33 minutes ago, Tracker22 said:

I’m trying to get into the big baits. I’ve been seeing a lot on FB Swimbait Universe. Nobody throws them down here ( So. ILL.) and I think it will give me an advantage.

100% it will, I've got a perfect case in point.  I just got back from a pond I hadn't fished in a couple years, since before I started throwing swimbaits.  I hated the place, never caught anything over a pound-and-a-half, water's always chocolatey, less than a foot visibility.  Decided on a whim to go out there today for an hour and throw the bluegill colored Shine Glide, told my buddy, "Man I bet those fish have never seen a bait over five inches," and sure enough, stuck a 3.59 (pics below).  Unreal.  

 

Check out Swimbait Underground, in my opinion the best swimbait site out there and it's not close.  You'll have to register, but there's a wealth of info.  

 

But yeah, I had never caught a five-pound bass before I started throwing swimbaits, and now I've caught three since last October.  And I'm in northern Illinois.  Down south you've got some MONSTERS swimming around in your waters, and I bet they'll crush big baits.  Good luck man, PM me if you ever have any questions and I'll help as best I can.

Another Shine Glide eater--the swimbait bite has been on fire up here for the last month or so.

 

If any of you know someone looking for the ultimate fishing rig, mine is for sale.

 

 

Anyone here looking to sell a kayak?  

5 hours ago, I/MBasser said:

Anyone here looking to sell a kayak? 

Possibly selling my tarpon 120.  NW burbs

8 hours ago, Allen Der said:

Possibly selling my tarpon 120.  NW burbs

I'd be interested if you do.  If you decide to sell send me some details (color, age, condition, cost, etc.)

thanks

rob

Can anyone school me on fishing the Kankakee for smallmouth?  I've got the itch to try it but I've not done it before.  I'll be bank fishing around Kankakee State Park.  Water temps at Wilmington are the low 60's right now.  Does it need to get a little colder?  I would lean toward trying hair jigs and Ned rigs.  Maybe small spinners?  Am I on the right track?  Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you!

All of those baits along with everything else will work. There is no magic bait that you need to be using. Go when you can and don’t be too concerned with water temps. The river is still a bit high and fast but it’s coming down. Rain on Thursday and Friday along with a cold front is going to screw things up for a while. Watch out for ticks.  

Threw the wake-and-crank last night; water's cooling off quick up here in the Northwest 'burbs, reaction bite's decent right now.

Nice!

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/10/15/20916246/joe-capilupo-catches-illinois-record-smallmouth-smashes-samps-1985-record

Merry Christmas guys. 

 

Hoping to spend more time on the water next year. This year was full of family issues and I'm glad most of it is behind me. I haven't been on the water since July. I've got a lot of making up to do come ice out. The way the weather is going as of late, ice out might be in February. 

 

Come on spring!!!

1 hour ago, slonezp said:

Merry Christmas guys. 

 

Hoping to spend more time on the water next year. This year was full of family issues and I'm glad most of it is behind me. I haven't been on the water since July. I've got a lot of making up to do come ice out. The way the weather is going as of late, ice out might be in February. 

 

Come on spring!!!

Get a boat ordered so you can hit the ground running. 

22 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Get a boat ordered so you can hit the ground running. 

Does that mean you're buying the Lund?

3 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Does that mean you're buying the Lund?

Will you accept 360 monthly interest free payments? 

I'll be dead in 30 years or at least wishing I was

10 hours ago, slonezp said:

I'll be dead in 30 years or at least wishing I was

I’ll still pay, I promise. ?

Anybody get out over the holiday break? This weather may have taken the ice off near you? 

 

Maybe the next 3 days...

2 hours ago, dgkasper58 said:

Anybody get out over the holiday break? This weather may have taken the ice off near you? 

 

Maybe the next 3 days...

Water is partly open in lake county, if we get another weather break (50’s/60’s) you can bet I’m scratching the itch

5 hours ago, dgkasper58 said:

Anybody get out over the holiday break? This weather may have taken the ice off near you? 

 

Maybe the next 3 days...

Before and after Christmas I got out for some trout.

 

14 hours ago, dgkasper58 said:

Anybody get out over the holiday break? This weather may have taken the ice off near you? 

 

Maybe the next 3 days...

I live in Lake County as well, a lot of open water in the middle shore ice too thin to walk and definitely  can't launch a boat. Come On Spring.

Heading to the Schaumburg fishing show on Saturday. Anyone else going?

I’ll be working the booth for The Illinois Smallmouth Alliance, open to close, all 4 days.

I was planning to go on Friday to avoid crowds, anyone know if this shows gets overrun like the motorcycle show on the weekend?