cadman

Yes the ones I used were pre-rigged as well. They come in weedless and exposed hooks. I never liked the weedless, because you would miss a lot of hooksets.

If it is what I think it is, they were called "Do-nothing-worms", "Ike-Con" and "Little Action Mac". These worms are poured and molded, so when you cast them out and retrieve them, they would twirl in the water, everyone fishes them that way. But that is not how you are supposed to fish these. You cast it out reel in, ( it will twirl), stop and the worm springs back to shape, reel, stop, reel stop and so on. They are an excellent bass worm fished over weeds tops and through sparse vegetation. They need to be used with a swivel, and preferably a split shot about a 12" above the swivel. This is a very slow presentation, but it does work if you give it some time. I used to always fish these before I started jig fishing. Try them out you will be surprised. Yes, they do have a tendency to snag, also the hooks are kind of small, but I have never had a bass throw one of these.

Felix, Buy it by the pound, it is much cheaper. Any powder paint you buy will all work for jigs. Don't get hung up on brands, because someone was the first to start selling it in the industry. I use 20 different brands and they all are excellent. Also what you pay for 2 oz of Pro-Tec, you can buy a lb from someone else. If you don't use it all it will last forever or you can sell some to a friend. Maybe you will one day start Felix outdoors.

Hey Mark, No problem. When we got off the lake at Geneva. We spoke to a guide that was taking someone out that morning. He said fishing was really tough that day as well. However, he said as it gets colder, the smallies start to cooperate more. So maybe by the time you go it will get better. Post your results as I would like to hear how you did, and your what and where you fished, if you don't mind sharing.

Tell you what I should have gone there today instead of Browns. Went to Browns and got there at 6:30 AM. Well a bit nippy this morning, air temp 45°, water temp was 62°. Went out to the first point fished that stretch, nothing. Went around the point fished that into the bay I got a hammer handle pike. Fished in the bay, nothing. Went across the bay to the other point, nothing. Fished into that bay nothing. Fished towards the dock on south shoreline nothing. Shot across the lake to the north side, wife picks up another hammer handle pike. Fished the island, nothing. Fished the big East bay nothing. Went back to the first point , nothing. That's all folks.

Mark, Went out to Geneva today, got on the water at 6:00 AM still dark. Headed out to Lighthouse Point. 3rd cast felt the old telltale sign of a Geneva bass tapping on my line. Set the hook and a 15-1/2 " was brought to the boat. 15 minutes later and another fish 15". Wow this is going to be a great day. Fished the same area felt some taps, but didn't hook up. Must be those d**n rockies, sure enough. All of a sudden action stopped. Wow that is weird nothing, no taps no rockies nothing. Fished up to 7:00 AM and a northern slams my jig. Brought fish to boat, 30". Nice fish, no wonder the bass stopped biting, a bigger prey lurking in the shadows. Sun started to come up and nothing fished for another 30 minutes and then moved to the golf course. Put on a rattle trap nothing. Moved to the Narrows, fished a long section nothing. Partner throwing top water, I'm throwing a crank. Ran over to Cedar Point, partner picked up a 11" dink. Went across to Conference Point, nothing. Headed back to Lighthouse Point, nothing. Went to fish the flats on Trinkies, nothing. Moved and started to fish docks at Trinkies wacky worm, partner picks up another dink 10" bass. Shoot over to Maytag Point, nothing . Off in the distance see the rain pouring in Fontana. Headed back to the ramp at 12:30 PM. That was all she wrote. Very poor day for fishing. Weather co-operated with just a few sprinkles. Once at the dock, it poured. Hope you have better luck. I'm going to Browns tomorrow. Hope we'll do better.

slonezp, Looks like you guys did good. Nice smallie in the first pic.

Hey QuakenShake, Nice looking fish. I find persistence does pays off. I have spots on a lake that I know produce fish. I will try them at different times of the day like you did. Many times especially in a tourney you can get a couple eventually.

Mark, No problem, I'll post results Saturday night. Not many weekends left. They are taking all the docks out. I usually launch at Linn Pier. I believe the public docks are the last to be removed, and that usually happens around November. If this year follows like the years past, it is usually a jig bite this late in the season. Possibly rattle traps, but traps are a hit and miss. Jigs fished slowly will definitely get bit. Hope we have a good day out there and will definitely give you an update. I also plan to take a day off of work and fish Tichigan in the middle of next week. Running out of time this season, and trying to get my fishing fix in before the cold and rain comes.

Yes Congrats Bwell and nice limit.

Nice pike slonezp, How big was it? I'm going out to Geneva this Saturday and probably to Powers or Browns on Sunday. Browns was really good this year for me caught a lot of fish over 3 lbs. Will give you a report on our success or failure.

If you are going to stay around the shipping canal, definitely try Sawyer Harbor, at the mouth where it meets the shipping canal. Lots of smallies there caught on crankbaits. I fished there a couple of years ago for 5 years straight and did well there, also don't forget to fish inside Sawyer harbor. If you don't find them inside the harbor, then don't waste a lot of time, cause they aren't there, they will be on the outskirts. I also fished and ventured out of the canal towards snake island. I watch the weather religiously, and as the day went on, the wind started to pick u-p. I had a 17' alum. fish-n-ski, and on the way back to the launch in the shipping canal, I was haulin' **** as I saw the weather get progressively worse. Made it in time, but I was never in 3'0 waves and it scared the crap out of me. As far as the lower dells goes. I never tore up a prop running the river, however if you don't know where you are going, then I guarantee you will tear it up. A lot of shale shelfs, and rocks when you come to the dam.. I always stayed at the River's Edge for the weekend. Most of my boat damage was from the boat banging up against the dock when it was tied up, or guys, not knowing how to maneuver around a river that has current, and they hit you as they try to tie up to the dock. Many times I didn't see this as I kept my boat tied up all night on the river. They rent boats there and a lot of guys are careless. Best to take your boat in and out and launch every day. Saves a lot of aggravation. Going up to the dam from the Rivers Edge, stay in the middle until you start coming up to the dam. If you've never been there take it slow and watch the water levels, look over the side of the boat frequently to see how shallow you are and look at the can buoys in the water they will show you where the low spots are. Again don't go flying around the river, especially going up to the dam. As you approach the dam, watch where everyone else goes, and take it slow. It is beautiful up there this time of year. Now going down river past the Rivers Edge, towards the cable, not much to worry about. Again go slow. I would assume that the dam will not be fully open, so you should have some good fishing, as the current won't be as bad. As far as fishing for walleye, sauger and smallies, I have found the best to use out there is 3/8 oz round ball jigs tipped with a fathead. jigged on the bottom, like they fish the Wolf River. You must keep your jig in contact with the bottom as the river fish hug to the bottom on the lower Dells. Operate your electric trolling motor with your foot, and bounce two rods one in each hand, on the bottom. You will find them in slower moving water. I have also had better luck with pink jigs. Bring a lot of jigs, not bass jigs, as you will lose at least 12-24 per day, if you are not bouncing or dragging jigs you will not find the walleye. White and yellow chartreuse works well some days also. I love that section of river and have always done well there. However now I have a fiberglass boat, and It would kill me to see it get damaged. You can also anchor, up river and cast into the river. That works well sometimes also. I found moving around with a trolling motor works better. If you need more info, you've got my number call me. PS: As far as using your GPS to run the river, use your eyes and judgement. GPS is only good for about 10 feet either way. The River is not that wide, so have guys look over the sides as you drive and go slow. I may be over protective of my boat, but you don't want to hit a shale shelf going too fast. It will shear your whole bottom off. I don't want to scare you but it's better to be safe than sorry. Once you drive up and down a couple of times, You will get used to what spots you can run. Good luck ,good fishing and post your fishing results when you get back. Looking for your fish stories. LOL

Definitely post results. Where in Sturgeon bay are you fishing? Also where on the Wisc. River. Upper or Lower Dells. Used to fish the WI river every February when they broke up the ice and would close the season there in late September. Launched out of River's Edge. Ever since I bought a glass boat. I haven't been there. The docks and river are very rough on a glass boat. Definitely got to have an aluminum boat out on the Lower Dells. Always fished the "Cable" and by the dam. excellent walleye and sauger fishing.

Didn't make it to Geneva on Saturday, however went to Delavan Sunday instead of Browns. Beautiful day on the water , warm and sunny with a 5-10 mph wind. Caught 3 bass and (1) northern pike. Bass were 14-1/2, 15 and 16-1/2". Northern Pike was 28". Fished from 7:00 AM -12:30 PM. All fish caught on jigs in 7-10 FOW

Heading out to Geneva on Saturday and Browns Lake on Sunday. Will give you guys a report when I come back.

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.

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.

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.

soopd, Tie the skirt tighter. How many wire wraps do you put on your skirt? I have broken the wire before cutting a skirt, so don't worry about that unless you are using very heavy wire. My skirts do not spin and they will not come off. There is a tutorial posted on tackleunderground regarding tying with wire, or you can PM me your phone number and I can explain it to you along with sending you the tutorial.

Well, guys thanks for your feedback, I appreciate it. It looks like off to BPS I go.

I just want your guys opinion on these two rods. I have two signature series rods and I love them. BPS has the Carbonlite on sale for 79.97. What's the difference between these two rods as far as quality goes other than a $40 price difference. I would be buying 2 baitcasters and 3 spinning rods. I am also thinking non- micro guide rods. Any reason I should buy micro guide rods? Thanks in advance for any help.

Yesterday, the same thing, no weeds or no grass, no fish. They had to have something to relate to.

Wow, those truly are nice and healthy looking bass. Job well done. We fished mainly the west shoreline. Starting from the island and moving up north. Where do you normally fish? Years ago, I used to do well by the pagoda, but haven't done that well in the past several years. Mostly smaller fish on that side, but maybe I'm missing something. You are right about the smaller fish under the docks, and the bigger fish holding either in front of the docks or deeper. The smallie we got was under the dock taken on a wacky worm, just a straggler looking for shade I guess. Is that a remote for a Terrova in your pic on your belt? If so how do you like your motor? I have a Terrova with the I-pilot and I love it.

My buddy was up there last week, and he was getting all the bass in 12 - 16 feet of water. Last week they got (3) over 4 lbs and (2) over 5 lbs, another 12 smaller fish and (1) musky about 36". You are right fishing is on fire there. I'm going up again this coming weekend. We started out in 14 feet of water, and we didn't get anything. We found them all in shallower 6-10 feet. All the bass we got yesterday were fat except that smallie. It looked really thin for a 20" smallie.

Well for all you Illinois guys, I fished with a friend of mine on Lake Delavan (Delavan, WI) yesterday. Coming out of the buoys was a cool brisk foggy morning. Headed out to the west shoreline, and on the second cast my friend got a 19" walleye on a rattle trap. About 20 minutes later, I got a 15-1/2" largemouth on a jig. We proceeded down the shoreline, I got another 15-1/2" bass and he got a 17-1/2" bass. About and hour later I got a 14" bass and he got a 20" smallie. The smallie was really skinny and only weighed 3.9 lbs. we turned around and worked the same shoreline going with the wind, and he got a 16" bass. We worked the area for awhile, and I got a 17-1/2 and a 16" bass. We turned around and made another pass, and I picked up another 17-1/2" bass and lost a nice one as it jumped. Overall it was a really good productive 8 hour day. The largemouth were all really fat. Also in the mix we got around (8) northern pike the biggest being 28". So 9 bass and 1 walleye is not bad for an 8 hour day considering. The 17-1/2 " bass were, 3.2,3.4 and 3.6 lbs. I posted some pics of the fish we caught.