Steve K

As far as I know there aren't many "Bass" clubs in Northern IL. But there is the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance. Im from Schaumburg and would be willing to join a good group of guys and gals! Are you looking for a tournament based or for fun and info club? I went to a meeting in spring about the West Suburban Bass Anglers or (WSBA) out of Schaumburg. They are apart of the Illinois Fed. Nation of BASS. Nice guys but I couldn't go to most of the tournaments they had scheduled. Peter is the head of this his email: peterterranova@comcast.net I belong to a Walleye Club that meets in IL and WI. We are a multispecies club with a lot guys who fish for bass. A lot of local guides and people with great speakers. Check us out at www.walleyesunlimitedusa.org.

I am a fan of live bait in certain conditions. For example we use a splitshot and chub in Sturgeon Bay between all the bass boats in spring and catch a lot more smallies than the guys throwing jerks, grubs, and tubes. If you do it right it's lights out! It's all about stealth or finesse. IMO I would rather be catching fishing than wasting my time throwing my tackle box at them. Personally, some of my largest smallies have come on 4-5in chubs and suckers drifted behind the boat. If you look at bassmaster.com's list of record bass most of them came on live bait anyway. If you want, fish both at the same time. In spring and late fall I will fish two sucker rods (dead sticking) and then casting artificials in front. Let the fish tell you what they want. There are days when it will go one way or the other.

I would like to employ some football jigs to my fall fishing tactics this year. And was wondering if a 7:1 or 6:3 be better? I would be dragging them across rocky points and popping them every so often as well. Thanks in advance.

Got out on Saturday by myself for some smallie action in Madison, WI. Fished from 6:30-2pm with about 15 smallies for the day. They weren't jumping in the boat like the last outing I had but it makes you a better fisherman when you have to go and find them. Caught a few between 13-16in on baby brush hog on a Carolina rig, and 4in Rage Craw grub in 12-16fow. But during the cold water months I always have two sucker rods out for those bonus fish. The live bait out numbered artificials today and by size as well. Best two for the day was a 18.5" and a 20" that went 5lbs. even. Both came in 16-18fow off a steep drop off a main lake flat.

I follow another site for IL smallies as well. This guy hit the fox almost everyday and does pretty well on the bronze. Its a ridiculous fishing journal: www.fishthefox.com

I have not done well on numbers of fish but more size in late november. Here in Southern Wisconsin the lake freeze around early-mid Dec. Went out last year up to the second week in december and still caught a 20in smallie. Live bait (suckers, perch) seem to work better for me the later it gets. But like everyone said, you'll have the lake to yourself!

I found a good deal on these Savvy rods at my local tackle shop and was wondering if they were worth a try. They are the "good" part of good, better, best but I have been using Quantum's Superlite series rods and was looking to add a new rod to my collection. How does these rods compare for the money. Anyone using them? I am looking at the 7ft. Heavy Fast Action, split grip. Or should I just bite the bullet and buy the Champion Series? Thanks!

This is what I was looking for thanks Chris!

For this presentation InFish. uses a 7ft. rod with braid. I am trying to find what rod would work best for this. I have a 7ft. Med (Graphite Crankbait) or a 7ft MH. Also what type of line works best for ripping spoons? Thanks!

Fish the fox and duPage rivers or take a short drive to Lake Geneva, WI. Other than that locally there aren't many smallie lakes in IL. We have to venture elsewhere to get our fix.

This one takes the cake! Just a little smooshed. She went 20in 5lb 14oz. When she jumped i thought over 6 for sure.

I am from the Schaumburg area. Drop me a line anytime I can help. I fish Delavan and Geneva a lot and the Madison Chain.

I run all quantum reels (Energy PT Series) and love them but the new Smokes seem a little light for my liking. But I do own two of them in the 150 size: 5:3 and 6:6. They cast really well and look great. They hold up really well on big fish too. It did a really good job when I caught a big channel cat a week ago. The only thing different about all the reels mentioned is the drag ratting. Diawa has always lacked in this department but the Revo and Smoke are higher. I believe the Revo is the highest in it's class. I had a STX and it has like a 23 or 25lb drag. Just buy what makes you comfortable and works in your budget.

Fishing Illinois rivers and Wisconsin Lakes like the Madison Chain, Lake Delavan and Lake Geneva. Or commonly know as an official F.I.B. F..... Illinois Bast...d!

Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. My name is Steve and I live in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. My passion or addiction is fishing like most of us I can't enough. My best friend and his dad introduced me to this great sport at an early age. Since then I have bought my first boat, a 1775 Lund ProV with a 135 Opt and an 8hp kicker. Fishing for bass is my life for many years and now it has come to a slower point in my life with my new addition to the family. My six-month old daughter has become a huge part of my life now but still get out on weekends from time to time. But when I do go I fish the waters of Southern Wisconsin and the Door County area. My passion is for smallmouths. But mostly fish for Largemouths because they are more abundant were I live. I do fish for other species like Northern Pike, Walleye and Musky but very little time is spent doing that. I catch enough of them bass fishing. Thank you for your time. I am really looking forward to talking and sharing info on this site.