Preparing for a fishing road trip

[Vilas15]

11 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

Lake Geneva is a great lake to fish, but is also a BIG pleasure craft lake. On the week-ends you'll get blown off the water if you like to fish off shore structure and on that lake, in the summer, that is where you'll find the most action.

Second this. Get out on the water as early as you can before the place becomes a zoo.

 

When you say lake michigan, do you mean door county/sturgeon bay? Thats where the bass are. If you're planning on just driving straight over to milwaukee you better bring the salmon/trout gear.

[Scott F]

There are smallmouth available from the the lakefront in Chicago, but I’d never make a special trip out of fishing there and I live less than an hour away. A state record bass was caught last fall by a shore fisherman in Chicago last fall, but your odds of even catching anything at this time of year aren’t great.

[Quarry Man]

32 minutes ago, Vilas15 said:

Second this. Get out on the water as early as you can before the place becomes a zoo.

 

When you say lake michigan, do you mean door county/sturgeon bay? Thats where the bass are. If you're planning on just driving straight over to milwaukee you better bring the salmon/trout gear.

near Chicago, on the way there

21 minutes ago, Scott F said:

There are smallmouth available from the the lakefront in Chicago, but I’d never make a special trip out of fishing there and I live less than an hour away. A state record bass was caught last fall by a shore fisherman in Chicago last fall, but your odds of even catching anything at this time of year aren’t great.

yikes. what about in the river?

[TnRiver46]

12 hours ago, basseditor said:

Here in Texas, driving 300 miles is nothing — so 600 miles is feasible. I don’t leave anything unchecked. Carry grease gun to top off bearing buddies or whatever system you have. Feel the tires and wheels for heat every stop.

 

 Find out what size spindle on your trailer. Buy an extra hub/bearing/seal assembly. Make sure bearings are packed properly.

 

Rather than trying to replace bearings on the side of the road, pull off old hub, slip on new, tighten everything to specs and your done.

 

I’ve always said that! Bearings are a pain, hubs are easy and barely cost more. 
 

your camping trio sounds like all of mine, cheap! You will use a ton more gas than you think pulling a boat, it’s crazy. When I go to the ocean, we just put canoes and kayaks on top of my fiancé’s tiny car and take it for that reason. Make up a tool kit with the basics to keep in the vehicle (jack, 4 way lug wrench (some trailer lugs are different size than the car), extra hub with bearings already in it, wrenches, screwdrivers, hammer, duck tape, etc). For the boat extra prop and extra trolling prop, lot of sunscreen and bug spray. For camp, extension cords, dry bags, and a pillow! Can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten a pillow. I’ve been staying at some primitive sites and utilizing solar power, pretty easy!

[Scott F]

46 minutes ago, Quarry Man said:

yikes. what about in the river?

I’ve been heavily involved in the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance for 20 years. I’ve never even heard of anyone catching smallmouth in the Chicago River or even fishing for them there. That isn’t to say no one does, I’ve just never heard of it. Were you planning on launching the boat to fish in Lake Michigan? Parking is going to make the tolls look cheap. And towing a boat in downtown Chicago would be a nightmare. 
There are thousands of lakes and rivers in Wisconsin that have better fishing, are quiet and inexpensive to choose from. Geneva and Chicago’s lakefront are not two places I’d drive hundreds of miles to fish especially if money is an issue 

[Bassun]

22 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Neglected trailer wheel bearings have ruined a fair share of long boat trailer hauls.

Unfortunately, unless we're monitoring them, there's little to no 'warning' that they need attention, until it's too late.

And it's usually bad.

Not a 'repair' easily done roadside. 

So there's that.

Looking forward to 'the story', because there's always one.

Good Luck and Safe Travels

A-Jay

I've done that repair roadside... it sucks. 

[Quarry Man]

5 hours ago, Scott F said:

There are thousands of lakes and rivers in Wisconsin that have better fishing, are quiet and inexpensive to choose from. Geneva and Chicago’s lakefront are not two places I’d drive hundreds of miles to fish especially if money is an issue 

You don't think Lake Geneva is worth all the trouble? Would the other lakes you speak of be worth the trip? I would love to catch fish but I mostly want to explore the country and spend time with my friends while fishing. I could care less if we catch anything, just some stuff.

[Scott F]

32 minutes ago, Quarry Man said:

You don't think Lake Geneva is worth all the trouble? Would the other lakes you speak of be worth the trip? I would love to catch fish but I mostly want to explore the country and spend time with my friends while fishing. I could care less if we catch anything, just some stuff.

Are you paying for the place you have to stay? If it’s not costing you anything, Lake Geneva, is more attractive. Tons of boat traffic can be a pain. You can also fish Delevan Lake which isn’t far away. If you have to pay for your lodging and it were me, I’d be driving another 4 hours north into Vilas and Oneida counties. Beautiful scenery, wildlife, few bass fishermen, lots of bass that don’t see a lot of lures. Campgrounds right on the water. 

[Quarry Man]

38 minutes ago, Scott F said:

Are you paying for the place you have to stay? If it’s not costing you anything, Lake Geneva, is more attractive. Tons of boat traffic can be a pain. You can also fish Delevan Lake which isn’t far away. If you have to pay for your lodging and it were me, I’d be driving another 4 hours north into Vilas and Oneida counties. Beautiful scenery, wildlife, few bass fishermen, lots of bass that don’t see a lot of lures. Campgrounds right on the water. 

We have a place to stay on Geneva for as long as wed like. Like I said, we are coming from PA. I am going to Vermont the week after this trip. I am willing to explore the Wisconsin area as well. I have heard of relevance before.

[Basseditor]

10 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

I moved from MD to TX last year, and drove my car to the Houston area last July. When I crossed the LA-TX border on I-10 at Orange, TX it showed the terminus in West Texas was Mile Marker 880 lol. THAT'S a highway!

Our daughter lives in Salt Lake City. When we drive to visit, and we hit the half-way point, we’re just leaving Texas.