JWall14

@Deeare or anyone else. Does anyone know of any lakes that have good shore fishing? I’m in the Conway area.

Thanks guys! Lots of good ideas. Yes this is a fishing trip but not a very serious one. More like catch tons of fish and have fun. No fishing lodge or guide trips. Just wading and exploring river and lakes!

We’re flying and I am limited on space so...

I will be vacationing in Conway for a week. Any ideas on where to fish (bank or wade) for smallmouth (or largemouth)? What kind of lures have been hot or what stuff I should bring? I will have kayak access to the Saco and the Swift rivers? Do those hold smallies? I know they hold trout and am looking to catch some on flies. Thanks!

I am going on a trip to New Hampshire (Conway) and was wondering if anyone has any ideas on what tackle to bring. I can bring a 3600 box and a bag of plastics. What is a good general selection of summer baits that you would travel with?

Do you like the Christie craws? I fish rivers and would love to try a new craw imitation.

I use a small osprey backpack with a bag of plastics and small box of lures and hooks. It’s not made for fishing but it does the job. Any ideas on one for fly fishing?

Can anyone recommend a fishing kayak that’s under $700 and 12 ft or more (some types I can’t get near me (catch 120) and I don’t want to pay for shipping)? I’m looking for beginner stuff for creeks, Rivers and small lakes. Thanks!

Aight thanks guys.

I’m 6’5 and was wondering if anyone knows if I will fit in a 10 ft kayak or if I need to get a 12ft kayak?

I will be car topping but I have no racks so I will have to tie it down to the roof.

Thanks for the recommendation! I am interested in the pelican and was wondering if you have any experience with it?

I am currently saving up for a fishing kayak. Any tips on gear or yaks? I’m looking to stay under $850 for the yak, paddle, accessories, and pfd. Anyone have a favorite yak. I’m thinking about buying a Ascend 12T (I’m 6’5 so I need leg room) as it is cheap and I can customize it. I fish rivers, ponds, and small lakes.

I went to a forest preserve lake yesterday knowing nothing about it except that there are lots of bass. The water was crystal clear (8ft) for all the rain we’ve been having. I saw multiple fish up shallow but none of them would take anything. I fished a jerkbait, wacky worm, whopper plopper, and my companions fished a popper, squarebill, wacky worm, spook(2 nibbles) and a spinnerbait. Seeing that the fish were shallow I focused on a grassy shallow flat but couldn’t get any fish to hit. I say at least 15 quality bass but none landed. Any ideas? Yes the lake is a bit pressured but I saw one guy get a 2lber on a spook and a dink on a beaver. Any clue what to try next? I didn’t see any beds but I have a feeling some fish were starting to bed.

New gear from OVERTONS 40% off discount. Really looking forward to using that cover pop and shadow rap shad deep!

Hit up a local pond today. I had a few bites (one which nearly took my rod out of my hand!) between me and my brother but no fish landed!! I am really feeling like my first fish of the year will be soon! I will likely hit up either the Kankakee river or Dupage next weekend. It’s finally supposed to be 80 degrees and I’m ready for a good day of fishing!

Well I’m glad I used it last night right before I went to bed.

I’m shore bound. Thanks guys!

I would really like to learn how to fish cranks and jerkbaits. I have always caught fish in jigs and bottom baits in the past. The weather is warming up and I would really like to learn. Should I only fish jerks and cranks until I catch one? I have fished them before but never caught anything on them for some reason.

What!! On top water already! Nice fish too! Are you from southern Illinois?? What time do you guys around Chicago start throwing topwater?

Nice! Glad to see someone catching numbers! What were you using?

Anyone ever fish whalon lake I am going to fish there this weekend. I heard it’s a shad lake is that true? Any tips?

First fish of the year on a rage tail swimmer. Not a bass but my first ever pike! (Pic not working on my end- can you guys see it?

Yep couldn’t get any bites on either of the lakes I fished. I did get one bite in the Dupage river but couldn’t land it.

Is it ok to wade in ponds and lakes in these counties in Illinois?