Shelbyville Lake?

[Needemp]

I know it is kind of premature, but we have our classic there on October 20 and 21. I figure this will be in the middle of fall pattern. Does anybody fish Shelbyville during this time of year? Any tips on good colors, techniques and more importantly, types of structure and cover they use at this time? We will be prefishing at least the weekend before and possibly two weekends before as well. I greatly appreciate any help. Thanks.

[MattDPVN]

Very nice lake, almost like Millcreek.  Senkos in a watermelon color work pretty good, jigs workd well there as well.  

[Needemp]

Is there vegitation? Standing timber? Is there much rock or is it mostly mud? What is the water clarity usually? Thanks MattPVN!

[bassdocktor]

I've been there twice. Lot of standing timber. Stumps too. When I went later in the spring I remember some vegitation but I'm not sure what or where because I was maybe 12 at the time. There is some rock too. Water clarity I can't say since when I went they were drawing the lake down almost the entire time. Plus there was some rain.

[MattDPVN]

Theres some moderate vegitation, I dont remember too much standing timber but I only fished a certain part(forgot where tho).  I used cranks out there, and landed some big fish.  Was out there about a year ago, and was using a shad rap.

[Bassbilly]

I went to Shelbyville this past weekend. From what I hear locally, you want to focus your attention on the southern part of the lake in the Lithia Springs area. There are multiple coves that produce pretty well, Lithia, Micquillen?, Bayou, and a few others. Fished all day Saturday and it was a tough bite. I caught two bass on a red/gold rattletrap, bumping it into stumps and two on a tandem willowleaf 3/8 ounce white spinnerbait. Largest was 2.5 pounds. Spent 4 hours on Sunday morning dissecting standing timber with finesse baits, but had no luck.

As far as the lake is concerned, water temps are around 68 degrees at launch (7 am) to low 70's during the day. In the Lithia Springs area, there is a TON of standing timber...so much that it can drive you crazy, cause you think there should be a bass on every log!! There is very little vegetation.

If I had it to do over again, I would focus on main lake points near the Lithia Springs boat ramp. If it is windy, focus on banks where the wind is blowing into them. However, by the time you fish it, the lake temp could have gone down quite a bit (especially since there is a cold front coming in next week). If that is the case and the water temp drops 5 or 6 degrees, I would focus on schools of shad (which can be HUGE on this lake) and fish topwater in the morning and work big spinnerbaits during the day.

Hope this helps!

[Bassbilly]

Oh...and water clarity was definately stained/muddy. I was surprised cause everything I had read told me it was a pretty clear reservoir, but it definately had some color.

[Needemp]

Thanks for the help. When you say big spinnerbaits, I am curious how big?

[Bassbilly]

Thanks for the help. When you say big spinnerbaits, I am curious how big?

I would say at least a 1/2 ounce, but maybe more. I guess it depends on how active the fish are, but if they're feeding on shad, I would go big. I saw a dead shad on the surface and he was pretty hefty.

[Needemp]

Thanks for the help guys. I won first place individual, second place team, and I got a check for the biggest sack. Thanks again. ;D

[farmpond1]

First, let me say I am anything but a pro so take what I say with a grain of salt.  And my apologies to anyone who likes Shelbyville.  But my advice is this:  Reschedule the tournament for someplace else!  I don't like this lake.  When I hear people say they have done well on Shelbyville, they must be either locals who fish it hard and often, were exceedingly lucky, or they're pathological liars.  Okay, that's kind of harsh but you get my sentiment.  From what I understand, the Corp of Engineers raises it up and down so often and so much that bass have limited abilities to successfully spawn.  Whatever the reason, I've never done any good and I've fished it to a froth on numerous occassions.  It's too bad because it's actually within reasonable driving distance from my house.  East Central Illinois is not exactly a fishing oasis.  

[Bassbilly]

Thanks for the help guys. I won first place individual, second place team, and I got a check for the biggest sack. Thanks again. ;D

Fantastic!! Great to hear!

What did you weigh-in? What did you use? Glad some of the advice helped.

[Bassbilly]

First, let me say I am anything but a pro so take what I say with a grain of salt.  And my apologies to anyone who likes Shelbyville.  But my advice is this:  Reschedule the tournament for someplace else!  I don't like this lake.  When I hear people say they have done well on Shelbyville, they must be either locals who fish it hard and often, were exceedingly lucky, or they're pathological liars.  Okay, that's kind of harsh but you get my sentiment.  From what I understand, the Corp of Engineers raises it up and down so often and so much that bass have limited abilities to successfully spawn.  Whatever the reason, I've never done any good and I've fished it to a froth on numerous occassions.  It's too bad because it's actually within reasonable driving distance from my house.  East Central Illinois is not exactly a fishing oasis.  

I've never had a ton of luck there either, but two of the guys in my bass club love the place. They don't fish it that often, but they never seem to have a problem catching a heavy limit. There must be something we don't know.

[cart7t]

I fished it one time many years ago. It was a completely forgettable lake.

[Needemp]

I had a five fish limit at 11lbs. It was a tough weekend. We met the guy who invented the Parasite Wieght system and he had a client on a guided trip. He told his wife that they were not doing too well, either. But that is the way I like it. I like when the fishing is tough. I think that gives me a slight edge. Thanks for your help, again. I got the goal but you guys get the assist ;D

I have to be honest, it's not a great looking lake (above the water) but there is plenty of cover and structure. I think Shelbyville is one of those lakes that is not going to produce a bunch of big bass very often. But to me that's fine. The object of a tournament is to beat the rest of the field on that given day with all the same elements considered. I don't care if I only have 7lbs and win. That meant I did better than the compitition. That's what I enjoy about it. But with any lake, a local that fishes it a lot is going to have heavier sacks. To us, our club that is, nobody fishes Shelbyville. A couple of guys have been there once or twice. That was only my 2nd time there and I enjoyed it.

[Bassbilly]

I had a five fish limit at 11lbs. It was a tough weekend. We met the guy who invented the Parasite Wieght system and he had a client on a guided trip. He told his wife that they were not doing too well, either. But that is the way I like it. I like when the fishing is tough. I think that gives me a slight edge. Thanks for your help, again. I got the goal but you guys get the assist ;D

I have to be honest, it's not a great looking lake (above the water) but there is plenty of cover and structure. I think Shelbyville is one of those lakes that is not going to produce a bunch of big bass very often. But to me that's fine. The object of a tournament is to beat the rest of the field on that given day with all the same elements considered. I don't care if I only have 7lbs and win. That meant I did better than the compitition. That's what I enjoy about it. But with any lake, a local that fishes it a lot is going to have heavier sacks. To us, our club that is, nobody fishes Shelbyville. A couple of guys have been there once or twice. That was only my 2nd time there and I enjoyed it.

I agree. Tough lake is tough for everyone. Anytime you can bring in a limit of fish, it's a good day. Personally, I liked the look of the lake, it reminded me of west coast reservoirs. The coves are plentiful, lots of good bottom structure. Glad you did well in the tourney.

I think I met that guide as well. Does he run the motel just up the street from the Lithia launch ramp? If it's the same guy, he actually let us borrow one of his boats for a trip this past summer. Nice guy.

[Needemp]

I like the structure. I wouldn't mind if I had to fish another tourney there.

It's the same guy. He owns Gregory's Resort. Real nice guy and he has a couple of other inventions that should be huge.