Kinkaid Reports

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the best professional guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for SO Guide Service guests only. Anglers receive huge savings on both guiding and lodging with SO trip packages. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. SO Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They are some of the very few in the entire region that actually make their living fishing, and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. SO Lead Kinkaid Team Guides work on Kinkaid Lake all year round and spend the vast majority of their fishing time on Kinkaid, not other waters. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for around 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish the best lake in southern Illinois and fish it with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to good for several species at this time. The best fishing on the lake right now is for muskie and largemouth bass. The surface water temperatures are now in the low 60s in most areas, but we’ve seen mid to upper 60s in some places too. Early mornings are cooler and the lake’s surface temperature rises throughout the day, especially on warm days with plenty of sun. The water is still high and stained with yet more rain. The clearest waters are found on the lower third of the main lake and down to the dam in areas with both rock and weeds, while the northern end of the lake near the headwaters of Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is the most heavily stained area of the lake.

Muskie fishing is rated as good right now. Most muskies are holding on the breaklines at the edges of shallow or mid depth flats, along the steeper irregular shoreline banks leading out of coves, bays and creeks, or along the banks and points on main lake type areas at the mouths of bays, coves and creeks. Rock and weed cover is holding most of these fish, but some can also be found suspending over open water as well. Baby School N Shad Spinnerbaits (www.simmsoutdoors.com) are still very hot and are taking most of the muskies. Medium and large minnowbaits are also producing the occasional fish, and Top Raider Propbaits (www.robertsoutdoors.com) are also beginning to produce some action as well. Pearl white, natural shad and similar baitfish patterns are good choices, but chartruse shad, parrot and similar hot color patterns are also effective.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. The Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat for casting. Shakespeare Ugly Stik Freshwater, Tiger, Big Water and Lite Graphite Muskie Rods are great choices for trolling. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leaders and Predator Trolling Leaders from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as good right now. Most of the bass are positioning along shallow irregular shoreline banks and on the edges of shallow flats. Laydown trees, logs, stumps, brush, broken rocks, weed edges and weed clumps are holding most of these shallow bass. Spinnerbaits and shallow diving crankbaits have still been producing bass. Chatterbaits and small swimbaits are still effective choices for the bass as well. Bright, gaudy stand-out color patterns like chartruse are effective, but white, shad and other baitfish patterns have produced fish as well.

The walleye and white bass fishing has been about the same and is rated as poor to fair at this time. The walleye fishing is still slow while the white bass fishing has offered better action. Small bright colored crankbaits are still the best bet for eyes right now. Target the edges of shallow flats and shelves on a breakline that drops off into deeper water. White bass fishing is fair now and most of the fish being caught are on crankbaits in both dark and bright shades. The best areas have been up on the shallow flats where they fan out and cruise looking for shad.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 8 to 17 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 20 to 40. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 10 to 30 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

Crappie and bluegill fishing still rate fair at this time. The crappies and bluegills are both biting and starting to get more active in the warming water. The action for these fish should pick up dramatically very soon. These fish are being caught from the shallows near shallow water structure like points, irregular shoreline banks and flats. Laydown trees, brush piles, stumps, rocks and weed clumps are holding both species, but some are also being caught in areas without cover. Small and medium minnows fished on a plain hook and split shot will take fish, but some of these fish are also taking small crappie spinnerbaits and marabou jigs. Dark and bright patterns have been productive.

Choose long casting rods like Team Series and American Classics from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) and Pflueger Microspin Series Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) in 6’ to 10’ lengths and ultra light to light power ratings for crappie and bluegill fishing. Pair them up with lightweight spinning reels like the Pflueger Medalist, Trion, Supreme or President Spinning Reels or the Agility, Catera or Synergy Spinning Reels from Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, or go with an underspin spincasting reel like the 1806U and 4410U reels from Pflueger. Spool up with long casting Supreme Super Smooth (www.shakespeare-fishing.com) line in about 4 to 8 pound test for most situations.

Catfish fishing is rated as good and these fish are getting more and more active. Most of the cats being caught are channel catfish, but the occasional flathead can be found as well. Cut bait and night crawlers still fished on slip sinker bottom rigs is the best presentation option for these fish right now.

Choose strong, heavy duty equipment for targeting big catfish. The old tried and true Ugly Stiks from Shakespeare (www.shakespeare-fishing.com) are the best for catfishing. Rods in the Ugly Stik, Ugly Stik Freshwater, Ugly Stik Lite Graphite and Ugly Stik Tiger Series are all perfect for catfishing in 6’ to 8’ lengths and medium to heavy power ratings. Pair them up with a quality reel like the Pflueger President, Trion, Medalist or Contender (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Low stretch Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from 40 to 80 pounds will get the job done, while ultra strong monofilament line like Supreme Super Tough from 17 to 30 pound test is also a good choice with just a bit more stretch.

Big drum and giant carp are also caught by anglers on Kinkaid at this time. Top quality polarized sunglasses designed for fishing like the Master Angler and Action Angler Series from Flying Fisherman (www.flyingfisherman.com), and high performance floating tools designed for fishing like Advanced Lightweight Tools from X Tools (www.xtools.us) are critical items to have along on fishing trips. Real Tree Camouflage Patterns (www.realtree.com) are a vital part of our hunting success when we’re off the water. For office supply needs and the finest printing work, turn to Mineral Area Office Supply (www.maos.com).

Outdoor enthusiasts can book guided sport fishing, hunting, site seeing and nature photography trips at many great destinations throughout Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin & Ontario with the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE & SIMMS OUTDOORS OUTFITTERS, get the very best fishing lures and leaders from SIMMS SPORT FISHING TACKLE, read fishing, hunting & other outdoor sports articles, stories, journals, recipes, tips, columns, reports and more at SIMMS OUTDOORS MAGAZINE, get sponsor links & product and service information at SIMMS OUTDOORS SPONSORS, and purchase top notch professional outdoor photos from SIMMS OUTDOORS PHOTOGRAPHY, by visiting SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. on the web at: www.simmsoutdoors.com, by calling: 618-521-0526 or 573-358-5948, or through e-mail at: info@simmsoutdoors.com. Good luck and please support these fine sponsors: All Star Rods, Pflueger Fishing Tackle, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, X Tools, Real Tree Camouflage, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses, Mineral Area Office Supply, Bait Rigs and Roberts Outdoors.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport Fishing Report for 05-16-08

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to good for several species at this time. The best fishing on the lake right now is for largemouth bass. The surface water temperatures are now in the low 60s in most areas, but we’ve seen mid to upper 60s in some places too. Early mornings are cooler and the lake’s surface temperature rises throughout the day, especially on warm days with plenty of sun. The water is still high and stained with yet more rain. The clearest waters are found on the lower third of the main lake and down to the dam in areas with both rock and weeds, while the northern end of the lake near the headwaters of Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is the most heavily stained area of the lake.

Muskie fishing is rated as fair right now. Most muskies are holding on the breaklines at the edges of shallow flats or along the steeper irregular shoreline banks leading out of coves, bays and creeks or along the banks and points on main lake type areas at the mouths of bays, coves and creeks. Rock and weed cover is holding most of these fish. Baby School N Shad Spinnerbaits (www.simmsoutdoors.com) have been really hot and are taking most of the muskies, but crankbaits in small and medium sizes are also producing a few fish as well. Bright color patterns like chartruse shad and firetiger are still effective choices, but pearl white, natural shad and similar baitfish patterns are also good.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as good right now. Most of the bass are positioning along shallow irregular shoreline banks and on the edges of shallow flats. Laydown trees, logs, stumps, brush, broken rocks, weed edges and weed clumps are holding most of these shallow bass. Spinnerbaits and shallow diving crankbaits have still been producing bass. Chatterbaits and small swimbaits are also effective choices for the bass too. Bright, gaudy stand-out color patterns like chartruse are effective, but white, shad and other baitfish patterns have produced fish as well.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport Fishing Report for 05-09-08

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to excellent for several species at this time. The best fishing on the lake right now is for muskie and largemouth bass. The surface water temperatures are now in the upper 50s to low 60s in many areas, but we’ve seen mid to upper 60s in some places too. Early mornings are cooler and the lake’s surface temperature rises throughout the day, especially on warm days with plenty of sun. The water is still somewhat stained. The clearest waters are found on the lower third of the main lake and down to the dam in areas with both rock and weeds, while the northern end of the lake near the headwaters of Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is the most heavily stained area of the lake.

Muskie fishing is rated as excellent right now. Most skis are still holding either on shallow flats where they spawn, on the breaklines at the edges of these flats or along the steeper irregular shoreline banks leading out of these areas. Wood rock and weed cover like standing timber, laydowns, broken rocks, weed edges and weed clumps are all holding these fish. Baby School N Shad Spinnerbaits (www.simmsoutdoors.com) have been really hot and are taking most of the muskies, but crankbaits and swimbaits in small and medium sizes are also producing a few fish as well. Bright color patterns like chartruse shad and firetiger are still effective choices, but pearl white, natural shad and similar baitfish patterns are also good.

Largemouth bass fishing is still excellent right now. Most of the bass are still positioning on shallow flats and shelves, or along the primary breakline at the edge of these structures where it drops off into deeper water. Laydown trees, logs, stumps, brush, broken rocks and weed clumps are holding most of these shallow bass. Spinnerbaits and shallow diving crankbaits have still been producing a lot of the bass. Chatterbaits are also effective choices for the bass too. Bright, gaudy stand-out color patterns and dark silhouette color patterns are the best choices right now.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport Fishing Report for 05-02-08

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to excellent for several species at this time. The best fishing on the lake right now is for largemouth bass and muskie. The weather has continued to improve with warming air temperatures into the 70s and quite a bit of sunshine on most days. The surface water temperatures are now in upper 50s to low 60s in most areas of the lake, but we’ve seen mid 60s in some places too. Early mornings are cooler and the lake’s surface temperature rises throughout the day, especially on warm days with lots of sunshine. The water is still a little high and stained, but is clearing up as sediment filters out. The clearest waters are found on the lower third of the main lake and down to the dam in areas with rock and weeds, while the northern end of the lake near the headwaters of Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is the most heavily stained portion of the lake.

Muskie fishing is rated as good at this time, but the fishing is fast becoming even better. Most muskies are still holding either on shallow flats where they spawn, on the breaklines at the edges of these flats or along the steeper irregular shoreline banks leading out of these areas. Rock, wood and weed cover like standing timber, stumps, laydowns, broken rocks, weed edges and weed clumps are all holding these fish. Baby School N Shad Spinnerbaits (www.simmsoutdoors.com) have been hot and are taking all of our fish. Trolling has not been effective and all of the action is still occurring while casting for these fish. Bright color patterns like chartruse shad and firetiger are producing the best action right now.

Largemouth bass fishing is still rated as excellent right now. Most of the bass are positioning on shallow flats and shelves, or along the primary breakline at the edge of these structures where it drops off into deeper water. Laydown trees, logs, stumps, brush, broken rocks and weed clumps are holding most of these shallow water bass. Spinnerbaits and shallow diving crankbaits have still been producing a lot of the bass. Jig & pig combos are also another good option in the shallow cover. Bright, gaudy stand-out color patterns and dark silhouette color patterns are the best choices right now.

The walleye and white bass fishing has been about the same and is rated as poor to fair at this time. The walleye fishing is still slow while the white bass fishing has offered better action. Small bright colored crankbaits are the best bet for eyes right now. Target the edges of shallow flats and shelves on a breakline that drops off into deeper water. White bass fishing is fair now and most of the fish being caught are on crankbaits in both dark and bright shades. The best areas have been up on the shallow flats where they fan out and cruise looking for food.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport Fishing Report for 04-26-08

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to excellent for several species at this time. The best fishing on the lake right now is for largemouth bass. The weather has continued to improve with warming air temperatures into the 70s and quite a bit of sunshine on most days. The surface water temperatures are now in upper 50s to low 60s in most areas of the lake, but we’ve seen mid 60s in some places too. Early mornings are cooler and the lake’s surface temperature rises throughout the day, especially on warm days with lots of sunshine. The water is still a little high and stained, but is clearing up as sediment filters out. The clearest waters are found on the lower third of the main lake and down to the dam in areas with rock and weeds, while the northern end of the lake near the headwaters of Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is the most heavily stained portion of the lake.

Muskie fishing is rated as good at this time. Most muskies are holding either on shallow flats where they spawn, on the breaklines at the edges of these flats or along the steeper irregular shoreline banks leading out of these areas. Rock, wood and weed cover like standing timber, stumps, laydowns, broken rocks, weed edges and weed clumps are all holding these fish. Small spinnerbaits like the Baby School N Shad (www.simmsoutdoors.com), and small diving crankbaits have been most effective for muskies. Trolling has not been effective and all of the action is still occurring while casting for these fish. Bright color patterns like chartruse shad, gold and firetiger are producing the best action right now.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as excellent right now. Most of the bass are positioning on shallow flats and shelves, or along the primary breakline at the edge of these structures where it drops off into deeper water. Laydown trees, logs, stumps, brush, broken rocks and weed clumps are holding most of these shallow water bass. Spinnerbaits and shallow diving crankbaits have still been producing a lot of the bass. Jig & pig combos are also another good option in the shallow cover. Bright, gaudy stand-out color patterns and dark silhouette color patterns are still the best options.

The walleye and white bass fishing is rated as poor to fair at this time. The walleye fishing has been slow while the white bass fishing has offered better action. Small bright colored crankbaits are the best bet for eyes right now. Target the edges of shallow flats and shelves on a breakline that drops off into deeper water. White bass fishing is fair now and most of the fish being caught are on crankbaits in both dark and bright shades. The best areas have been up on the shallow flats where they fan out and cruise looking for food.

Crappie and bluegill fishing rate fair at this time. The crappies and bluegills are both biting and starting to get more active in the warming water. The action for these fish should pick up dramatically very soon. These fish are being caught from the shallows near shallow water structure like points, irregular shoreline banks and flats. Laydown trees, brush piles, stumps, rocks and weed clumps are holding both species, but some are also being caught in areas without cover. Small and medium minnows fished on a plain hook and split shot will take fish, but some of these fish are also taking small crappie spinnerbaits. Dark and bright patterns have been productive.

Catfish fishing is rated as fair, but the action is improving steadily and the bite should really turn on very soon. Most of the cats being caught are channel catfish. Cutbait and night crawlers still fished on slip sinker bottom rigs is the best presentation option for these fish right now.

Big drum are also caught by anglers on Kinkaid at this time. Top quality polarized sunglasses designed for fishing like the Master Angler and Action Angler Series from Flying Fisherman (www.flyingfisherman.com), and high performance floating tools designed for fishing like Advanced Lightweight Tools from X Tools (www.xtools.us) are critical items to have along on fishing trips. Real Tree Camouflage Patterns (www.realtree.com) are a vital part of our hunting success when we’re off the water. For office supply needs and the finest printing work, turn to Mineral Area Office Supply (www.maos.com).

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport Fishing Report for 04-19-08

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Kinkaid Lake fishing is really getting going now and rates fair to excellent for several species at this time. The best fishing on the lake right now is still for largemouth bass. The weather has continued to be unstable with some rain, cool nights and fronts moving through, but we have definitely been in a warming trend with daytime highs into the 70s and quite a bit of sunshine. The surface water temperatures are in the low to mid 50s in most areas of the lake, but we’ve seen high 50s in some areas as well. Early mornings are cooler and the lake’s surface temperature rises throughout the day, especially on warm days with lots of sunshine. The water is still a little high and stained, but is starting to clear up as sediment filters out. The clearest waters are found on the lower third of the main lake and down to the dam in areas with rock and weeds, while the northern end of the lake near the headwaters of Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is the most heavily stained portion of the lake.

Muskie fishing is rated as fair at this time. Most muskies are holding either on shallow flats where they spawn, on the breaklines at the edges of these flats or along the steeper irregular shoreline banks leading out of these areas. Rock, wood and weed cover like standing timber, stumps, laydowns, broken rocks, weed edges and weed clumps are holding fish. Small Baby School N Shad Spinnerbaits (www.simmsoutdoors.com) and small diving crankbaits have been most effective for muskies. Trolling has not been effective and all of the action is occurring while casting for these fish. Bright color patterns like chartruse shad, gold and firetiger are producing the best action right now.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as excellent right now. Most of the bass are positioning on shallow flats and shelves, or along the primary breakline at the edge of these structures where it drops off into deeper water. Laydown trees, logs, stumps, brush, broken rocks and weed clumps are holding most of these shallow water fish. Spinnerbaits and shallow diving crankbaits have still been producing a lot of the bass. Jig & pig combos are also another good option in the shallow cover. Bright, gaudy stand-out color patterns and dark silhouette color patterns are still the best options.

The walleye and white bass fishing is rated as poor to fair at this time. The walleye fishing has been slow while the white bass fishing has offered better action. Bright colored crankbaits and Bait Rigs Slo Poke Jigs (www.baitrigs.com) with grubs are the best bet for eyes right now. Target the edges of shallow flats and shelves on a breakline that drops off into deeper water. White bass fishing is fair now and most of the fish being caught are on crankbaits in both dark and bright shades. The same jigs and plastics used for walleye are also effective choices. The best areas have been up on the shallow flats where they fan out and cruise looking for food.

Crappie and bluegill fishing rate fair at this time. The crappies are still biting much better than the bluegills. These fish are being caught from the shallows and in mid depth areas near shallow water structure like points, irregular shoreline banks and flats. Laydown trees, brush piles and stumps are holding both species, but some are also being caught in areas without cover. Small and medium minnows fished on a jig or a plain hook and split shot will take fish. Bright colored tubes and grubs fished on Slo-Poke Jigs are good presentation options as well, but some of these fish are also taking small crappie spinnerbaits. Dark and bright patterns have been productive.

Catfish fishing is now rated as fair. Most of the fish being caught are channel catfish. Cutbait and night crawlers still fished on slip sinker bottom rigs is still the best presentation option for these fish in the cool waters.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport Fishing Report for 04-11-08

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to good for several species at this time. The best fishing on the lake right now is for largemouth bass. The weather has continued to jump around a lot. The surface water temperatures are in the upper 40s to low 50s in most areas of the lake, but we’ve seen mid 50s in some areas as well. The early morning water temperatures are cooler than later in the day and the surface temperature rises significantly throughout the day, especially on warmer days with plenty of sunshine. The water is still a little high and dirty. The clearest waters are found on the lower third of the main lake and down to the dam in areas with rock and weeds, while the northern end of the lake near the headwaters of Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is the most heavily stained portion of the lake.

Muskie fishing is rated as fair at this time. Most of the skis are holding on shallow flats where they spawn. Rock, wood and weed cover are all holding fish, but some are also positioning in areas without cover. Standing timber, stumps, laydowns, broken rocks and weed clumps are holding muskies in the areas where they are utilizing the cover. Small spinnerbaits, minnowbaits and lipless crankbaits are still effective choices for the muskies. Trolling has not been effective for us this week and all of the action is occurring while casting for these fish. Bright color patterns like chartruse shad and firetiger are producing the best action at this time.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as good right now. Most of the bass have moved up into the shallows and are positioning on the shallow flats and shelves, or along the primary breakline at the edge of these structures where it drops off into deeper water. Laydown trees, stumps, logs, brush, broken rocks and weed clumps are holding most of these shallow water bass. Spinnerbaits and shallow diving crankbaits have still been producing a lot of the bass. Jig & pig combos are also another good option in the shallow cover. Bright, gaudy stand-out color patterns and dark silhouette color patterns have been the best options.

Crappie and bluegill fishing rate fair at this time. The crappies are still biting much better than the bluegills. These fish are now being caught from both moderate depths and shallow depths as they transition from deep water toward spawning areas. Breaklines and points near shallow flats and shelves are producing some fish, but there are also fish that have moved up onto the shallow flats as well. Laydown trees, brush piles and stumps are holding both species, but some are being caught in areas without cover too. Small and medium minnows fished on a jig or a plain hook and split shot will take fish. Bright colored tubes and grubs fished on Slo-Poke Jigs are good presentation options as well, but some of these fish are also taking small crappie spinnerbaits. Dark and bright patterns have been productive.

Catfish fishing is now rated as fair. Most of the fish being caught are channels, but the occasional flathead is being taken as well. Cutbait and night crawlers still fished on slip sinker bottom rigs is the best presentation option for these fish in the cool waters.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 04-05-08

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair for several species right now. The best fishing on the lake right now is for largemouth bass. The weather has continued to jump up and down a lot lately and the water temperatures are still cooler than normal for this time of year. The water temperatures have also jumped around a lot, but we’ve been seeing surface temps in the upper 40s to low 50s in most areas of the lake. Typically, early morning water temperatures are much cooler than later in the day and the surface temperature rises significantly during the day, especially on warmer days with plenty of sunshine. The water is still a little high and dirty. The clearest waters are found on the lower third of the main lake in areas with rock and weeds, while the northern end of the lake near the headwaters of Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is the most heavily stained portion of the lake.

Muskie fishing rates fair at this time. Anglers in search of muskies can still find fish using irregular shoreline banks, points and the edges of flats in and over moderate depths, but plenty of fish are using shallow flats as well. Rock, wood and weed cover are all holding fish. Standing timber, stumps, laydowns, broken rocks and weed clumps are holding muskies. Small spinnerbaits are still producing some action. Small minnowbaits like Shallow Raiders from Bucher Tackle (www.robertsoutdoors.com) are also effective choices right now. Lipless crankbaits from about 3/4 to 1oz are also a good choice for casting. Most of the action is occurring while casting, but we’re also catching some fish trolling. Medium to large sized minnowbaits have been the most productive while trolling. Bright color patterns are best for both casting and trolling presentations.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated fair at this time. Some fish have moved up into the shallows and are positioning on the edges of shallow flats and shelves, and along irregular shallow shoreline banks and points. Laydown trees, stumps, logs and brush are holding most of these shallow water fish. Spinnerbaits and shallow diving crankbaits have been producing bass. Jig & pig combos are another good option in the shallow cover. Dark color patterns have been the best. The bass are holding tight to the cover.

The walleye and white bass fishing is rated as poor to fair at this time. The walleye fishing has been slow while the white bass fishing has offered better action. Bright colored crankbaits and Bait Rigs Slo Poke Jigs (www.baitrigs.com) with grubs are the best bet for eyes right now. Target the edges of shallow flats and shelves on a breakline that drops off into deeper water. White bass fishing is fair now and most of the fish being caught are on crankbaits in both dark and bright shades. The best areas have been up on the shallow flats that have been producing the largemouth bass, but these fish don’t hang tight to the cover and fan out more across the flats.

Crappie and bluegill fishing rate fair at this time. Crappies are biting better than bluegills. These fish are now being caught from both moderate depths and shallow depths as they transition from deep water toward spawning areas. Breaklines and points near shallow flats and shelves are producing some fish, but there are also fish that have moved up onto the shallow flats as well. Laydown trees, brush piles and stumps are holding both species, but some are being caught in areas without cover too. Small and medium minnows fished on a jig or a plain hook and split shot will take fish. Bright colored tubes and grubs fished on Slo-Poke Jigs are good presentation options as well, but some of these fish are also taking small crappie spinnerbaits. Dark and bright patterns have been productive.

Catfish fishing still rates poor but the cats are starting to turn on a bit, and a few fish are being caught. Most of the catfish that are being caught are channel cats, but a couple of flatheads have been taken as well. Cutbait and night crawlers still fished on slip sinker bottom rigs is the best presentation option for these fish.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 03-29-08

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair for several species right now. The best fishing on the lake right now is for muskie. The weather has continued to jump up and down a lot lately. The water temperatures climbed into the upper 50s briefly and then dropped back down into the low 40s. The water temperatures have started climbing again and are in the upper 40s in most of the lake. Typically, early morning water temperatures are much cooler than later in the day and the surface temperature rises significantly during the day, especially on warmer days with plenty of sunshine. The water is still a little high and dirty. The clearest waters are found on the lower third of the main lake in areas with rock and weeds, while the northern end of the lake near the headwaters of Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is the most heavily stained portion of the lake.

Muskie fishing rates fair at this time. Anglers in search of muskies can still find fish using irregular shoreline banks, points and the edges of flats in and over moderate depths, but plenty of fish are using shallow flats as well. Rock, wood and weed cover are all holding fish. Standing timber, stumps, laydowns, broken rocks and weed clumps are holding muskies. Small spinnerbaits like the Baby School N Shad and new Baby Hatchet Shad from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com / 618-521-0526), and the In-Line Spinnerbait from Walt’s Baits (618-972-5584) are effective options for these fish. Small minnowbaits like Shallow Raiders from Bucher Tackle (www.robertsoutdoors.com) are also effective choices right now. Lipless crankbaits are also producing fish such as the 1oz Rattlers from Bucher Tackle. Most of the action has happened while casting, but we are also catching some nice fish while trolling as well. Large crankbaits and minnowbaits have been productive while trolling. Bright color patterns are best.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as poor right now. The best fishing has been in moderate depths at the edges of shallow flats and shoreline shelves. Timber, brush, stumps, and rocks hold the bass, but some are now also starting to use clumps of weeds as well as weed and grass edges. Diving crankbaits and shallow running minnowbaits have been most effective. Bright color patterns are best. Jig & craw combos and big bulky soft plastics draw an occasional bite as well in dark color patterns.

Walleye and white bass fishing still rates poor to fair. Walleye fishing has been slow. Bright colored crankbaits fished in the same areas that are producing the largemouth bass is the best bet for eyes right now. White bass fishing is fair now with some fish being caught on crankbaits in bright color patterns. The best areas have also been those that have produced the largemouth bass.

Crappie and bluegill fishing rate fair at this time. Crappies are biting better than bluegills. These fish are being caught from moderate depths along breaklines and points near shallow flats and shelves. Standing timber, brush piles and stumps are holding both species. Small and medium minnows fished on a jig or a plain hook and split shot, as well as bright colored tubes, grubs and shads fished on Slo-Poke Jigs and Panfish Cobras from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com) are good presentation options.

Catfish fishing still rates poor at this time and we haven’t caught any catfish recently. Few cats have been reported, and the cool water temperatures and poor weather conditions seem to be keeping these big fish in an inactive state. The action should climb soon as the water temperatures rise.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 03-20-08

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake has experienced some major changes recently and the fishing rates poor to good depending upon the target species. The best fishing on the lake right now is for muskie. The weather has been up and down a lot lately. The water temperatures climbed with the warming air temps and sun last week and then fell again with the arrival of a major cold front on Saturday night. While we saw surface temps in the upper 40s to low 50s in a few areas late in the afternoon on sunny days, they quickly fell back into the low 40s after the front passed. The water temperatures have started climbing again and are rising fast now in some areas of the lake. Typically, early morning water temperatures are much cooler than later in the day and the surface temperature rises significantly during the day, especially on warmer days with plenty of sunshine.

A tremendous amount of rain washed into the lake with flash floods this week, raising the level higher than we’ve maybe ever seen before. It is estimated that the water level climbed at least 6 feet above normal, and covered many of the dock walkways. The water levels have already fallen a couple of feet and are still falling at a rapid pace. The docks are all now in use again and the level continues to fall. The water clarity has decreased significantly all over the lake. As usual, the clearest waters are found on the lower third of the main lake in areas with rock and weeds, while the northern end of the lake near the headwaters of Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is the most heavily stained portion of the lake.

Muskie fishing is still rated as good at this time. Anglers in search of muskies can still find some fish using irregular shoreline banks, points and the edges of flats in and over moderate depths, but plenty of fish have also now moved up onto shallow flats as well. Rock, wood and weed cover are all holding fish. Standing timber, stumps, laydowns, broken rocks and weed clumps are all holding skis. Small spinnerbaits like the Baby School N Shad and new Baby Hatchet Shad from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com / 618-521-0526), and the In-Line Spinnerbait from Walt’s Baits (618-972-5584) are effective options for these fish. Small minnowbaits like Shallow Raiders from Bucher Tackle (www.robertsoutdoors.com) are also effective choices right now. Lipless crankbaits are also producing fish such as the 1oz Rattlers from Bucher Tackle. Bright color patterns are best.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as poor at this time. The best fishing has been occurring in moderate depths at the edges of shallow water flats and shoreline shelves. Timber, brush, stumps, and rocks hold the bass, but some are now also starting to use clumps of weeds as well as weed and grass edges. Diving crankbaits, shallow diving minnowbaits, chatterbaits and spinnerbaits are all effective options. Bright color patterns are best. Jig & craw combos and big bulky soft plastics draw and occasional bite as well in dark color patterns.

Walleye and white bass fishing still rates poor to fair. Walleye fishing has been slow. Bright colored crankbaits fished in the same areas that are producing the largemouth bass is the best bet for eyes at this time. White bass fishing is fair right now with some fish being caught on crankbaits in bright color patterns. The best areas have been those that have produced the largemouth bass.

Crappie and bluegill fishing rate fair at this time. Crappies are still biting better than the bluegills. These fish have been moving too and are now being caught from moderate depths along breaklines and points near shallow flats and shelves. Standing timber, brush piles and stumps are holding both species. Small and medium minnows fished on a jig or a plain hook and split shot, as well as bright colored tubes, grubs and shads fished on Slo-Poke Jigs and Panfish Cobras from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com) are good presentation options.

Catfish fishing rates poor at this time. We haven’t caught any catfish recently and few have been reported. The cold water temperatures are keeping these big fish in an inactive state, but the action should climb soon as the water temperatures do the same.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 03-14-08

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing has picked up quite a bit and rates fair to good for several species at this time. The best fishing on the lake has been for muskie. The weather has been unusually cold for this time of year, but we’ve had some nice days and the water temperatures are climbing. We’re seeing low 40s to low 50s throughout most of the lake depending on the time of day, with the water temperature increasing throughout the day, particularly when the sun is shining.

The lake level is just a bit above normal and starting to clear up. The headwaters area, in the far northern end of Kinkaid, in and near Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is still extremely stained. The clearest waters can be found in areas with a lot of rock in the lower third of the lake from the dam out into the main basin. This area is mostly lightly stained to moderately clear.

Muskie fishing is rated as good at this time and has continued to change quite a bit. Anglers in search of muskies can still find some fish using irregular shoreline banks, points and the edges of flats in and over moderate depths, but some fish have also now moved up onto shallow flats as well. Rock and wood cover still hold fish, but we’re now also catching some from vegetation. Timber, stumps, laydowns, rocks and weed clumps are all holding muskies. Small spinnerbaits like the Baby School N Shad and new Baby Hatchet Shad from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com / 618-521-0526), and the In-Line Spinnerbait from Walt’s Baits (618-972-5584) are effective options for these fish. Small minnowbaits like Shallow Raiders from Bucher Tackle (www.robertsoutdoors.com) are also effective choices right now. The lipless crankbait bite is now starting to get going as well and lures like the 1oz Rattlers from Bucher Tackle can be effective. Bright color patterns have been the best choices.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as fair at this time. The best fishing has been occurring in moderate depths at the edges of shallow water flats and shoreline shelves. Standing timber, brush piles, stumps, and rocks hold the bass. Diving crankbaits are now producing some good quality bass. Some bass are taking shallow diving minnowbaits as well. Bright color patterns are best in the stained waters while white or shad patterns produce better in the clear water sections of Kinkaid.

Walleye and white bass fishing rates poor to fair at this time. Walleye fishing has been slow. Bright colored crankbaits fished in the same areas that are producing the largemouth bass is the best bet for eyes at this time. White bass fishing is fair right now with some fish being caught on crankbaits in both natural shad and bright color patterns. The best areas have been those that have produced the largemouth bass.

Crappie and bluegill fishing rate fair at this time. Crappies are biting much better than the bluegills, but some big bull gills are being caught right along with the crappies. These fish are being caught on and near the bottom. Moderate depth breaks and point are best. Timber, brush piles and stumps are holding both species. Small and medium minnows fished on drop shot rigs are still the best presentation option.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 03-05-08

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing has picked up a bit and rates fair for several species at this time. The best fishing on the lake has been for muskie. The weather has been unusually cold for this time of year and we’ve had a long and nasty winter that doesn’t seem to want to let go. The water temperatures are usually warmer at this time of year, but they are now ranging from the low 30s to low 40s throughout most of the lake depending on the time of day. We still have some ice in the back portions of some of the coves, creeks and bays. The night time lows are producing morning water temperatures in the low to mid 30s in most of the lake, but we’re marking water temperatures up to the low 40s in portions of the lake, during the second half of the day, particularly when the sun is shining.

The high volume of rain, sleet and snow has caused the lake to rise a little above normal and carried in sediment, staining the water significantly. The headwaters area, in the far northern end of Kinkaid, in and near Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is still extremely stained. The clearest waters can be found in areas with a lot of rock in the lower third of the lake from the dam out into the main basin. This area is mostly lightly stained to moderately clear.

Muskie fishing is rated as fair at this time and has changed considerably in the last week and a half or so. Anglers in search of muskies should target irregular shoreline banks, points and the edges of flats in and over moderate depths. The best areas have a shallow flat, shelf or shallow portion of a point above the target zone and a steep drop off to deep water on the other side. Rock and wood cover hold most of the fish at this time. Standing timber, stumps, brush, laydowns, boulders and broken rock will hold muskies. School N Shad Spinnerbaits have been the best option for these fish in the 4-blade Original size. Firetiger and Chartruse Shad color patterns have been the best in the more stained areas, while Pearl White and Blue Shad have been better in the clearer water sections of Kinkaid. These fish are still somewhat lethargic and slow rolling these lures has been the best way to present them.

Largemouth bass fishing is still as rated as poor at this time. The best fishing has been occurring in moderate depths over and near very deep, open water. Points and sharp shoreline related breaks are still the best structures to fish for bass right now. Standing timber, stumps, boulders and ledges hold the bass. Suspending bass minnowbaits with rattles built in are the best presentation choice in orange tiger or chartruse in the stained waters and white or shad in the clearer water sections of the lake.

Crappie and bluegill fishing rate fair at this time. Crappies are biting much better than the bluegills, but some big bull gills are starting to show up right along with the crappies. These fish are being caught on and near the bottom. Deep water flats are best near steep sloping breaklines that quickly taper up to shallower water. Deep standing timber, brush piles and broken rocks are holding both species. Small and medium minnows fished on drop shot rigs are the best presentation option.

Walleyes and white bass are also options for anglers on Kinkaid at this time. Top quality polarized sunglasses designed for fishing like the Master Angler and Action Angler Series from Flying Fisherman (www.flyingfisherman.com), and high performance floating tools designed for fishing like Advanced Lightweight Tools from X Tools (www.xtools.us) are critical items to have along on fishing trips. Real Tree Camouflage Patterns (www.realtree.com) are a vital part of our hunting success when we’re off the water. For office supply needs and the finest printing work, turn to Mineral Area Office Supply (www.maos.com).

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 02-24-08

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing still rates fair to poor for most species at this time and very little has changed in the last couple of weeks. The best fishing on the lake has been for crappie. Winter has not yet let go of her icy grip and we’ve had lots of cold weather. The water temperatures are remaining in the low to mid 30s throughout most of the lake. We’ve continued to have ice on and off around much of the lake. The back portions of coves and bays have had the most ice, but the main ramp next to Kinkaid Marina has remained open. A large amount of rain, sleet and snow has caused the lake to rise above normal and carried in sediment, staining the water. The headwaters, at the northern end of Kinkaid, in and near Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks are still extremely stained. The clearest waters can still be found in the rocky areas in the lower third of Kinkaid from the dam out into the main lake basin and rate lightly stained to moderately clear.

Muskie fishing is rated as poor at this time. The best bet for anglers in search of muskies is to target steep sloping breaklines along sharp dropping shoreline banks that fall off into deep water. Large main lake points that fall off into deep water are also good places to fish. Rock and wood cover will hold these fish. Standing timber, brush piles, boulders, broken rock and ledges are best. Slow trolling with medium and large sized deep diving crankbaits has been the best presentation option. Firetiger, parrot and chartruse shad are the best color patterns with the major reduction in water clarity, although pearl white and similar colors can also produce around the dam and in the other clearer sections of Kinkaid now.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as poor at this time. The best fishing has been occurring in moderate depths over and near very deep, open water. Points and sharp shoreline related breaks are the best structures to fish for bass at this time. Standing timber, stumps, boulders and ledges hold bass. The larger and deeper running suspending bass minnowbaits are the best presentation choice in orange tiger, chartruse and other hot color patterns that get their attention.

The crappie fishing rates fair right now. These fish are being caught right on the bottom on deep water flats near steep sloping breaklines that quickly taper up to shallower water. Deep standing timber, brush piles and broken rocks are holding these panfish. Small and medium minnows fished on drop shot rigs are the best presentation choice.

Walleyes and bluegills are also options for anglers on Kinkaid at this time. Top quality polarized sunglasses designed for fishing like the Master Angler and Action Angler Series from Flying Fisherman (www.flyingfisherman.com), and high performance floating tools designed for fishing like Advanced Lightweight Tools from X Tools (www.xtools.us) are critical items to have along on fishing trips. Real Tree Camouflage Patterns (www.realtree.com) are a vital part of our hunting success when we’re off the water. For office supply needs and the finest printing work, turn to Mineral Area Office Supply (www.maos.com).

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 02-11-08

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the best professional guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for SO Guide Service guests only. Anglers receive huge savings on both guiding and lodging with SO trip packages. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. SO Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They are some of the very few in the entire region that actually make their living fishing, and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. SO Kinkaid Team Guides work on Kinkaid Lake all year round and spend the vast majority of their fishing time on Kinkaid, not other waters. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for around 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish the best lake in southern Illinois and fish it with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to poor for most species at this time. The best fishing on the lake has been for crappie. We’ve had a lot of very cold weather and the water temperatures have been hovering in the low to mid 30s in most of the lake. We’ve had ice on and off around much of the lake. The back portions of coves and bays have had the most ice, but the main ramp next to Kinkaid Marina has remained open. With a high amount of rain, sleet and snow the lake level has risen a bit above normal and washed sediment into the lake staining the water. The headwaters area in the far northern end of the lake in and near Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is the most stained area of the lake and visibility is very low. The clearest waters can be found in rocky areas in the lower third of the lake from the dam out into the main basin.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 01-19-08

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the best guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for SO Guide Service guests only. Anglers receive huge savings on both guiding and lodging with SO trip packages. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. SO Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They are some of the very few in the entire region that actually make their living fishing, and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. SO Kinkaid Team Guides spend the vast majority of their fishing time on Kinkaid, not other waters. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for around 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish the best lake in southern Illinois and fish it with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to poor for most species at this time. The best fishing on the lake has been for crappie. With lots of cold weather, the water temperatures have fallen into the low 30s and we have had ice on and off around much of the lake. The back portions of coves and bays have had the most ice, but the main ramp next to Kinkaid Marina is still open.

Muskie fishing is rated as poor at this time. The best bet for muskies is to target steep sloping breaklines along sharp dropping shoreline banks that fall off into very deep water. Rock and wood cover will hold these fish. Deep diving crankbaits and large heavy multi-blade spinnerbaits like Monster School N Shads and Monster Hatchet Shads (www.simmsoutdoors.com) in shad color patterns or hot color patterns like firetiger, are the best presentation option. Anglers may also have some success with vertical jigging tactics when schools of bait and fish are suspended very close to these breaklines. 2oz Rattlin Scale Spoons from Simms Outdoors are best.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. The Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leaders and Predator Trolling Leaders from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing rates poor at this time. The best fishing has been occurring in moderate depths along the steep side of points and along steep sloping drops. Standing timber, brush, stumps and broken rocks are still holding the bass. Some fish are taking slow rolled 3/8oz tandem blade spinnerbaits in natural shad and chartruse shad color patterns with all nickel or nickel & gold indiana & colorado combinations, deep diving crankbaits and deeper running suspending minnowbaits are also productive in shad patterns and bright color patterns.

White bass fishing and walleye fishing are both rated as poor at this time. The best bet for these fish is with deep diving crankbaits in bright color patterns, working the tips of primary points and main lake break lines along irregular shoreline banks.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

Crappie and bluegill fishing rates fair right at this time. These fish are coming out of deep water timber, brush and broken rock. Deep flats are still the best structures to locate the bigger specimens. Small and medium minnows fished on drop shot rigs are the best presentation choice.

Catfish fishing rates very poor at this time. We’re not catching them at all right now and the fishing for these species is pretty well over for the year. We’ll probably begin catching them again sometime between about mid February to around mid March or so, depending on the weather and water temperatures.

The occasional drum is also taken by anglers on Kinkaid at this time. Top quality polarized sunglasses designed for fishing like the Master Angler Series from Flying Fisherman (www.flyingfisherman.com), and high performance floating tools designed for fishing like Advanced Lightweight Tools from X Tools (www.xtools.us) are critical items to have along on fishing trips. Real Tree Camouflage Patterns (www.realtree.com) are a vital part of our hunting success when we’re off the water. For office supply needs and the finest printing work, turn to Mineral Area Office Supply (www.maos.com).

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 12-20-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the best guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for SO Guide Service guests only. Anglers receive huge savings on both guiding and lodging with SO trip packages. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. SO Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They are some of the very few in the entire region that actually make their living fishing, and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. SO Kinkaid Team Guides spend the vast majority of their fishing time on Kinkaid, not other waters. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for around 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish the best lake in southern Illinois and fish it with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair for numerous species. The best fishing on the lake is for largemouth bass. A lot of rain has fallen recently and raised the lake level about a foot, bringing it back up to about normal level. Surface temperatures are holding in the low 40s in most of the lake. The water clarity has decreased significantly with all of the rain, including some fast heavy rains that caused a lot of run off to rush into the lake. Most of the lake ranges from lightly to moderately stained right now. The clearest areas have heavy weeds. Thick weed beds filter run off water as it enters the lake. The zones that offer the best clarity are those in the lower third of the main lake and some of the large coves and bays off of the lower third of the main lake that don’t have a lot of water flowing into them.

Muskie fishing is rated as fair at this time. A few muskie can be found around standing timber, stumps and broken rocks on shallow and mid depth flats, points and irregular shoreline banks. Muskies are also suspending in moderate to deep water zones, depending on the time of day, over deep water, off the edges of breaklines. Crankbaits in shad color patterns and hot color patterns are the best presentation option.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. The Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leaders and Predator Trolling Leaders from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing rates fair at this time. The bass are the most active fish at this time. The best bass fishing is still occurring in moderate depths along the steep side of points and along steep sloping drops. Standing timber, brush, stumps and broken rocks are still holding the bass. Some fish are taking slow rolled 3/8oz tandem blade spinnerbaits in natural shad and chartruse shad color patterns with all nickel or nickel & gold indiana & colorado combinations, deep diving crankbaits and deeper running suspending minnowbaits are also productive in shad patterns and bright color patterns.

White bass fishing and walleye fishing are both rated as poor at this time. The occasional fish is taken on deep diving crankbaits in bright color patterns. These fish are suspending in moderate depths over deep water, off the tips of primary points and main lake breaklines along irregular shoreline banks.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

Crappie and bluegill fishing rates poor to fair right at this time. Bluegill fishing is slow, while the crappie are biting better. These fish are coming out of deep water timber, brush and broken rock. Deep flats are still the best structures to locate the bigger specimens. Small and medium minnows fished on drop shot rigs are the best presentation choice.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 12-10-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the best guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for SO Guide Service guests only. Anglers receive huge savings on both guiding and lodging with SO trip packages. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. SO Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They are some of the very few in the entire region that actually make their living fishing, and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. SO Kinkaid Team Guides spend the vast majority of their fishing time on Kinkaid, not other waters. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish the best lake in southern Illinois and fish it with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair for numerous species. The weather has been up and down the last week and fishing has slowed down. The best fishing on the lake is for bass and crappie. The water level is still down about a foot. Surface temperatures have continued to drop and are now in the mid to low 40s in most of the lake. Clarity is very good in the lower half of the main lake and some of the coves and bays that connect to it, especially in areas with lots of rock. Weeds don’t seem to be holding many fish anymore. Rock and wood are still the primary cover options for all species now and probable will be through the winter months.

Muskie fishing is rated as fair at this time. Daytime fishing is the best option now. Muskie can still be found around standing timber and stumps on shallow and mid depth flats and points. Some skis are also suspending at moderate depths over deep water off the edges of these flats and off of rocky shoreline banks with a steep taper. Medium size crankbaits in shad color patterns are still the best presentation option.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. The Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leaders and Predator Trolling Leaders from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing rates fair at this time. The bass fishing is still pretty decent, but has really dropped off from last week. The best bass fishing is occurring in moderate depths along the steep side of points and along steep sloping drops. Standing timber, brush, stumps and broken rocks are holding the bass. Some fish are taking slow rolled 3/8oz tandem blade spinnerbaits in natural shad color patterns with nickel indiana & colorado combinations, deep diving crankbaits are also productive in shad color patterns.

White bass fishing and walleye fishing are both rated as poor at this time. The occasional fish is being taken on deep diving crankbaits in shad color patterns. The fish seem to be suspending in moderate depths over deep water off the tips of primary points.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

Crappie and bluegill fishing rates fair right at this time. We’re catching mostly crappies, but some big bluegills are being taken too. These fish are coming out of deep water cover in areas with standing timber, brush and broken rock. Deep flats are the best structures to locate the bigger specimens. Small and medium minnows and meal worms fished on drop shot rigs are the best presentation option.

Catfish fishing rates poor at this time. These fish have slowed down considerably and few are being taken. The occasional fish is caught in rock and wood cover on the same deep water flats that produce panfish. The best presentation choice is a medium minnow fished on the bottom.

Big drum are also taken by anglers on Kinkaid right now. Top quality polarized sunglasses designed for fishing like the Master Angler Series from Flying Fisherman (www.flyingfisherman.com), and high performance floating tools designed for fishing like Advanced Lightweight Tools from X Tools (www.xtools.us) are critical items to have along on fishing trips. Real Tree Camouflage Patterns (www.realtree.com) are a vital part of our hunting success when we’re off the water. For office supply needs and the finest printing work, turn to Mineral Area Office Supply (www.maos.com).

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 12-04-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the best guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for SO Guide Service guests only. Anglers receive huge savings on both guiding and lodging with SO trip packages. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. SO Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They are some of the very few in the entire region that actually make their living fishing, and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. SO Kinkaid Team Guides spend the vast majority of their fishing time on Kinkaid, not other waters. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish the best lake in southern Illinois and fish it with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to excellent for numerous species. The fishing has picked up the last week. Despite a short warm spell for a couple of days, the weather has been cold here in southern Illinois with nighttime temperatures down into the 20s and daytime highs in the 40s. The best fishing on the lake now is for bass and crappie. The water level is still down about a foot. Surface temperatures have continued to drop and are now in the mid to upper 40s throughout much of the lake. Clarity continues to improve and the water is extremely clear in many areas, especially in rocky areas in the lower half of the main lake and some of the coves and bays that connect to it. Weeds don’t seem to be holding many fish anymore. Rock and wood are the primary cover options for all species now.

Muskie fishing is rated as fair at this time. Both daytime fishing and night fishing are productive, but the night bite is really starting to drop off quickly. Muskie can be found around standing timber and stumps on shallow and mid depth flats and points. Some skis are also suspending at moderate depths over deep water off the edges of these flats and off of rocky shoreline banks with a steep taper. Medium size crankbaits in shad color patterns are producing best.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. For small, average and large muskie lures, and for big bass lures used for muskie fishing, the Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. For extra large muskie lures and big saltwater lures used for muskie fishing, the Ugly Stik Lite Graphite Muskie Rods are the best choice. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leaders and Predator Trolling Leaders from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing rates excellent at this time. These fish have really turned on lately. The cold water is making them very aggressive as they pack on weight before the dead of winter arrives. The best bassin has been happening in very shallow water tight to points and irregular shoreline banks next to sharp drop offs to deep water. Stumps, laydown trees, brush, boulders and broken rocks are holding the bass. The crankbait bite has slowed down, but the fish are hammering 3/8oz tandem blade spinnerbaits in natural shad color patterns with nickel indiana & colorado combinations.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

Crappie and bluegill fishing is rated as good right now on Kinkaid. We’re catching mostly crappies, but some big bluegills are being taken too. These fish are coming out of deep water cover in areas with standing timber and broken rock. Deep flats are the best structures to locate the bigger specimens. Small and medium minnows fished on drop shot rigs are the best presentation option.

Catfish fishing rates poor at this time. After a short increase in the action, the fish have slowed down considerably now. The action is slow and few fish are being taken. We’ve seen some cats on shallow clear water flats with rock, but they are lethargic and moving very slowly. The best presentation choice right now is cut bait still fished on a circle hook and slip weight bottom rig.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 11-26-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the lowest guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for Simms Outdoors Guide Service guests only. Anglers receive huge savings on both lodging and guiding with Simms Outdoors trip packages. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. The Simms Outdoors Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They are some of the very few in the region that actually make their living fishing, and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to good for numerous species right now and has not really changed much during the last week. The best fishing right now is still for muskie and bass. The water level is still down a little below normal. Surface temperatures are in the low 50s throughout most of the lake. The water is extremely clear in many areas. Clarity is still best in areas with rock and weeds in the lower half of the main lake and some of the coves and bays that connect to it.

Muskie fishing is rated as good at this time. Both daytime fishing and night fishing are productive, but the daytime bite is now best. Fish are locating around laydowns and standing timber on shallow flats, points and shallow irregular banks, but we’re also catching some fish suspended over deep water off of sharp sloping rocky shoreline banks that quickly fall into the depths. Medium to large size crankbaits in shad color patterns are still producing some fish. Casting and trolling big spinnerbaits has become the best pattern for the muskies on Kinkaid. We’re catching most of our muskies on Monster School N Shad Spinnerbaits in the 4 1/2oz 5 blade style from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com). Natural Shad has been the best pattern in clear water areas, while Firetiger is better in areas with more stained water.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. For small, average and large muskie lures, and for big bass lures used for muskie fishing, the Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. For extra large muskie lures and big saltwater lures used for muskie fishing, the Ugly Stik Lite Graphite Muskie Rods are the best choice. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leaders and Predator Trolling Leaders from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing still rates good at this time. The best bass fishing has been occurring on shallow flats and irregular shoreline banks next to very sharp drop offs to deep water. Stumps, broken rocks, boulders and laydowns are holding the bigger bass. Chatterbaits, swimjigs and boogee baits are still taking some fish in white & chartruse or ozark smoke patterns. Crankbaits are still productive too. Bucher Power Tec Series Cranks from Roberts Outdoors (www.robertsoutdoors.com) have been the best in color patterns than resemble shad and crappie.

White bass fishing and walleye fishing are both rated as fair at this time. The same shallow flats and shoreline banks with rock and wood cover that are next to sharp deep water drops where the largemouth are found are holding walleyes and white bass. Soft plastic curly tail grubs are still the best presentation choice when fished on the slow falling Slo-Poke Swimming Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com). The best color choices have been Chartruse or Black & Chartruse in the stained water areas, and White & Pink Glow in the clear water sections of Kinkaid.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

Crappie and bluegill fishing is still rated as fair right now. Laydowns, brush piles and timber on shallow shoreline banks near deep water are best. Small and medium minnows and meal worms fished under floats are the best presentation options at this time.

Catfish fishing rates fair at this time. The fishing has picked up the last week and some big cats have been caught on shallow flats with weed and rock cover. Cut bait and night crawlers are still the best on a circle hook and slip weight bottom rig.

Giant carp and drum are also taken by anglers on Kinkaid at this time. Top quality polarized sunglasses designed for fishing like the Master Angler Series from Flying Fisherman (www.flyingfisherman.com), and high performance floating tools designed for fishing like Advanced Lightweight Tools from X Tools (www.xtools.us) are critical items to have along on fishing trips. Real Tree Camouflage Patterns (www.realtree.com) are a vital part of our hunting success when we’re off the water. For office supply needs and the finest printing work, turn to Mineral Area Office Supply (www.maos.com).

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 11-17-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the lowest guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for Simms Outdoors Guide Service guests only. Anglers receive huge savings on both lodging and guiding with Simms Outdoors trip packages. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. The Simms Outdoors Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They are some of the very few in the region that actually make their living fishing, and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to good for numerous species right now. The best fishing right now is still for muskie and bass. The water level is still down a little below normal. The surface temperatures have dropped into the low 50s throughout most of the lake. The water is getting very clear throughout much of the lake. Clarity is still best in areas with rock and weeds in the lower half of the main lake and some of the coves and bays that connect to it.

Muskie fishing is rated as good at this time. Both daytime fishing and night fishing are productive, but the daytime bite is now best. Weeds aren’t holding nearly as many fish as they were. Some fish are locating around laydowns and standing timber on shallow flats, points and shallow irregular banks, but we’re also catching some fish suspended over deep water off of sharp sloping rocky shoreline banks that quickly fall into the depths. Medium to large size crankbaits in shad color patterns are still producing some fish. Casting and trolling big spinnerbaits has become the best pattern for the muskies on Kinkaid. We’re catching most of our muskies on Monster School N Shad Spinnerbaits in the 4 1/2oz 5 blade style from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com). Natural Shad has been the best pattern in clear water areas, while Firetiger is better in areas with more stained water.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. For small, average and large muskie lures, and for big bass lures used for muskie fishing, the Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. For extra large muskie lures and big saltwater lures used for muskie fishing, the Ugly Stik Lite Graphite Muskie Rods are the best choice. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leaders and Predator Trolling Leaders from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing rates good at this time. The best bass fishing has been occurring on shallow flats and irregular shoreline banks next to very sharp drop offs to deep water. Stumps, broken rocks, boulders and laydowns are holding the bigger bass. Chatterbaits, swimjigs and boogee baits are still taking some fish in white & chartruse or ozark smoke patterns. Crankbaits are still productive too. Bucher Power Tec Series Cranks from Roberts Outdoors (www.robertsoutdoors.com) have been the best in color patterns than resemble shad and crappie.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 11-09-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the lowest guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for Simms Outdoors Guide Service guests only. Anglers receive huge savings on both lodging and guiding with Simms Outdoors trip packages. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. The Simms Outdoors Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They are some of the very few in the region that actually make their living fishing, and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to good for numerous species right now. The best fishing right now is still for muskie and bass. The water level is still down about one foot below normal. The surface temperatures are now in the mid 50s throughout most of the lake. The water clarity is the best in areas with both rocks and weeds in the lower half of the main lake and some of the coves and bays that connect to it. The water has really been clearing up and much of the lake now holds clear water, especially in the lower third.

Muskie fishing is rated as good at this time. Both daytime fishing and night fishing are productive. Some fish are locating on weed edges and around laydowns and standing timber on shallow flats, points and shallow irregular banks, but we’re also catching some fish suspended over deep water off of sharp sloping shoreline banks that quickly fall into the depths. The crankbait bite has really turned on and we’re catching most of the muskies on medium to large size mid depth running cranks in shad color patterns. We’re also still getting some action on School N Shad Spinnerbaits from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com) in Natural Shad and Chartruse Shad color patterns.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. For small, average and large muskie lures, and for big bass lures used for muskie fishing, the Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. For extra large muskie lures and big saltwater lures used for muskie fishing, the Ugly Stik Lite Graphite Muskie Rods are the best choice. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leaders and Predator Trolling Leaders from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing rates good at this time. The best bass fishing has been occurring on shallow flats and shallow shoreline banks with a moderate taper. Scattered patches of sparse weeds, as well as stumps and laydowns are holding the bigger bass. Chatterbaits, swimjigs and boogee baits are still taking good fish in white & chartruse or ozark smoke patterns. Crankbaits have been productive too. The Bucher Power Tec Series Cranks from Roberts Outdoors (www.robertsoutdoors.com) have been the best in color patterns than resemble shad and crappie.

White bass fishing and walleye fishing are both rated as good at this time. With the cooler water temperatures, both species have started to move up onto shallow flats and shallow shoreline banks with a gradual taper. These fish are being taken from rocks and weed edges as well as open areas devoid of cover. Soft plastic curly tail grubs are still the best presentation choice when fished on the slow falling Slo-Poke Swimming Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com). The best color choices have been Chartruse or Black & Chartruse in the stained water areas, and White & Pink Glow in the clear water sections of Kinkaid.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

Crappie and bluegill fishing is still rated as fair right now. Target weeds, laydowns, brush piles and timber on shallow and mid depth flats at the edge where they drop off to deeper water. Small and medium minnows fished on red bait style hooks under floats with split shot are taking most of these fish right now.

Catfish fishing rates poor at this time. The fish that are being caught are coming off of breaklines and points near deep water drops with wood and rock cover. Cut bait, and night crawlers produce best on a circle hook and slip weight bottom rig.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 11-01-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the lowest guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for Simms Outdoors Guide Service guests only. Anglers receive huge savings on both lodging and guiding with Simms Outdoors trip packages. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. The Simms Outdoors Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They are some of the very few in the region that actually make their living fishing, and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to excellent for numerous species right now. The best fishing at this time is for muskie and bass. The water level is still down about one foot below normal. Lots of cold rain has caused the surface temperatures to quickly drop into the upper to mid 50s throughout most of the lake. The water clarity is the best in areas with both rocks and weeds in the lower half of the main lake and some of the coves and bays that connect to it.

Muskie fishing is rated as excellent at this time. Both daytime fishing and night fishing are productive, but the night bite has been the best. Some fish are locating on weed edges and around laydowns and standing timber on shallow flats, points and shallow irregular banks, but we’re also catching some fish suspended over deep water off of sharp sloping shoreline banks that quickly fall into the depths. The crankbait bite has really turned on and we’re catching most of the muskies on medium to large size mid depth running cranks in shad color patterns. We’re also still getting some action on School N Shad Spinnerbaits from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com) in Natural Shad and Chartruse Shad color patterns and on Bucher Top Raider Propbaits (www.robertsoutdoors.com) in the Black & Chartruse or Black & Orange Dots patterns.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. For small, average and large muskie lures, and for big bass lures used for muskie fishing, the Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. For extra large muskie lures and big saltwater lures used for muskie fishing, the Ugly Stik Lite Graphite Muskie Rods are the best choice. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leaders and Predator Trolling Leaders from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing rates good at this time. The best bass fishing has been occurring on shallow flats and shallow shoreline banks with a moderate taper. Scattered patches of sparse weeds, as well as stumps and laydowns are holding the bigger bass. The chatterbait bite has really turned on and we’re getting good fish on Chatterbaits and boogee baits in white & chartruse or ozark smoke patterns. The jig bite has fallen off, but we are still getting some bass on chartruse shad colored spinnerbaits.

White bass fishing and walleye fishing are both rated as good at this time. With the cooler water temperatures, both species have started to move up onto shallow flats and shallow shoreline banks with a gradual taper. These fish are being taken from rocks and weed edges as well as open areas devoid of cover. Soft plastic curly tail grubs are the best presentation choice when fished on the slow falling Slo-Poke Swimming Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com). The best color choices have been Chartruse or Black & Chartruse in the stained water areas, and White & Pink Glow in the clear water sections of Kinkaid.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

Catfish fishing rates fair at this time. Fish are being caught during the day and at night. Flats and gradually sloping shoreline banks with weed cover and rocks are best. Live or dead minnows, cut bait and night crawlers produce best on a circle hook and slip weight bottom rig, or positioned near bottom under a large float.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 10-24-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the lowest guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for Simms Outdoors Guide Service guests only. Anglers receive huge savings on both lodging and guiding with Simms Outdoors trip packages. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. The Simms Outdoors Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They are some of the very few in the region that actually make their living fishing and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to excellent for numerous species at this time. The best fishing has been for muskie and bass. The water level is still down about one foot. Surface temperatures are now holding in the mid 60s throughout most of the lake. Water clarity is best in areas with both rock and weeds in the lower half of the main lake and some of the coves and bays that connect to it. Heavy rains recently have washed a lot of sediment into the lake from some of the creek arms, and some of these arms that were clear a week ago are now stained.

Muskie fishing is still rated as excellent at this time. Both daytime fishing and night fishing are highly productive, but the night bite has really turned on in the last few days and is the best night fishing that we’ve had so far this year. We’re catching some muskies that are suspending over moderate depths out off of steep sloping shoreline banks. Some fish are also using the weed and wood cover on shallow flats, points and shallow shoreline banks. We’re catching a few fish on small diving crankbaits and swimbaits in shad color patterns. The topwater bite is good at this time. Bucher Top Raiders and Super Top Raiders from Roberts Outdoors (www.robertsoutdoors.com) have been productive in the shad pattern and the black with chartruse dots color pattern. The 1 1/2oz and 2oz Esox Cobra Magnum Swim Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com) are producing action when paired with a 9 inch paddle tail shad bait. Black & chartruse has been the best in stained areas, while the white, red & black or ciscoe patterns are best in the clear water sections of the lake. We’re putting the largest number of muskies into the boat with the Simms Original & Monster School N Shad Spinnerbaits and Hatchet Shad Spinnerbaits from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle through Simms Outdoors (www.simmsoutdoors.com) in the 3 hatchet blade style, or the 4 or 5 willow leaf blade styles. The Chartruse Shad and Firetiger color patterns have been the best in the stained waters, while the Red Shad and Natural Shad patterns have produced better action in clear areas of Kinkaid. These lures are also great for night fishing. The Black & Glow color pattern has been best on School N Shads at night, but the Black & Orange pattern is producing some action too. We’re also catching a few skis on oversized deep diving muskie crankbaits and large saltwater crankbaits in white & black or white & red patterns that mimic shad.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. For small, average and large muskie lures, and for big bass lures used for muskie fishing, the Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. For extra large muskie lures and big saltwater lures used for muskie fishing, the Ugly Stik Lite Graphite Muskie Rods are the best choice. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leaders and Predator Trolling Leaders from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as good right now. Bass anglers can still find fish on shallow weed and rock flats and shelves, as well as along irregular shoreline banks with a moderate slope. 3/8oz chatter baits and boogee baits in white & chartruse or ozark smoke are catching a few bass. Spinnerbaits are still the best option for bass right now. The Simms Big N Bass Series Spinnerbaits in the 3/8oz Indiana Tandem Model from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle through Simms Outdoors (www.simmsoutdoors.com) have been the hottest baits. The Chartruse Shad color pattern is still best in stained waters, while the Natural Shad pattern is a much better way to go in the clear sections of Kinkaid. Shallow diving crankbaits in shad and natural baitfish color patterns are a good choice too. Lures like the Bucher Power Tec Series from Roberts Outdoors are a good choice (www.robertsoutdoors.com). A 3/8oz rattling jig paired with a craw tube trailer in black & blue or black & chartruse is taking some good fish as well.

White bass fishing and walleye fishing are both rated as fair at this time of year. Both species can be taken from mid depth and deep water flats with weeds, rocks or wood cover, as well as along steep sloping shoreline banks and mid depth or deep water breaks. Diving crankbaits are the best presentation choice right now. Firetiger and shad patterns are most effective, but walleye and crawfish colors can produce whites and eyes as well.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

Crappie and bluegill fishing is rated as fair right now. Target weeds and wood cover like laydowns, brush piles and timber on shallow and mid depth flats at the edge where they drop off to deeper water. White & pink or chartruse & black pattern tubes and grubs fished on Crappie Grubmaster Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com) are a great presentation choice. Small and medium minnows fished on red bait style hooks under floats with split shot are also taking some of these fish.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 10-16-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the lowest guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for Simms Outdoors Guide Service guests only. Anglers receive huge savings on both lodging and guiding with Simms Outdoors trip packages. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. The Simms Outdoors Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They are some of the very few in the region that actually make their living fishing and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to excellent for numerous species at this time. The best fishing has been for muskie and bass. The water level is still down about one foot below normal. Surface temperatures are now holding in the mid to upper 60s throughout most of the lake. Water clarity is still best in areas with rock and weeds in the lower half of the main lake and some of the bays and creek arms that connect to it.

Muskie fishing still rates excellent right now. Both daytime fishing and night fishing are highly productive. Daytime still offers better action, but the night bite is really getting into swing as well. We’re catching some muskies that are suspending over moderate depths out off of steep sloping shoreline banks. Some fish are also using the weed and wood cover on shallow flats, points and shallow shoreline banks. Big rattling spoons are starting to produce occasional follows but no strikes yet. We’re putting the most muskies into the boat with the Simms Original School N Shad Spinnerbaits and Hatchet Shad Spinnerbaits from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle through Simms Outdoors (www.simmsoutdoors.com) in the 3 hatchet blade or 4 willow leaf blade styles. The Chartruse Shad and Firetiger color patterns have put more muskies into the boat in stained areas while the Red Shad and Natural Shad patterns have produced better action in clear waters. These lures are also great for night fishing in the Black & Glow color pattern and the Black & Orange color pattern. The minnowbait bite has slowed down, while the topwater bite has picked up. Bucher Top Raiders and Super Top Raiders from Roberts Outdoors (www.robertsoutdoors.com) have been the best surface bait choice in the shad and the black with chartruse dots patterns. Buzzbaits are also producing the occasional strike too in similar colors. The 1 1/2oz Esox Cobra Magnum Swim Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com) are a good choice as well. Pair them up with 6” paddle tail shad baits. Choose Black & Chartruse in stained areas, and go with White, Red & Black or Ciscoe patterns in the clear water sections of Kinkaid. We’re also still catching a few skis on oversized deep diving muskie crankbaits and large saltwater crankbaits in the same white and black or white and red patterns that resemble large shad.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. For small, average and large muskie lures and for big bass lures used for muskie fishing, the Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. For extra large muskie lures and big saltwater lures used for muskie fishing, the Ugly Stik Lite Graphite Muskie Rods are the best choice. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leaders and Predator Trolling Leaders from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as good right now. Bass anglers can still find fish on shallow weed and rock flats and shelves, as well as along irregular shoreline banks with a moderate slope. 3/8oz chatter baits and boogee baits in white & chartruse or ozark smoke are catching a few bass. Spinnerbaits are still the best option for bass right now. The Big N Bass Series Spinnerbaits in the 3/8oz Indiana Tandem Model from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle through Simms Outdoors (www.simmsoutdoors.com) have been the best choice. The Chartruse Shad color pattern is still best in stained waters, while the Natural Shad pattern is a much better way to go in the clear sections of Kinkaid. Shallow diving crankbaits in shad and natural baitfish color patterns are a good choice too. Lures like the Bucher Power Tec Series from Roberts Outdoors are a good choice (www.robertsoutdoors.com). A 3/8oz rattling jig paired with a craw tube trailer in black & blue or black & chartruse is taking some good fish as well.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

Crappie and bluegill fishing is rated as fair right now. Target weeds and wood cover like laydowns, brush piles and timber on shallow and mid depth flats at the edge where they drop off to deeper water. White & pink or chartruse and black pattern tubes and grubs fished on Crappie Grubmaster Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com) are still a great presentation choice. Small and medium minnows fished on red bait style hooks under floats with split shot are also taking some fish.

Catfish fishing rates good at this time. Fish are still being caught during the day and at night. Flats and gradually sloping shoreline banks with weed cover and rocks are best. Live or dead minnows, cut bait and night crawlers produce best on a circle hook and slip weight bottom rig, or positioned near bottom under a large float.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 10-09-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the lowest guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for Simms Outdoors Guide Service guests only. Anglers receive huge savings on both lodging and guiding with Simms Outdoors trip packages. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. The Simms Outdoors Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They are some of the very few in the region that actually make their living fishing and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing still rates fair to excellent for several species. The best fishing has been for muskie, catfish and bass. The water level is still down and holding at about one foot below normal level. Surface temperatures are now holding in the upper 60s to low 70s throughout much of the lake. Water clarity is the best in areas with rock and weeds in the lower half of the main lake and some of the bays and creek arms that connect to it.

Muskie fishing is rated as excellent right now. The best action is during daylight hours, but night fishing can produce too. The best fishing is still in areas of the lake with the coolest water temperatures. We’re catching some muskies that are suspending out off of steep sloping shoreline banks. Some fish are also using the weed and wood cover on shallow flats, points and shallow shoreline banks. Simms Original School N Shad Spinnerbaits and Hatchet Shad Spinnerbaits from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle through Simms Outdoors (www.simmsoutdoors.com) are producing muskies well in the 3 hatchet blade or 4 willow leaf blade styles. The Chartruse Shad and Firetiger color patterns have produced more fish in stained areas. The Red Shad and Natural Shad patterns have produced the most muskies in clear waters. These lures are also a top choice for night fishing in the Black & Glow color pattern. The minnowbait bite has slowed down, while the topwater bite has picked up. Bucher Top Raiders and Super Top Raiders from Roberts Outdoors (www.robertsoutdoors.com) have been the best surface bait choice in the shad and the black with chartruse dots patterns. Buzzbaits are also producing the occasional strike too in similar colors. The 1 1/2oz Esox Cobra Magnum Swim Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com) are a good choice as well. Pair them up with 6” paddle tail shad baits. Choose Black & Chartruse in stained areas, and go with White, Red & Black or Ciscoe patterns in the clear water sections.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. For small, average and large muskie lures and for big bass lures used for muskie fishing, the Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. For extra large muskie lures and big saltwater lures used for muskie fishing, the Ugly Stik Lite Graphite Muskie Rods are the best choice. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leaders and Predator Trolling Leaders from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as fair. Bass anglers can still expect to find some fish on shallow weed and rock flats and shelves. Fish are also holding along irregular shoreline banks with a moderate slope to deeper water too. 3/8oz chatter baits in white & chartruse are producing a few bass. Spinnerbaits are still producing bass in the 3/8oz size. The Big N Bass Series Spinnerbaits in the Indiana Tandem Model from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com) have been the best choice. The Chartruse Shad color pattern is still producing the best in the more stained areas of the lake, while the Natural Shad pattern is better in clear water. Shallow diving crankbaits in shad and natural baitfish color patterns are a good choice for this fall fishing as well. Cranks like the Bucher Power Tec Series from Roberts Outdoors are a good choice (www.robertsoutdoors.com). A 3/8oz rattling jig paired with a craw tube trailer in black & blue or black & chartruse has also produced the occasional fish lately.

White bass fishing and walleye fishing are rated as fair. Both species are being taken from mid depth weed flats. Diving crankbaits are the best presentation option at this time. Firetiger and shad have been the most effective color options during the last week.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

The crappie and bluegill fishing is rated as fair now. Target wood cover and weeds on shallow and mid depth flats at the edge where they drop off. These fish are still biting the best on White & pink or chartruse and black pattern tubes and grubs fished on Crappie Grubmaster Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com). Small and medium minnows fished on red bait hooks and set under floats with split shot are also taking some fish.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 10-02-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the lowest guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for Simms Outdoors Guide Service guests only. Anglers receive huge savings on both lodging and guiding with Simms Outdoors trip packages. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. The Simms Outdoors Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They are some of the very few in the region that actually make their living fishing and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Simms Outdoors has multiple team members on Kinkaid that specialize in muskie fishing, multiple team members that specialize in bass fishing, as well as team members that specialize in walleye fishing, catfish fishing, and crappie & bluegill fishing. Simms Outdoors Team Members share information and work closely together for great success on the water.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to excellent for some species right now. The weather in southern Illinois has really jumped around a lot lately. We’ve had cold fronts and heat waves causing the water temperatures to fall and rise over and over. After a major slow down in the fishing action following the last heat wave and cold front, the fish have settled down considerably and the fishing is getting better. We’re still not experiencing fishing as incredible as we were just a few weeks ago with lots of bass up to 6 1/2 pounds and good numbers of muskies up to 46 inches, but it has been improving. The best fishing has been for muskie and catfish. The water level is still down and holding at about one foot below normal level. Surface temperatures are now holding in the mid 70s throughout much of the lake. Water clarity is the best in areas with rock and weeds in the lower half of the main lake and some of the bays and creek arms that connect to it.

Muskie fishing is rated as excellent right now. The best action is during daylight hours, but night fishing can produce good results right now as well, especially for big fish. The best fishing is still in areas of the lake with the coolest water temperatures. The muskies are scattered around the lake. Some fish are still suspending over moderate depths in open water areas off the edges of shallow flats and off of steep sloping shoreline banks. Some fish are also still cruising shallow flats, points and shallow irregular shoreline banks with weed and wood cover. We’re catching most of the suspended fish trolling, and catching the shallow cover oriented fish with a casting presentation. When trolling, we’re having the most success with big deep diving muskie crankbaits and big deep diving saltwater crankbaits. White and black, white and red and other shad imitating color patterns have been the best on these lures. We’re catching the shallow muskies near cover by casting spinnerbaits, minnow plugs and swimming jigs with shad baits. Minnowbaits like Bucher Shallow Raiders from Roberts Outdoors (www.robertsoutdoors.com) are a good choice. Firetiger is still best in the stained water sections of Kinkaid, while Shimmer’n Shad works better in areas with clear water. The 1oz and 1 1/2oz Esox Cobra Magnum Swim Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com) are producing action too when paired with 6” paddle tail shad baits. Black & Chartruse is best in stained areas, while White, Red & Black or Ciscoe works better in the clearer waters of Kinkaid. Simms Original School N Shad Spinnerbaits and Hatchet Shad Spinnerbaits from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle through Simms Outdoors (www.simmsoutdoors.com) are producing muskies very well in the 3 hatchet blade or 4 willow leaf blade styles. The Chartruse Shad and Orange & Black color patterns have been best in the stained areas of Kinkaid, while Natural Shad and Red Shad are most effective in the clear water spots. These spinnerbaits are also a good choice for night fishing in the Black & Glow pattern. Topwater baits are also still producing some muskie action.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. For small, average and large muskie lures and for big bass lures used for muskie fishing, the Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. For extra large muskie lures and big saltwater lures used for muskie fishing, the Ugly Stik Lite Graphite Muskie Rods are the best choice. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leaders and Predator Trolling Leaders from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing rates good at this time. Bass anglers should still focus on shallow weed and rock flats and shelves. The chatter bait bite has dropped off and we’re only catching the occasional small fish in them. Shallow diving crankbaits like the Bucher Power Tec Series are still producing largemouth (www.robertsoutdoors.com). Shad and Firetiger patterns have been effective. Spinnerbaits are still producing bass in the 3/8oz size too. The Indiana Tandem model Big N Bass Series Spinnerbaits from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com), have produced the most action and the biggest fish. The Natural Shad color pattern is still best in clear water areas while Chartruse Shad is better in stained waters.

White bass and walleye fishing are both still rated as fair. These species are still being caught in greatest numbers on mid depth weed flats. Diving crankbaits are still the best lure choice. Firetiger has been the most effective color pattern, but blue shad is taking fish now as well. Blade baits in gold and silver also take the occasional fish from the same spots.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

Crappie and bluegill fishing rates fair right now. Target weed and wood cover on shallow to mid depth flats near the edge of a break to deeper water. Catch these fish on small jigs like the Crappie Grubmasters from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com) paired with small tubes and grubs. White & pink patterns have been best in low light periods, while chartruse and black has been the best color choice when it’s sunny out.

Catfishing is rated as excellent right now. Plenty of big cats are being caught at night and during the day time as well. Flats and gradually sloping shoreline banks with weed cover and rocks are still the best spots. Live or dead minnows, cut bait and night crawlers work the best on a circle hook and slip weight bottom rig, or positioned near bottom under a large float.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 09-25-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the lowest guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for Simms Outdoors Guide Service guests only. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. The Simms Outdoors Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They make their living in the outdoors and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Kinkaid Lake fishing has just slowed down recently with the arrival of a major heat wave. Air temperatures into the 90s have caused the lake to stop cooling and we’ve even seen the water temperatures climb several degrees throughout the lake. Despite the incredible fishing for muskies and largemouth bass that we had been experiencing last week with great numbers of muskies up to 46 inches, and tremendous numbers of largemouth bass up to 6 1/2 pounds, the heat has caused these fish to slow down just recently. Despite this slow down, Kinkaid Lake fishing still rates fair to good for several species. The water level is still a little bit down. The lake is holding at about one foot below the normal water level. Surface temperatures are now holding in the mid to upper 70s throughout much of the lake, and we’ve even seen some 80 degree water. The best fishing has been for catfish, bluegill and crappie. Water clarity is best in areas with rock and weeds in the lower third of the main lake and some of the bays and creek arms that connect to it.

Muskie fishing is rated as fair right now. Most of the action still occurs during the day, but night fishing can produce too. The best fishing by far is in the areas of the lake with the coolest water temperatures. Many of these fish are now suspending out over moderate depths in the open water off the edge of the shallow flats that they had been using last week. Most of these fish are positioning in slightly deeper water than they had been using. Anglers should still continue to target these fish with spinnerbaits, but choose the smaller sizes of the lures that were productive last week. Small muskie minnowbaits like Bucher Baby Shallow Raiders from Roberts Outdoors (www.robertsoutdoors.com) are a good choice. Choose firetiger in the stained water sections of the lake and shimmer’n shad in areas with clear water. Select the 1oz Esox Cobra Magnum Swim Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com). Pair them up with 6” paddle tail shad baits or 6” curly tail grubs. Black & chartruse is still the best color choice in stained waters with white & red being better in the clearer areas. Simms Baby School N Shad Spinnerbaits and Baby Hatchet Shad Spinnerbaits from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle through Simms Outdoors (www.simmsoutdoors.com) are productive in the 3 blade styles. Chartruse shad and firetiger color patterns are better in stained waters while natural shad and red shad are the ticket where it is clear. These spinnerbaits are also a good choice for night fishing in the black & glow pattern.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. For small, average and large muskie lures and for big bass lures used for muskie fishing, the Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. For extra large oversized muskie lures and big saltwater lures used for muskie fishing, the Ugly Stik Lite Graphite Muskie Rods are the best choice. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leader and Predator Trolling Leader from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as fair now as well. Bass anglers should focus attention on the same shallow weed and rock flats and shelves where the fish were found last week, but very tight to cover. It is critical to place baits into the cover, over top of the cover or as close to the edge of the cover as possible. We’re still taking occasional fish on 3/8oz chatter baits with the best color pattern being white & chartruse in all locations. Shallow diving crankbaits like the Bucher Power Tec Series are still producing some bass (www.robertsoutdoors.com). Shad and firetiger patterns have been effective. Spinnerbaits are still producing bass in the 3/8oz size. The Big N Bass Series Spinnerbaits in the Indiana Tandem Model from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com) have been the best choice. The chartruse shad color pattern is still producing the best in the more stained areas of the lake, while the natural shad pattern is better in clear water. We are also having some success with buzz frogs fished over the top of the grass. The best colors have been natural bull frog and black & chartruse.

White bass and walleye fishing are rated as poor right now. A few fish are being taken along irregular shoreline banks with weed and wood cover. The best baits are smoke and pink colored tubes and grubs fished on white & pink Crappie Grubmaster Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com).

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

The crappie and bluegill fishing is still rated as good right now. The best fishing for crappies and big gills has been over scattered weeds and around brush and laydowns on shallow and mid depth flats and irregular shoreline banks. These fish are being caught on white & pink Crappie Grubmaster Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com) paired with small tubes and curly tail grubs in smoke or translucent pink.

Catfishing rates good now. Lots of catfish are still being caught. Night fishing is still the best option for big cats. Flats, gradually sloping banks and shallow points with weed cover and rocks are best. Live or dead minnows, cut bait and night crawlers produce best on a circle hook and slip weight bottom rig, or positioned near bottom under a large float.

Giant carp and drum are also taken by anglers on Kinkaid at this time. Top quality polarized sunglasses designed for fishing like the Master Angler Series from Flying Fisherman (www.flyingfisherman.com), and high performance floating tools designed for fishing like Advanced Lightweight Tools from X Tools (www.xtools.us) are critical items to have along on fishing trips. Real Tree Camouflage Patterns (www.realtree.com) are a vital part of hunting success when we’re off the water. For office supply needs and the finest printing work, turn to Mineral Area Office Supply (www.maos.com).

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 09-17-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois/eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services covering the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the lowest guide service rates, and offers the only lodging/guiding package at Kinkaid, with excellent cabins right next to the lake that are specially discounted for Simms Outdoors Guide Service guests only. Simms Outdoors is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any service. The Simms Outdoors Lead Guides on Kinkaid are full-time professional anglers and champion tournament fisherman. They make their living in the outdoors and each have more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days a year on the water fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Most Simms Outdoors Team Members on Kinkaid specialize in muskies and/or largemouth bass, but Simms Outdoors also has guides that specialize in crappie fishing too. Muskie, bass and crappie are the three most popular species at Kinkaid, but Simms Outdoors has members that can guide for all species on the lake as well.

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates good to excellent for several species now. The water level is still a bit low. Kinkaid is holding around one foot below normal level. Water temperatures have continued to drop considerably with the cool nights that we’ve had. Surface temperatures are now holding in the low to mid 70s throughout much of the lake. The best fishing has been for muskies, largemouth bass and catfish. Water clarity is best in areas with rock and weeds in the lower third of the main lake and some of the bays and creek arms that connect to it. The far northwestern end of the lake has mostly stained water, while much of the lower third of the lake holds clearer water. The water clarity in general is still more stained than usual, but should continue to clear up as cooler temperatures drive away more recreational boaters.

Muskie fishing is rated as excellent right now. Most of the action has been coming during the day, but night fishing has started to produce results as well. The best fishing is in the areas of the lake with the coolest water temperatures. The skis in these cool water zones are extremely active. We’ve had a tremendous amount of action and have already boated some big muskies. The best spots are along shallow shoreline related shelves and small flats extending from the bank with a sharp drop off on the edge that falls into moderate depths. Weed and rock cover have both produced big muskies. Anglers should target these fish primarily with spinnerbaits, minnowbaits and swim jigs. Bucher Shallow Raiders and Baby Shallow Raider Minnowbaits from Roberts Outdoors (www.robertsoutdoors.com) have been producing muskies. The best color patterns have been firetiger in the stained water sections of the lake and shimmer’n shad in areas with clear water. The Esox Cobra Magnum Swim Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com) have been productive in the 1oz and 1 1/2oz sizes when paired with 6” paddle tail shad baits. The best color patterns have been black & chartruse in stained waters and white & red in the clear portions of the lake. Simms Original School N Shad and Baby School N Shad Spinnerbaits from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle through Simms Outdoors (www.simmsoutdoors.com) have been very productive in the 3 and 4 blade styles. These have been best in chartruse shad and firetiger color patterns in stained water locations and in natural shad and red shad in clear water areas. These spinnerbaits have also produced muskies at night in the black & glow color pattern. We’ve also been getting some muskie action on topwater lures as well. Black has been the best color choice. The muskie fishing has been fantastic for both numbers of fish and big ones too.

Choose top quality rods, reels, lines and leaders for tackling the kings of freshwater. Extremely strong and durable but sensitive rods that facilitate long, accurate casts in the 7’ to 7’6” range are best for most applications in medium heavy to heavy power ratings. For small, average and large muskie lures and for big bass lures used for muskie fishing, the Team All Star Big Boy Series Rods from All Star Rods (www.allstarrods.com) can’t be beat. For extra large oversized muskie lures and big saltwater lures used for muskie fishing, the Ugly Stik Lite Graphite Muskie Rods are the best choice. Pair them up with a top quality level wind round baitcasting reel like the Trion from Pflueger Fishing Tackle, or a wide model low profile baitcasting reel with an oversized spool like the Pflueger President WLP, Trion LP or LPCR, Summit WLP or Contender SS (www.pfluegerfishing.com). Spool up with an extra strong low stretch line with high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 20 to 30 pound test or Shakespeare Ugly Braid in 50 to 100 pound test (www.shakespeare-fishing.com). Complete the package with a top quality fluorocarbon, hard mono, steel, or titanium leader like the Predator Casting Leader and Predator Trolling Leader from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com).

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as excellent now as well. Bass anglers should focus attention on the same shallow weed and rock flats and shelves where the muskies are holding. The only difference is that the bass have been holding a bit shallower and somewhat tighter to cover than the muskies. The jig pattern and spoon pattern have faded away all together. We’ve been getting a few fish on 3/8oz chatter baits. The best color pattern in stained water has been white & chartruse, while shad patterns excel where it’s clear. Shallow diving crankbaits are starting to produce bass action again. The Bucher Power Tec Crankbaits from Roberts Outdoors (www.robertsoutdoors.com) are effective in color patterns that resemble shad. Spinnerbaits have been the hot ticket for bass in the 3/8oz size. The Big N Bass Series Spinnerbaits in the Tandem Willow Model from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com) have been best. The chartruse shad color pattern is producing the best in the more stained areas of the lake, while the natural shad pattern is best in clear water areas, producing incredible numbers of quality largemouth bass and some big ones too.

White bass and walleye fishing rates fair right now. Fish are being taken on the same natural shad 3/8oz Simms Big N Bass Spinnerbaits from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com) and shad colored shallow diving Bucher Power Tec Crankbaits from Roberts Outdoors (www.robertsoutdoors.com) that are producing largemouth bass. Most of these fish are suspending and being caught over the moderate depth, open water areas off the edges of the shallow flats and shelves. Some of these fish are taking small smoke or pink colored tubes and grubs fished on Crappie Grubmaster Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com) in white & pink. The occasional fish is being caught on shad pattern 3/8oz chatter baits.

Extra strong and highly sensitive technique specific Platinum, Team Series, Instinct and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods (www.allstarrods.com) or Pflueger Trion Graphite Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) are best for bass and walleye fishing. The 6’ to 7’ models in light to medium heavy power ratings get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. Spool baitcasting equipment with a strong monofilament line with low stretch and high abrasion resistance like Supreme Super Tough in 10 to 20 pound test, or go with a tough braided line like Shakespeare Ugly Braid testing from about 30 to 65. Select a strong but limp monofilament line with low memory that is designed for long casts with reduced coiling like Supreme Super Smooth in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid from about 20 to 40 for spinning gear (www.shakespeare-fishing.com).

The crappie and bluegill fishing is rated as good now. The best fishing for crappies and big gills has been over scattered weeds and around stumps, brush and laydowns on shallow to mid depth flats and irregular shoreline banks. These fish are being caught on white & pink Crappie Grubmaster Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com) paired with small tubes and curly tail grubs in smoke or translucent chartruse or pink.

Catfishing is rated as excellent right now. Large numbers of big cats have been caught recently. The larger fish are more active at night. Shallow flats, shoreline banks and small secondary points with weed cover and rocks are the best spots now. Cut bait, and live or dead minnows and other small baitfish have produced best on a circle hook and slip weight bottom rig, as well as positioned near bottom under a large float.

Giant carp and drum are also taken by anglers on Kinkaid at this time. Top quality polarized sunglasses designed for fishing like the Master Angler Series from Flying Fisherman (www.flyingfisherman.com), and high performance floating tools designed for fishing like Advanced Lightweight Tools from X Tools (www.xtools.us) are critical items to have along on fishing trips. Real Tree Camouflage Patterns (www.realtree.com) are a vital part of hunting success when we’re off the water. For office supply needs and the finest printing work, turn to Mineral Area Office Supply (www.maos.com).

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 09-09-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to excellent for several species right now. The water level is a bit low. The lake is holding at about one foot below normal. Water temperatures have dropped considerably over the last few weeks. The surface temperature is hovering in the upper 70s to low 80s in most of the lake. We typically see cooler surface temperatures in the morning and on cloudy days, while they might be a bit warmer in the afternoon, especially on bright sunny days. The waters in the upper end of the lake have been a bit warmer, while the waters in the lower end of the lake have been a bit cooler. This can change rapidly at this time of year though, and we might see the shallow upper end start to cool off faster than the deeper lower section of the lake. The best fishing has been for largemouth bass, white bass and catfish.

The water clarity is best in areas with rock and weeds in the lower half of the main lake and some of the bays and creek arms that connect to it. The far northwestern end of the lake near the headwaters of Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is moderately to heavily stained and offers the lowest visibility in the lake. Most of the areas north of Cochran, into Hidden and Thompson Necks, the 3-Mile area at Piney Point, and up to Allen Island are lightly to moderately stained. The lower end of the lake from Crisenberry Dam to the Barone Bay area is mostly clear and provides the best visibility on the lake. Portions of the main lake from the mouth of Levan Neck, past the Miller Bay and Buttermilk Point area, and up to Cochran Bay range mostly from clear to lightly stained. Much of the stain on the lower two thirds of the lake is due in large part to high summertime recreational boat traffic. While Kinkaid has a lot of natural rock shorelines, as well as rip rap rock that has been placed along many others, more rock still needs to be placed, as waves can still cause some erosion and water stain. Now that the last big weekend of summer is over, the waters will begin to clear up even more.

Since the middle of June, our muskie fishing has been shut down for the summer months. With the cooling air and cooling waters of September it is now safe to target these fish again. Anglers are still urged to fish for muskies in the cooler sections of the lake, where these fish can handle the stress of being caught. Anglers should only target muskies in areas where the surface water temperatures are below 80 degrees. Any temperature above that can be lethal for these fish. Even when fishing in water temperatures in the 70s, anglers should fight these fish in quickly, remove the hooks and measure the fish in the water and release the fish as quickly as possible. If photos are needed, remove the fish from the water by grasping the gill plate only and not damaging the gills themselves. Grasp firmly where the gill slit stops closest to the tip of the snout and support the muskie’s weight with a hand under the belly. Hold the fish in the water by the tail until it is ready to swim off under its own power and do not push it back and forth to rush water over its gills. Allow it to breath on its own.

In addition to the tremendous sport fishing opportunities that muskies bring to our waters, they are also a benefit to the health of the lake and the other species of fish in it. Muskies control the large populations of big baitfish like gizzard shad that can grow to an un-useable size and compete with crappie, bass and other game fish for food. Muskies allow for many bodies of water like Kinkaid to produce trophy class fishing for many species like bass and walleye, and to provide great numbers of keeper size eating fish that anglers routinely harvest such as crappie and bluegill. Super predators like muskies and stripers are a great benefit to the overall health of a lake that contains large baitfish species.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as good right now. Bass anglers will do well to focus their efforts around deep standing timber, stumps and rocks on deep points and steep sloping breaklines related to both the shoreline and the outer edges of flats that fall off to deep open water. We’ve caught a few fish by bumping brown and orange 1/2oz to 1oz jigs combined with large craw tube trailers in natural crawfish color patterns on bottom, but getting few keepers this way. We’re catching some bass, including a few big ones on 1/2oz Rattlin Scale Spoons in gold and silver patterns from deep water. The hottest pattern by far has been slow rolling magnum spinnerbaits with big blades. We’ve caught most of our fish on the hot new 1oz Simms Hatchet Spin Spinnerbait from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com) with a magnum hatchet blade. Crawling them along bottom and banging them into cover has produced good numbers of bass, and lots of nice fish with some up to 7 pounds.

White bass fishing is good now as well, with good numbers and some fish over 2 pounds. The best fishing has been along deep weed edges along steep sloping banks and breaks on the edges of weedy flats that quickly fall off into deep water, as well as actually in the open water zones near these structures where they sometimes suspend. Most of these fish are being taken from deep water, but they sometimes roam and chase shad shallow as well. 1/2oz gold and sliver Simms Rattlin Scale Spoons from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle have been taking most of these fish in deep water. When they push schools of baitfish to the top, we’re also catching them on Power Tec Crankbaits from Bucher Tackle (www.robertsoutdoors.com). Baitfish color patterns are best. We also take an occasional fish on a 3/8oz or 1/2oz blade bait.

Walleye fishing is rated as poor right now. Anglers can pick up the occasional marble eye on the same 3/8oz to 1/2oz gold or silver spoons or blade baits that the white bass are being caught on. Look for walleyes positioned along the deep weed edges next to a steep breakline that falls off to deep open water. Some of these fish will also suspend out over deep open water off of these structures like the whites do.

We’re using technique specific Platinum, Team Series and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods for bass and walleye fishing (www.allstarrods.com). The 6’6” to 7’ models get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels. We spool up baitcasting equipment with Supreme Super Tough monofilament in 10 to 20 pound tests or Ugly Braid testing up to 65, and select the Supreme Super Smooth Formula in 6 to 14 pound tests or Ugly Braid in 20 to 40 pound test for spinning gear.

Bluegill fishing is rated as fair. Deep weed edges along breaks at the edges of flats near deep water are holding most of the bigger fish, although some are now starting to move up onto the shallow weed flats too. Small and medium minnows and meal worms fished on Bait Rigs Panfish Cobra Jigs or Slo Poke Jigs (www.baitrigs.com) in white & pink glow are taking most of the bigger bluegills.

The crappie fishing rates fair right now as well. The best fishing for crappie has also been along the same deep weed edges near steep breaks to the depths that are producing large bluegills. Small to medium sized minnows and meal worms fished on the Slo Pokes and Panfish Cobras in the same color patterns are also the best way to go for crappie.

We’re using All Star Rods and Pflueger Microspin Series Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) that are 6’ in length or longer for crappie and bluegill fishing. We pair these rods with Pflueger Medalist and President Spinning Reels and Catera Spinning Reels from Shakespeare and spool up with Supreme Super Smooth line in 4 to 8 pound tests depending on the cover.

Catfishing rates excellent at this time. The biggest cats are being caught at night on shallow flats with weeds and shallow shoreline shelves with rock and weed cover. Nightcrawlers, live and dead minnows and cut bait have all produced well on a circle hook and slip weight bottom rig or under a large fixed float.

We’re using Ugly Stik Freshwater Rods and Ugly Stik Tiger Rods from Shakespeare Fishing Tackle (www.shakespeare-fishing.com) for catfishing. Pair them up with a quality reel like the Pflueger President, Trion, Medalist or Contender. We’re using Ugly Braid and Supreme Super Tough and Super Smooth Lines for these fish. Braids testing 40 to as much as 80 pounds will get the job done, while monofilament lines from 17 to 30 pound test are about right with a bit more stretch.

Giant carp and drum are also taken by anglers on Kinkaid right now. We use Master Angler Series Polarized Sunglasses from Flying Fisherman (www.flyingfisherman.com) and Advanced Lightweight Tools from X Tools (www.xtools.us) on all of our fishing trips. We use Real Tree Camouflage Patterns (www.realtree.com) on all of our hunting trips. For all of our office supply needs and printing work, we turn to Mineral Area Office Supply (www.maos.com).

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois & eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services that covers the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the best guide service rates on Kinkaid and offers the only discount guiding/lodging package for the area, with excellent cabins right next to the lake. The Simms Outdoors Kinkaid Guide Team is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any guide service. The Simms Outdoors Lead Guides on Kinkaid Lake are full-time professional anglers that are champion tournament fisherman, each with more than 20 years experience fishing Kinkaid. They make their living fishing and hunting and do not work in any other fields outside the world of professional outdoor sports. Simms Outdoors Founder & Owner Colby Simms resides in a houseboat on Kinkaid Lake for 11 months of the year. Colby spends more than 300 days each year fishing, with more than 250 of those days on Kinkaid Lake. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Outdoor enthusiasts can book guided sport fishing, hunting, site seeing and nature photography trips at many great destinations throughout Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin & Ontario with the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE, get the very best fishing lures and leaders from SIMMS SPORT FISHING TACKLE, read fishing, hunting & other outdoor sports articles, stories, journals, tournament diaries, recipes, tips, columns, reports and more at SIMMS OUTDOORS MAGAZINE, get sponsor links & product and service information at SIMMS OUTDOORS SPONSORS, and purchase top notch professional outdoor photos from SIMMS OUTDOORS PHOTOGRAPHY, by visiting SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. on the web at: www.simmsoutdoors.com, by calling: 618-521-0526 or 573-358-5948, or through e-mail at: info@simmsoutdoors.com. Good luck and please support these fine sponsors: All Star Rods, Pflueger Fishing Tackle, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, X Tools, Real Tree Camouflage, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses, Mineral Area Office Supply, Bait Rigs and Roberts Outdoors.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 09-03-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to good for several different species at this time. The lake level is still a bit low. The water temperature has dropped considerably over the last few weeks. The surface temperatures are in the upper 70s to low 80s throughout much of the lake. The upper end of the lake near Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is moderately to heavily stained. The lower end of the lake from Crisenberry Dam to the Barone Bay area is mostly clear and provides the best visibility on the lake. Portions of the main lake from the mouth of Levan Neck, past the Miller Bay and Buttermilk Point area, and up to Cochran Bay range mostly from clear to lightly stained. Much of the stain on the lower two thirds of the lake is due in large part to high summertime recreational boat traffic. While Kinkaid has a lot of natural rock shorelines, as well as rip rap rock that has been placed along many others that do not, more rock still needs to be added as waves can still cause some erosion and water stain. The best fishing has been for largemouth bass, white bass and catfish.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as good right now. Bass anglers should concentrate on standing timber, stumps, brush, rock ledges, boulders and broken rocks on deep points and steep sloping breaklines related to shoreline banks and the edges of some flats that fall off to deep water. The soft plastic bite has really dropped off. We’re picking up a few bass on 1/2oz to 3/4oz deep diving crankbaits in red & black or tennesee shad color patterns. Most of these fish are small, but we get the occasional keeper as well. We’re getting a few bass by slow rolling spinnerbaits along the bottom in deep water. Shad color patterns have been producing the best during the day, while black is better at night. The best pattern in the last week has been hopping 1/2oz Simms Rattlin Scale Spoons from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com) off the bottom. Gold and sliver have been the best patterns.

White bass fishing is good now as well. The best fishing has been next to deep weed edges along steep sloping banks and breaks on the edges of weed flats that quickly fall off into deep open water. We’ve also been getting these fish in open water near these structures. The 1/2oz gold and sliver Simms Rattlin Scale Spoons have been producing the best for these fish. Shallow diving Power Tec Crankbaits from Bucher Tackle (www.robertsoutdoors.com) have produced well too, especially when the whites run schools of shad up shallow. We’ve also taken the occasional fish on a 3/8oz gold blade bait.

Walleye fishing is rated as poor right now. Anglers may pick up the occasional fish from deep water on the same 3/8oz to 1/2oz gold or silver spoons and blade baits that the white bass are taking. Look for walleyes on the deep weed edges next to a breakline to deep open water as well. Like white bass, these fish will also suspend at times and can be found in open water near these structures.

The bluegill fishing is rated as fair. Deep weed edges along breaks at the end of flats near deep water are holding most of the bigger fish, although some are now starting to move up onto the shallow weed flats too. Small and medium minnows and meal worms fished on a Bait Rigs Panfish Cobra Jig or Slo Poke Jig (www.baitrigs.com) is the best presentation choice.

Crappie fishing rates fair right now too. The best fishing for crappie has also been along the same deep weed edges near steep breaks to the depths that are producing large bluegills. Small to medium sized minnows and meal worms on Slo Pokes and Panfish Cobras are taking these fish too.

Catfishing still rates good at this time. The biggest cats are being caught at night on shallow flats with weeds and shallow shoreline shelves with rock and weed cover. Nightcrawlers, live and dead minnows and cut bait have all produced well on a circle hook and slip weight bottom rig or under a large fixed float.

We’re using Ugly Stik Freshwater Rods and Ugly Stik Tiger Rods from Shakespeare Fishing Tackle (www.shakespeare-fishing.com) for catfishing. Pair them up with a quality reel like the Pflueger President, Trion, Medalist and Contender Reels and Cateras from Shakespeare. We’re using Ugly Braid and Supreme Super Tough and Super Smooth Lines for these fish. Braids testing 40 to as much as 80 pounds will get the job done, while monofilament lines from 17 to 30 pound test are about right with a bit more stretch.

Huge carp and drum are also options on Kinkaid right now. We use Master Angler Series Polarized Sunglasses from Flying Fisherman (www.flyingfisherman.com) and Advanced Lightweight Tools from X Tools (www.xtools.us) on all of our fishing trips. We use Real Tree Camouflage Patterns (www.realtree.com) on all of our hunting trips. For all of our office supply needs and printing work, we turn to Mineral Area Office Supply (www.maos.com).

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois & eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services that covers the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the best guide service rates on Kinkaid and offers the only discount guiding/lodging package for the area, with excellent cabins right next to the lake. The Simms Outdoors Kinkaid Guide Team is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any guide service. Simms Outdoors’ full-time Lead Guides on Kinkaid are champion tournament anglers that each have over 20 years experience on Kinkaid. They make their living fishing and do not work in any other fields outside the world of professional outdoor sports. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Outdoor enthusiasts can book guided sport fishing, hunting, site seeing and nature photography trips at many great destinations throughout Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin & Ontario with the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE, get the very best fishing lures and leaders from SIMMS SPORT FISHING TACKLE, read fishing, hunting & other outdoor sports articles, stories, journals, tournament diaries, recipes, tips, columns, reports and more at SIMMS OUTDOORS MAGAZINE, get sponsor links & product and service information at SIMMS OUTDOORS SPONSORS, and purchase top notch professional outdoor photos from SIMMS OUTDOORS PHOTOGRAPHY, by visiting SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. on the web at: www.simmsoutdoors.com, by calling: 618-521-0526 or 573-358-5948, or through e-mail at: info@simmsoutdoors.com. Good luck and please support these fine sponsors: All Star Rods, Pflueger Fishing Tackle, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, X Tools, Real Tree Camouflage, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses, Mineral Area Office Supply, Bait Rigs and Roberts Outdoors.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 08-24-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

Kinkaid Lake fishing rates fair to good for several species right now. The water level has dropped this summer with all of the high heat and lack of rain. The lake is about one foot below normal summer level at this time. The water temperature has fallen quickly with the arrival of a major cold front. The surface temperature has fallen back into the low 80s in most of the lake. As of mid June, our muskie fishing is over for the summer months and anglers are urged to leave them alone until the waters cool below 80 degrees again. The best fishing has been for largemouth bass, catfish and white bass. Water clarity is best in areas with rock and weeds in the lower half of the main lake and some of the bays and creek arms that connect to it.

White bass fishing is good now as well. The best fishing has been along deep weed edges along steep sloping banks and breaks on the edges of weed flats that quickly fall off into deep open water. 3/8oz to 1/2oz gold and sliver blade baits and casting spoons are the best lure choice for these fish.

Walleye fishing is rated as poor right now. Anglers can pick up the occasional fish on the same 3/8oz to 1/2oz gold or silver spoons or blade baits that the whites are taking. Look for them on the deep weed edges next to a breakline to deep open water as well.

The bluegill fishing is rated as fair. Deep weed edges along breaks at the edges of flats near deep water are holding most of the bigger fish, although some are now starting to move up onto the shallow weed flats too. Small and medium minnows and meal worms fished on a small red bait hook with split shot is the best presentation.

Crappie fishing rates fair right now too. The best fishing for crappie has also been along the same deep weed edges near steep breaks to the depths that are producing large bluegills. Small to medium sized minnows and meal worms on the simple bait hook and split shot rig are taking these fish.

We’re using Ugly Stik Freshwater Rods and Ugly Stik Tiger Rods from Shakespeare Fishing Tackle (www.shakespeare-fishing.com) for catfishing. Pair them up with a quality reel like the Pflueger President, Trion, Medalist and Contender Reels and Cateras from Shakespeare. We’re using Ugly Braid and Supreme Super Tough and Super Smooth Lines for these fish. Braids testing 40 to as much as 80 pounds will get the job done, while monofilament lines from 17 to 30 pound test are about right with a bit more stretch.

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois & eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services that covers the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the best guide service rates on Kinkaid and offers the only discount guiding/lodging package for the area, with excellent cabins right next to the lake. The Simms Outdoors Kinkaid Guide Team is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any guide service. Simms Outdoors’ full-time Lead Guides on Kinkaid are champion tournament anglers that each have over 20 years experience on Kinkaid. They make their living fishing and do not work in any other fields outside the world of professional outdoor sports. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Outdoor enthusiasts can book guided sport fishing, hunting, site seeing and nature photography trips at many great destinations throughout Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin & Ontario with the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE, get the very best fishing lures and leaders from SIMMS SPORT FISHING TACKLE, read fishing, hunting & other outdoor sports articles, stories, journals, tournament diaries, recipes, tips, columns, reports and more at SIMMS OUTDOORS MAGAZINE, get sponsor links & product and service information at SIMMS OUTDOORS SPONSORS, and purchase top notch professional outdoor photos from SIMMS OUTDOORS PHOTOGRAPHY, by visiting SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. on the web at: www.simmsoutdoors.com, by calling: 618-521-0526 or 573-358-5948, or through e-mail at: info@simmsoutdoors.com. Good luck and please support these fine sponsors: All Star Rods, Pflueger Fishing Tackle, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, X Tools, Real Tree Camouflage, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses, Mineral Area Office Supply, Bait Rigs and Roberts Outdoors.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 07-20-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

The fishing on Kinkaid Lake rates fair to excellent for several species. Water temperatures are in the mid 80s in most of the lake. As of around mid June, our muskie fishing is over for the summer months and anglers are urged to leave them alone until the waters cool in September. The fishing has steadily improved since the slow down after the busy holiday. With less traffic, the lake is slowly clearing up and the fish are settling down and getting back on the bite. The best fishing has been for largemouth bass, white bass and catfish. The water clarity is best in the upper half or upper third of some of the larger no-wake creek arms that connect to the lower half of the main lake, but the basin is still clearing up gradually.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as good right now. Bass anglers should focus efforts around timber, stumps and laydown trees along irregular shoreline banks and points with natural rock or rip rap in areas with the least stain to the water. Chatterbaits are producing a few bass in white and chartruse, but this bite seems to be slowing down. Texas rigged worms are also coughing up the occasional bass in purple & chartruse and junebug. The spinnerbait bite is on strong for bass, but they want big baits in bright colors. The Simms Thump N Spin and Flash N Spin Spinnerbaits from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com) in the 1oz sizes are producing the most and largest bass at Kinkaid right now. The best color patterns have been Firetiger and Chartruse Shad just about anywhere on the lake, but Pearl White is also producing a few fish. We’re also getting the occasional fish on a chartruse buzzbait, but they are mostly smaller bass.

White bass fishing is rated good now. The best areas are in open water near mid depth hard bottom breaklines that quickly fall off to deep water. They’re biting on 1/2oz lipless crankbaits and deep diving crankbaits, 1/2oz casting and jigging spoons and 3/8oz blade baits. The best colors are chartruse, firetiger, silver and gold.

Walleye fishing is rated as fair right now. Anglers after these fish should cast or troll diving crankbaits in chartruse, firetiger or chrome, or fish minnows on a simple bait hook and weight. Target them on mid depth flats and breaklines in and near vegetation.

We’re using technique specific Platinum, Team Series and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods for bass and walleye fishing (www.allstarrods.com). The 6’6” to 7’ models get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels (www.pfluegerfishing.com). We spool up baitcasting equipment with Supreme Super Tough (www.shakespeare-fishing.com) or Cajun Red Lightnin and Advantage Lines (www.cajunline.com) in 10 to 20 pound tests, and select the Red Cast and Super Smooth Formulas in 6 to 14 pound tests for spinning gear.

The bluegill fishing rates fair now. We’re catching fish on shallow and mid depth weed edges along steep shoreline banks that fall into deep water. Fishing minnows and meal worms on a bait hook and split shot near the weed edge is the best method.

The crappie fishing rates fair as well. These fish are also holding on mid depth weed edges along steep shoreline banks that fall off to the depths. Crappies are taking minnows and mealworms best on a simple bait hook & split shot.

We’re using Pflueger Microspin Series Rods (www.pfluegerfishing.com) for crappie and bluegill fishing. Select rods of around 6’ to 7’ in length for casting to these panfish, and go with the 10’ rods for vertical fishing. We pair these rods with Pflueger Medalist and President Spinning Reels and Catera Spinning Reels from Shakespeare (www.shakespeare-fishing.com) and spool up with Cajun Red Cast (www.cajunlne.com) or Supreme Super Smooth in 4 to 8 pound tests depending on the cover.

Catfishing is rated as good. Look for them along the shore as well as shallow flats and drop-offs with rock, wood and weed cover. Live minnows are the best bait, but worms are producing some fish on a single bait hook and weight.

We’re using Ugly Stik Freshwater Rods and Ugly Stik Tiger Rods from Shakespeare Fishing Tackle (www.shakespeare-fishing.com) for catfishing. Pair them up with a quality reel like the Pflueger President, Trion, Medalist and Contender Reels (www.pfluegerfishing.com) and Cateras from Shakespeare. Ugly Braid in 40 to 65 pound test and Cajun Line in 17 to 30 pound test is best for these fish (www.cajunline.com).

Big carp are also an option on Kinkaid during the summer months. We use Master Angler Series Polarized Sunglasses from Flying Fisherman (www.flyingfisherman.com) and Advanced Lightweight Tools from X Tools (www.xtools.us) on all of our fishing trips. We use Real Tree Camouflage Patterns (www.realtree.com) on all of our hunting trips. For all of our office supply needs and printing work, we turn to Mineral Area Office Supply (www.maos.com).

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois & eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services that covers the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the best guide service rates on Kinkaid and offers the only discount guiding/lodging package for the lake. The Simms Outdoors Kinkaid Guide Team is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any guide service. Both full-time Lead Guides Colby Simms & Ray Simms are champion tournament anglers and each have over 20 years experience on Kinkaid. They make their living fishing and do not work in any other fields outside the world of professional outdoor sports. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Outdoor enthusiasts can book guided sport fishing, hunting, site seeing and nature photography trips at many great destinations throughout Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin & Ontario with the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE, get the very best fishing lures and leaders from SIMMS SPORT FISHING TACKLE, read fishing, hunting & other outdoor sports articles, stories, journals, tournament diaries, recipes, tips, columns, reports and more at SIMMS OUTDOORS MAGAZINE, get sponsor links & product and service information at SIMMS OUTDOORS SPONSORS, and purchase top notch professional outdoor photos from SIMMS OUTDOORS PHOTOGRAPHY, by visiting SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. on the web at: www.simmsoutdoors.com, by calling: 618-521-0526 or 573-358-5948, or through e-mail at: info@simmsoutdoors.com. Good luck and please support these fine sponsors: All Star Rods, Pflueger Fishing Tackle, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, Cajun Line, X Tools, Real Tree Camouflage, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses, Mineral Area Office Supply, Bait Rigs and Roberts Outdoors.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 07-13-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

The fishing on Kinkaid Lake rates fair to good for several species. The water temperatures are still hovering in the low to mid 80s in most of the lake. As of around mid June, muskie fishing is over for the summer and anglers are urged to leave these fish alone until the water temperatures drop again in September. The fishing had slowed down considerably around the holiday weekends. We experienced a tremendous amount of recreational boat traffic which caused a reduction in water clarity which had a negative impact on the fishing. The lake is slowly starting to clear a little now and the fish are settling down a bit now that the holiday traffic is gone. The fishing is still slower than usual for the summer period, but as the boat traffic gets lighter and the water continues to clear, the fishing should continually get better. The largemouth bass and crappie fishing which had been good before the holiday, and became poor around the holiday is starting to turn back on now. The best fishing has been for largemouth bass, white bass, catfish and crappie. The water clarity is still best in the upper half or upper third of some of the larger no-wake creek arms that connect to the lower half of the main lake, but the basin is starting to clear up a bit. The northern end of the lake near the headwaters is still moderately to heavily stained. Much of the main lake is now lightly to moderately stained.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as fair now. Bass anglers should still focus their efforts around timber, stumps, laydowns and brush cover along irregular shoreline banks and secondary points with natural rock in areas with the least stain to the water. Chatterbaits in the 3/8oz size are now producing pretty good numbers of quality bass in white and chartruse. Big soft plastic worms and freakbaits are also still producing bass, but in better numbers and size now. We’re texas rigging these baits and the best color patterns have been purple & chartruse and junebug. We’re also starting to pick up some fish on spinnerbaits again.

White bass fishing is rated as good right now. The best areas are in open water near mid depth hard bottom breaklines that quickly fall off to deep water. They are still biting 1/2oz lipless crankbaits and deep diving crankbaits, 3/8 and 1/2oz casting and jigging spoons and 3/8oz blade baits as well as 1/4oz blade baits too. The best colors are chartruse, firetiger, chrome and gold.

Walleye fishing is rated as fair now. Anglers after these fish can get on some action with diving crankbaits from around 3/8 to 5/8 of an ounce. Fish them on and near mid depth flats and the breaklines on their edges in or near weeds. Firetiger, crawfish, chrome and shad can produce eyes.

We’re using technique specific Platinum, Team Series and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods for bass and walleye fishing (www.allstarrods.com). The 6’6” to 7’ models get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels (www.pfluegerfishing.com). We spool up baitcasting equipment with Supreme Super Tough (www.shakespeare-fishing.com) or Cajun Red Lightnin and Advantage Lines (www.cajunline.com) in 10 to 20 pound tests, and select the Red Cast and Super Smooth Formulas in 6 to 14 pound tests for spinning gear.

The bluegill fishing rates fair right now. We’re still catching some nice fish on shallow and mid depth weed edges along steep shoreline banks that quickly fall off into deep water. Live bait is still the best option. Minnows and meal worms fished on a bait hook and split shot near the weed edge is the best way to go

The crappie fishing rates fair now as well. The bigger fish are still holding on mid depth weed edges along steep shoreline banks that fall quickly into deep water. Like the bluegills, the crappie are hitting minnows and mealworms the best on a simple bait hook & split shot.

Catfishing is still rated good right now. They can be found along banks, shallow flats and breaks with rock, wood and weed cover. Live minnows are best, but worms are still catching them too on a single bait hook and weight.

We’re using Ugly Stik Freshwater Rods and Ugly Stik Tiger Rods from Shakespeare Fishing Tackle (www.shakespeare-fishing.com) for catfishing. Pair them up with a quality reel like the Pflueger President, Trion, Medalist and Contender Reels (www.pfluegerfishing.com) and Cateras from Shakespeare. Ugly Braid in 40 to 65 pound test and Cajun Line in 17 to 30 pound test is best for these fish (www.cajunline.com).

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois & eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services that covers the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the best guide service rates on Kinkaid and offers the only discount guiding/lodging package for the lake. The Simms Outdoors Kinkaid Guide Team is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any guide service. Both full-time Lead Guides Colby Simms & Ray Simms are champion tournament anglers and each have over 20 years experience on Kinkaid. They make their living fishing and do not work in any other fields outside the world of professional outdoor sports. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Outdoor enthusiasts can book guided sport fishing, hunting, site seeing and nature photography trips at many great destinations throughout Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin & Ontario with the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE, get the very best fishing lures and leaders from SIMMS SPORT FISHING TACKLE, read fishing, hunting & other outdoor sports articles, stories, journals, tournament diaries, recipes, tips, columns, reports and more at SIMMS OUTDOORS MAGAZINE, get sponsor links & product and service information at SIMMS OUTDOORS SPONSORS, and purchase top notch professional outdoor photos from SIMMS OUTDOORS PHOTOGRAPHY, by visiting SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. on the web at: www.simmsoutdoors.com, by calling: 618-521-0526 or 573-358-5948, or through e-mail at: info@simmsoutdoors.com. Good luck and please support these fine sponsors: All Star Rods, Pflueger Fishing Tackle, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, Cajun Line, X Tools, Real Tree Camouflage, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses, Mineral Area Office Supply, Bait Rigs and Roberts Outdoors.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 07-04-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

The fishing on Kinkaid Lake rates fair to good for several species. The water temperatures are still in the low to mid 80s in most of the lake. As of around mid June, the muskie fishing is over for the summer season and anglers are urged to leave these fish alone until the water temperatures drop in September. The fishing has slowed down considerably in the last few days starting with the weekend before the 4^th of July holiday. We experienced a tremendous amount of recreational boat traffic which has had a negative effect on the fishing. Much of the lake’s shoreline consists of natural rock, but there are also exposed areas of clay as well which can get muddy with the high traffic associated with holiday weekends. A lot of rip rap rock has been placed around many of the exposed shorelines to prevent erosion and clear up the lake, and this has made a significant difference, but more rock is still needed. Extremely high traffic can cause much of the lake to become stained quickly and that has been the case. The largemouth bass and crappie fishing has dropped off. The best fishing has been for white bass, channel catfish and bluegill. The water clarity is now best in the upper half or upper third of some of the larger no-wake creek arms that connect to the lower half of the main lake. The northern end of the lake near the headwaters is still moderately to heavily stained. Much of the main lake is now moderately stained, and portions of the main lake are heavily stained, especially in areas without a lot of natural rock or rip rap and high boat traffic.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as poor right now. Bass anglers should focus their efforts around timber, stumps, laydowns and brush cover along irregular shoreline banks and secondary points with natural rock in areas with the least stain to the water. Chatterbaits in the 3/8oz size are producing some bass in white and chartruse color patterns. Large, scented soft plastics like big flippin worms with wide curly tails, long ribbon tail worms, freakbaits and similar bulky plastics are also producing some bass on a texas rig. The best plastic colors have been purple & chartruse, black & chartruse and junebug.

White bass fishing is rated as fair now. The whites are starting to come up and chase shad on and near the surface and anglers that can get to them fast enough are likely to find themselves in a feeding frenzy quickly. After the schools of bait and whites go back down it is sometimes possible to stay on them with electronics when they’re not moving too fast. The best areas are in open water near mid depth hard bottom breaklines that quickly fall off to deep water. Good presentation options include 1/2oz lipless crankbaits and deep diving crankbaits, 3/8 and 1/2oz casting and jigging spoons and 3/8oz blade baits. The best color patterns have been chartruse, chrome, white, silver and gold.

Walleye fishing is rated as fair right now. Anglers targeting these fish can cast or troll diving crankbaits from around 3/8 to 5/8 of an ounce over and along weeds on mid depth flats and hard bottom breaklines with rock and weed cover. The best colors are firetiger and hot craw. The occasional eye can also be caught with a spoon or blade bait in chartruse, silver or gold in these same areas

We’re using technique specific Platinum, Team Series and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods for bass and walleye fishing (www.allstarrods.com). The 6’6” to 7’ models get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels (www.pfluegerfishing.com). We spool up baitcasting equipment with Supreme Super Tough (www.shakespeare-fishing.com) or Cajun Red Lightnin and Advantage Lines (www.cajunline.com) in 10 to 20 pound tests, and select the Red Cast and Super Smooth Formulas in 6 to 14 pound tests for spinning gear.

The bluegill fishing rates good and we’re still catching lots of quality fish with some occasional trophies. Fish can be caught on shallow and mid depth weed edges along steep shoreline banks that quickly fall off into deep water. They are taking night crawlers and small minnows fished on a red bait hook and split shot on bottom at the base of the weed edge and suspended under floats near the bottom of the weed edge.

The crappie fishing rates poor right now. The fish that are being caught are positioning on mid depth weed edges along steep shoreline banks that fall quickly into deep water. Small minnows have been most effective when presented under a float with a small red bait hook & split shot.

Catfishing is rated as good now. Catfish are actively hunting shoreline banks, shallow water flats and mid depth breaklines near these areas. The best areas have rock or weed cover. The best baits have been live and dead minnows, night crawlers and stinkbaits fished on a single bait hook with split shot, with and without weighted floats. We’re using Ugly Stik Freshwater Rods and Ugly Stik Tiger Rods from Shakespeare Fishing Tackle (www.shakespeare-fishing.com) for catfishing. Pair them up with a quality reel like the Pflueger President, Trion, Medalist and Contender Reels (www.pfluegerfishing.com) and Cateras from Shakespeare. Ugly Braid in 40 to 65 pound test and Cajun Line in 17 to 30 pound test is best for these fish (www.cajunline.com).

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois & eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services that covers the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the best guide service rates on Kinkaid and offers the only discount guiding/lodging package for the lake. The Simms Outdoors Kinkaid Guide Team is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any guide service. Both full-time Lead Guides Colby Simms & Ray Simms are champion tournament anglers and each have over 20 years experience on Kinkaid. They make their living fishing and do not work in any other fields outside the world of professional outdoor sports. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Outdoor enthusiasts can book guided sport fishing, hunting, site seeing and nature photography trips at many great destinations throughout Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin & Ontario with the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE, get the very best fishing lures and leaders from SIMMS SPORT FISHING TACKLE, read fishing, hunting & other outdoor sports articles, stories, journals, tournament diaries, recipes, tips, columns, reports and more at SIMMS OUTDOORS MAGAZINE, get sponsor links & product and service information at SIMMS OUTDOORS SPONSORS, and purchase top notch professional outdoor photos from SIMMS OUTDOORS PHOTOGRAPHY, by visiting SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. on the web at: www.simmsoutdoors.com, by calling: 618-521-0526 or 573-358-5948, or through e-mail at: info@simmsoutdoors.com. Good luck and please support these fine sponsors: All Star Rods, Pflueger Fishing Tackle, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, Cajun Line, X Tools, Real Tree Camouflage, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses, Mineral Area Office Supply, Bait Rigs and Roberts Outdoors.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 06-28-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

The fishing on Kinkaid Lake rates good to excellent for several species. The water temperatures have ranged from the low to mid 80s in most of the lake. Muskie fishing is over for the summer season and anglers are urged to leave these fish alone until the water temperatures drop in September. Summer fishing has taken hold. The best fishing has been for largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. Water clarity is best in areas with rock and weeds in the lower two thirds of the main lake and portions of some of the larger coves and creeks that connect to the main lake. The northern end of the lake near Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is the most stained area of the lake. Most of the areas near the dam and on the main basin are extremely clear.

Largemouth bass fishing is rated as good right now. Bass anglers should focus their efforts around shallow weeds or wood found on points and irregular shoreline banks not far from a sharp drop off. The best spots have both weed and wood cover. Spinnerbaits, topwater lures and shallow diving crankbaits are producing bass. Simms Big N Bass Spinnerbaits in the 3/8 oz size with tandem willow leaf blades from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com) are taking the biggest bass. Natural Shad has been the best color pattern in the clear water sections of the lake, while Chartruse Shad has been better in stained water. Black is the best pattern for night fishing. Topwater stickbaits, chuggers, prop baits and buzzbaits are producing a few fish, although this pattern seems to be slowing down a bit. The best surface bait colors are shad and frog. We’re also catching lots of bass on Power Tec Crankbaits from Roberts Outdoors (www.robertsoutdoors.com) in color patterns that resemble shad.

We’re using technique specific Platinum, Team Series and American Classic Freshwater Rods from All Star Graphite Rods for bass fishing (www.allstarrods.com). The 6’6” to 7’ models get the nod for most of this fishing when paired with Pflueger Supreme, Summit, Trion or Medalist Reels (www.pfluegerfishing.com). We spool up baitcasting equipment with Supreme Super Tough (www.shakespeare-fishing.com) or Cajun Red Lightnin and Advantage Lines (www.cajunline.com) in 10 to 20 pound tests, and select the Red Cast and Super Smooth Formulas in 6 to 14 pound tests for spinning gear.

The bluegill fishing rates excellent and we’re catching lots of big bull bluegills from shallow weeds along shallow irregular shoreline shelves near deep water. Meal worms fished on Bait Rigs Panfish Cobra Jigs in pink & white (www.baitrigs.com) are still the best option.

The crappie fishing rates good right now. Shallow weedy flats and shoreline banks with a sharp breakline nearby are the ticket. The best spots have thick weeds and either brush, timber or laydowns. Crappie Grubmaster Jigs from Bait Rigs (www.baitrigs.com) paired with soft plastic spider grubs and tubes in pink, white and silver are still an excellent choice. Medium size minnows have also been effective when presented under a float with a small red bait hook & split shot.

Walleyes, catfish, and white bass are all good choices at Kinkaid now as well. We use Master Angler Series Polarized Sunglasses from Flying Fisherman (www.flyingfisherman.com) and Advanced Lightweight Tools from X Tools (www.xtools.us) on all of our fishing trips. We use Real Tree Camouflage Patterns (www.realtree.com) on all of our hunting trips. For all of our office supply needs and printing work, we turn to Mineral Area Office Supply (www.maos.com).

SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. operates the largest guide service on Kinkaid Lake, the largest guide service in the southern Illinois & eastern Missouri region, and one of the largest guide services that covers the Midwestern United States & southern Canada. Simms Outdoors offers the best guide service rates on Kinkaid and offers the only discount guiding/lodging package for the lake. The Simms Outdoors Kinkaid Guide Team is the official guide service of Kinkaid Village Marina and has well over 100 years of combined experience fishing the lake, the most experience of any guide service. Both full-time Lead Guides Colby Simms & Ray Simms are champion tournament anglers and each have over 20 years experience on Kinkaid. They make their living fishing and do not work in any other fields outside the world of professional outdoor sports. Fish Kinkaid with the Pros, fish Kinkaid with Simms Outdoors.

Outdoor enthusiasts can book guided sport fishing, hunting, site seeing and nature photography trips at many great destinations throughout Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin & Ontario with the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE, get the very best fishing lures and leaders from SIMMS SPORT FISHING TACKLE, read fishing, hunting & other outdoor sports articles, stories, journals, tournament diaries, recipes, tips, columns, reports and more at SIMMS OUTDOORS MAGAZINE, get sponsor links & product and service information at SIMMS OUTDOORS SPONSORS, and purchase top notch professional outdoor photos from SIMMS OUTDOORS PHOTOGRAPHY, by visiting SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C. on the web at: www.simmsoutdoors.com, by calling: 618-521-0526 or 573-358-5948, or through e-mail at: info@simmsoutdoors.com. Good luck and please support these fine sponsors: All Star Rods, Pflueger Fishing Tackle, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, Cajun Line, X Tools, Real Tree Camouflage, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses, Mineral Area Office Supply, Bait Rigs and Roberts Outdoors.

KINKAID LAKE, IL

Sport fishing report for 06-20-07

From: SIMMS OUTDOORS L.L.C.

& the SIMMS OUTDOORS TEAM GUIDE SERVICE

www.simmsoutdoors.com

The fishing on Kinkaid Lake rates good for several species. The water temperatures have ranged from the upper 70s to mid 80s in most of the lake, depending on the time of day. Typically the water temperatures climb out of the 70s quickly in the morning, especially on sunny days. The muskie fishing is over for the summer and anglers are urged to leave these fish alone until the waters cool again in September. Summertime muskies in this region are extremely inactive and difficult to catch and doing so in water temperatures surpassing 80 degrees is most often lethal. When an angler catches a muskie by mistake in the summer when targeting another species, they are encouraged to fight the fish in as fast as they can, remove or cut the hook quickly without removing it from the water, and release the fish as soon as possible to reduce the chance of killing it. Summer fishing patterns have taken hold. The best fishing has been for largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. The water clarity is best in areas with rocky shorelines and weeds in the lower two thirds of the main lake and some of the large coves and creek arms that connect to the main lake from the Cochran Bay area down to the dam. The far upper end of the lake near the headwaters of Johnson and Kinkaid Creeks is the warmest and most stained area of the lake. Most of the areas near the dam and on the main basin are very clear.

The largemouth bass fishing is rated as good right now. Bass anglers should focus their efforts around shallow weed and wood cover found on flats, points and irregular shoreline banks near a sharp drop off to deep water. The best spots have both weed and wood cover. Spinnerbaits and topwater lures are producing the most fish. Simms Big N Bass Spinnerbaits in the 3/8oz size from Simms Sport Fishing Tackle (www.simmsoutdoors.com) are taking the biggest bass. Natural Shad color patterns have been best in the clear water sections of the lake, while Chartruse Shad is better in stained water. Black is still the best choice for night fishing. Topwater stickbaits, chuggers and buzzbaits are producing some good fish too. The best colors are those that resemble shad.