Shabbona or Busse

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06-25-2015, 05:43 PM
RiverSlabber

Shabbona or Busse

Does anyone have any tips or experience with either of these two northern illinois lakes?

Oh, im shorebound until I convince my wife to let me get a yak.

Im looking to hit Busse tomorrow if the weather holds out. Ive read that below the south pool dam is a good crappie spot. I was planning on getting some minnows and checking it out. Anyone ever fish here? Any suggestions on what to use?

I was also planning on taking my dad out to Shabbona in a few weeks to try for crappie and gills, and maybe some bass or walleye once(if) we get our limits. Ive never fished that lake before, but ive read that the fish cribs and deep treetops are great. My cousin managed about a dozen crappie early this spring but he lucked into them I think (hes more of a bass and muskie guy). Would minnows in treetops be my best bet in the early summer or should i skip minners and just do jigs? Again any advice would be welcomed.
06-26-2015, 03:49 PM
hsiftac

good luck, hope you have good things to report about below the dam at busse as it isn't far from me
06-26-2015, 05:29 PM
RiverSlabber

Busse was a bit of a bust, no crappie though something did steal a few minners before i could get a hookset. I wasnt expecting much my first time out. The other fishermen I talked to said it was a tough bite today. One guy got a small crappie on a jig and nothing else.

i did manage two small pumpkinseeds though so at least I wasnt skunked.
02-15-2017, 04:45 AM
bud7562

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiverSlabber

Does anyone have any tips or experience with either of these two northern illinois lakes?

Oh, im shorebound until I convince my wife to let me get a yak.

Im looking to hit Busse tomorrow if the weather holds out. Ive read that below the south pool dam is a good crappie spot. I was planning on getting some minnows and checking it out. Anyone ever fish here? Any suggestions on what to use?

I was also planning on taking my dad out to Shabbona in a few weeks to try for crappie and gills, and maybe some bass or walleye once(if) we get our limits. Ive never fished that lake before, but ive read that the fish cribs and deep treetops are great. My cousin managed about a dozen crappie early this spring but he lucked into them I think (hes more of a bass and muskie guy). Would minnows in treetops be my best bet in the early summer or should i skip minners and just do jigs? Again any advice would be welcomed.

I been fishing there couple of times, maybe we might get togather this summer and go?