Otter17

Thanks guys! It’s just a stream, but there are a few deep holes where the water isn’t moving through fast at all when the water comes down a bit. Will look to probably focus on those areas with the methods you guys have suggested or live bait.

Now that the ice has melted and the rivers are pretty high right now in Chicagoland, when can I start fishing for smallmouth? Can the temps be “too low” for them to strike. Thankyou

Wait a second! Is that even possible!? I didn’t even think a smallmouth could fit a 10” warmouth in their mouths. Even crazier that it was only 17”. That is freakin impressive man. That again changes what I thought I knew about smallies! Thankyou for sharing that Patrick Knight! ?

Do LM and SM crossbreed? Leucistic? That is totally new to me. Never heard that one. Thanks for sharing that. ?

For Sure! It would be the Moby Dick of freshwater. ?

Piebald Catfish. An albino coloration.

Awesome smallmouth Scott! That would make me pretty darn happy to catch anything near that size.

That is Super Awesome that you guys are Proactive in educating people about catch and release like that. That is huge. I also fish for Flathead catfish on the Rock river and sometimes the Kankakee. The Rock used to have a good number 40- 50lbers. These fish are becoming rarer and rarer because there are no effective regulations to stop people from eating them. A person can “legally” set out a trotline with 50 hooks on it. No fish on a trotline lives. That’s destrying the sport fishery on that river. They need to learn from what you guys do.

Thankyou Scott. That was very informative. ? I grew up near the Dupage in Joliet my whole life, and was a river rat. It meant a lot to me when they cleaned up the river, and put bans on taking any smallmouth from it. It’s a beautiful and bountiful river today, because someone cared enough about it back then to do something about it. Thanks for describing that 6lber situation as well.?

I remember reading this article back in 2012, and was kind of blown away by it then. And finely stumbled across it again. It was back when they were restoring the Dupage River(SW Chicago suburbs) and its smallmouth bass fishery. It is pretty much a stream, averaging just 25-30yards across in most areas. At that time in the Warrenville area, the DNR released 100 20” smallmouth Bass that averaged 4-6lbs.!! I was just completey surprised they were introducing 6lb. Smallmouths to this small river. Never heard of that before. Has anyone who fishes the Dupage, ever even caught a 6lber.?! And has anyone around the country heard of Smallmouths of that size being stocked in their waters? https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailyherald.com/amp-article/20120531/news/705319958/

Thanks for sharing that WRB! I was wondering why they sat like that. I didnt know if that’s just they were, or if a purpose was behind it. ?

Looking to purchase a durable and accurate thermometer. I don’t have a boat or fishfinder, so I just need something to measure the temps when I’m either wading or shore fishing. Thanks all!

? I love that imagery! “Like a Great White!” That’s Awesome!?? That’s what I’ll do then. Thanks snake95! I just checked out the Sammie’s like you said. Never heard of them before.

I do like the Green Gizzard Shad finish in the Sexy Dawg. I fish some really crystal clear waters, and that color resembles the Shad in these lakes pretty well. I’ll probably pick that one up specifically for those waters. And have my Spooks and Puppy’s for other waters.

Those are 2 dang SOLID ideas there buzzbaiter83! Thanks for sharing those!

Thanks Itshardwick, thats good to know. The Spooks work so well the way they are, it’s hard for me to buy any other walking Baits. The only reason for me is maybe the offering of different color patterns that Heddon offers.

I just picked up a bunch of Spooks, Jr’s, and Puppy’s. Then I just noticed the Sexy Dawgs. I have never seen them before. Should I be trying these out?

Thankyou burrows, for letting me know about that. I’ll check it out. ?

X2 to that for sure! ? To be honest, that’s why I mostly own Ugly Stiks, so I don’t have to worry about a $120 rod breaking in the middle of the lake, and me left with nothing to fish with. I know I sacrifice sensitivity using Ugly Stiks, but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to take, for the piece of mind knowing I don’t have to worry about my rod breaking. Some say, I need to just learn how to Baby the tip of the rod so that doesn’t happen. My thought is, for $120 I Shouldn’t have to worry about that happening. Hey, I know a lot of fisherman are light years ahead of me in skill, abilities, and catching fish. They have their reasons for buying high modulous graphite Rods, And they are skilled enough to handle them right. Me, I’m just a normal guy who loves to go fishing. I’m clumbsy, I accidentally drop my rods sometimes. When I’m wade fishing, the reels accidentally get dunked in the river. I mean for crap sake, it’s the outdoors! Things get banged around. And because of that, I’ll choose to buy Ugly Stiks over St. Croix’s. They still catch me plenty of fish.

That is a gorgeous looking bait right there man. I looked at the other finishes as well, and they look sweet! Thanks for sharing this. ?

I appreciate all your suggestion guys! I was doing a little thinking, and I really want the reel to last. I’ve never owned a bad Shimano Reel. I own the: Curado 300E Tekota 600 Corvalus 300 And 400 Sedona Fi 3000 I know it’s over my stated budget, but I think I’m just going to jump up to the Citica 200i. I’m assuming this is a reel that I can trust and count on for a while.

Thanks Allen! Got mine in the mail today. They look great!

Beautiful water there!

Looking to pick up a low pro reel. Just a decent budget friendly one. I won’t be using it a ton. Just to have with me when I do need to use it. But I definitely don’t want any really cheap piece of garbage ones either. Would this Tourney Special Reel be a decent one to buy? Anyone have any experience with these? Not looking to spend more than $70. Thanks all!

X2 ?