7 hours ago, Jp_midwest said:

hey whats up guys im new on here. im up in northern lake county and i just wanted to say hello and i actually know people on here like @Jig Rookie from swimbait underground and well i love throwing big baits even if illinois isnt really know for that but well im up to the challenge. I also the high school state series on the chain here in northern illinois and hopefully i can get on the podium so i can go down to state this year.

I'm very familiar with the Chain. Been fishing it for 20 years or so. 

8 hours ago, Jp_midwest said:

hey whats up guys im new on here. im up in northern lake county and i just wanted to say hello and i actually know people on here like @Jig Rookie from swimbait underground and well i love throwing big baits even if illinois isnt really know for that but well im up to the challenge. I also the high school state series on the chain here in northern illinois and hopefully i can get on the podium so i can go down to state this year.

@Jp_midwest What's up man! The Lee's over by Busse Lake is having an expo? When is that happening, I'll have to Google. 

13 hours ago, Jig Rookie said:

@Jp_midwest What's up man! The Lee's over by Busse Lake is having an expo? When is that happening, I'll have to Google. 

yeah they are i saw on japan import tackle's instagram. they are like sister stores and the guy from japan import tackle said hes bringing limited baits that where supposed to be for the chicago land show. hes taking some imakatsu and im guessing some jointed claw 178's because he liked my comment about it i hope he does so i can get on those limited baits.

Any of you guys have experience with the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance. Ive been thinking bout joining.

On 1/29/2022 at 7:19 PM, Bdnoble84 said:

Any of you guys have experience with the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance. Ive been thinking bout joining.

 

 

Talk to @Scott F I am pretty sure he is a member.

On 1/29/2022 at 7:19 PM, Bdnoble84 said:

Any of you guys have experience with the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance. Ive been thinking bout joining.

I was a member for a few years back when I waded the Kank a lot.  Good group if you are into river smallies.  The forum has a lot of good members that share good, fishing-catching info.  

I believe @Scott F should be able to help you out with the ISA

New FOID card info

FYI, I just got my new FOID card in the mail. It had no expiration date. Apparently, after the 1st of the year, if you have a CCL, the FOID and CCL will now be renewed together when the CCL expires and a single card will be issued rather than 2 separate cards.

  https://www.commercial-news.com/news/changes-coming-jan-1-to-illinois-firearm-id-cards/article_2539c48a-6739-11ec-a3b6-83bf5027a7f8.html#:~:text=As FOID cards are replaced,be printed without expiration dates.

 

Hopefully that's not the only change coming involving the brazenly illegal foid card, with any luck it the current court case deciding it's fate will completely banish it. You should't have to pay a fee and submit private information to obtain constitutional right.

On 1/24/2022 at 11:25 AM, Jp_midwest said:

lees baits and tackle is doing there own mini "expo" this week end im planning to go because they are going to have some exclusive baits. its also near the the convention center in shamburg anyone else planning to go? i kinda wanna meet more IL fisherman

I love Lees…..was born and raised in Schaumburg and now reside down in Naperville. Was just there on Monday to browse. He has some really unique items in there. Anglers International off Dundee is another great one.

Anyone know official Braidwood opening? I’ve heard March 1st but also heard sometimes it’s the weekend before or right after.

 

Nice to see these temps on the uptick and the longer days right around the corner! 

22 hours ago, slonezp said:

New FOID card info

FYI, I just got my new FOID card in the mail. It had no expiration date. Apparently, after the 1st of the year, if you have a CCL, the FOID and CCL will now be renewed together when the CCL expires and a single card will be issued rather than 2 separate cards.

  https://www.commercial-news.com/news/changes-coming-jan-1-to-illinois-firearm-id-cards/article_2539c48a-6739-11ec-a3b6-83bf5027a7f8.html#:~:text=As FOID cards are replaced,be printed without expiration dates.

 

Did you renew on-line or via phone. I have a current FOID and I need to renew it as well. 

online. Took about 6 weeks to get the new cared

Ice just came off the ponds yesterday--I got out during a snowstorm this morning with a Hudd 68 and a Ned Rig. Ned for the win.

@Jp_midwest

7 hours ago, Jig Rookie said:

Ice just came off the ponds yesterday--I got out during a snowstorm this morning with a Hudd 68 and a Ned Rig. Ned for the win.

@Jp_midwest

haha sick. i went out yesterday too. no luck tho i just went out with conventional, i didn't even bother rigging up the big bait set up.

@Jig Rookie C'mon man! That was no snowstorm! 

Been out to the fox river several times now, no sign of life so far, need a good rain to get things cookin'.

@slonezpHahaha, it was off and on. I'm in McHenry Co, it snowed all night through about 1p. I finally got bit right at the tail end. Spring is here, they're eating!

7 minutes ago, Bassjam2000 said:

Been out to the fox river several times now, no sign of life so far, need a good rain to get things cookin'.

Need night time temps to get above 40*

6 minutes ago, Jig Rookie said:

@slonezpHahaha, it was off and on. I'm in McHenry Co, it snowed all night through about 1p. I finally got bit right at the tail end. Spring is here, they're eating!

Good on you for getting out. Still have ice in northwest suburban Cook.

Got out to Braidwood this past Saturday.  The wind actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be during the morning.  Caught a few good ones right on the shorelines on plastics.  Water anywhere from 60 to 65 but a little murkier than what is normal.  Would of had a great day but lost several in the 4 lb range right at the boat.  I broke my wrist a little over a month ago and it was hurting on hooksets.  lol- at least I hope that's the reason I lost the fish.  It would have sucked if I were fishing a tournament since I would have had a real nice bag if I could have gotten everything in the boat.

@Junk Fisherman Were you fishing the shore from a boat or shorebanging? Is Braidwood a power plant lake, never freezes? Sounds like you had an awesome day, good stuff.

13 hours ago, Jig Rookie said:

@Junk Fisherman Were you fishing the shore from a boat or shorebanging? Is Braidwood a power plant lake, never freezes? Sounds like you had an awesome day, good stuff.

Braidwood is one of the last powerplant lakes that still operates in northern IL. It's old flooded strip mines. Was a "dead" lake for bass for quite sometime. They added a bunch of fish cribs and did some stocking and it has come back.

 

On a side note, ponds are clear of ice in the Schaumburg area.

@Jp_midwest

When do you usually start sending the big stuff? You wait for a certain water temp?

Got back out to the same pond today, mid-afternoon so the water was probably at its warmest point. I decided to give the glide bait a try and got one to eat. Slow glides with a pause in between. This fish ate in less than four feet of water, maybe fifteen yards off the shoreline.

On 3/8/2022 at 7:40 AM, Jig Rookie said:

@Junk Fisherman Were you fishing the shore from a boat or shorebanging? Is Braidwood a power plant lake, never freezes? Sounds like you had an awesome day, good stuff.

 

Like Paul said, it's a powerplant lake.  I was fishing from a boat but there is a lot of shore access.  

I'm running out to Arlington Heights for an errand tomorrow and know nothing about fishing out that way.  I have a couple rods, finesse jigs, jerkbaits, and small keitechs with me.  Looking at stopping and throwing around Busse, Songbird Slough, or Bode Lakes.  I know this is sensitive stuff, but I'd love a chance at something.  If anyone wants to recommend somewhere near there, it'd be much appreciated.

 

scott