On 1/24/2015 at 11:03 AM, tbone1993 said:

My teams there right now at Bass U https://www.facebook.com/fightingillinibassclub. They basically confirmed my suspicions, less fishing more lodges etc.  

I don't mind the lodges. The problem is the lodges are all up north. My father son and I went to Rosemont every year for years to pick out a different spring break fishing destination. We fished many of the premier bass lakes in the south. I have fished Reelfoot for crappie, Bull Shoals, Guntersville twice, KY Lake 4 times, Toho, Santee Cooper, Table Rock, Rend, and a few more. When Rosemont had more booths selling sham-wows, glass cleaner, and jewelry than fishing stuff, the lodges stopped showing up. Who could blame them. I like the face to face at the shows. I buy my tackle online and the show deals aren't all that great.

 

I remember the days when Rosemont was a great show. Dozens of boat dealers and hundreds of boats. Aisles of lodges and isles of tackle. My dad would bring a chunk of Velveeta cheese in his pocket so we were guaranteed to catch a fish in the trout pond. The dog training shows and casting contests filled a lot of space. Chauncy had a scavenger hunt and would give the kids free fishing stuff if they found everything on the list. Johns Elgin Market jerky booths were the icing on the cake. (I'm only 15 minutes from Johns so I can get jerky year round now) We could spend an entire day there and never get bored.

 

I did Rosemont I think 3 years ago. I paid extra to see an Iconelli seminar. It was better than recent years but I felt no desire to return. Schaumburg is close, and parking is free. If I spend more than 1 1/2 hours at either of these shows, that's a lot. It's still something to do. I read elsewhere the All Canada show last weekend or the weekend before was extremely disappointing.   

 

Schaumburg had a different jerky dealer last year and I didn't buy any. They had a guy selling buckets of pickles. He will get my business again this year 

On 1/25/2015 at 7:40 AM, slonezp said:

I don't mind the lodges. The problem is the lodges are all up north. My father son and I went to Rosemont every year for years to pick out a different spring break fishing destination. We fished many of the premier bass lakes in the south. I have fished Reelfoot for crappie, Bull Shoals, Guntersville twice, KY Lake 4 times, Toho, Santee Cooper, Table Rock, Rend, and a few more. When Rosemont had more booths selling sham-wows, glass cleaner, and jewelry than fishing stuff, the lodges stopped showing up. Who could blame them. I like the face to face at the shows. I buy my tackle online and the show deals aren't all that great.

 

I remember the days when Rosemont was a great show. Dozens of boat dealers and hundreds of boats. Aisles of lodges and isles of tackle. My dad would bring a chunk of Velveeta cheese in his pocket so we were guaranteed to catch a fish in the trout pond. The dog training shows and casting contests filled a lot of space. Chauncy had a scavenger hunt and would give the kids free fishing stuff if they found everything on the list. Johns Elgin Market jerky booths were the icing on the cake. (I'm only 15 minutes from Johns so I can get jerky year round now) We could spend an entire day there and never get bored.

 

I did Rosemont I think 3 years ago. I don't think it was Bass University but I paid extra to see an Iconelli seminar. It was better than recent years but I felt no desire to return. Schaumburg is close, and parking is free. If I spend more than 1 1/2 hours at either of these shows, that's a lot. It's still something to do. I read elsewhere the All Canada show last weekend or the weekend before was extremely disappointing.   

 

Schaumburg had a different jerky dealer last year and I didn't buy any. They had a guy selling buckets of pickles. He will get my business again this year 

I completely agree. When I was a kid there was always something for me to do or see. Tons of boats, tons of rvs, tons of little shows ( dog training, log rollers/lumber jack contests). They literally had a giant grizzly bear and a crocodile. On top of that they had tons of baits and fishing equipment. They had some junk rolled in between but they actually attracted people to come. Once everything changed they have not been the same show. I will also be buying those pickles, idk what he does but they taste so d**n good.

 

 

Anyone going to the Tinley Park show? 

I'll be there working the booth Saturday and Sunday for my fishing club, the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance.

I'll be there working the booth Saturday and Sunday for my fishing club, the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance.

Ill have to swing by. I'll be running the Illini booth.

We will be at the Tinley Show as well! 

Hope to see many of you there! 

Anyone in northern Illinois know some good bass spots?

Anyone in northern Illinois know some good bass spots?

Yes I do.

Yes

Wisconsin

Yes I do.

Care to share?

Care to share?

 

 

Not really. The internet is not a place where I post good fishing spots. 

Yes

Wisconsin

LOL Ain't that the truth

Care to share?

Do your research. You'll get different answers depending if you have a boat vs shore bound.

Couple months fellas and we can wet a line. First weekend in May is FIB fest 2015. Wahoo!

Anyone in northern Illinois know some good bass spots?

Narrow down your location. If you're in a sub division go pond hoping. If youre 5 min from Wi go there.

Not really. The internet is not a place where I post good fishing spots.

I've already found some great spots near me, but real fishermen are always trying to expand their knowledge about fishing

I've already found some great spots near me, but real fishermen are always trying to expand their knowledge about fishing

Ouch! That hurts. I'd like to be a "real" fisherman like you. Please expand my knowledge and tell me about the great spots near you.

Couple months fellas and we can wet a line. First weekend in May is FIB fest 2015. Wahoo!

Sent you a PM

I've already found some great spots near me, but real fishermen are always trying to expand their knowledge about fishing

Expanding your knowledge and asking for honeyholes are 2 completely different things. I didn't notice you offer up any of your spots. tbone asked whereabouts your looking and I asked by boat or by shore and you didn't answer either one of us 

Expanding your knowledge and asking for honeyholes are 2 completely different things. I didn't notice you offer up any of your spots. tbone asked whereabouts your looking and I asked by boat or by shore and you didn't answer either one of us 

That's not what I asked champ. If you scroll up you'll see that I clearly asked if anyone in northern il knew of some good bass spots. Not once in that post did I mention honey hole. Then Scott F began being a smart ass to me. 

Ouch! That hurts. I'd like to be a "real" fisherman like you. Please expand my knowledge and tell me about the great spots near you.

Not even worth replying to this. All I have to say is that I do not appreciate your attitude, which was clearly displayed by your comments on my previous posts. Have a great day bud.

East-Central Illinois, or not Chicago to most of you. :]

East-Central Illinois, or not Chicago to most of you. :]

Welcome

I'm new to the forum, mine went and died out on me. I'm out here in Elgin, 'bout ten minutes from the Fox. Gimmie a holler if anyone wants to hook up this year for some fishin'.

Expanding your knowledge and asking for honeyholes are 2 completely different things. I didn't notice you offer up any of your spots. tbone asked whereabouts your looking and I asked by boat or by shore and you didn't answer either one of us 

 

 

That's not what I asked champ. If you scroll up you'll see that I clearly asked if anyone in northern il knew of some good bass spots. Not once in that post did I mention honey hole. Then Scott F began being a smart ass to me. 

If I had information to go on I could give you a hand.  Northern ,Il could be from the north side of chicago to the boarder.  That being said I wouldnt ask Scott for spots, he doesnt even list his favorite lake lol. Bet if you joined his club and got to know his buddies they would be willing to help.