S SO THE CRAPPIE ARE GOING TO BE
DONE SHORTLY,BUT FOR THE BLUEGILL AND REDEAR GUYS IT'S GETTING
HOT.
THE BLUEGILL ARE NICE IN THIS LAKE SO IF YOUR INTO THAT CALLFOR A
‘TRIP SOON.
WE ALSO CAUGHT OVER 30 BASS JUST FISHING FOR CRAPPIE SO IF YOU
WANT TO GO ON A BASS TRIP NOWS THE TIME, WOULD'NT BE SCARED
‘TO SAY WE COULD CATCH 50-100 BASS A DAY.
IKNOW THEIR KILLING TOP WATER BAITS RIGHT NOW.
5-24-41
CRAPPIE/BLUEGILL TRIP ON MATTOON CITY LAKE TODAY.THE CRAPPIE
ARE NOT DONE WITH THE SPAWN LIKE ALOT ARE SAYING,
BLUEGILL ARE UP ON THE BEDS.CRAPPIE ARE AROUND THE DOCKS AND
‘SHALLOW BRUSH/ROCKS/WEEDS.
THE WATER TEMP. WAS 70-73 BUT THAT IS SURFACE TEMPSO 3 OR 4 FEET
DOWN ITIS ALITTLE COOLER,
MOST OF THE CRAPPIE STILL ARE FULL OF EGGS AND SOME EVEN
LOOKED LIKE THEY ARE'NT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING READY.
5-25-11
A DIFFERENT LAKE TODAY.WATER TEMP. 70-74,
CAUGHT 14 BIG REDEAR SOME NEAR A POUND, BLUEGILL AND CRAPPIE.
CRAPPIE STILL NOT DONE WITH SPAWN,BLUEGILL/REDEAR ON BEDS FAST
ACTION,COULD OF HAD BUCKETS FULL BUT THE STORMS BLEW US OFF
THE LAKE,
5-34-11
‘TRIP TO LAKE MATTOON, SAME CONDITIONS AS THE 24TH,CRAPPIE STILL
HAVE NOT SPAWNED OUT YET.CATCHING NICE FISH
6-10-44 SHELBYVILLE
BEEN CATCHING 2 AND 3 MAN LIMITS OF WALLEYE ALMOST EVERY
‘TRIPCRANKBAITS OR DRAGGING TWISTERS AND NIGHT CRAWLERS ON
BOTTOM HAS BEEN THE WAY WE HAVE BEEN CATCHING OUR FISH.
YOU REALLY NEED WIND IF YOUR FISHING SHALLOWMWHEN THE WIND
‘SHUTS DOWN THE FISHING GETS TOUGH.FISHING DEEPER IF THE WIND
STOPS,
WHITES SHOULD START TO PICK UP ANYTIME,
6-24-41 SHELBYVILLE
‘1. WHITEBASS ARE BUSTING SHAD AND CATCHING 100'S OF FISHIN A
‘SHORT TIME IS COMMON.THROWING DOUBLE TWISTER TAILS OR
‘SASSY SHAD IF THEY ARE SHALLOW OR IF THEY ARE DEEP OFF OF
‘THE DROPS, USING 107Z.JIGGING SPOON AND JUST RIPPING IT OFF
‘THE BOTTOM AND LETTING IT FLUTTER BACK DOWN.SOME DAYS
THEY ARE HARD TO FIND, BUT AS IT GETS HOT OUT THE FISHING
WILL ALSO GET HOT.
STILL CATCHING WALLEYE,SOMEDAYS THEY ARE SHALLOW IN THE
WEEDS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING AND OTHER DAYS THEY ARE DEEP
AND HARD TO FIND, EACH DAY IS A DIFFERENT GAMETHROWING 3”
‘TWISTERS WITH NIGHTCRAWLER COVERING THE HOOK OR USING
CRANKBAITS IN THE WEEDS.
WHEN THEY ARE SHALLOW t
AST-TRIP OF THE YEAR WE ENDED UP WITH 30 CRAPPIE AND A BONUS
‘SAUGER FISHING SLIP BOBBER AND 1/8 OZ. TUBE JIG 6-7! DEEP ON THE
1ST.DROPSMOKE GLOW AND ORANGE SPARKLE/CHAR TUBES W/CHAR
‘OR ORANGE HEADS.MORE REPORTS TO COME
3-21-14
HAD A QUICK LAST MINUTE TRIP TO ANOTHER LAKE TODAY AND DESPITE.
AHARD WIND THAT KEPT MY FOOT ON THE TROLLING MOTOR THE
ENTIRE TIME WE MANAGED A NICE MESS OF CRAPPIES IN A FEW.
HOURS.AGAIN SLIP BOBBERS CHART. HEADS BLUE/CHART.SPARKLE TUBES
TIPPED WITH WAX WORMS.ITS GONNA TURN ON HARD ONE OF THESE
DAYS SOON DONT WAIT TO BOOK YOUR TRIPS
MARCH 2014
‘SHELBYVILLE 3-20 14
WATER TEMP,39-44
HAD 4ST TRIP OF THE SEASON AND HAD OUR LIMIT OF OVERS AND A FEW
LUNDERS FISHING THE NORTH ENDWE WERE USING SLIP BOBBERS SET AT
2:7' FISHING 3-10 FOW.
‘CHART, HEADS AND ORANGE CHART,GLOW TUBES TIPPED WITH WAX
worMs.
LOOKS LIKE WE'LL BE WAITING OUT ANOTHER COLD FRONT ON THE 23-
25TH THEN BACK ATT.
SEPT 2012
(SHELBYVILLE)
THE FISHING HAS BEEN GREAT ALL SUMMER AND NOW ITS TIME FOR THE
FALL CRAPPIE AND WHITEBASS BITE WHICH IS REALLY FUN THE FISH
‘START TO MOVE SHALLOW AND ARE EASIER TO FIND THE CRAPPIE WILL
MOVE INTO THE STANDING TIMBER AND SHALLOWER STRUCTURE
CLOSER TO THE BANK ON THE MAIN LAKE AND THE WHITES WILL BE ON
‘THE SHALLOW SAND FLATS THAT HAVE WIND ON THEM AND CATCHING
1100'S IS PRETTY EASY ONCE YOU FIND THEM.
IEYOU NEED A BREAK FROM SETTING IN A TREE AND WANT TO GETINON
‘SOME GREAT FALL ACTION CALL AND BOOKA TRIP.
May 2012
(SHELBYVILLE)
THE CRAPPIE ARE IN ALL STAGES AS OF MAY 7, CATCHING FISH REAL
‘SHALLOW AND IN 15 TO 25 FEETYOU CAN FISH MINNOWS OR JIGS DEEP
OR SHALLOW AND FIND FISH ANY WAY YOU WANT TO CATCH THEM.
‘THE WHITEBASS CAN BE FOUND ON THE FLATS OR DROPS ON THE EDGES
(OF THE FLATS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING.
‘THE WALLEYE FISHING SHOULD START TO PICK UP ANY TIME
(THE MILL)
CRAPPIE ARE STILL GOING AND WITH THE FULL MOON THE BLUEGILL
AND REDEAR ARE ON THE BEDS NOW IN THE TIME TO BOOK A TRIP IF
YOULIKE CATCHING THEM.
LATE MAR\EARLY APRIL 2012
‘THE WARM SUNNY DAYS HAS THE WATER TEMP. ON THE RISE AGAIN,60-
67 AND THE CRAPPIE ARE FEELING IT.BEEN FISHING ON THE OTHER LAKES
(NOT SHELBYVILLE) THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS AND ITS GETTING BETTER.
‘SLIP BOBBERS AND TUBE JIGS HAVE BEEN THE TICKET LATELY,1/4 OZ. TO
1/16 O7. JIG HEADS DEPENDING ON WHAT DEPTH WE ARE FISHING,
LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GETTING READY FOR SOME MORE COLD NIGHTS FOR
‘FEW DAYS JUST HOPE IT DOESNT DROP THE WATER TEMP TO MUCH.
MID MARCH 2012
WE HAVE BEEN FISHING SHELBYVILLE AND SEVERAL OTHER LAKES
LATELY AND WAS DOING REALLY WELL UNTIL COLD NIGHTS HIT US AND
DROPPED WATER TEMPS 10 DEGREES AND PUT THE DAMPER ON OUR
CURRENT PATTERNS, HOPEFULLY IT WONT LAST TO LONG.
MAR.2012
FISHING HAS BEEN GOOD ON ALL THE LAKES WE HAVE BEEN GOINGTO.
LATELY, THE CRAPPIE FISHING IS STARTING TO HEAT UP BUT THEY ARE
NOT GOING CRAZY YET.WE ARE ENDING THE DAY WITH SOME REALLY.
NICE STRINGERS OF FISH BUT WE'RE STILL HAVING TO WORK FOR THEM.
KNOW ITS BEEN REALLY WARM FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR AND WHEN WE
GET ZAPPED BY SOME COLD FRONTS,AND WE WILL,IT WILL SLOW THEM
DOWN FOR A FEW DAYS BUT THATS SPRING FISHING
‘FEB.29 2012
GOOD DAY ON SHELBYVILLE TODAY WATER TEMP 39 TO 43,THE WIND
WAS BRUTAL SO WE DIDNT MAKE A BIG RUN JUST FISHED LICK
CREEK.HAD 25 KEEPERS,FISHED 1/4 OZ, JIG7 TO 9 FT.DEEP UNDERSLIP
BOBBER IN 8 TO 13 FOW INTHE STANDING TIMBER.
‘SHELBYVILLE IS A GREAT LAKE FOR SEVERAL SPECIES OF FISH BUT THERE
ARE SEVERAL OTHER LAKES AROUND THAT ARE ALSO GREAT.WITH MORE
LIBERAL LIMITS THAN SHELBYVILLE.
I'VE CAUGHT CRAPPIE UP TO 18" BIG BLUEGILL AND REDEAR AND REALLY.
GOOD CATFISHING ON LAKES OTHER THAN SHELBYVILLE,
1AM NOT NOCKING SHELBYVILLE AT ALL ITS GREAT AND I DO 75% OF MY
GUIDING THERE BUT IF YOU DONT WANT TO FIGHT THE TRAFFIC THAT
YOU HAVE ON THE BIGGER LAKES,AND CAN ACTUALLY CATCH MORE AND.
BIGGER FISH ON A SMALLER BODY OF WATER.YOU NEED TO CALLAND-
BOOK A TRIP. MARCH AND APRIL IS WHEN THE CRAPPIE REALLY GET
GOING AND I GET BOOKED UP PRETTY FAST SO CALL EARLY.
OcT.2011
THE CRAPPIE ARE STARTING TO BITE EVERYWHERE,HAD A GOOD TRIP AT
‘THE MILL AND CAUGHT CRAPPIE 4’ TO 8' WITH JIGS TIPPED WITH
MINNOWS AND JIGS AND WAX WORMS,BOTH WORKED.
‘THE CRAPPIE ON SHELBYVILLE ARE AT ALL DEPTHS, BEEN USING JIGS.
‘TIPPED WITH MINNOWS UNDER SLIP BOBBERS,BUT SEEMS THE LAST
WEEK TUBE JIGS AND WAX WORMS HAVE BEEN OUT PRODUCING
MINNOWS.
BEEN FISHING 6' TO 12’ FEET OF WATER WITH MOST FISH AROUND 8!
DEEP UNDER ASLIP BOBBER,
WHITES HAVE BEEN BUSTING IN THE BACK OF THE BIGGER COVES AND.
ALSO ON FLATS THAT HAVE WIND ON THEM.THIS TIME OF YEAR
EVERYTHING IS FEEDING HARD JUST COVER WATER. AND YOU'LL FIND:
FISH
AUG,2011
‘TRIP-TO MILL CREEK, HAD GOOD AFTERNOON CRAPPIE FISHING FISH ARE
14°10 20:
FISHING TIGHT LINE AND MINNOW OVER BRUSH AND STUMPS, ALSO.
HAD LUCK WITH JIG AND MINNOW UNDER SLIP BOBBER SET 7 TO 14"
DEEP,AND JUST FLIPPING JIG AND MINNOW PAST STANDING TIMBER,
ANY WAY YOU LIKE TO FISH WORKS,
CATCHING LOTS OF BASS DURING THE DAY ALSO.
APRILMAY 2011.
BEEN GETTING 2 AND 3 MAN CRAPPIE LIMITS ON SHELBYVILLE EVERY
TRIP,
CATCHING FISH ON ON TWISTER TAILS BY RUNNING DOWN THE BANKS
INTHE BACK OF THE BIG COVES ON THS SOUTH END COVER WATER TILL
YOU HIT POCKETS OF FISH.
NOREALBIG FISH YET.
YOU CAN ALSO CATCH THEM WITH SLIP BOBBERS AND JIGS INTHE
‘STANDING TIMBER,CATCHING LITTLE BIGGER FISH IN THE 8-12 FT. RANGE,
HAD A QUICK 3 HOUR TRIP FOR WALLEYE ON 5-12 AND CAUGHT 20 SOME
WALLEYE ON 2 POINTS AND HAD 7 KEEPERS UP TO 17.5"\SO THEIR
GETTING READY TO GET HOT,
5-14-11
HAD A TRIP ON ANOTHER LAKE TODAY,ENDED THE DAY WITH 30 CRAPPIE
‘UPTO 15.5".4 REDEAR UP TO 3/4 OF A POUND AND4 CATFISH,
WATER TEMP RUNNING IN LOW 70'S SO THE CRAPPIE ARE GOING TO BE
DONE SHORTLY,BUT FOR THE BLUEGILL AND REDEAR GUYS IT'S GETTING
HOT.
THE BLUEGILL ARE NICE IN THIS LAKE SO IF YOUR INTO THAT CALLFOR A
‘TRIP SOON.
WE ALSO CAUGHT OVER 30 BASS JUST FISHING FOR CRAPPIE SO IF YOU
WANT TO GO ON A BASS TRIP NOWS THE TIME, WOULD'NT BE SCARED
‘TO SAY WE COULD CATCH 50-100 BASS A DAY.
IKNOW THEIR KILLING TOP WATER BAITS RIGHT NOW.
5-24-41
CRAPPIE/BLUEGILL TRIP ON MATTOON CITY LAKE TODAY.THE CRAPPIE
ARE NOT DONE WITH THE SPAWN LIKE ALOT ARE SAYING,
BLUEGILL ARE UP ON THE BEDS.CRAPPIE ARE AROUND THE DOCKS AND
‘SHALLOW BRUSH/ROCKS/WEEDS.
THE WATER TEMP. WAS 70-73 BUT THAT IS SURFACE TEMPSO 3 OR 4 FEET
DOWN ITIS ALITTLE COOLER,
MOST OF THE CRAPPIE STILL ARE FULL OF EGGS AND SOME EVEN
LOOKED LIKE THEY ARE'NT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING READY.
5-25-11
A DIFFERENT LAKE TODAY.WATER TEMP. 70-74,
CAUGHT 14 BIG REDEAR SOME NEAR A POUND, BLUEGILL AND CRAPPIE.
CRAPPIE STILL NOT DONE WITH SPAWN,BLUEGILL/REDEAR ON BEDS FAST
ACTION,COULD OF HAD BUCKETS FULL BUT THE STORMS BLEW US OFF
THE LAKE,
5-34-11
‘TRIP TO LAKE MATTOON, SAME CONDITIONS AS THE 24TH,CRAPPIE STILL
HAVE NOT SPAWNED OUT YET.CATCHING NICE FISH
6-10-44 SHELBYVILLE
BEEN CATCHING 2 AND 3 MAN LIMITS OF WALLEYE ALMOST EVERY
‘TRIPCRANKBAITS OR DRAGGING TWISTERS AND NIGHT CRAWLERS ON
BOTTOM HAS BEEN THE WAY WE HAVE BEEN CATCHING OUR FISH.
YOU REALLY NEED WIND IF YOUR FISHING SHALLOWMWHEN THE WIND
‘SHUTS DOWN THE FISHING GETS TOUGH.FISHING DEEPER IF THE WIND
STOPS,
WHITES SHOULD START TO PICK UP ANYTIME,
6-24-41 SHELBYVILLE
‘1. WHITEBASS ARE BUSTING SHAD AND CATCHING 100'S OF FISHIN A
‘SHORT TIME IS COMMON.THROWING DOUBLE TWISTER TAILS OR
‘SASSY SHAD IF THEY ARE SHALLOW OR IF THEY ARE DEEP OFF OF
‘THE DROPS, USING 107Z.JIGGING SPOON AND JUST RIPPING IT OFF
‘THE BOTTOM AND LETTING IT FLUTTER BACK DOWN.SOME DAYS
THEY ARE HARD TO FIND, BUT AS IT GETS HOT OUT THE FISHING
WILL ALSO GET HOT.
STILL CATCHING WALLEYE,SOMEDAYS THEY ARE SHALLOW IN THE
WEEDS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING AND OTHER DAYS THEY ARE DEEP
AND HARD TO FIND, EACH DAY IS A DIFFERENT GAMETHROWING 3”
‘TWISTERS WITH NIGHTCRAWLER COVERING THE HOOK OR USING
CRANKBAITS IN THE WEEDS.
WHEN THEY ARE SHALLOW t
Fishing Report
04-04-2019
Ihave decided to no longer guide on Mill Creek due to the crazy price increase
infaunch fees and stupid Crappie limits on what size fish you are allowed to keep
and | will also be no longer Guiding on Lake Sara.
Lake shelbyville. Mattoon and Charleston are all great lakes and offer a variety
‘on fish species to choose from. Book early!
infaunch fees and stupid Crappie limits on what size fish you are allowed to keep
and | will also be no longer Guiding on Lake Sara.
Lake shelbyville. Mattoon and Charleston are all great lakes and offer a variety
‘on fish species to choose from. Book early!
Fishing Report
03-26-2019
‘Tha Crappie fishing has started and looks like another great year ahead! Water
temps right now are 43-47 and | am still catching fish on deep main lake brush
14-25' deep either tite lining agin the brush on cloudy days or floating a jig and
bobber over the top of the piles on sunny days. It's only gonna get better from
here on out so dont wait too long to book your trips.
I have been on another lake early in march and did really well on some limits of
12"-141/2" fish. will be Crappie fishing until the end of may or early june untill
they are done with the spawn then it will be on to walleye/sauger and white bass
for alot of the summer. | will still do some crappie fishing this summer when they
move back out to the main lake brush piles so the summer fishing is a mixed bag
of wallys whites and crappie. | fish anoth lake also in the summer as the crappie
fishing s also good there on main lake brush during the hot months.
Follow me on facebook to keep up with the fishing reports as itis easier for me
to post on there than to put the info on this site and we can message each other
easier if you have any questions,
Good fishing!
temps right now are 43-47 and | am still catching fish on deep main lake brush
14-25' deep either tite lining agin the brush on cloudy days or floating a jig and
bobber over the top of the piles on sunny days. It's only gonna get better from
here on out so dont wait too long to book your trips.
I have been on another lake early in march and did really well on some limits of
12"-141/2" fish. will be Crappie fishing until the end of may or early june untill
they are done with the spawn then it will be on to walleye/sauger and white bass
for alot of the summer. | will still do some crappie fishing this summer when they
move back out to the main lake brush piles so the summer fishing is a mixed bag
of wallys whites and crappie. | fish anoth lake also in the summer as the crappie
fishing s also good there on main lake brush during the hot months.
Follow me on facebook to keep up with the fishing reports as itis easier for me
to post on there than to put the info on this site and we can message each other
easier if you have any questions,
Good fishing!
Fishing Report
05-30-2018
The fishing on Shelbyville is great right now,| am still catching some Crappie but |
-amstarting to go after the Walleye and Whitebass, most of the Crappie are done
but there are still some shallow finishing up the spawn.the Crappie fishing this
year has been really great one of the best and easiest years with lots of fish being,
caught We will still do some summer Crappie fishing but we will mainly be
Walleye/Whitebass fishing now. | am catching a mixed bag of fish now so if you
want Crappie/Walleye/Whitebass now is the time.
-amstarting to go after the Walleye and Whitebass, most of the Crappie are done
but there are still some shallow finishing up the spawn.the Crappie fishing this
year has been really great one of the best and easiest years with lots of fish being,
caught We will still do some summer Crappie fishing but we will mainly be
Walleye/Whitebass fishing now. | am catching a mixed bag of fish now so if you
want Crappie/Walleye/Whitebass now is the time.
Fishing Report
05-01-2018
The water temps on Shelbyville are starting to move into the 60s so the fishing is
going to get red hot in the next few weeks.| have been catching most of my fish in
15! to 25' of water on the main lake points over brush throwing a 1/4 o7. jig with
variety of jigs and catching 100's a day.
| did finally find some fish shallow in a pocket in the back of a cove but they had
lust maved in so its only getting started:The e98s are still small and it will till take
a couple weeks to get into full on spawnyou might find some early fish here and
there but the majority are still suspended out in deeper water waiting to move
inYou just have to remember that they dont build their eggs sacks over night and
Ifthe water is 65 that is surface temp and its not that warm 4 or 5 feet down,
going to get red hot in the next few weeks.| have been catching most of my fish in
15! to 25' of water on the main lake points over brush throwing a 1/4 o7. jig with
variety of jigs and catching 100's a day.
| did finally find some fish shallow in a pocket in the back of a cove but they had
lust maved in so its only getting started:The e98s are still small and it will till take
a couple weeks to get into full on spawnyou might find some early fish here and
there but the majority are still suspended out in deeper water waiting to move
inYou just have to remember that they dont build their eggs sacks over night and
Ifthe water is 65 that is surface temp and its not that warm 4 or 5 feet down,
Fishing Report
04-22-2018
Fishing at Shelbyville is hot, we are catching fish on the south end off the drops
and points over brush with jigs.going through alot of unders right now but we are
catching over 100 fish a day and that keeps it fun
and points over brush with jigs.going through alot of unders right now but we are
catching over 100 fish a day and that keeps it fun
Fishing Report
04-18-2018
‘The Crappie are biting on Shelbywille and it’s gonna get real good shortly.
| have been fishing deep on the south end over brush and drops and catching alot
of fish.Don't wait to get in on the action because its good NOW!
| have been fishing deep on the south end over brush and drops and catching alot
of fish.Don't wait to get in on the action because its good NOW!
Fishing Report
03-04-2018
‘The Crappie have been biting on Shelbyville despite the crazy weather, have
been catching them off deep brush mid lake to the south end With the recent
rains the water will be coming up and getting muddier but we will still be able
tocatch fish as the weather will be getting better so dont walt to book trips as |
willbe filled up if you wait for nice weather,
3-20-2018 LAKE SHELBYVILLE WATER TEMP 43-46
+ CRAPPIE ARE BEING CAUGHT AT ALOT OF DEPTHS RIGHT NOW
2-6'UNDER A BOBBER IN STANDING TIMBER FROM THE NORTH END
THROUGH MID LAKE AREAS.
+ SUNNY DAYS THE STANDING TIMBER IS GOOD TRY DIFFERENT
DEPTHS TILL YOU START HITTING FISH AND KEEP MOVING AND
COVER ALOT OF WATER
+ THERE ISSTILL TONS OF FISH DEEP ON BRUSHPILES NEXT TO THE
DROPS AND SUSPENDED IN DEEP WATER,USE YOU ELECTRONICS TO
FIND THESE AREAS.
+ BEEN CATCHING FISH ON THE SOUTH END 12’ DEEP UNDER BOBBER
OVER STUMPS AND BRUSH.
+ 1-4-2017
Asyoucan tell | dont keep the reports on this site as often as | should but |do
LAKESHELBYVILLEGUIDESERVICE.COM page on facebook so friend me at
‘Todd Laughhunn and you will get more up to date reports,
2016 was a great year and | did add another lake in 2016 due to several
requests and had a good year there in Effingham on Lake Sara and look forward
todoing it again this year.
L will be at the Arthur outdoor expo Feb. 10-11th 2017 booking upfor the
2017 season and also selling Ozark crappie rods so come on out and get adate
booked on 1 or several central llinots lakes this year,
I also added all new electronics in 2016 with 4 Lowrance units so the fishing has
become alittle easier as | can locate brushpiles and such a little quicker and
with more accuracy than before,so give me a call and get your trips
booked Looking forward to another great year! 217-259-7621 Todd
been catching them off deep brush mid lake to the south end With the recent
rains the water will be coming up and getting muddier but we will still be able
tocatch fish as the weather will be getting better so dont walt to book trips as |
willbe filled up if you wait for nice weather,
3-20-2018 LAKE SHELBYVILLE WATER TEMP 43-46
+ CRAPPIE ARE BEING CAUGHT AT ALOT OF DEPTHS RIGHT NOW
2-6'UNDER A BOBBER IN STANDING TIMBER FROM THE NORTH END
THROUGH MID LAKE AREAS.
+ SUNNY DAYS THE STANDING TIMBER IS GOOD TRY DIFFERENT
DEPTHS TILL YOU START HITTING FISH AND KEEP MOVING AND
COVER ALOT OF WATER
+ THERE ISSTILL TONS OF FISH DEEP ON BRUSHPILES NEXT TO THE
DROPS AND SUSPENDED IN DEEP WATER,USE YOU ELECTRONICS TO
FIND THESE AREAS.
+ BEEN CATCHING FISH ON THE SOUTH END 12’ DEEP UNDER BOBBER
OVER STUMPS AND BRUSH.
+ 1-4-2017
Asyoucan tell | dont keep the reports on this site as often as | should but |do
LAKESHELBYVILLEGUIDESERVICE.COM page on facebook so friend me at
‘Todd Laughhunn and you will get more up to date reports,
2016 was a great year and | did add another lake in 2016 due to several
requests and had a good year there in Effingham on Lake Sara and look forward
todoing it again this year.
L will be at the Arthur outdoor expo Feb. 10-11th 2017 booking upfor the
2017 season and also selling Ozark crappie rods so come on out and get adate
booked on 1 or several central llinots lakes this year,
I also added all new electronics in 2016 with 4 Lowrance units so the fishing has
become alittle easier as | can locate brushpiles and such a little quicker and
with more accuracy than before,so give me a call and get your trips
booked Looking forward to another great year! 217-259-7621 Todd
Fishing Report
04-30-2016
Been fishing Shelbyville and Mattoon lately and the crappie fishing is good to
great when we have a few consecutive days of stable weather.the rain and cold
fronts nock thema little and make it a little tougher for a couple days but can
still manage anice mess.
Have been fishing a slip cork and jg tipped with wax worms or throwing
twister tails:The big females have not moved in yet but we are still catching,
nice fish and lots of smaller ones right nowThe water temp. has been anywhere
from 56-66 depending on what lake or where we are fishing on the lakeThe
tempis getting right for the spawn to start but the fish still have to have the
tight amount of time to build they're egg sacks and that doesn't happen
‘overnight no matter how fast the water warms up.
Going to be hitting Lake Sara in Effingham in May so If you want a trip there to
tryatnnice big crappie get in touch with me soon because open dates are
runningout._
great when we have a few consecutive days of stable weather.the rain and cold
fronts nock thema little and make it a little tougher for a couple days but can
still manage anice mess.
Have been fishing a slip cork and jg tipped with wax worms or throwing
twister tails:The big females have not moved in yet but we are still catching,
nice fish and lots of smaller ones right nowThe water temp. has been anywhere
from 56-66 depending on what lake or where we are fishing on the lakeThe
tempis getting right for the spawn to start but the fish still have to have the
tight amount of time to build they're egg sacks and that doesn't happen
‘overnight no matter how fast the water warms up.
Going to be hitting Lake Sara in Effingham in May so If you want a trip there to
tryatnnice big crappie get in touch with me soon because open dates are
runningout._
Fishing Report
04-20-2015
WATER TEMP. 57-64
Had trips on all the lakes that | guide on the last 2 weeks and they alll are
coming on.the crappie are starting to head for the bank with the water temps
pushing into the 60's and we have been catching them 2to 4 feet under aslip
bobber with tube jigs and wax worms for the most part The cold temps at night
this week might back them off a little but it wont ast long just cover water till
you hit pockets of them and work different depths till you find them.Get your
trips booked before its over by the end of May or so and then we'll be ready to
getafter the walleye on Shelbyville.
Had trips on all the lakes that | guide on the last 2 weeks and they alll are
coming on.the crappie are starting to head for the bank with the water temps
pushing into the 60's and we have been catching them 2to 4 feet under aslip
bobber with tube jigs and wax worms for the most part The cold temps at night
this week might back them off a little but it wont ast long just cover water till
you hit pockets of them and work different depths till you find them.Get your
trips booked before its over by the end of May or so and then we'll be ready to
getafter the walleye on Shelbyville.
Fishing Report
04-01-2015
WATER TEMP. 40-49
1st trip to Mill Creek in 2015 and we managed 26 crappie that we keptwith 5
‘over 13",
All the fish were caught in 7-10 fow fishing 45’ down under a slip bobber.
Using 1/8 and 1/4 07 jigheads in char or orange and purple sparkle/char or blue
sparlke/char tube jigs filled with crappie nibbles and tipped with awax
worm.the fish seamed to be in the upper half of the water column near wood
where the water was warmer We were fishing the dirtiest water we could find
and not the clearer deeper water since the dirty water warms quicker and the
warmest water will hold fish in the early springtime.
1st trip to Mill Creek in 2015 and we managed 26 crappie that we keptwith 5
‘over 13",
All the fish were caught in 7-10 fow fishing 45’ down under a slip bobber.
Using 1/8 and 1/4 07 jigheads in char or orange and purple sparkle/char or blue
sparlke/char tube jigs filled with crappie nibbles and tipped with awax
worm.the fish seamed to be in the upper half of the water column near wood
where the water was warmer We were fishing the dirtiest water we could find
and not the clearer deeper water since the dirty water warms quicker and the
warmest water will hold fish in the early springtime.
Fishing Report
03-16-2015
WATER TEMP. 40-43
1ST TRIP OF THE YEAR WE ENDED UP WITH 30 CRAPPIE AND A BONUS
‘SAUGER.FISHING SLIP BOBBER AND 1/8 OZ. TUBE JIG 6-7" DEEP ON THE
‘1ST DROPSMOKE GLOW AND ORANGE SPARKLE/CHAR TUBES W/CHAR
OR ORANGE HEADS.MORE REPORTS TO COME
3-21-14
HAD A QUICK LAST MINUTE TRIP TO ANOTHER LAKE TODAY AND DESPITE
AHARD WIND THAT KEPT MY FOOT ON THE TROLLING MOTOR THE
ENTIRE TIME WE MANAGED A NICE MESS OF CRAPPIES INA FEW
HOURS.AGAIN SLIP BOBBERS CHART. HEADS BLUE/CHART.SPARKLE TUBES
TIPPED WITH WAX WORMS.ITS GONNA TURN ON HARD ONE OF THESE
DAYS SOON DONT WAIT TO BOOK YOUR TRIPS:
MARCH 2014
‘SHELBYVILLE 3-20 14
WATER TEMP.39-44
HAD 1ST TRIP OF THE SEASON AND HAD OUR LIMIT OF OVERS AND A FEW
LUNDERS FISHING THE NORTH ENDWE WERE USING SLIP BOBBERS SET AT
CHART. HEADS AND ORANGE CHART.GLOW TUBES TIPPED WITH WAX
WORMS.
LOOKS LIKE WE'LL BE WAITING OUT ANOTHER COLD FRONT ON THE 23-
25TH THEN BACK AT IT.
SEPT 2012
(SHELBYVILLE)
THE FISHING HAS BEEN GREAT ALL SUMMER AND NOW ITS TIME FOR THE
FALL CRAPPIE AND WHITEBASS BITE WHICH IS REALLY FUN-THE FISH
‘STARTTO MOVE SHALLOW AND ARE EASIER TO FINDTHE CRAPPIE WILL
MOVE INTO THE STANDING TIMBER AND SHALLOWER STRUCTURE
CLOSER TO THE BANK ON THE MAIN LAKE AND THE WHITES WILL BEON
THE SHALLOW SAND FLATS THAT HAVE WIND ON THEM AND CATCHING
4100'S IS PRETTY EASY ONCE YOU FIND THEM,
IEYOU NEED A BREAK FROM SETTING IN A TREE AND WANT TO GET INON
‘SOME GREAT FALL ACTION CALL AND BOOKA TRIP.
May 2012
(SHELBYVILLE)
THE CRAPPIE ARE IN ALL STAGES AS OF MAY 7, CATCHING FISH REAL
‘SHALLOW AND IN 15 TO 25 FEETYOU CAN FISH MINNOWS OR JIGS DEEP
OR SHALLOW AND FIND FISH ANY WAY YOU WANT TO CATCH THEM,
‘THE WHITEBASS CAN BE FOUND ON THE FLATS OR DROPS ON THE EDGES
(OF THE FLATS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING.
‘THE WALLEYE FISHING SHOULD START TO PICK UP ANY TIME
(THE MILL)
CRAPPIE ARE STILL GOING AND WITH THE FULL MOON THE BLUEGILL
AND REDEAR ARE ON THE BEDS NOW INTHE TIME TO BOOK A TRIP IF
YOU LIKE CATCHING THEM.
LATE MAR\EARLY APRIL 2012
‘THE WARM SUNNY DAYS HAS THE WATER TEMP. ON THE RISE AGAIN,60-
67 AND THE CRAPPIE ARE FEELING IT.BEEN FISHING ON THE OTHER LAKES
(NOT SHELBYVILLE) THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS AND ITS GETTING BETTER.
SLIP BOBBERS AND TUBE JIGS HAVE BEEN THE TICKET LATELY, 1/4 OZ. TO
1/16 OZ, JIG HEADS DEPENDING ON WHAT DEPTH WE ARE FISHING,
LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GETTING READY FOR SOME MORE COLD NIGHTS FOR
AFEW DAYS JUST HOPE IT DOESNT DROP THE WATER TEMP TO MUCH.
MID MARCH 2012
WE HAVE BEEN FISHING SHELBYVILLE AND SEVERAL OTHER LAKES
LATELY AND WAS DOING REALLY WELL UNTIL COLD NIGHTS HIT US AND
DROPPED WATER TEMPS 10 DEGREES AND PUT THE DAMPER ON OUR
CURRENT PATTERNS, HOPEFULLY IT WONT LAST TO LONG.
MAR.2012
FISHING HAS BEEN GOOD ON ALL THE LAKES WE HAVE BEEN GOINGTO.
LATELY, THE CRAPPIE FISHING IS STARTING TO HEAT UP BUT THEY ARE
NOT GOING CRAZY YETWE ARE ENDING THE DAY WITH SOME REALLY
NICE STRINGERS OF FISH BUT WE'RE STILL HAVING TO WORK FOR THEM.|
KNOW ITS BEEN REALLY WARM FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR AND WHEN WE
GET ZAPPED BY SOME COLD FRONTS,AND WE WILL,|T WILL SLOW THEM
DOWN FORA FEW DAYS BUT THATS SPRING FISHING
FEB.29 2012
GOOD DAY ON SHELBYVILLE TODAY WATER TEMP 39 TO 43,THE WIND
WAS BRUTAL SO WE DIDNT MAKE A BIG RUN JUST FISHED LICK
CREEK.HAD 25 KEEPERS,FISHED 1/4 OZ, JIG7 TO 9 FT.DEEP UNDER SLIP
BOBBER IN 8 TO 13 FOW INTHE STANDING TIMBER,
‘SHELBYVILLE IS A GREAT LAKE FOR SEVERAL SPECIES OF FISH BUT THERE
ARE SEVERAL OTHER LAKES AROUND THAT ARE ALSO GREATWITH MORE
LIBERAL LIMITS THAN SHELBYVILLE.
I'VE CAUGHT CRAPPIE UP TO 18" BIG BLUEGILL AND REDEAR AND REALLY.
GOOD CATFISHING ON LAKES OTHER THAN SHELBYVILLE.
1AM NOT NOCKING SHELBYVILLE AT ALL ITS GREAT AND I DO 75% OF MY
GUIDING THERE BUT IF YOU DONT WANT TO FIGHT THE TRAFFIC THAT
YOU HAVE ON THE BIGGER LAKES.AND CAN ACTUALLY CATCH MORE AND
BIGGER FISH ON A SMALLER BODY OF WATER YOU NEED TO CALL AND
BOOK A TRIP. MARCH AND APRIL IS WHEN THE CRAPPIE REALLY GET
GOING AND I GET BOOKED UP PRETTY FAST SO CALL EARLY.
OCT.2011
THE CRAPPIE ARE STARTING TO BITE EVERYWHERE,HAD A GOOD TRIP AT
‘THE MILL AND CAUGHT CRAPPIE 4’ TO 8" WITH JIGS TIPPED WITH
MINNOWS AND JIGS AND WAX WORMS,BOTH WORKED.
THE CRAPPIE ON SHELBYVILLE ARE AT ALL DEPTHS, BEEN USING JIGS
‘TIPPED WITH MINNOWS UNDER SLIP BOBBERS,BUT SEEMS THE LAST
WEEK TUBE JIGS AND WAX WORMS HAVE BEEN OUT PRODUCING
MINNOWs,
DEEP UNDER A SLIP BOBBER.
WHITES HAVE BEEN BUSTING IN THE BACK OF THE BIGGER COVES AND
ALSO ON FLATS THAT HAVE WIND ON THEMTHIS TIME OF YEAR
EVERYTHING IS FEEDING HARD JUST COVER WATER. AND YOU'LL FIND:
FISH
AUG,2011
TRIPTO MILL CREEK, HAD GOOD AFTERNOON CRAPPIE FISHING,FISH ARE
10.20:
FISHING TIGHT LINE AND MINNOW OVER BRUSH AND STUMPS, ALSO.
HAD LUCK WITH JIG AND MINNOW UNDER SLIP BOBBER SET 7 TO 14"
DEEP,AND JUST FLIPPING JIG AND MINNOW PAST STANDING TIMBER,
ANY WAY YOU LIKE TO FISH WORKS.
CATCHING LOTS OF BASS DURING THE DAY ALSO.
APRIL-MAY 2011.
BEEN GETTING 2 AND 3 MAN CRAPPIE LIMITS ON SHELBYVILLE EVERY
TRIP.
CATCHING FISH ON ON TWISTER TAILS BY RUNNING DOWN THE BANKS
INTHE BACK OF THE BIG COVES ON THS SOUTH END COVER WATER TILL
YOU HIT POCKETS OF FISH.
NO REALBIG FISH YET.
YOU CAN ALSO CATCH THEM WITH SLIP BOBBERS AND JIGS IN THE
STANDING TIMBER,CATCHING LITTLE BIGGER FISH IN THE 8-12 FT. RANGE.
HAD A QUICK 3 HOUR TRIP FOR WALLEYE ON 5-12 AND CAUGHT 20 SOME
WALLEYE ON 2 POINTS AND HAD 7 KEEPERS UP TO 17.5"SO THEIR
GETTING READY TO GET HOT,
5-14-41
HAD A TRIP ON ANOTHER LAKE TODAY,ENDED THE DAY WITH 30 CRAPPIE
UPTO 15.5.4 REDEAR UP TO 3/4 OF A POUND AND4 CATFISH.
WATER TEMP RUNNING IN LOW 70'S SO THE CRAPPIE ARE GOING TO BE
DONE SHORTLY.BUT FOR THE BLUEGILL AND REDEAR GUYS IT'S GETTING
HOT.
THE BLUEGILL ARE NICE IN THIS LAKE SO IF YOUR INTO THAT CALLFOR A
‘TRIPSOON,
WE ALSO CAUGHT OVER 30 BASS JUST FISHING FOR CRAPPIE SO IF YOU
WANT TO GO ONA BASS TRIP NOWS THE TIME. WOULD'NT BE SCARED
‘TO SAY WE COULD CATCH 50-100 BASS A DAY.
KNOW THEIR KILLING TOP WATER BAITS RIGHT NOW.
5-24-44
CRAPPIE/BLUEGILL TRIP ON MATTOON CITY LAKE TODAY.THE CRAPPIE
ARE NOT DONE WITH THE SPAWN LIKE ALOT ARE SAYING.
BLUEGILL ARE UP ON THE BEDS.CRAPPIE ARE AROUND THE DOCKS AND
‘SHALLOW BRUSH/ROCKS/WEEDS,
THE WATER TEMP. WAS 70-73 BUT THAT IS SURFACE TEMPSO 3 OR 4 FEET
DOWN ITIS ALITTLE COOLER,
MOST OF THE CRAPPIE STILL ARE FULL OF EGGS AND SOME EVEN
LOOKED LIKE THEY ARE'NT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING READY.
5-25-11
A DIFFERENT LAKE TODAY. WATER TEMP. 70-74,
(CAUGHT 14 BIG REDEAR SOME NEAR A POUND, BLUEGILL AND CRAPPIE.
CRAPPIE STILL NOT DONE WITH SPAWN, BLUEGILL/REDEAR ON BEDS FAST
ACTION.COULD OF HAD BUCKETS FULL BUT THE STORMS BLEW US OFF
THE LAKE,
5-31-11
‘TRIP TO LAKE MATTOON, SAME CONDITIONS AS THE 24TH.CRAPPIE STILL
HAVE NOT SPAWNED OUT YET.CATCHING NICE FISH
6-10-11 SHELBYVILLE
BEEN CATCHING 2 AND 3 MAN LIMITS OF WALLEYE ALMOST EVERY
TRIP.CRANKBAITS OR DRAGGING TWISTERS AND NIGHT CRAWLERS ON
BOTTOM HAS BEEN THE WAY WE HAVE BEEN CATCHING OUR FISH.
‘YOU REALLY NEED WIND IF YOUR FISHING SHALLOW.WHEN THE WIND
‘SHUTS DOWN THE FISHING GETS TOUGH. FISHING DEEPER IF THE WIND
STOPS.
WHITES SHOULD START TO PICK UP ANYTIME.
6-21-11 SHELBYVILLE
1. WHITEBASS ARE BUSTING SHAD AND CATCHING 100'S OF FISHIN A
‘SHORT TIME Is COMMONTHROWING DOUBLE TWISTER TAILS OR
‘SASSY SHAD IF THEY ARE SHALLOW OR IF THEY ARE DEEP OFF OF
‘THE DROPS, USING 102.JIGGING SPOON AND JUST RIPPING IT OFF
‘THE BOTTOM AND LETTING IT FLUTTER BACK DOWN.SOME DAYS
‘THEY ARE HARD TO FIND, BUT AS IT GETS HOT OUT THE FISHING
WILL ALSO GET HOT.
‘STILL CATCHING WALLEYE,SOMEDAYS THEY ARE SHALLOW IN THE
WEEDS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING AND OTHER DAYS THEY ARE DEEP
AND HARD TO FIND.EACH DAY IS A DIFFERENT GAME.THROWING 3"
TWISTERS WITH NIGHTCRAWLER COVERING THE HOOK OR USING
CRANKBAITS IN THE WEEDS.
WHEN THEY ARE SHALLOW
124-4-2019
Ihave decided to no longer guide on Mill Creek due to the crazy price increase
infaunch fees and stupid Crappie limits on what size fish you are allowed to keep
‘and | will also be no longer Guiding on Lake Sara.
Lake shelbyville, Mattoon and Charleston are all great lakes and offer a variety
on fish species to choose from. Book early!
1ST TRIP OF THE YEAR WE ENDED UP WITH 30 CRAPPIE AND A BONUS
‘SAUGER.FISHING SLIP BOBBER AND 1/8 OZ. TUBE JIG 6-7" DEEP ON THE
‘1ST DROPSMOKE GLOW AND ORANGE SPARKLE/CHAR TUBES W/CHAR
OR ORANGE HEADS.MORE REPORTS TO COME
3-21-14
HAD A QUICK LAST MINUTE TRIP TO ANOTHER LAKE TODAY AND DESPITE
AHARD WIND THAT KEPT MY FOOT ON THE TROLLING MOTOR THE
ENTIRE TIME WE MANAGED A NICE MESS OF CRAPPIES INA FEW
HOURS.AGAIN SLIP BOBBERS CHART. HEADS BLUE/CHART.SPARKLE TUBES
TIPPED WITH WAX WORMS.ITS GONNA TURN ON HARD ONE OF THESE
DAYS SOON DONT WAIT TO BOOK YOUR TRIPS:
MARCH 2014
‘SHELBYVILLE 3-20 14
WATER TEMP.39-44
HAD 1ST TRIP OF THE SEASON AND HAD OUR LIMIT OF OVERS AND A FEW
LUNDERS FISHING THE NORTH ENDWE WERE USING SLIP BOBBERS SET AT
CHART. HEADS AND ORANGE CHART.GLOW TUBES TIPPED WITH WAX
WORMS.
LOOKS LIKE WE'LL BE WAITING OUT ANOTHER COLD FRONT ON THE 23-
25TH THEN BACK AT IT.
SEPT 2012
(SHELBYVILLE)
THE FISHING HAS BEEN GREAT ALL SUMMER AND NOW ITS TIME FOR THE
FALL CRAPPIE AND WHITEBASS BITE WHICH IS REALLY FUN-THE FISH
‘STARTTO MOVE SHALLOW AND ARE EASIER TO FINDTHE CRAPPIE WILL
MOVE INTO THE STANDING TIMBER AND SHALLOWER STRUCTURE
CLOSER TO THE BANK ON THE MAIN LAKE AND THE WHITES WILL BEON
THE SHALLOW SAND FLATS THAT HAVE WIND ON THEM AND CATCHING
4100'S IS PRETTY EASY ONCE YOU FIND THEM,
IEYOU NEED A BREAK FROM SETTING IN A TREE AND WANT TO GET INON
‘SOME GREAT FALL ACTION CALL AND BOOKA TRIP.
May 2012
(SHELBYVILLE)
THE CRAPPIE ARE IN ALL STAGES AS OF MAY 7, CATCHING FISH REAL
‘SHALLOW AND IN 15 TO 25 FEETYOU CAN FISH MINNOWS OR JIGS DEEP
OR SHALLOW AND FIND FISH ANY WAY YOU WANT TO CATCH THEM,
‘THE WHITEBASS CAN BE FOUND ON THE FLATS OR DROPS ON THE EDGES
(OF THE FLATS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING.
‘THE WALLEYE FISHING SHOULD START TO PICK UP ANY TIME
(THE MILL)
CRAPPIE ARE STILL GOING AND WITH THE FULL MOON THE BLUEGILL
AND REDEAR ARE ON THE BEDS NOW INTHE TIME TO BOOK A TRIP IF
YOU LIKE CATCHING THEM.
LATE MAR\EARLY APRIL 2012
‘THE WARM SUNNY DAYS HAS THE WATER TEMP. ON THE RISE AGAIN,60-
67 AND THE CRAPPIE ARE FEELING IT.BEEN FISHING ON THE OTHER LAKES
(NOT SHELBYVILLE) THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS AND ITS GETTING BETTER.
SLIP BOBBERS AND TUBE JIGS HAVE BEEN THE TICKET LATELY, 1/4 OZ. TO
1/16 OZ, JIG HEADS DEPENDING ON WHAT DEPTH WE ARE FISHING,
LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GETTING READY FOR SOME MORE COLD NIGHTS FOR
AFEW DAYS JUST HOPE IT DOESNT DROP THE WATER TEMP TO MUCH.
MID MARCH 2012
WE HAVE BEEN FISHING SHELBYVILLE AND SEVERAL OTHER LAKES
LATELY AND WAS DOING REALLY WELL UNTIL COLD NIGHTS HIT US AND
DROPPED WATER TEMPS 10 DEGREES AND PUT THE DAMPER ON OUR
CURRENT PATTERNS, HOPEFULLY IT WONT LAST TO LONG.
MAR.2012
FISHING HAS BEEN GOOD ON ALL THE LAKES WE HAVE BEEN GOINGTO.
LATELY, THE CRAPPIE FISHING IS STARTING TO HEAT UP BUT THEY ARE
NOT GOING CRAZY YETWE ARE ENDING THE DAY WITH SOME REALLY
NICE STRINGERS OF FISH BUT WE'RE STILL HAVING TO WORK FOR THEM.|
KNOW ITS BEEN REALLY WARM FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR AND WHEN WE
GET ZAPPED BY SOME COLD FRONTS,AND WE WILL,|T WILL SLOW THEM
DOWN FORA FEW DAYS BUT THATS SPRING FISHING
FEB.29 2012
GOOD DAY ON SHELBYVILLE TODAY WATER TEMP 39 TO 43,THE WIND
WAS BRUTAL SO WE DIDNT MAKE A BIG RUN JUST FISHED LICK
CREEK.HAD 25 KEEPERS,FISHED 1/4 OZ, JIG7 TO 9 FT.DEEP UNDER SLIP
BOBBER IN 8 TO 13 FOW INTHE STANDING TIMBER,
‘SHELBYVILLE IS A GREAT LAKE FOR SEVERAL SPECIES OF FISH BUT THERE
ARE SEVERAL OTHER LAKES AROUND THAT ARE ALSO GREATWITH MORE
LIBERAL LIMITS THAN SHELBYVILLE.
I'VE CAUGHT CRAPPIE UP TO 18" BIG BLUEGILL AND REDEAR AND REALLY.
GOOD CATFISHING ON LAKES OTHER THAN SHELBYVILLE.
1AM NOT NOCKING SHELBYVILLE AT ALL ITS GREAT AND I DO 75% OF MY
GUIDING THERE BUT IF YOU DONT WANT TO FIGHT THE TRAFFIC THAT
YOU HAVE ON THE BIGGER LAKES.AND CAN ACTUALLY CATCH MORE AND
BIGGER FISH ON A SMALLER BODY OF WATER YOU NEED TO CALL AND
BOOK A TRIP. MARCH AND APRIL IS WHEN THE CRAPPIE REALLY GET
GOING AND I GET BOOKED UP PRETTY FAST SO CALL EARLY.
OCT.2011
THE CRAPPIE ARE STARTING TO BITE EVERYWHERE,HAD A GOOD TRIP AT
‘THE MILL AND CAUGHT CRAPPIE 4’ TO 8" WITH JIGS TIPPED WITH
MINNOWS AND JIGS AND WAX WORMS,BOTH WORKED.
THE CRAPPIE ON SHELBYVILLE ARE AT ALL DEPTHS, BEEN USING JIGS
‘TIPPED WITH MINNOWS UNDER SLIP BOBBERS,BUT SEEMS THE LAST
WEEK TUBE JIGS AND WAX WORMS HAVE BEEN OUT PRODUCING
MINNOWs,
DEEP UNDER A SLIP BOBBER.
WHITES HAVE BEEN BUSTING IN THE BACK OF THE BIGGER COVES AND
ALSO ON FLATS THAT HAVE WIND ON THEMTHIS TIME OF YEAR
EVERYTHING IS FEEDING HARD JUST COVER WATER. AND YOU'LL FIND:
FISH
AUG,2011
TRIPTO MILL CREEK, HAD GOOD AFTERNOON CRAPPIE FISHING,FISH ARE
10.20:
FISHING TIGHT LINE AND MINNOW OVER BRUSH AND STUMPS, ALSO.
HAD LUCK WITH JIG AND MINNOW UNDER SLIP BOBBER SET 7 TO 14"
DEEP,AND JUST FLIPPING JIG AND MINNOW PAST STANDING TIMBER,
ANY WAY YOU LIKE TO FISH WORKS.
CATCHING LOTS OF BASS DURING THE DAY ALSO.
APRIL-MAY 2011.
BEEN GETTING 2 AND 3 MAN CRAPPIE LIMITS ON SHELBYVILLE EVERY
TRIP.
CATCHING FISH ON ON TWISTER TAILS BY RUNNING DOWN THE BANKS
INTHE BACK OF THE BIG COVES ON THS SOUTH END COVER WATER TILL
YOU HIT POCKETS OF FISH.
NO REALBIG FISH YET.
YOU CAN ALSO CATCH THEM WITH SLIP BOBBERS AND JIGS IN THE
STANDING TIMBER,CATCHING LITTLE BIGGER FISH IN THE 8-12 FT. RANGE.
HAD A QUICK 3 HOUR TRIP FOR WALLEYE ON 5-12 AND CAUGHT 20 SOME
WALLEYE ON 2 POINTS AND HAD 7 KEEPERS UP TO 17.5"SO THEIR
GETTING READY TO GET HOT,
5-14-41
HAD A TRIP ON ANOTHER LAKE TODAY,ENDED THE DAY WITH 30 CRAPPIE
UPTO 15.5.4 REDEAR UP TO 3/4 OF A POUND AND4 CATFISH.
WATER TEMP RUNNING IN LOW 70'S SO THE CRAPPIE ARE GOING TO BE
DONE SHORTLY.BUT FOR THE BLUEGILL AND REDEAR GUYS IT'S GETTING
HOT.
THE BLUEGILL ARE NICE IN THIS LAKE SO IF YOUR INTO THAT CALLFOR A
‘TRIPSOON,
WE ALSO CAUGHT OVER 30 BASS JUST FISHING FOR CRAPPIE SO IF YOU
WANT TO GO ONA BASS TRIP NOWS THE TIME. WOULD'NT BE SCARED
‘TO SAY WE COULD CATCH 50-100 BASS A DAY.
KNOW THEIR KILLING TOP WATER BAITS RIGHT NOW.
5-24-44
CRAPPIE/BLUEGILL TRIP ON MATTOON CITY LAKE TODAY.THE CRAPPIE
ARE NOT DONE WITH THE SPAWN LIKE ALOT ARE SAYING.
BLUEGILL ARE UP ON THE BEDS.CRAPPIE ARE AROUND THE DOCKS AND
‘SHALLOW BRUSH/ROCKS/WEEDS,
THE WATER TEMP. WAS 70-73 BUT THAT IS SURFACE TEMPSO 3 OR 4 FEET
DOWN ITIS ALITTLE COOLER,
MOST OF THE CRAPPIE STILL ARE FULL OF EGGS AND SOME EVEN
LOOKED LIKE THEY ARE'NT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING READY.
5-25-11
A DIFFERENT LAKE TODAY. WATER TEMP. 70-74,
(CAUGHT 14 BIG REDEAR SOME NEAR A POUND, BLUEGILL AND CRAPPIE.
CRAPPIE STILL NOT DONE WITH SPAWN, BLUEGILL/REDEAR ON BEDS FAST
ACTION.COULD OF HAD BUCKETS FULL BUT THE STORMS BLEW US OFF
THE LAKE,
5-31-11
‘TRIP TO LAKE MATTOON, SAME CONDITIONS AS THE 24TH.CRAPPIE STILL
HAVE NOT SPAWNED OUT YET.CATCHING NICE FISH
6-10-11 SHELBYVILLE
BEEN CATCHING 2 AND 3 MAN LIMITS OF WALLEYE ALMOST EVERY
TRIP.CRANKBAITS OR DRAGGING TWISTERS AND NIGHT CRAWLERS ON
BOTTOM HAS BEEN THE WAY WE HAVE BEEN CATCHING OUR FISH.
‘YOU REALLY NEED WIND IF YOUR FISHING SHALLOW.WHEN THE WIND
‘SHUTS DOWN THE FISHING GETS TOUGH. FISHING DEEPER IF THE WIND
STOPS.
WHITES SHOULD START TO PICK UP ANYTIME.
6-21-11 SHELBYVILLE
1. WHITEBASS ARE BUSTING SHAD AND CATCHING 100'S OF FISHIN A
‘SHORT TIME Is COMMONTHROWING DOUBLE TWISTER TAILS OR
‘SASSY SHAD IF THEY ARE SHALLOW OR IF THEY ARE DEEP OFF OF
‘THE DROPS, USING 102.JIGGING SPOON AND JUST RIPPING IT OFF
‘THE BOTTOM AND LETTING IT FLUTTER BACK DOWN.SOME DAYS
‘THEY ARE HARD TO FIND, BUT AS IT GETS HOT OUT THE FISHING
WILL ALSO GET HOT.
‘STILL CATCHING WALLEYE,SOMEDAYS THEY ARE SHALLOW IN THE
WEEDS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING AND OTHER DAYS THEY ARE DEEP
AND HARD TO FIND.EACH DAY IS A DIFFERENT GAME.THROWING 3"
TWISTERS WITH NIGHTCRAWLER COVERING THE HOOK OR USING
CRANKBAITS IN THE WEEDS.
WHEN THEY ARE SHALLOW
124-4-2019
Ihave decided to no longer guide on Mill Creek due to the crazy price increase
infaunch fees and stupid Crappie limits on what size fish you are allowed to keep
‘and | will also be no longer Guiding on Lake Sara.
Lake shelbyville, Mattoon and Charleston are all great lakes and offer a variety
on fish species to choose from. Book early!
Fishing Report
03-26-2019
‘Tha Crappie fishing has started and looks like another great year ahead! Water
‘temps right now are 43-47 and | am still catching fish on deep main lake brush
14-25' deep either tite lining ajig in the brush on cloudy days or floating a jig and
bobber over the top of the piles on sunny days. It's only gonna get better from
here on out so dont wait too long to book your trips.
I have been on another lake early in march and did really well on some limits of
12"-141/2" fish. l will be Crappie fishing until the end of may or early june untill
they are done with the spawn then it will be on to walleye/sauger and white bass
for alot of the summer. | will still do some crappie fishing this summer when they
move back out to the main lake brush piles so the summer fishing is a mixed bag
‘of wallys whites and crappie. | fish anoth lake also in the summer as the crappie
fishingis also good there on main lake brush during the hot months.
Follow me on facebook to keep up with the fishing reports as itis easier for me
to post on there than to put the info on this site and we can message each other
easier if you have any questions.
Good fishing!
‘temps right now are 43-47 and | am still catching fish on deep main lake brush
14-25' deep either tite lining ajig in the brush on cloudy days or floating a jig and
bobber over the top of the piles on sunny days. It's only gonna get better from
here on out so dont wait too long to book your trips.
I have been on another lake early in march and did really well on some limits of
12"-141/2" fish. l will be Crappie fishing until the end of may or early june untill
they are done with the spawn then it will be on to walleye/sauger and white bass
for alot of the summer. | will still do some crappie fishing this summer when they
move back out to the main lake brush piles so the summer fishing is a mixed bag
‘of wallys whites and crappie. | fish anoth lake also in the summer as the crappie
fishingis also good there on main lake brush during the hot months.
Follow me on facebook to keep up with the fishing reports as itis easier for me
to post on there than to put the info on this site and we can message each other
easier if you have any questions.
Good fishing!
Fishing Report
05-30-2018
The fishing on Shelbyville is great right now,| am still catching some Crappie but |
amsstarting to go after the Walleye and Whitebass, most of the Crappie are done
but there are still some shallow finishing up the spawn.the Crappie fishing this
year has been really great one of the best and easiest years with lots of fish being,
caught We will still do some summer Crappie fishing but we will mainly be
‘Walleye/Whitebass fishing now. | am catching a mixed bag of fish now so if you
want Crappie/Walleye/Whitebass now is the time.
amsstarting to go after the Walleye and Whitebass, most of the Crappie are done
but there are still some shallow finishing up the spawn.the Crappie fishing this
year has been really great one of the best and easiest years with lots of fish being,
caught We will still do some summer Crappie fishing but we will mainly be
‘Walleye/Whitebass fishing now. | am catching a mixed bag of fish now so if you
want Crappie/Walleye/Whitebass now is the time.
Fishing Report
05-01-2018
The water temps on Shelbyville are starting to move into the 60's so the fishing is
going to get red hot in the next few weeks.| have been catching most of my fish in
15! to 25' of water on the main lake points over brush throwing a 1/4 o2. jig with
avarlety of jigs and catching 10's a day.
| did finally find some fish shallow in a pocket in the back of a cove but they had
just moved in so’its only getting started.The eggs are still small and it will till ake
‘a couple weeks to get into full on spawnyou might find some early fish here and
there but the majority are still suspended out in deeper water waiting to move
inYou just have to remember that they dont build their eggs sacks over night and
Ifthe water is 65 that is surface temp and Its not that warm 4 or 5 feet down,
going to get red hot in the next few weeks.| have been catching most of my fish in
15! to 25' of water on the main lake points over brush throwing a 1/4 o2. jig with
avarlety of jigs and catching 10's a day.
| did finally find some fish shallow in a pocket in the back of a cove but they had
just moved in so’its only getting started.The eggs are still small and it will till ake
‘a couple weeks to get into full on spawnyou might find some early fish here and
there but the majority are still suspended out in deeper water waiting to move
inYou just have to remember that they dont build their eggs sacks over night and
Ifthe water is 65 that is surface temp and Its not that warm 4 or 5 feet down,
Fishing Report
04-22-2018
Fishing at Shelbyville is hot, we are catching fish on the south end off the drops
‘and points over brush with jigs.going through alot of unders right now but we are
catching over 100 fish a day and that keeps it fun,
‘and points over brush with jigs.going through alot of unders right now but we are
catching over 100 fish a day and that keeps it fun,
Fishing Report
04-18-2018
‘The Crappie are biting on Shelbyville and it's gonna get real good shortly.
I have been fishing deep on the south end over brush and drops and catching alot
of fish.Don't wait to get in on the action because its good NOW!
34-2018
‘The Crappie have been biting on Shelbyville despite the crazy weather, have
been catching them off deep brush mid lake to the south endWith the recent
rains the water will be coming up and getting muddier but we will still be able
tocatch fishas the weather will be getting better so dont wait to book trips as|
will be filled up if you wait for nice weather.
3-20-2018 LAKE SHELBYVILLE WATER TEMP 43-46
+ CRAPPIE ARE BEING CAUGHT AT ALOT OF DEPTHS RIGHT NOW
2-6'UNDER A BOBBER IN STANDING TIMBER FROM THE NORTH END
THROUGH MID LAKE AREAS.
+ SUNNY DAYS THE STANDING TIMBER IS GOOD TRY DIFFERENT
DEPTHS TILL YOU START HITTING FISH AND KEEP MOVING AND
‘COVER ALOT OF WATER
+ THERE IS STILL TONS OF FISH DEEP ON BRUSHPILES NEXT TO THE
DROPS AND SUSPENDED IN DEEP WATER,USE YOU ELECTRONICS TO
FIND THESE AREAS.
+ BEEN CATCHING FISH ON THE SOUTH END 12" DEEP UNDER BOBBER
OVER STUMPS AND BRUSH,
+ 4-4-2017
‘Asyou can tell dont keep the reports on this site as often as! should but Ido
LAKESHELBYVILLEGUIDESERVICE.COM page on facebook so friend me at
‘Todd Laughhunn and you will get more upto date reports,
2016 was a great year and | did add another lake in 2016 due to several
requests and had a good year there in Effingham on Lake Sara and look forward
todoing it again this year.
will be at the Arthur outdoor expo Feb. 10-1.1th 2017 booking up for the
2017 season and also selling Ozark crappie rods so come on out and get adate
booked on 1 or several central linois lakes this year,
1 also added all new electronics in 2016 with 4 Lowrance units so the fishing has
become a little easier as | can locate brushpiles and such alittle quicker and
with more accuracy than before,so give me a call and get your trips
booked.Looking forward to another great year! 217-259-7621 Todd
I have been fishing deep on the south end over brush and drops and catching alot
of fish.Don't wait to get in on the action because its good NOW!
34-2018
‘The Crappie have been biting on Shelbyville despite the crazy weather, have
been catching them off deep brush mid lake to the south endWith the recent
rains the water will be coming up and getting muddier but we will still be able
tocatch fishas the weather will be getting better so dont wait to book trips as|
will be filled up if you wait for nice weather.
3-20-2018 LAKE SHELBYVILLE WATER TEMP 43-46
+ CRAPPIE ARE BEING CAUGHT AT ALOT OF DEPTHS RIGHT NOW
2-6'UNDER A BOBBER IN STANDING TIMBER FROM THE NORTH END
THROUGH MID LAKE AREAS.
+ SUNNY DAYS THE STANDING TIMBER IS GOOD TRY DIFFERENT
DEPTHS TILL YOU START HITTING FISH AND KEEP MOVING AND
‘COVER ALOT OF WATER
+ THERE IS STILL TONS OF FISH DEEP ON BRUSHPILES NEXT TO THE
DROPS AND SUSPENDED IN DEEP WATER,USE YOU ELECTRONICS TO
FIND THESE AREAS.
+ BEEN CATCHING FISH ON THE SOUTH END 12" DEEP UNDER BOBBER
OVER STUMPS AND BRUSH,
+ 4-4-2017
‘Asyou can tell dont keep the reports on this site as often as! should but Ido
LAKESHELBYVILLEGUIDESERVICE.COM page on facebook so friend me at
‘Todd Laughhunn and you will get more upto date reports,
2016 was a great year and | did add another lake in 2016 due to several
requests and had a good year there in Effingham on Lake Sara and look forward
todoing it again this year.
will be at the Arthur outdoor expo Feb. 10-1.1th 2017 booking up for the
2017 season and also selling Ozark crappie rods so come on out and get adate
booked on 1 or several central linois lakes this year,
1 also added all new electronics in 2016 with 4 Lowrance units so the fishing has
become a little easier as | can locate brushpiles and such alittle quicker and
with more accuracy than before,so give me a call and get your trips
booked.Looking forward to another great year! 217-259-7621 Todd
Fishing Report
04-30-2016
Been fishing Shelbyville and Mattoon lately and the crapple fishing is good to
‘great when we have a few consecutive days of stable weather,the rain and cold
fronts nock thema little and make ita little tougher for a couple days but can
still manage a nice mess.
Have been fishing a slip cork and jig tipped with wax worms or throwing
‘twister tails The big females have not moved in yet but we are still catching
nice fish and lots of smaller ones right now-The water temp. has been anywhere
from 56-66 depending on what lake or where we are fishing.on the lakeThe
tempis getting right for the spawn to start but the fishstill have to have the
right amount of time to build they're egg sacks and that doesn't happen
overnight no matter how fast the water warms up.
Going to be hitting Lake Sara in Effingham in May so If you want a trip there to
tryatnice big crappie get in touch with me soon because open dates are
runningout.
‘great when we have a few consecutive days of stable weather,the rain and cold
fronts nock thema little and make ita little tougher for a couple days but can
still manage a nice mess.
Have been fishing a slip cork and jig tipped with wax worms or throwing
‘twister tails The big females have not moved in yet but we are still catching
nice fish and lots of smaller ones right now-The water temp. has been anywhere
from 56-66 depending on what lake or where we are fishing.on the lakeThe
tempis getting right for the spawn to start but the fishstill have to have the
right amount of time to build they're egg sacks and that doesn't happen
overnight no matter how fast the water warms up.
Going to be hitting Lake Sara in Effingham in May so If you want a trip there to
tryatnice big crappie get in touch with me soon because open dates are
runningout.
Fishing Report
04-20-2015
WATER TEMP. 57-64
Had trips on all the lakes that | euide on the last 2 weeks and they all are
coming on.the crapple are starting to head for the bank with the water temps
pushing into the 60's and we have been catching them 2 to 4 feet under aslip
bobber with tube jigs and wax worms for the most part The cold temps at night
this week might back them off alittle but it wont last long just cover water till
you hit pockets of them and work different depths till you find them.Get your
trips booked before its over by the end of May or so and then we'll be ready to
get after the walleye on Shelbyville.
Had trips on all the lakes that | euide on the last 2 weeks and they all are
coming on.the crapple are starting to head for the bank with the water temps
pushing into the 60's and we have been catching them 2 to 4 feet under aslip
bobber with tube jigs and wax worms for the most part The cold temps at night
this week might back them off alittle but it wont last long just cover water till
you hit pockets of them and work different depths till you find them.Get your
trips booked before its over by the end of May or so and then we'll be ready to
get after the walleye on Shelbyville.
Fishing Report
04-04-2015
WATER TEMP. 40-49
1st trip to Mill Creek in 2015 and we managed 26 crappie that we kept with 5
over 13":
Allthe fish were caught in 7-10 fow fishing 4-5' down under a slip bobber,
Using 1/8 and 1/4 02 jigheads in char or orange and purple sparkle/char or blue
‘sparlke/char tube jigs filled with crapple nibbles and tipped with awax
worm.the fish seamed to be in the upper half of the water column near wood
where the water was warmer. We were fishing the dirtiest water we could find
andinot the clearer deeper water since the dirty water warms quicker and the
warmest water will hold fish in the early springtime.
1st trip to Mill Creek in 2015 and we managed 26 crappie that we kept with 5
over 13":
Allthe fish were caught in 7-10 fow fishing 4-5' down under a slip bobber,
Using 1/8 and 1/4 02 jigheads in char or orange and purple sparkle/char or blue
‘sparlke/char tube jigs filled with crapple nibbles and tipped with awax
worm.the fish seamed to be in the upper half of the water column near wood
where the water was warmer. We were fishing the dirtiest water we could find
andinot the clearer deeper water since the dirty water warms quicker and the
warmest water will hold fish in the early springtime.
Fishing Report
03-16-2015
WATER TEMP, 40-43
41ST TRIP OF THE YEAR WE ENDED UP WITH 30 CRAPPIE AND A BONUS
‘SAUGER,FISHING SLIP BOBBER AND 1/8 OZ, TUBE JIG 6-7" DEEP ON THE
ST DROPSMOKE GLOW AND ORANGE SPARKLE/CHAR TUBES W/CHAR
OR ORANGE HEADS.MORE REPORTS TO COME
3:21:14
HAN A QUICK AST MINUTE TRIPTO ANOTHER | AKF TORAY AND NFSPITE
AHARD WIND THAT KEPT MY FOOT ON THE TROLLING MOTOR THE
ENTIRE TIME WE MANAGED A NICE MESS OF CRAPPIES IN A FEW
HOURS.AGAIN SLIP BOBBERS CHART. HEADS BLUE/CHART.SPARKLE TUBES
TIPPED WITH WAX WORMS.ITS GONNA TURN ON HARD ONE OF THESE
DAYS SOON DONT WAITTO BOOK YOUR TRIPS
MARCH 2014
SHELBYVILLE 3-20 14
WATER TEMP.39-44
HAD 1ST TRIP OF THE SEASON AND HAD OUR LIMIT OF OVERS AND A FEW
UNDERS FISHING THE NORTH END.WE WERE USING SLIP BOBBERS SET AT
(CHART. HEADS AND ORANGE CHART.GLOW TUBES TIPPED WITH WAX
WORMS,
LOOKS LIKE WE'LL BE WAITING OUT ANOTHER COLD FRONT ON THE 23-
(25TH THEN BACK AT IT.
SEPT 2012
(SHELBYVILLE)
THE FISHING HAS BEEN GREAT ALL SUMMER AND NOW ITS TIME FOR THE
FALLCRAPPIE AND WHITEBASS BITE WHICH IS REALLY FUN THE FISH
‘START TO MOVE SHALLOW AND ARE EASIER TO FIND-THE CRAPPIE WILL
MOVE INTO THE STANDING TIMBER AND SHALLOWER STRUCTURE
CLOSER TO THE BANK ON THE MAIN LAKE AND THE WHITES WILL BE ON
THE SHALLOW SAND FLATS THAT HAVE WIND ON THEM AND CATCHING
100'S IS PRETTY EASY ONCE YOU FIND THEM.
IEYOUNEED A BREAK FROMSETTING INA TREE AND WANT TO GETINON
‘SOME GREAT FALL ACTION CALLAND BOOK A TRIP.
May 2012
(SHELBYVILLE)
‘THE CRAPPIE ARE IN ALL STAGES AS OF MAY 7, CATCHING FISH REAL
SHALLOW AND IN 15 TO 25 FEETYOU CAN FISH MINNOWS OR JIGS DEEP
‘OR SHALLOW AND FIND FISH ANY WAY YOU WANT TO CATCH THEM,
THE WHITEBASS CAN BE FOUND ON THE FLATS OR DROPS ON THE EDGES:
(OF THE FLATS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING.
‘THE WALLEYE FISHING SHOULD START TO PICK UP ANY TIME
(THE MILL)
CCRAPPIE ARE STILL GOING AND WITH THE FULL MOON THE BLUEGILL.
AND REDEAR ARE ON THE BEDS NOW IN THE TIME TO BOOK A TRIP IF
YOU LIKE CATCHING THEM.
LATE MAR\EARLY APRIL 2012
THE WARM SUNNY DAYS HAS THE WATER TEMP. ON THE RISE AGAIN,60:
(67 AND THE CRAPPIE ARE FEELING IT.BEEN FISHING ON THE OTHER LAKES
(NOT SHELBYVILLE) THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS AND ITS GETTING BETTER,
‘SLIP BOBBERS AND TUBE JIGS HAVE BEEN THE TICKET LATELY. 1/4 OZ. TO
(16 OZ. JIG HEADS DEPENDING ON WHAT DEPTH WE ARE FISHING.
LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GETTING READY FOR SOME MORE COLD NIGHTS FOR
AFEW DAYS JUST HOPE IT DOESNT DROP THE WATER TEMP TO MUCH.
MID MARCH 2012
WE HAVE BEEN FISHING SHELBYVILLE AND SEVERAL OTHER LAKES
LATELY AND WAS DOING REALLY WELL UNTIL COLD NIGHTS HIT US AND
DROPPED WATER TEMPS 10 DEGREES AND PUT THE DAMPER ON OUR
‘CURRENT PATTERNS HOPEFULLY IT WONT LAST TO LONG,
MAR.2012
FISHING HAS BEEN GOOD ON ALL THE LAKES WE HAVE BEEN GOING TO
LATELY, THE CRAPPIE FISHING IS STARTING TO HEAT UP BUT THEY ARE
NOT GOING CRAZY YET.WE ARE ENDING THE DAY WITH SOME REALLY
NICE STRINGERS OF FISH BUT WE'RE STILL HAVING TO WORK FOR THEM.|
KNOW ITS BEEN REALLY WARM FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR AND WHEN WE.
GET ZAPPED BY SOME COLD FRONTS,AND WE WILL, IT WILL SLOW THEM
DOWN FORA FEW DAYS BUT THATS SPRING FISHING
FEB.29 2012
GOOD DAY ON SHELBYVILLE TODAY WATER TEMP 39 TO 43,THE WIND
WAS BRUTAL SO WE DIDNT MAKE A BIG RUN JUST FISHED LICK
CREEK.HAD 25 KEEPERS FISHED 1/4 OZ. JIG7 TO 9 FT.DEEP UNDERSLIP
BOBBER IN 8 TO 13 FOW IN THE STANDING TIMBER.
‘SHELBYVILLE IS A GREAT LAKE FOR SEVERAL SPECIES OF FISH BUT THERE
ARE SEVERAL OTHER LAKES AROUND THAT ARE ALSO GREATWITH MORE
LIBERAL LIMITS THAN SHELBYVILLE.
"VE CAUGHT CRAPPIE UP TO 18" BIG BLUEG ID REDEAR AND RE/
GOOD CATFISHING ON LAKES OTHER THAN SHELBYVILLE,
LAM NOT NOCKING SHELBYVILLE AT ALL ITS GREAT AND |DO 75% OF MY
GUIDING THERE BUT IF YOU DONT WANT TO FIGHT THE TRAFFIC THAT
YOU HAVE ON THE BIGGER LAKES,AND CAN ACTUALLY CATCH MORE AND
BIGGER FISH ON A SMALLER BODY OF WATER YOU NEED TO CALL AND
BOOK A TRIP. MARCH AND APRIL IS WHEN THE CRAPPIE REALLY GET
GOING AND I GET BOOKED UP PRETTY FAST SO CALL EARLY.
OCT.2011
‘THE CRAPPIE ARE STARTING TO BITE EVERYWHERE.HAD A GOOD TRIP AT
‘THE MILL AND CAUGHT CRAPPIE 4’ TO 8' WITH JIGS TIPPED WITH
MINNOWS AND JIGS AND WAX WORMS,BOTH WORKED.
THE CRAPPIE ON SHELBYVILLE ARE AT ALL DEPTHS, BEEN USING JIGS
‘TIPPED WITH MINNOWS UNDER SLIP BOBBERS,BUT SEEMS THE LAST
WEEK TUBE JIGS AND WAX WORMS HAVE BEEN OUT PRODUCING
MINNOWs,
BEEN FISHING 6' TO 12' FEET OF WATER WITH MOST FISH AROUND 8
DEEP UNDERA SLIP BOBBER.
WHITES HAVE BEEN BUSTING INTHE BACK OF THE BIGGER COVES AND
ALSO ON FLATS THAT HAVE WIND ON THEM.THIS TIME OF YEAR
EVERYTHING IS FEEDING HARD JUST COVER WATER. AND YOU'LL FIND:
FISH
AUG,2011
TRIPTO MILL CREEK, HAD GOOD AFTERNOON CRAPPIE FISHING,FISH ARE
IN 14'TO 20:
FISHING TIGHT LINE AND MINNOW OVER BRUSH AND STUMPS, ALSO
HAD LUCK WITH JIG AND MINNOW UNDER SLIP BOBBER SET7 TO 14"
DEEP,AND JUST FLIPPING JIG AND MINNOW PAST STANDING TIMBER,
ANY WAY YOU LIKE TO FISH WORKS.
CATCHING LOTS OF BASS DURING THE DAY ALSO,
APRIL-MAY 2011.
BEEN GETTING 2 AND 3 MAN CRAPPIE LIMITS ON SHELBYVILLE EVERY
TRIP.
CATCHING FISH ON ON TWISTER TAILS BY RUNNING DOWN THE BANKS
INTHE BACK OF THE BIG COVES ON THS SOUTH END COVER WATER TILL
YOU HIT POCKETS OF FISH,
NO REALBIG FISH YET.
YOU CAN ALSO CATCH THEM WITH SLIP BOBBERS AND JIGS IN THE
‘STANDING TIMBER,CATCHING LITTLE BIGGER FISH IN THE 8-12 FT. RANGE,
HAD A QUICK 3 HOUR TRIP FOR WALLEYE ON 5-12 AND CAUGHT 20 SOME
WALLEYE ON 2 POINTS AND HAD 7 KEEPERS UP TO 17.5"'SO THEIR
GETTING READY TO GET HOT.
544-14
HAD A TRIP ON ANOTHER LAKE TODAY,ENDED THE DAY WITH 30 CRAPPIE
UPTO 15.5".4 REDEAR UP TO 3/4 OF A POUND AND4 CATFISH,
WATER TEMP RUNNING IN LOW 70'S SO THE CRAPPIE ARE GOING TO BE
DONE SHORTLY,BUT FOR THE BLUEGILL AND REDEAR GUYS IT'S GETTING
HOT.
‘THE BLUEGILL ARE NICE IN THIS LAKE SO IF YOUR INTO THAT CALL FOR A
‘TRIP SOON.
WE ALSO CAUGHT OVER 30 BASS JUST FISHING FOR CRAPPIE SO IF YOU
WANT TO GO ONABASS TRIP NOWS THE TIME. WOULD'NT BE SCARED
‘TO SAY WE COULD CATCH 50-100 BASS A DAY.
KNOW THEIR KILLING TOP WATER BAITS RIGHT NOW.
5-24-44
CRAPPIE/BLUEGILL TRIP ON MATTOON CITY LAKE TODAY.THE CRAPPIE
ARE NOT DONE WITH THE SPAWN LIKE ALOT ARE SAYING.
BLUEGILL ARE UP ON THE BEDS,CRAPPIE ARE AROUND THE DOCKS AND
‘SHALLOW BRUSH/ROCKS/WEEDS.
‘THE WATER TEMP. WAS 70-73 BUT THAT IS SURFACE TEMPO 3 OR 4 FEET
DOWN ITISALITTLE COOLER.
MOST OF THE CRAPPIE STILL ARE FULL OF EGGS AND SOME EVEN
LOOKED LIKE THEY ARE'NT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING READY.
5-25-14
A DIFFERENT LAKE TODAY.WATER TEMP. 70-74.
CAUGHT 14 BIG REDEAR SOME NEAR A POUND,BLUEGILL AND CRAPPIE.
CRAPPIE STILL NOT DONE WITH SPAWN,BLUEGILL/REDEAR ON BEDS,FAST
ACTION,COULD OF HAD BUCKETS FULL BUT THE STORMS BLEW US OFF
THE LAKE.
5-34-11
TRIP TO LAKE MATTOON,SAME CONDITIONS AS THE 24TH,CRAPPIE STILL
HAVE NOT SPAWNED OUT YET.CATCHING NICE FISH
6-10-11 SHELBYVILLE
BEEN CATCHING 2 AND 3 MAN LIMITS OF WALLEYE ALMOST EVERY
‘TRIPCRANKBAITS OR DRAGGING TWISTERS AND NIGHT CRAWLERS ON
BOTTOM HAS BEEN THE WAY WE HAVE BEEN CATCHING OUR FISH.
YOU REALLY NEED WIND IF YOUR FISHING SHALLOW.WHEN THE WIND
‘SHUTS DOWN THE FISHING GETS TOUGH.FISHING DEEPER IF THE WIND.
STOPS.
WHITES SHOULD START TO PICK UP ANYTIME.
6-24-41 SHELBYVILLE
1. WHITEBASS ARE BUSTING SHAD AND CATCHING 100'S OF FISH INA
‘SHORT TIME IS COMMON.THROWING DOUBLE TWISTER TAILS OR
‘SASSY SHAD IF THEY ARE SHALLOW OR IF THEY ARE DEEP OFF OF
‘THE DROPS, USING 10Z.JIGGING SPOON AND JUST RIPPING IT OFF
‘THE BOTTOM AND LETTING IT FLUTTER BACK DOWN.SOME DAYS:
‘THEY ARE HARD TO FIND, BUT AS IT GETS HOT OUT THE FISHING
WILL ALSO GET HOT.
STILL CATCHING WALLEYE,SOMEDAYS THEY ARE SHALLOW IN THE
WEEDS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING AND OTHER DAYS THEY ARE DEEP.
"TWISTERS WITH NIGHTCRAWLER COVERING THE HOOK OR USING
CRANKBAITS IN THE WEEDS,
WHEN THEY ARE SHALLOW t_
41ST TRIP OF THE YEAR WE ENDED UP WITH 30 CRAPPIE AND A BONUS
‘SAUGER,FISHING SLIP BOBBER AND 1/8 OZ, TUBE JIG 6-7" DEEP ON THE
ST DROPSMOKE GLOW AND ORANGE SPARKLE/CHAR TUBES W/CHAR
OR ORANGE HEADS.MORE REPORTS TO COME
3:21:14
HAN A QUICK AST MINUTE TRIPTO ANOTHER | AKF TORAY AND NFSPITE
AHARD WIND THAT KEPT MY FOOT ON THE TROLLING MOTOR THE
ENTIRE TIME WE MANAGED A NICE MESS OF CRAPPIES IN A FEW
HOURS.AGAIN SLIP BOBBERS CHART. HEADS BLUE/CHART.SPARKLE TUBES
TIPPED WITH WAX WORMS.ITS GONNA TURN ON HARD ONE OF THESE
DAYS SOON DONT WAITTO BOOK YOUR TRIPS
MARCH 2014
SHELBYVILLE 3-20 14
WATER TEMP.39-44
HAD 1ST TRIP OF THE SEASON AND HAD OUR LIMIT OF OVERS AND A FEW
UNDERS FISHING THE NORTH END.WE WERE USING SLIP BOBBERS SET AT
(CHART. HEADS AND ORANGE CHART.GLOW TUBES TIPPED WITH WAX
WORMS,
LOOKS LIKE WE'LL BE WAITING OUT ANOTHER COLD FRONT ON THE 23-
(25TH THEN BACK AT IT.
SEPT 2012
(SHELBYVILLE)
THE FISHING HAS BEEN GREAT ALL SUMMER AND NOW ITS TIME FOR THE
FALLCRAPPIE AND WHITEBASS BITE WHICH IS REALLY FUN THE FISH
‘START TO MOVE SHALLOW AND ARE EASIER TO FIND-THE CRAPPIE WILL
MOVE INTO THE STANDING TIMBER AND SHALLOWER STRUCTURE
CLOSER TO THE BANK ON THE MAIN LAKE AND THE WHITES WILL BE ON
THE SHALLOW SAND FLATS THAT HAVE WIND ON THEM AND CATCHING
100'S IS PRETTY EASY ONCE YOU FIND THEM.
IEYOUNEED A BREAK FROMSETTING INA TREE AND WANT TO GETINON
‘SOME GREAT FALL ACTION CALLAND BOOK A TRIP.
May 2012
(SHELBYVILLE)
‘THE CRAPPIE ARE IN ALL STAGES AS OF MAY 7, CATCHING FISH REAL
SHALLOW AND IN 15 TO 25 FEETYOU CAN FISH MINNOWS OR JIGS DEEP
‘OR SHALLOW AND FIND FISH ANY WAY YOU WANT TO CATCH THEM,
THE WHITEBASS CAN BE FOUND ON THE FLATS OR DROPS ON THE EDGES:
(OF THE FLATS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING.
‘THE WALLEYE FISHING SHOULD START TO PICK UP ANY TIME
(THE MILL)
CCRAPPIE ARE STILL GOING AND WITH THE FULL MOON THE BLUEGILL.
AND REDEAR ARE ON THE BEDS NOW IN THE TIME TO BOOK A TRIP IF
YOU LIKE CATCHING THEM.
LATE MAR\EARLY APRIL 2012
THE WARM SUNNY DAYS HAS THE WATER TEMP. ON THE RISE AGAIN,60:
(67 AND THE CRAPPIE ARE FEELING IT.BEEN FISHING ON THE OTHER LAKES
(NOT SHELBYVILLE) THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS AND ITS GETTING BETTER,
‘SLIP BOBBERS AND TUBE JIGS HAVE BEEN THE TICKET LATELY. 1/4 OZ. TO
(16 OZ. JIG HEADS DEPENDING ON WHAT DEPTH WE ARE FISHING.
LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GETTING READY FOR SOME MORE COLD NIGHTS FOR
AFEW DAYS JUST HOPE IT DOESNT DROP THE WATER TEMP TO MUCH.
MID MARCH 2012
WE HAVE BEEN FISHING SHELBYVILLE AND SEVERAL OTHER LAKES
LATELY AND WAS DOING REALLY WELL UNTIL COLD NIGHTS HIT US AND
DROPPED WATER TEMPS 10 DEGREES AND PUT THE DAMPER ON OUR
‘CURRENT PATTERNS HOPEFULLY IT WONT LAST TO LONG,
MAR.2012
FISHING HAS BEEN GOOD ON ALL THE LAKES WE HAVE BEEN GOING TO
LATELY, THE CRAPPIE FISHING IS STARTING TO HEAT UP BUT THEY ARE
NOT GOING CRAZY YET.WE ARE ENDING THE DAY WITH SOME REALLY
NICE STRINGERS OF FISH BUT WE'RE STILL HAVING TO WORK FOR THEM.|
KNOW ITS BEEN REALLY WARM FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR AND WHEN WE.
GET ZAPPED BY SOME COLD FRONTS,AND WE WILL, IT WILL SLOW THEM
DOWN FORA FEW DAYS BUT THATS SPRING FISHING
FEB.29 2012
GOOD DAY ON SHELBYVILLE TODAY WATER TEMP 39 TO 43,THE WIND
WAS BRUTAL SO WE DIDNT MAKE A BIG RUN JUST FISHED LICK
CREEK.HAD 25 KEEPERS FISHED 1/4 OZ. JIG7 TO 9 FT.DEEP UNDERSLIP
BOBBER IN 8 TO 13 FOW IN THE STANDING TIMBER.
‘SHELBYVILLE IS A GREAT LAKE FOR SEVERAL SPECIES OF FISH BUT THERE
ARE SEVERAL OTHER LAKES AROUND THAT ARE ALSO GREATWITH MORE
LIBERAL LIMITS THAN SHELBYVILLE.
"VE CAUGHT CRAPPIE UP TO 18" BIG BLUEG ID REDEAR AND RE/
GOOD CATFISHING ON LAKES OTHER THAN SHELBYVILLE,
LAM NOT NOCKING SHELBYVILLE AT ALL ITS GREAT AND |DO 75% OF MY
GUIDING THERE BUT IF YOU DONT WANT TO FIGHT THE TRAFFIC THAT
YOU HAVE ON THE BIGGER LAKES,AND CAN ACTUALLY CATCH MORE AND
BIGGER FISH ON A SMALLER BODY OF WATER YOU NEED TO CALL AND
BOOK A TRIP. MARCH AND APRIL IS WHEN THE CRAPPIE REALLY GET
GOING AND I GET BOOKED UP PRETTY FAST SO CALL EARLY.
OCT.2011
‘THE CRAPPIE ARE STARTING TO BITE EVERYWHERE.HAD A GOOD TRIP AT
‘THE MILL AND CAUGHT CRAPPIE 4’ TO 8' WITH JIGS TIPPED WITH
MINNOWS AND JIGS AND WAX WORMS,BOTH WORKED.
THE CRAPPIE ON SHELBYVILLE ARE AT ALL DEPTHS, BEEN USING JIGS
‘TIPPED WITH MINNOWS UNDER SLIP BOBBERS,BUT SEEMS THE LAST
WEEK TUBE JIGS AND WAX WORMS HAVE BEEN OUT PRODUCING
MINNOWs,
BEEN FISHING 6' TO 12' FEET OF WATER WITH MOST FISH AROUND 8
DEEP UNDERA SLIP BOBBER.
WHITES HAVE BEEN BUSTING INTHE BACK OF THE BIGGER COVES AND
ALSO ON FLATS THAT HAVE WIND ON THEM.THIS TIME OF YEAR
EVERYTHING IS FEEDING HARD JUST COVER WATER. AND YOU'LL FIND:
FISH
AUG,2011
TRIPTO MILL CREEK, HAD GOOD AFTERNOON CRAPPIE FISHING,FISH ARE
IN 14'TO 20:
FISHING TIGHT LINE AND MINNOW OVER BRUSH AND STUMPS, ALSO
HAD LUCK WITH JIG AND MINNOW UNDER SLIP BOBBER SET7 TO 14"
DEEP,AND JUST FLIPPING JIG AND MINNOW PAST STANDING TIMBER,
ANY WAY YOU LIKE TO FISH WORKS.
CATCHING LOTS OF BASS DURING THE DAY ALSO,
APRIL-MAY 2011.
BEEN GETTING 2 AND 3 MAN CRAPPIE LIMITS ON SHELBYVILLE EVERY
TRIP.
CATCHING FISH ON ON TWISTER TAILS BY RUNNING DOWN THE BANKS
INTHE BACK OF THE BIG COVES ON THS SOUTH END COVER WATER TILL
YOU HIT POCKETS OF FISH,
NO REALBIG FISH YET.
YOU CAN ALSO CATCH THEM WITH SLIP BOBBERS AND JIGS IN THE
‘STANDING TIMBER,CATCHING LITTLE BIGGER FISH IN THE 8-12 FT. RANGE,
HAD A QUICK 3 HOUR TRIP FOR WALLEYE ON 5-12 AND CAUGHT 20 SOME
WALLEYE ON 2 POINTS AND HAD 7 KEEPERS UP TO 17.5"'SO THEIR
GETTING READY TO GET HOT.
544-14
HAD A TRIP ON ANOTHER LAKE TODAY,ENDED THE DAY WITH 30 CRAPPIE
UPTO 15.5".4 REDEAR UP TO 3/4 OF A POUND AND4 CATFISH,
WATER TEMP RUNNING IN LOW 70'S SO THE CRAPPIE ARE GOING TO BE
DONE SHORTLY,BUT FOR THE BLUEGILL AND REDEAR GUYS IT'S GETTING
HOT.
‘THE BLUEGILL ARE NICE IN THIS LAKE SO IF YOUR INTO THAT CALL FOR A
‘TRIP SOON.
WE ALSO CAUGHT OVER 30 BASS JUST FISHING FOR CRAPPIE SO IF YOU
WANT TO GO ONABASS TRIP NOWS THE TIME. WOULD'NT BE SCARED
‘TO SAY WE COULD CATCH 50-100 BASS A DAY.
KNOW THEIR KILLING TOP WATER BAITS RIGHT NOW.
5-24-44
CRAPPIE/BLUEGILL TRIP ON MATTOON CITY LAKE TODAY.THE CRAPPIE
ARE NOT DONE WITH THE SPAWN LIKE ALOT ARE SAYING.
BLUEGILL ARE UP ON THE BEDS,CRAPPIE ARE AROUND THE DOCKS AND
‘SHALLOW BRUSH/ROCKS/WEEDS.
‘THE WATER TEMP. WAS 70-73 BUT THAT IS SURFACE TEMPO 3 OR 4 FEET
DOWN ITISALITTLE COOLER.
MOST OF THE CRAPPIE STILL ARE FULL OF EGGS AND SOME EVEN
LOOKED LIKE THEY ARE'NT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING READY.
5-25-14
A DIFFERENT LAKE TODAY.WATER TEMP. 70-74.
CAUGHT 14 BIG REDEAR SOME NEAR A POUND,BLUEGILL AND CRAPPIE.
CRAPPIE STILL NOT DONE WITH SPAWN,BLUEGILL/REDEAR ON BEDS,FAST
ACTION,COULD OF HAD BUCKETS FULL BUT THE STORMS BLEW US OFF
THE LAKE.
5-34-11
TRIP TO LAKE MATTOON,SAME CONDITIONS AS THE 24TH,CRAPPIE STILL
HAVE NOT SPAWNED OUT YET.CATCHING NICE FISH
6-10-11 SHELBYVILLE
BEEN CATCHING 2 AND 3 MAN LIMITS OF WALLEYE ALMOST EVERY
‘TRIPCRANKBAITS OR DRAGGING TWISTERS AND NIGHT CRAWLERS ON
BOTTOM HAS BEEN THE WAY WE HAVE BEEN CATCHING OUR FISH.
YOU REALLY NEED WIND IF YOUR FISHING SHALLOW.WHEN THE WIND
‘SHUTS DOWN THE FISHING GETS TOUGH.FISHING DEEPER IF THE WIND.
STOPS.
WHITES SHOULD START TO PICK UP ANYTIME.
6-24-41 SHELBYVILLE
1. WHITEBASS ARE BUSTING SHAD AND CATCHING 100'S OF FISH INA
‘SHORT TIME IS COMMON.THROWING DOUBLE TWISTER TAILS OR
‘SASSY SHAD IF THEY ARE SHALLOW OR IF THEY ARE DEEP OFF OF
‘THE DROPS, USING 10Z.JIGGING SPOON AND JUST RIPPING IT OFF
‘THE BOTTOM AND LETTING IT FLUTTER BACK DOWN.SOME DAYS:
‘THEY ARE HARD TO FIND, BUT AS IT GETS HOT OUT THE FISHING
WILL ALSO GET HOT.
STILL CATCHING WALLEYE,SOMEDAYS THEY ARE SHALLOW IN THE
WEEDS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING AND OTHER DAYS THEY ARE DEEP.
"TWISTERS WITH NIGHTCRAWLER COVERING THE HOOK OR USING
CRANKBAITS IN THE WEEDS,
WHEN THEY ARE SHALLOW t_