I/MBasser

Perfect. That's what I was hoping to hear. Looks like I'll be concentrating on the DuPage unless we get a few warm days. Thanks for the info!

which is easier/better to fish? Rivers, local ponds or lakes? Maybe there isn’t a difference? I don’t fish many big lakes and the local ponds I usually fish (western suburbs of Chicago) have really slowed down. I’m hoping rivers might be a little more active in the cooler weather.

2/3 = .66 3/5 = .60

I’ve used the KVD 1.0 in the DuPage with some success. They have an orange and brown crawdad

What’s a braid ready spool?

It's not the braid slipping on the spool that's the issue. It's that the arbor knot fails when tying with braid.

So, I'm trying to spool my Stradic with braid using an arbor knot. I'm tying it correctly but the knot keeps slipping. I've never had this issue with mono or fluoro. Is there a better knot to use? Is this a main reason some people back fill with mono? Thanks!

Thanks for all the replies. I greatly appreciate it. I've read as many threads on this forum as possible the past few days. I read one thread and think I know how I want to set them up. I read another and get confused as hell!!!! But what I take from that is many set ups work and everyone has a different opinion. But, it does seem the majority like to use braid with a leader and maybe it's time to step up to that. I used Sunline Sniper and Yo Zuri Fluoro on my spinning gear and constantly deal with line knots. It's been pretty frustrating. Here is what I'm going to try: 7' ML-F 6# Yo Zuri Hybrid 6'9" M-F 10# Sufix 832 Lo-Vis Green to fluoro leader. I already use 40# Sufix on my flipping/pitching rod (the rod I use for frogs) and like it. 7' MH-F 20# Sufix 832 Lo-Vis Green to fluoro leader. Can also change to mono leader depending on presentation. Just need to learn a few knots and it seems lots of folks use the Alberto or Uni to Uni. I also think this will help with the line knots/bird nests I've been getting on my spinning reel. I've never had that occur using braid on my baitcaster. Thanks again for all the help/advice.

I just keep them in a Plano utility box. I've never had an issue with a tail bending although I've read that some people have.

Thanks for the input. I’m relatively new and don’t know much about braid to flouro so I’m hesitant to try. Maybe down the road I’ll give it a try.

Yeah, the mapping looks great. I fish a lot of local ponds/small lakes in my area and there is very little info on them. This mapping capability would be very useful. Thanks! That's awfully nice of you. But, yeah, the drive from Chicago to Louisville would be a little much to test it out.

As the title states, I'm looking for help on what type of line to try for a few set ups. I've only used mono and flouro. Have never tried hybrid so wondering if that is a better all around line when I use a rod for multiple applications. 7' ML-F with a Shimano Stradic. I use this for fishing a local river (DuPage). Mostly smallies. 6# line. Since I fish from the bank it's the only rod I bring since I'm walking through heavy brush. I fish everything from soft plastics to finesse jigs to light top waters. 6'9" M-F with a Shimano Stradic. This is my all around spinning set up for fishing LMB. 8# line. Bass in my area get no bigger than 5#s, or maybe I haven't found the bigger ones yet. Mainly fish soft plastics, inline spinners and light swimbaits. 7' MH-F with a Shimano Curado 200K. This is my all around baitcaster for fishing LMB. 12# line. On this I fish jigs, topwater, spinnerbaits, swimbaits. This rod is my workhorse where I use the most diverse baits. Wondering if I'm better off with hybrid line here? Also have a dedicated rod for crankbaits (I use mono) and a rod for flipping/pitching (braid). If you guys/gals could offer up your thoughts on what type of line to use for the three rods above I would greatly appreciate it.

Earlier this week the river was pretty high and moving quickly due to the rain. Water was pretty dirty. I concentrated on the banks where there was less movement and had a lot of success. Threw Black/Blue worms and craws. Good luck!

Been out a few times this week. Much better luck. Caught about 6 the other day and another handful today. Biggest was a 1.5# smallie. Quickly becoming my favorite place to fish.

Actually, when I wrote the question I wasn’t really thinking about jig trailers. But you bring up a great point. It’s probably a great color as a trailer for my jigs. Generally I match the color to the skirt but will go with white next time to see how it works.

Thanks for all the input everyone. I think I'll pick up some of my favorites in white and give it a shot!!

@Scott F what is your favorite thing to throw on the DuPage? Today I threw a t rigged rage menace in black/blue flake. Switched to a SK 1.0 crank bait. Had success with both. Additionally, do smallies tend to stay around the same spots or do they travel throughout the river. Thanks again for the help.

Not quite that bad but point taken. Today I had to break through pretty heavy brush and there’s usually some small space to set up every 25 yards or so. But it can be pretty tough. I’m close to pioneer park so the west side of river doesn’t have homes. Thx for the help.

Bank fishing.

Had my best day ever on the DuPage today. Have only fished it a few times but live a minute away in Naperville so trying to get there more often. Caught about 6 smallies and had a few that got away. Tons of fun. Any advice or spots you’d recommend I hit?

I have tried to keep my color selection pretty basic. Black /Blue Flake for dirty water and Green Pumpkin for clear. I’m close to the Du Page River so I’ve used a few colors such as Blue Craw and Falcon Lake Craw as they closely match the colors of the crayfish. But, am I missing out by not using white? Have you guys/gals had success with it?

Chicago Bait and Tackle (Romeoville) sells live bait but not sure if they sell shiners. Worth a call.

Live a minute away in Naperville and just started this year. But can't seem to find any good spots. The West Branch is pretty shallow and it's tough to find any deep pockets from the bank. I've caught a few tiny large and smallies and that's it.

Thanks... appreciate the info! That looks awesome, and very expensive...

Thinking about buying one but wanted to hear some experiences with it first to see if it's worth it. Thanks for any input.