bwell

I'll have to keep that in mind, I mostly fish my pond and quarries around the area so I dont usually get snagged.

And if cranks arent working for ya try using a spinnerbait and work it really slow for that shallow water.... But like rat said, I would try going with a lipless first...

Thanks everyone, I havent checked my guides yet but will tomorrow. What do I do if my guides are chewing up my line? Can someone fix them and make them better than what they were? My reel is a cheap Abu Garcia Silver Max, with a 7' M Uglystick rod. I have always used Uglystick and never had this problem with my spinning reels... Oh and looks like when I run out of ppro 30# I'll go ahead and make the jump tp 50#.

Im from Champaign, and mostly fish around the area. You?

Thanks I'll have to check that out today... What do you mean move up to 50/12?

Well it kinda looks like its digging into the spool when I pull it out, but I havent gotten any snags... I am using 30# line.

I am about 15 minutes from ya (Champaign), if you ever feel like sharing the spot let me know! Also shoot me a PM and you can come fish on my neighborhood pond anytime you want. So far this summer I have caught about 90 bass.

I am having a problem with my baitcaster breaking my line off in my reel; I am using power pro braided line. I fish A LOT because I have a pond right next to my house, I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it or not, I would think just changing my line once a year would be okay. (This is my first baitcaster so I'm not really sure how many times to change it.) It has happened twice (on the same line) and have lost two lures in the process. I make a cast just to see my line go soaring through the air... Any help would be great.

I am new to baitcasters, and I agree that trying to cast a weightless bait is very tough and often will result in a nice nest. But casting something heavier is just an amazing feeling with a baitcaster IMHO... Its just an around different feeling to me, and I am loving it. I would say give it a shot. On a side note: I bought a Abu Garcia baitcaster rod and reel combo at Dick's Sporting Goods for around 50-60 bucks and it works very well, and made learning on a baitcaster easy, and if you dont like it your only out 50 or so bucks...

Thanks everyone, there is a lot of good reading on this site!

lol sorry I wont bring it up again. Why all the hate for them?

Champaign here, I mostly fish my pond at my house. So far this year I have caught over 90 bass out of the lake, mostly smaller ones 1.5lbs or so but have caught a couple 4lbers out of there. I have been fishing at Powerton lake for cats but no bass yet. If any of you Peoria or surrounding areas want to get together let me know, I have been wanting to try and pull some smallmouth out of Powerton. I also go south in the Pana area about once or twice a month, so if anybody has any good advice or any hot spots let me know! 8-)

Hi, Im from Champaign here... Me and a buddy fish at powerton lake in Pekin for some monster cats (20-60lbs), but once he gets done with his boat we will head that way for some smallmouth. I have a small boat(10') with only a 30lb trolling motor so I would be afraid I wouldnt be albe to make it all around the lake lol.

Dont laugh at me but I am going to say the Banjo minnow, my Grandpa bought me some so I figured I would try them out. To my surprise they work great. Just cast them out and give then a jerk and let fall to the bottom again making to look like a dying fish.

Hi everyone, I am from Central IL and just came across this website. I have been fishing all my life, and have read some very good info here. I mainly fish in a pond by my house (awesome bass fishing!) but also like to go to other surrounding lakes. Believe it or not but I have had really good luck with Banjo minnows when it's a little colder out, but other than that its buzz baits, spinners, and crankbaits for me. Anyways just wanted to say hi, I am looking forward to learning some more on the site!