Is that a 5500 C3 I see on deck? I used them exclusively until about 4 or 5 years ago. Now I just use it for the A-rig. Built to last forever. My boats in the shop. They're replacing the trailer brakes under warranty. I should have it back by Wednesday. I'm itching to get out. Nice haul by the way.

Thanks. It is the 5500 c3.  I have a couple of those and the c4 as well.  I could not get rid of them if I tried and it seems they can cast light and heavy weights.  I actually consider them one of the more versatile reels out of what I have.

That particular one is about 10-15 years old, never been cleaned etc., and is my main jig reel.  Very reliable.

nice fish man. i havent made it out there yet this past week, but gonna try them out late today and tmrw.

i will be in the green smoker craft, say hi if you see me.

Nice bass, you need to get in one of the Clinton Lake 100% payout tournaments they have, I bet you could clean house. 

 

Nice catch!

Nice bass Nice_Bass

Nice bass, you need to get in one of the Clinton Lake 100% payout tournaments they have, I bet you could clean house. 

 

Nice catch!

Wish I could find a schedule of tourneys there.

On a different note- I am looking to start fishing tournaments next year- I fish one every so often now- but would like to start fishing in some larger ones to qualify for even larger ones.  Problem is, I really don't want to join the local bass club- their schedule of lakes does not interest me much at all.  Anyhow, I know there are a couple different options out there but was not sure what level you guys have been fishing at. 

Daughter getting older now, and I will be able to spend a bit more time away...

On 9/11/2013 at 8:59 AM, Nice_Bass said:

Wish I could find a schedule of tourneys there.

On a different note- I am looking to start fishing tournaments next year- I fish one every so often now- but would like to start fishing in some larger ones to qualify for even larger ones.  Problem is, I really don't want to join the local bass club- their schedule of lakes does not interest me much at all.  Anyhow, I know there are a couple different options out there but was not sure what level you guys have been fishing at. 

Daughter getting older now, and I will be able to spend a bit more time away...

 

I am with Champaign County Bassmasters, we meet the first Monday of every month at the VFW in Champaign at 7.  We usually fish Clinton, Shelbyville, Mattoon, Springfield depending on the year.  Past years we have fished at Lake Vermillion and Mill Creek.  We fish one tournament a month on Sundays.

 

One of our board members is running the Anglers Choice Circuit at Shelbyville and if you fish 6 your a able to get in the classic and possible to win big money or a Legend boat. 

 

Also a bunch of the guys are in the IBF (Illinois bass federation) and fish several sponsored tournaments. 

 

Let me know if you have any questions about the club or wanting to get into the Anglers Choice.

.

 

One of our board members is running the Anglers Choice Circuit at Shelbyville and if you fish 6 your a able to get in the classic and possible to win big money or a Legend boat. 

 

 

Anglers Choice dropped the wild card for 2014. Just showing up doesn't cut it anymore. You now have to qualify with points. They still give out 3 boats at the TOC. 1st, 2nd, and a draw boat. The "big" money is mostly thru side pots. There's been roughly 200 boats at the TOC the past few years. Don't know if that's going to change, with the change in the wild card. I've been fishing AC for around 6 years now. It's pretty well run.

AC looks interesting..

Buddy team format that you fish the same lake each tourney (others if you wish as well).

This might be an easy fun option.

IBF would be what I am looking for- but again requires club membership- I just want to go out and fish...

AC has a membership as well, but there are no formal meetings. Everything is done at the ramp. The nice thing is you can pay one annual membership and fish any division you want, only paying the entry fee. I don't know if there's Anglers Dream near you. There entry fee is less and it seems to be run ok. My son has a couple of buddies who fish it. The only thing I don't like is the local tournament director fishes and runs the weigh in. Just doesn't seem right.  

finally made it out to clinton past few days. fising was alittle slow with this weather but we caught a few each day with a few 3-4 lbers. the shad are everywhere fall is gonna be real good out here.

 

where are the whitebass? i want my gf to get into some but we just havent been able to find them last few times out.

they were on long shallow points like IP point in the evenings and before that were on the gravel pits and deep points as well.  

Next time I go out I will start out at the mouths of  coves with narrow openings with shad moving in and out, and work my way out... starting at the dam and moving towards IP point.  

logbook this time last year says catching some in the mouths, some on long shallow points, and a handful already back into the creek areas. 

 

Mostly, will be fishing the cool side however that is also the only side I ever really fish.

4 bites for 3 fish in 6 hours. I shoulda stayed home.

4 bites for 3 fish in 6 hours. I shoulda stayed home.

been there...

last Friday to be exact.

anyone get out on clinton this week? i am headed out tmrw and trying to see what bite theyre on?

 

last week i found shad in the mid to back of a few coves and caught them on a spinnerbait and swim jig, but i think this weather should get them moving.

anyone get out on clinton this week? i am headed out tmrw and trying to see what bite theyre on?

last week i found shad in the mid to back of a few coves

and caught them on a spinnerbait and swim jig, but i

think this weather should get them moving.

Going out tomorrow morning-going to let rhis front have an extra day to sit. Let me know how you do-strangly enough I am looking foward to wearing some fall jacket and fishing

Made it back up to Delavan today. Bite was a lot slower than a few weeks ago, but we couldn't fish aggressively because my dad came along. He's not up for standing and casting all day. Got a handful of pike and bass. Bass averaged 15"-16", and the pike were all under 24". My son lost a good pike, probably over 10lbs. We saw it jump a couple times after it broke off trying to throw the spinnerbait. Here's the big bass of the day, pushing 20". He got it on a chatterbait

I know I'm not the only one . Where are ya's ????? :'(

Hey guys

i'm new to fishing and primarily fish Busse lake but dont see much action

any advice of some good fishing areas in north cook / lake county in the fall?

Of course i'm not asking you to give me your secret spots but any tips eould be appteciated

Hey guys

i'm new to fishing and primarily fish Busse lake but dont see much action

any advice of some good fishing areas in north cook / lake county in the fall?

Of course i'm not asking you to give me your secret spots but any tips eould be appteciated

Some of these are in Dupage. Beck Lake, Bass Lake, Deep Quarry, Mallard, Independence Grove, Sterling Lake, Blackwell

Thanks slonez

Some of these are in Dupage. Beck Lake, Bass Lake, Deep Quarry, Mallard, Independence Grove, Sterling Lake, Blackwell

My nephew is 17 and he lives in Carol Stream. He and his buddies fish Mallard regularly.  On 9-16-2013, the three of them got (6) bass that day. (3) at 3 lbs and one bas at 4-1/4 lbs. Plus some smaller fish. That was the best day they had all season.

 I went to Lake Beulah instead of Delavan, yesterday. Started fishing at 6:30 AM and left at noon. Beautiful day on the water, but fishing was really tough. Got a 14" fish first cast on the water. Fished my usual spots nothing . Got my second fish 15-1/2" about 11:00 AM. Then my wife got a 17" at 12:00 when I was putting gear away in the boat. Really slow day . I spoke to a guy out there and he said that, that lake already turned over. I also spoke to several guys fishing a tourney there and they had no fish. Jigs rule and do catch fish.

 

Hey guys

i'm new to fishing and primarily fish Busse lake but dont see much action

any advice of some good fishing areas in north cook / lake county in the fall?

Of course i'm not asking you to give me your secret spots but any tips eould be appteciated

Crankcaster,

I'm originally from Chicago, so I can give you some tips on some of the lakes there because I used to fish all these from shore. Among other lakes are. Arlington Lake (Arlington Heights), Butler Lake, Independence Grove, Lake Corina all in (Libertyville), Big Bear Lake (Vernon Hills), Beleau, Big Bend, Axehead, Skokie Lagoons, Schiller Woods and Beck Lake all in Cook county. These lakes are all shore accessible no motor boats allowed. Some places, you can put in a canoe or kayak. If you need more info PM me.

PS: I have no secrets or secret baits, It's all about finding fish,confidence in what you are using, presentation and spending time on the water.

Thanks cadman