S-ville Bank fishing update

Some of the areas that have had lots of pressure have started to slack off in their production, but spots that haven't been hit hard are producing lots of crappie. The last 4 days I've hit some "less pressured spots". In about 3 hours I've been getting about 20-30 overs. I've been fishing 8-10 ft deep over deeper water, just nicking the brush. I know Ol Delmar is fishing other spots with good results also. He has been fishing 4-6 foot deep.

This time of year spoils you into thinking that you are a better fisherman than you really are, but reality will hit once the lake freezes then opens up again. Then it seems I'm back to wondering where they all went.

With the lake going down around 2 inches a day, it won't take long to expose the honey holes. That is the time to get out with a camera and a hand-held gps and get your spots all ready for next spring. It's been a great year, and with a little luck the lake won't freeze over for a while and will only stay frozen for a few weeks. Hope Santa delivers lots of needed crappie items for all of the c.com members. HO HO HO

The bite from the boat is still great too. Water is around 39-41 degrees. With the lake being down 2 ft already and the water really clear, there is some shallower stuff thats already showing that will have 6-7ft on it come spring, dad and I found some real nice piles this afternoon. Also, for those who dont know how to run the rivers, there is still enough water to get into them and the channel is pretty defined right now, get out there and mark it!

I had good luck at Wilborn this morning. Caught a lot of smalls, few overs, one nice 12.5". Nothing giant. Went over Bo Woods after lunch and no one was there, stayed 1/2 hour, just a couple of bites, no "stinking Crappie.". Ended up over at coal shaft bridge, never fished around there, took an old crank bait I found and found some cover and then finished my limit. Had to get through lots of unders but probably caught 20+ fish in the 10-11.5" range also.

Cory, looks like you're putting the time in and figuring it out.

was able to get my dad out sunday with my brother.....saw every boat heading to the backside of wilburn so we decided to go elsewhere....in a 400 yard stint we were 3 shy of our limit....fished a lot deeper and pulled in the hogs!! let several 14 inchers go in hopes they keep breeding big ones!! it was great to see my dad catch the biggest of the day....wind picked up so my little tin boat headed for the back side of wilburn with the rest of em and we got our last 3 pretty quick...lots of fun out there for sure!!

Glad you could get your dad out and catch some fish. Nothing like your father catching the big one of the day and spending some nice quality family fishing time!!!

Corey... did you do any good off of the brush piles at wilborn that we fished that day. Two days ago I caught some nice fish off of the one we fished last. The boys and I took the boat out Sunday and got um pretty good. It takes longer for my motor to warm up than it does to get your limit...lol

Nice job mdturtle! Your lingo has me a bit confused. When you say "backside" of Wilborn do you mean up the creek toward Junkyard or do you mean down toward the Trestle? I'm just a poor Missoura boy trying to learn up on the Illini language.

Nice report Jerry as always and Merry Christmas.

I fished two new spots that I haven't fished yet this fall, and it must be the season. They were old Christmas trees in 4-6 fow, and they all had fish on them. 1/8 oz jig and an all chart. tube. Lots of small fish on one set and some nice fish on the others. One 13 and 2- 12's. One fellow next to me couldn't cast far enough, so he got 10 crappie as a Christmas present, since I wasn't planning on taking any home. Lots of boats out for this time of year. Maybe because the fishing is so good.

looks like i'll get a couple more days of fishing in wed. and thurs. maybe i'll see you on the bank somewhere jerry. sounds like anywhere with some brush is still going to have some fish. found some on a rockypoint 6ft deep last week too. lets just keep that ice off the lake . the longer we get to fish now the shorter the winter will be .

Out today near Bo-Coalshaft today, never seen another boat. They pulled the dock out today at the Bo Ramp.

Ken, on Monday I caught a nice 12" fish there, but mostly smaller fish. Nice pics!

Today I left it alone. Went to a spot I finished my limit on Monday. I caught 32 fish and finished my limit in 1 hr and 45 min today. It was fun to catch all those in one spot. Can't fish tomorrow but will be out again Thursday. Kinda hard to move spots right now. Also no other tracks in that spot, it isn't easy to get to, that may be why.