Winter Time Slabbin’ on SHELBYVILLE
The winter pattern on Lake Shelbyville is in full swing and NOW is the time to go catch that SLAB!!! Although the weather will present challenges it will still give us a few more days we will consider GIFTS!!! So, watch the weather reports and stay ready!!! There are plenty of things to do associated with fishing during this time and I will cover a few for you.
For those of us who can get out in December I would go to the lake with the mindset that this might be the day I catch my biggest crappie of the year on Lake Shelbyville. Structures such as shallow timber, stumps, lay-downs and manmade habitat such as cubes and porcupines will all be holding fish. Crappie will be holding from 3-15 feet deep on structure but always be mindful when that school stops producing bites to move on. Pace and tempo will be paramount during this current pattern because crappie and especially big crappie do not want to work too hard for their meals. Due to the water temperatures being in the 40’s that will slow down crappie and some of their typical aggressive behaviors. Slabs can and will be caught daily just do not rush your bait presentations and slowly drop your baits down the water column. Once you have the active water column determined, keep your baits just above that and maintain an active grip on your pole because the bite can and will be light on days. Profile size will change throughout the month so always try to keep several rods already prepared so you switch at a moment’s notice. Typically, I will use all three sizes of Charlie Brewer Slider Products (1 inch, 1.5 inch Sliders and the 2 1/8th inch Double Action Minnow), the TopHat Jig Guppy Gobbler (1.5 and 2 inch), and also each and every trip I use the Dean Martin Hair Jigs (1/16th ounce). When it comes to places to fish around the structure I always start in the shaded area if there is any shade. The darker water/shaded side is usually where the crappie will be holding but always fish all the structures you can. During this time crappie will bury themselves in the shallow mud so do not be surprised when a fish comes off the bottom you never even knew was there. Topping your jigs off the bottom will produce fish and usually the bite is very aggressive. School sizes will vary from single digits to over 1,000 now and when you see those mega schools stay back away from them and start pitching jigs over them and then work through the school from time to time also. Regardless of how you fish I hope everyone gets a few more days on the water.
Winter time also means FISHING SHOW TIME and I am going to mention a couple for people to consider. First, January 5,6,7 in Collinsville, Illinois the “Let’s Go Fishing” expo is going to be held again. There are going to be tons of vendors with new products being released and seminars about many different styles of fishing and many will be discussing crappie fishing. This year I will be doing one seminar a day on the TopHat Jigs Guppy Gobbler and how to maximize their performance. Stop in at TopHat Jigs booth and check the schedule and say hi to us if you make it down.
Next, on January 13th at Craig’s Sporting Goods in Shelbyville we will have our annual KIDS DAY!!! It is a big turnout with amazing giveaways for kids and adults too. Last year over $2,000.00 was given away that day including a free trip with ENGLAND EXPEDITIONS!!! If you our someone you know would like an England Expedition gift certificate this year please call me at 217-520-3653 or visit www.englandexpeditions.com and fill out a request form. Have a great Holiday Season everyone from ENGLAND EXPEDITIONS!!!!
“CATCHING MEMORIES ONE FISH AT A TIME
