Nice_Bass

I live about 10minutes from Dawson, and only fish it early spring maybe once or twice. Gets very crowded and quite frankly the quality is not good for bass either. I usually fish for walleye or crappie when I go there out of boredom. 8-10 years ago, that was actually a pretty good bass lake.

I only fish about half the lake- the cold end and never going further north east then party/houseboat cove. Typically I just do several runs of about 15-20 areas and can figure it out from there. There are days when it fishes small, but I don't know that there are any other lakes finishing with bigger bags in IL this year.

Clinton has been on fire!!!!

For your purposes it would absolutely count. For my own no it would not. I judge myself based on catching the biggest fish out of large bodies of public water.

Tie a bad knot and try and cast really far. I have one that is still holding in around25-30 fow and it has been there at least a month. That's a slow retrieve... Really though I could not buy a bite on one. I have used the yum double up rig and I have more control over the two baits over the 5 bait rigs, and could count down with more accuracy as well. 3\4 jigheads and berkely flatback shad was able to get down fast and provide some lift on retrive to keep it in that depth. Results marginally better. Also, seems like there would have to be a saltwater trick somewhere out there that has been used for years.

I only use powerbait for the most part- no need to buy extra scents. As far as human scent goes I am not sure I buy into that at all that it needs masking but would love to see if anyone has a study on it. My reasoning, bass don't know what a human smells or taste like, nor a mouse, or bird, or anything else they may opportunistically eat. We have oils and whatnot on our hands that may taste great for all I know- shrink us down to their size and we are dinner with no second thoughts. Now if you have gas or whatever else on your hands...well that could be different. Moving baits, I have not seen a difference, seeing how quickly a bass can spit however makes me curious.

I guess I have ran into more bad electricians than bad architects...

sorry- had intended to ask if all size chigger craws had the increase- 3,4, and 5 inch models.

been there... last Friday to be exact.

Have not as I usually buy the 100 count bags of 10 and 7 worms- craws I bought at beginning of season and have not had to restock on yet. All sizes of chigger craws have the increase?

they were on long shallow points like IP point in the evenings and before that were on the gravel pits and deep points as well. Next time I go out I will start out at the mouths of coves with narrow openings with shad moving in and out, and work my way out... starting at the dam and moving towards IP point. logbook this time last year says catching some in the mouths, some on long shallow points, and a handful already back into the creek areas. Mostly, will be fishing the cool side however that is also the only side I ever really fish.

I don't use the word rip off at all but I would much prefer any powerbait product over ragetail- through trial and error. Another vote for chigger craw all the way to the 5inch model. Gave the ragetails the college try and just did not have the results some seem to have.

also, go here and look up what you will be fishing prior to and it may help a bit since you are lacking electronics for the time being. http://www.navionics.com/en/webapp

Considering Bo would not be on any top ten lists Earl by more than a healthy margin in all aspects- career, impact, and especially yards after hit!

Especially this time of year, westside access on clinton. Seperated off the main lake abd would be a good fit for your boat-no wake area.... Shallow and lacks much of any structure but holds good numbers with a big one every once in a while. I go there about once a year when the wind is blowing too hard but I committed to fishing that day, and comittwd to clinton. Lots of good fish should move in soon and the shad are almost too plentiful. Bwell and possibly a few others may have some other options for you as well.

That's a big county!! I have family over there- but I don't fish there. you fish by boat at and willing to travel? If so plenty of options within and hour or two. if not I would fish the rivers. If you have never fished the river, give it a shot. Giant blues all around you.

stripers, wipers, smallmouth and catfish would do it. Where in MO?

More looking for baitfish actually, and then fishing it if it looks promising. Typically, I will check what is known structure, find baitfish and then relate that to the thermocline.

offshore bait schools can be right at the thermocline and whatever eats those can in some places be nearby. Whether it is schools of fish eating the baitfish, or on or above structure near that depth waiting for baitfish schools to come nearby- humps etc. near shore the thermocline does not really appear. Usually there is an flat or like structure, and if not wind and wave action help move/mix the water and only out does it have a chance to stratify. Every lake is different though.

would have fished steep channel swing banks with wind blowing up on them with a crankbait or swimbait or whatever moving bait you are comfortable with. I would have also let you up front so we could parallel it as well and keep the nose in the wind a bit and just let the back end swing towards shore.

Well I don't know about anyone else- but this makes me want to head out. Thought I would be able to get the boat out today, but most likely will be tomorrow and looking to cull at least 2-3!!

I am just west of you in Illinois and we are not in any kind of fall pattern yet.

AC looks interesting.. Buddy team format that you fish the same lake each tourney (others if you wish as well). This might be an easy fun option. IBF would be what I am looking for- but again requires club membership- I just want to go out and fish...

Wish I could find a schedule of tourneys there. On a different note- I am looking to start fishing tournaments next year- I fish one every so often now- but would like to start fishing in some larger ones to qualify for even larger ones. Problem is, I really don't want to join the local bass club- their schedule of lakes does not interest me much at all. Anyhow, I know there are a couple different options out there but was not sure what level you guys have been fishing at. Daughter getting older now, and I will be able to spend a bit more time away...

I see what you did there...nice!