20 hours ago, slonezp said:

How you been? Mama and baby good? Keeping busy at work?

 

Everything is good here my friend. Work has been extremely busy. Boys are almost 6, no babies anymore. We're done, the twins are enough for us. How are you? 

1 hour ago, MarkH024 said:

Everything is good here my friend. Work has been extremely busy. Boys are almost 6, no babies anymore. We're done, the twins are enough for us. How are you? 

Became a grandpa last August. My step daughter had a healthy little boy named Eric Jr. My son got promoted to senior accountant at work, and is going to school to get his CPA license on the bosses dime. I started a new job this week, similar to the last but more money, more potential for growth, and more my niche. Otherwise just rolling along.

20 hours ago, Tracker22 said:

Pooti! Busting em!

Haha you know Patrick?? Small world

Finally got some open water. Grabbed my new ALX rod and a jig and headed to a local pond to try out the rod. First cast, caught a 2 lb largie. Bad news, didn't tighten my drag back up after loosening it for the winter. Major birds nest, but felt good to be out casting and catching. Anyone else get out today?

Getting the gear ready. Probably get the boat ready next weekend. 

Southern Illinois here about to go try and do some fishing dor 3 hours or so. Got some nicer weather this week bass should start biting. Caught a couple last sunday one was 6 pounds. Hoping to catch some more with this warmer rain we had.

Fixed my boat this past weekend, had to thread chase a plug on the motor. Now I need to do some TLC on the fiberglass in a few spots, oxidation removal.  My gear was pretty dormant last year so my stuff should be good to go in that respect.  These 60 degree days are a tease, especially working.  Looking forward to getting out asap.

Saturday the truck is getting a new radiator. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the boat is coming out of storage on Sunday. 

Getting itchy...it's been a long winter!

Heading out in the morning! 

7 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Heading out in the morning! 

Report is a must! 

2 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Report is a must! 

Of course. It may be here or in the other species thread. Meeting dad at the ramp for a day of multi-species fishing.

Good for you two! I'll be hooking up a bathroom vent fan. 

 

I broke out a combo today and a handful of lures and took off for some strip pit fishing from shore. To my surprise, the bass were very cooperative. Only two, but I was only there for an hour. A blade bait got them both. The bigger one picked it up off the bottom.  Felt good to get out. 

Hopefully this d**n snow misses us here. Now that the boy isn't playing travel baseball I'll actually have time to fish for the first time in a few years... Time to get my gear cleaned up and tuned up. Good Luck to all.

 

12 hours ago, slonezp said:

 

Good for you! Nice write up!!

Headed out again today. Another cold start. Fish were in 22-26fow. Dragging crawlers and minnows behind a split shot. Water temp was 42 at best. Did a little bass fishing with no takers. Maybe next week...

Got out yesterday afternoon from around 2 til dusk. Mid 40's rained all afternoon. Water temp was right at 48 degrees, the low end of the prespawn. Caught 7 fish, 6 of which were the size of my phone lol. But the one that was over a pound was a fat full of eggs near a laydown and she nailed a round billed red craw looking crank bait getting drug on the bottom. I'm thinking its only going to take another degree or two of warmth and things might get interesting around here.

 

Really trying to get out prespawn this year, seems like most years its over before I know it has even started. I am always guessing the water is colder than it actually is and when I do figure its warmed up enough to get the fat girls moving I am always too late. Hopefully this year braving some of the colder nastier weather pays off with some bigger catches.

We're here!

Caught a bunch of fish on Sangchris on Wednesday. 60* water and they were crushing topwater. I love power plants  video will be up soon.

New to the forums but glad to see such an active IL section!  From Buffalo Grove but have a house on a small lake just across the boarder in Bristol.  Fish year round but really excited for this season because GF and I are getting a brand new Tracker Pro 175 TXW.  Boat has arrived at Cabelas just waiting for it to be checked out and for them to tell me I can come pick it up!!  GF works at the Cabelas part-time and I actually work at BPS part-time.  Really excited because we got the boat we already have a few trips planned for this summer.  Going to Lacrosse, WI in June to camp and watch the Bass Elites compete then will be heading down to BPS Springfield, MO to check it out and fish and camp on Table Rock for a week.  Should be an awesome summer!  Looking forward to meeting, learning and contributing with everyone. Looks like a great forums!

2 hours ago, jfergus7 said:

New to the forums but glad to see such an active IL section!  From Buffalo Grove but have a house on a small lake just across the boarder in Bristol.  Fish year round but really excited for this season because GF and I are getting a brand new Tracker Pro 175 TXW.  Boat has arrived at Cabelas just waiting for it to be checked out and for them to tell me I can come pick it up!!  GF works at the Cabelas part-time and I actually work at BPS part-time.  Really excited because we got the boat we already have a few trips planned for this summer.  Going to Lacrosse, WI in June to camp and watch the Bass Elites compete then will be heading down to BPS Springfield, MO to check it out and fish and camp on Table Rock for a week.  Should be an awesome summer!  Looking forward to meeting, learning and contributing with everyone. Looks like a great forums!

Went to the day 3 weigh ins for the FLW event in La Crosse last year. Brutal conditions just cold and rained all day but cool to see guys flipping flooded timber and catching smallmouths. Not huge bags but the guys that could find largemouths did well. Planning on going again in June to see the Elites. 

Welcome

1 hour ago, Brown Town said:

Went to the day 3 weigh ins for the FLW event in La Crosse last year. Brutal conditions just cold and rained all day but cool to see guys flipping flooded timber and catching smallmouths. Not huge bags but the guys that could find largemouths did well. Planning on going again in June to see the Elites. 

I am really looking forward to going. Gonna take the new boat and already have a campsite reserved right on the waters edge where we can beach the boat right at our site.  Should be a great weekend trip!