The poor lowly shad. Eaten by everything but respected by none 
Got out Saturday from 11:30 to 11:30. I wanted to spend as much time out as possible because it sure looks like it may be the end of the open water lake season. I initially rigged up based on reports from a couple of guys I know on another group who were having luck on Jigs (reg & hair), Keitechs and neds. Main was 37 degrees. Blanked on all all 3 for the first 3hrs. I ducked off of the main lake to get some relief from the wind and ended up on Mud Lake. Water clarity was the best I've ever seen it, temp was up to 39.5 and shad were everywhere. I dropped the jig rod, picked up the jerkbait rod, which had a MegaBass Vision 110 in black Shad tied on...moved off the shoreline to the first break and caught one on my first cast. Highlights were Three 3+'s and a nice 4-3 AND! Get this...a 3lb 4oz 19-5/8" Shad! There is no hook and line Illinois State record for shad only a spear record and the state record speared Shad is 3lbs 2ozs...so even though it doesn't officially count...I beat the shad state record!! Haha. I initially thought it was a 3ish walleye because it was fighting in circles but nope, just an absolute beast of a shad. Fought like a big bluegill. All but the lonely night bass were caught on a the Vision 110. I set out today to try and finish up my 2018 goals for 4's, 5's and 6lbdrs (slowly writing up my end of the year report) I did make my 4lbdr goal of 12 (hence the writing on the photo) but I'm most proud of my SHAD!!
Got out Saturday from 11:30 to 11:30. I wanted to spend as much time out as possible because it sure looks like it may be the end of the open water lake season. I initially rigged up based on reports from a couple of guys I know on another group who were having luck on Jigs (reg & hair), Keitechs and neds. Main was 37 degrees. Blanked on all all 3 for the first 3hrs. I ducked off of the main lake to get some relief from the wind and ended up on Mud Lake. Water clarity was the best I've ever seen it, temp was up to 39.5 and shad were everywhere. I dropped the jig rod, picked up the jerkbait rod, which had a MegaBass Vision 110 in black Shad tied on...moved off the shoreline to the first break and caught one on my first cast. Highlights were Three 3+'s and a nice 4-3 AND! Get this...a 3lb 4oz 19-5/8" Shad! There is no hook and line Illinois State record for shad only a spear record and the state record speared Shad is 3lbs 2ozs...so even though it doesn't officially count...I beat the shad state record!! Haha. I initially thought it was a 3ish walleye because it was fighting in circles but nope, just an absolute beast of a shad. Fought like a big bluegill. All but the lonely night bass were caught on a the Vision 110. I set out today to try and finish up my 2018 goals for 4's, 5's and 6lbdrs (slowly writing up my end of the year report) I did make my 4lbdr goal of 12 (hence the writing on the photo) but I'm most proud of my SHAD!!
