cooledwhip

Thanks for all the responses. I would only be interested in trying bluegill, I put the catfish there to reference the other fish in the lake. I thought the more swampy polluted lakes had certain species of catfish. I don't know much about the DNR or anything, ( I am in Illinois). I found the link but don't have an idea where to click to find the places where eating fish would be safe. http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/fishing/Pages/default.aspx

Hey everyone, not sure if this is the right section for this topic. I am sorta new to fishing, started this summer and got really into it with some nice 4 pound bass catches. I have seen people clean and eat fish and I wanted to try that. I understand bass are sport fish so I will leave those but I was interested in cooking up some bluegill and making like some greek gyros with them. I know the recipe, I'm just scared about actually eating the fish I catch. I don't know if the lake/pond I get them at is safe to eat from. It's pretty small and is actually very close to the des plaines river. At first I thought it was an outlet. The bass I have caught I have caught at a different lake, the only fish I have caught at the lake I plan on eating from are bluegill and a 1 of these catfish. This kind: http://www.dcinsidertours.com/dc-history/what-do-you-think-thursday-magnetism-by-hand-discharged-catfish-and-poor-willie-thompson/ Not sure if there is toxins in the lake or what, I really want to make sure before I cook up and eat the fish. Sorry if this is the wrong topic for this area but thanks for the future replies!!

For the most part I agree with what you guys are saying. I will buy a new reel now and keep my rod, the rod is nice but I really just want a new reel. The reel on my ugly stik is crap. I am going to go with abu garcia, im a noob and tbh I just want something good and cheap. I was looking at the Abu Garcia Orra S spinning reel, but that was a little big much money. I think I will get the Abu Garcia Cardinal S spinning reel. Very cheap and it looks okay. Can someone verify my decision with the cardinal or is the orra s worth the money? Thanks everyone!!

I just plan on getting abu garcia stuff. best brand out there from what I've read.

for casting the abu garcia goes lightyears farther than mine. I really think I need a new real for sure though, I can upgrade the rod later but the reel is lose when I real it in and the drag is so bad on this. Should I just buy a new reel then I can always have the option to upgrade the rod? Thanks deep

I'm using canadian crawlers from walmart. nothing special. I told you I have a shakesphere ugly stik. I am looking for new everything, new rod, reel, line, (for line I was looking at Kastking 10 lb braided)

Thanks for the welcome!! I believe spinning... I'll just explain what I do. I just hook a worm on my hook, lift up the silver half circle thing and cast out. then when I land in the water I push the hook thing down and real in until the line is a little stiff then wait. Yeah mainly an all around rod, I don't do any different fishing things just simple off a dock or off a boat casting.

Hey guys! New to the forum. A month or so ago I bought myself an Ugly Stik V2 or something because I wanted to start fishing with my friend this summer. We started to go fishing recently and I love it. ( I have gone fishing before but never had my own pole really) So far I have caught 2 bass, I could guess each being about 3/4 pounds. We caught lots of 1 pound catfish, and some small baby stripped bass. He is really into fishing and has a tricked out pole, Abu Garcia everything which from what he says is good, and when I've casted his pole it feels amazing.. I am basically looking to buy myself a new setup but have nowhere to begin really. I know I could always ask him but he is sponsored by Abu Garcia (apparently) and recommends their products. I will only be fishing freshwater lakes, I live in chicago suburbs so possibly lake michigan. I really am only interested in bass, pike, crappy, catfish, I may go fishing for some salmon, trout, the usual. The ugly stik has treated me well but it's time for something new to catch bigger monsters. My ugly stik whenever I catch big fish bends to a 90+ degree angle, it feels like it's about to snap. I am 15 going on 16 (yes I know I will need a fishing license soon) and my budget was originally $100, but my friend told me I might as well make it $150. I just don't want to go overboard, I want something nice and worth every cent. Thanks everyone