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Posts: 9
Location: Ottawa, ILL | Getting ready to retire from the military, and have been invited to a fishing trip already to Lake Sarah, Effingham IL for three days. I am ready to fish. What's down there, and where are good locations?
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Posts: 2024
| Lake Sara does not have muskie. I'm not sure if you were aware of that or not. It is predominantly a bass lake with a healthy population of decent fish, and some larger ones. I've never fished Sara this early in the year, but our club last year had a tournament in early April. Most fish were caught using either jig n' pigs around wood or docks, or off of flats using jerkbaits like the Rogue (big bass came off this tactic). Fishing the seawalls with crankbaits is a surefire way to have some fun.
For whatever it's worth, Shelbyville is open and not very far from Effingham, if you're looking for muskie. |
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Posts: 9
Location: Ottawa, ILL | Thank you. I figured that Sarah would be mainly bass. Having never fished there before and with a group of guys I don't know, this should be interesting. To my knowledge I am the only muskie nut going. Lake Shellbyville will be planned later this spring. Do you fish at Shellbyville often? Can't wait to get back.
Pat Bost |
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Posts: 2024
| We try to get down to Shelbyville as often as possible. Yesterday we went to the spillway and had no follows, but saw four or five just cruising. Apparently last Sunday there was a 49". If you go to the spillway try the waters below the bridge, away from everyone else.
Shelbyville was pretty good to us last year. We had something like 5 or 6 consecutive trips where we boated at least one. The action tapered off as the water temps got cooler. Try main lake points that are being hammered by wind. Actually, try anything that has wind hitting it. Even coves that act as funnels work well. The timbered coves usually produce at least a follow (Buoy, McQuillon, and Lithia). Baits that produced were Voo Doo Tail spinnerbaits in white and red, 6" Jakes in Tenn shad, Tiger Tubes as toss backs, and Shallow Invaders. One of our most consistant producers surprisingly (maybe not to some) were bass spinnerbaits. These little devils boated several including a 41", 40", 35", 33", and a couple smaller ones. Be careful though not to use light line. We use flippin sticks with at least 20 lb mono and small leaders, sometimes without the leader. If you have any more questions I'd be happy to answer them. |
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Posts: 37
| If your looking to hit shelbyville and want a guide, I will be guiding down there this year. You can email me at [email protected]. |
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Posts: 9
Location: Ottawa, ILL | Good news about Shellbyville and Muskie. Thanks. Ive been reading the threads and have noticed some info regarding muskies at Shellbyville.
Haven't been there in over thirty years. Which club do you run with? |
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Posts: 9
Location: Ottawa, ILL | When is a good time to schedule and your prices? |
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Posts: 37
| March and april are the best time for a fatty. May and june the numbers go up but fish get skinny there healthy fish not rails. Both may and june are usually better for trolling and March and april are better for casting. |
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Lake Sarah Info