I am new to the forum, and just want to say hello first. Hello.

The only place to fish nearby for me is the Kankakee river.  This river holds all sorts of fish, from gar to crappie. Its a long river and currents are pretty fast, and the bottom is very rocky.  Ive caught fish here and there but not consistant at all.  The only time i ever can almost guarantee just 1 fish is in the EARLY morning(5am).  I always start out throwing a top water bait, like a torpedo. With no luck, and then move on to a crankbait then a soft plastic.  Problem is, I dont have a boat and the river isnt all that deep.  I get snags a whole lot when using anything other than a topwater bait. But the thing is, I havent gotten many hits off a topwater bait.  I just want to know what my fellow fisherman can suggest to use on the river in the: Morning, Midday, and Evening.  Also, how will I go about using the bait you recommend?

 I just recently got into fishing, since I am done with high school and have a summer to kill until college.

Thanks

O yea, Kankakee River is in Illinois.

Hey, my aunt and uncle live within a short drive of the Kankakee.  I can ask my uncle what he usually fishes when he is there.

By the way, welcome!

While I aint no river rat I will wonder over to Toro Creek below the Toledo Bend dam which has extremely fast cold shallow water that is loaded with Kentucky (spotted) bass. My must productive technique is a Texas rig with a ¼ oz bullet weight, 2/0 hook, & a Zoom Baby Brush Hog in Watermelon/Neon. I'll make a long cast up stream and give the rig just enough hop to make the current carry the bait down stream.

Welcome aboard!

Here is a thread to start with on "Reading a River."

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1183129059

You'll find several threads suggesting lures, other equipment, techniques and tactics in our "Smallmouth" section. I think you will find these discussions helpful even if you target is largemouth and Kentucky bass. Take a look through the back pages, too.

Good luck!

WELCOME ABOARD!!!!

I too often fish rivers I grew up fishing the Columbia river in Oregon and I learned a few things that might help. For one look for any kind of cover IE downed trees, weed lines, ETC anything that will change the current flow.

Thanks for all the responses.

The bad thing about this river is there is no fallen trees or any cover for that matter.

I am new to the forum, and just want to say hello first. Hello.

The only place to fish nearby for me is the Kankakee river. This river holds all sorts of fish, from gar to crappie. Its a long river and currents are pretty fast, and the bottom is very rocky. Ive caught fish here and there but not consistant at all. The only time i ever can almost guarantee just 1 fish is in the EARLY morning(5am). I always start out throwing a top water bait, like a torpedo. With no luck, and then move on to a crankbait then a soft plastic. Problem is, I dont have a boat and the river isnt all that deep. I get snags a whole lot when using anything other than a topwater bait. But the thing is, I havent gotten many hits off a topwater bait. I just want to know what my fellow fisherman can suggest to use on the river in the: Morning, Midday, and Evening. Also, how will I go about using the bait you recommend?

I just recently got into fishing, since I am done with high school and have a summer to kill until college.

Thanks

O yea, Kankakee River is in Illinois.

Well first...welcome...

second...I live somewhere near you and have fished the Kankakee. The Kankakee...depending on where along it you are fishing exactly...can be deceptive. There are some weird currents on that river. The water is usually dirty and it does not take much on that river to get it stirred up and it to become like fishing in hot chocalate.

The first thing to keep in mind is that 10% of the water holds 90% of the fish. If you are fishing for a specific species...like Bass...there will be alot of hit and miss until you find them. We always end up covering alot of water on that river. It is under alot of pressure...the fish are smart and have seen every bait ever made. Do not be discouraged...the Kankakee can be tough fishing.

I have never had much luck with surface baits on the kankakee except in some of the backwater turnouts/bays and eddy's...the protected, slow current side of some points. When I go out on the Kankakee I usually look for slack water...the backside of large lay downs, places where there are large rocks, backside of jutting points, the inside of turns and changes in the direction of the river, the backside of weed beds...places where the current changes. I will toss in a spinner or a crank...if I get nothing...I will toss in some plastics and fish them real slow.

I do not know how many times during a tournament we have gone in behind someone, or they behind us, and have pulled fish out of a spot we felt was already well fished. The pressure on the kankakee makes the fish kind of finacky.

Oh and I usually change my rods to braided line before fishing the Kankakee...too much stuff to cut and snap mono or floura lines...