bwell Posted April 5, 2012 Posted April 5, 2012 I have only been fishing in the pond behind my house but have been catching decent size and numbers. Our tournaments start this month for our club, so I will be getting out more. Quote
Nice_Bass Posted April 5, 2012 Posted April 5, 2012 I have only been fishing in the pond behind my house but have been catching decent size and numbers. Our tournaments start this month for our club, so I will be getting out more. You going to be at clinton this weekend? Quote
bwell Posted April 5, 2012 Posted April 5, 2012 Not this weekend, next Sunday we will be at Lake Springfield... Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 7, 2012 Super User Posted April 7, 2012 Trying to figure them out.Water's really low on the Fox Chain and I can't get into some of my early season spots. Catching dinks on jigs. Lost a 4+ because of a weak knot. More ticked I lost the jig. Quote
jokerjp Posted April 9, 2012 Posted April 9, 2012 Shelbyville was good to me this weekend. About 25 fish total with a pretty even split between LM and white bass caught. Largest LM went 4.2 with four greater than 3lbs caught. Fish were shallow holding tight to banks with deep water near, points of main lake. They were NOT in the coves :-) https://picasaweb.go...feat=directlink https://picasaweb.go...feat=directlink Quote
general3380 Posted April 17, 2012 Posted April 17, 2012 Anybody from Southern Illinois?? I would like to see a midwest region. Illinois is grouped with the Northeast??? I live in extreme southern illinois (35 miles north of cairo) about 5.5 hours south of Chicago to give you an idea and I can assure you that even though bass are bass amongst the country, southern illinois waters are considerably different then New Hampshire waters ( which Illinois is grouped with). just my 2 cents...let me know if I have simply overlooked a page where I should be looking 1 Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 17, 2012 Super User Posted April 17, 2012 Welcome general. Don't worry about the location of the IL forum. For all your general bass questions just post in the "General Forum" This is just an area where we can report on local waters. There's a few gus from the south. I'm up near the WI border. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 22, 2012 Super User Posted April 22, 2012 Had our first tourney of the season today on the Fox Chain. Let me start by saying what a crappy windy cold day it was. Water level up. A few inches low still, but no longer hazardous. Most of the navigation bouys still not out yet. Water temp from 48-53. Water clarity seems to have improved a little since they closed the spillway. Had a 50 boat field. 1st was 13+lbs, 2nd 12+, 3rd 11+, there were (6) 10lb+ bags and we barely made the cut at 8th place with 5 fish @ 10.19lbs. Big bass for the tourney was an ENORMOUS 6.66lbs. I have never seen a bass that big on those waters. Someone also weighed in a 5.01 and there were also a few 4's. Let me end by saying what a crappy windy cold day it was out there. Quote
bwell Posted April 27, 2012 Posted April 27, 2012 Going to Homer Lake this weekend, I'm not really expecting much but it will be fun to get out on the water. Quote
ChiCityBasser Posted April 27, 2012 Posted April 27, 2012 Shelbyville was good to me this weekend. About 25 fish total with a pretty even split between LM and white bass caught. Largest LM went 4.2 with four greater than 3lbs caught. Fish were shallow holding tight to banks with deep water near, points of main lake. They were NOT in the coves :-) https://picasaweb.go...feat=directlink https://picasaweb.go...feat=directlink Thanks for the info and hitting Shelbyville this weekend for my first ABA tourney launching out of Eagle Creek. Looks like rain but the info should help and thanks again for the update. Quote
ChiCityBasser Posted April 27, 2012 Posted April 27, 2012 Had our first tourney of the season today on the Fox Chain. Let me start by saying what a crappy windy cold day it was. Water level up. A few inches low still, but no longer hazardous. Most of the navigation bouys still not out yet. Water temp from 48-53. Water clarity seems to have improved a little since they closed the spillway. Had a 50 boat field. 1st was 13+lbs, 2nd 12+, 3rd 11+, there were (6) 10lb+ bags and we barely made the cut at 8th place with 5 fish @ 10.19lbs. Big bass for the tourney was an ENORMOUS 6.66lbs. I have never seen a bass that big on those waters. Someone also weighed in a 5.01 and there were also a few 4's. Let me end by saying what a crappy windy cold day it was out there. Sounds like the same type of weather I'll be dealing with over the weekend as well. Sounds like there were some pretty good bags caught for such a crappy day and glad you made the cut. What did you catch them on if u don't mind me asking? Good luck with you next outing as well. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 27, 2012 Super User Posted April 27, 2012 Chatterbait, spinnerbaits, and jigs. No real rhyme or reason. We really didn't develop a pattern. Not a lot of bites thru the day. Some fish were tight to structure and some were cruising. All were in less than 5ft of water. Heard the 6lbr was in under a foot of water. Heres the weigh in video My son and I are the ugly guys at 1:47 http://youtu.be/7bnWON9sa0M Quote
cole water Posted April 28, 2012 Posted April 28, 2012 New to this site. Glad to see Illinois well represented! In lake county near wi border. Wow 6lber in chain, that is unheard of. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 29, 2012 Super User Posted April 29, 2012 Welcome cole water. Yeah, Ive been fishing the Chain for about 8 years now and have caught a few 5lbrs and heard of some sixes, even a 7, but figured it was just a myth. If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have believed it. Quote
bwell Posted May 1, 2012 Posted May 1, 2012 Sounds like the same type of weather I'll be dealing with over the weekend as well. Sounds like there were some pretty good bags caught for such a crappy day and glad you made the cut. What did you catch them on if u don't mind me asking? Good luck with you next outing as well. How did Shelbyville go? We have a tournament there this Sunday. Quote
ChiCityBasser Posted May 1, 2012 Posted May 1, 2012 I didn't make it as the tournament director for my region didn't get me the info that they changed the launching ramp last minute from Eagle creek to Wilborn. I didn't have cell phone reception in the area and there was no update info from the director on the site pryor to me making the trip. I arrive at the Eagle Creek ramp and don't see any info regarding the ABA tourney but do see plenty of guys from the Illini Team Trail which was launching out of the Eagle Creek ramp.I borrow a cell phone to contact the ABA division director while at the ramp and then he tells me of the launch ramp change. The new ramp was too far away to make the launch with me not being from the area so he agreed to transfer my entrace fee to the next event which I agreed was fine. Check out the Illini Team Trail site for there event as the winning weight was 22.19 lbs. I can tell you the water is very very low for the lake and good luck How did Shelbyville go? We have a tournament there this Sunday. Quote
bwell Posted May 2, 2012 Posted May 2, 2012 That sucks man, I would hate to waste that trip! I'll be sure to let you guys know how it goes. Quote
RawThumb Posted May 5, 2012 Posted May 5, 2012 Here in the Morris area next to the Illinois River, hook-em them good ! Quote
RawThumb Posted May 5, 2012 Posted May 5, 2012 Sorry to hear that ChiCity basser. I was there and we had a lot of guys that found out last minute. Our club did good, we took 1st - 15.76 lbs, 3rd and 4th. About 10am the clouds let loose and soaked us but we kept at it. Hopefully you get into the next event, but watch for news on the next event at the Cal sag. It might be canceled do to the NATO talks in Chicago. Rumor has it they are shutting down all waterways near the city. Keep an eye out and a ear to the ground. I have Lee's email (district 39 director) here so you my stay in contact about the events. Happy Hookn! leekuusisto@hotmail.com Quote
Super User slonezp Posted May 20, 2012 Super User Posted May 20, 2012 Day of the dinks on the Fox Chain today. Water temps at 74 degrees and water very stained. Carp making love all over the place. My son and I managed to win big bass with a measly 3.38lbr. Only weighed in 4 @ 8.87 and was 2.5lbs(or 1 fish) away from taking first place. Such is life. Quote
ChiCityBasser Posted May 22, 2012 Posted May 22, 2012 Sorry to hear that ChiCity basser. I was there and we had a lot of guys that found out last minute. Our club did good, we took 1st - 15.76 lbs, 3rd and 4th. About 10am the clouds let loose and soaked us but we kept at it. Hopefully you get into the next event, but watch for news on the next event at the Cal sag. It might be canceled do to the NATO talks in Chicago. Rumor has it they are shutting down all waterways near the city. Keep an eye out and a ear to the ground. I have Lee's email (district 39 director) here so you my stay in contact about the events. Happy Hookn! leekuusisto@hotmail.com Hey RawThumb and glad you guys did well at Shelbyville and read about it and heard about the storms and things after talking with Lee. He is a great guy and was very apologenic about the ramp change situation and worked with me as far as another event. I made the Cal Sag event and bunch of great guys and really had a good time at the event. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted May 23, 2012 Super User Posted May 23, 2012 Fund the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Funding for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has been halved in the last 8 years. Because of these cuts, the only way that IDNR has been able to keep state parks open and continue vital programs that protect our water supply, public safety, and wildlife has been to rely on a number of dedicated funds. Many of these funds were intended to support specific programs or functions which were sacrificed for the purpose of supporting core operations. The balances in these funds have been depleted. Core operations will cease without a plan towards sustainability. We believe it is imperative that the state provide the means for a sustainable funding stream which makes it possible for the Department to operate as a capable steward for our state's natural resources. Please sign the petition. Fill out the info and it will be directed to your representatives. http://action.ilenviro.org/p/dia/action/public/index.sjs?action_KEY=7704 1 Quote
Nice_Bass Posted May 23, 2012 Posted May 23, 2012 Fund the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Funding for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has been halved in the last 8 years. Because of these cuts, the only way that IDNR has been able to keep state parks open and continue vital programs that protect our water supply, public safety, and wildlife has been to rely on a number of dedicated funds. Many of these funds were intended to support specific programs or functions which were sacrificed for the purpose of supporting core operations. The balances in these funds have been depleted. Core operations will cease without a plan towards sustainability. We believe it is imperative that the state provide the means for a sustainable funding stream which makes it possible for the Department to operate as a capable steward for our state's natural resources. Please sign the petition. Fill out the info and it will be directed to your representatives. http://action.ilenvi...action_KEY=7704 Read about this earlier this year- signed petition. Sad sad State. Quote
Nice_Bass Posted May 23, 2012 Posted May 23, 2012 Great news- in order to provide money elsewhere- looks like they want to close our state parks again! Quote
Super User slonezp Posted June 10, 2012 Super User Posted June 10, 2012 Fished a tourney on the Chain today and sucked. Caught tons of shorts and weighed in 0. Water temps varied from 75-80 and water is low. Swimjigs, jigs and senkos is what worked. Quote
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