So my family just got our first bass boat. Sweet lightly used Ranger 188vx! I could not be more excited. We live in the Chicago area and are making a trip to Wisconsin in about a month. Today we decided that's too long to wait to fire this baby up. As of now we are still deciding where to put her in for the first time. Obviously much of the day will be spent just enjoying the fact that we are on a Ranger lol, but I would like to catch some fish as well to really see the potential of the boat. Does anyone have any suggestions on a lake? It will just be a day trip so please keep in mind my location in Chicago. Probably a 3-4 hour drive each way would be the max we can do next week.

Thanks

It's tough with the low water levels right now. If you get a west or southwest wind, launch at Burnham or Diversey and head towards Navy Pier. Fish all the breakwalls for smallies. I'd tell you to hit the Fox Chain, but with the water being low, if you don't know the water, it might be risky. Bass bite has been on fire lately. I know the water well and have gone through a couple props this year. Whereabouts in the area do you live?

Aurora/Naperville area

You could head out to Lasalle. Good summertime lake for blues and hybrid stripers. If you head to the Chain, stay on the northern lakes. Channel, Marie, Bluff, Petite, and Fox. The southern lakes have some really shallow areas. If you don't know about them you could break something. Otherwise head downtown.