Where are all the Illinois Guys ?

[Jig Rookie]

Ooooh, the hair jig! I just scooped a few of those this past winter to try for the ice-out cold water bite but didn't really put time into em on the water. I've never fished them but they look like a fun way to catch em (and I love standard jigs). You think they work for pond bass (bluegill eaters) too?

 

On 10/15/2022 at 8:14 PM, Bdnoble84 said:

Smallies are going on the hair bite. Definitely liking alittle extra sumptin attatched to it though. Tuesday it was a live piece of crawler. Today it was a little bps speed shad. Alot of little ones bud did lose a biggun.

 

[MidwestBassAttack]

On 10/15/2022 at 9:09 AM, Jig Rookie said:

Last couple days I've gotten out again, quick trips on the way to work.  Mid-day, so no topwater action, but I got a couple good ones; one on the Tiny Klash, then the next day, same spot, got one on the Savage Gear pulse tail gill.  Fall bite is still going...

You are catching some mighty fine bass there my friend!! Nice!!

 

 

Any local anglers interested in a meet up? Would be cool to get together and wet some lines! We can also be our own “hard water support group” through the winter.

 

Ive been trying to round up some buddies for a fishing trip to Lake Fork or Okachobee but we can never get schedules to align. 
 

Im out in Naperville
 

[Bdnoble84]

3 hours ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

You are catching some mighty fine bass there my friend!! Nice!!

 

 

Any local anglers interested in a meet up? Would be cool to get together and wet some lines! We can also be our own “hard water support group” through the winter.

 

Ive been trying to round up some buddies for a fishing trip to Lake Fork or Okachobee but we can never get schedules to align. 
 

Im out in Naperville
 

As long as there’s open water in the river, you wont see me on the hard water lol. Love the idea of a meetup but it just never seems to line up.

On 10/17/2022 at 11:35 AM, Jig Rookie said:

Ooooh, the hair jig! I just scooped a few of those this past winter to try for the ice-out cold water bite but didn't really put time into em on the water. I've never fished them but they look like a fun way to catch em (and I love standard jigs). You think they work for pond bass (bluegill eaters) too?

 

 

Depends on the pond. Im not sure bout round weeks, but if you have rip rap, that could be deadly. You would probably be intrigued by preacher jigs, but thats an open water structure technique in the south. 
 

if you really want to try something fun, get yourself a ml/xf 6’10’’ st croix and some small 1/16 to 3/32oz marabou jigs in all colors as long as they are black. I could see that being a dynamite pond presentation throughout the year.

 

message me and i can probably hook you up with some jigs to try.

[TheBaitMonkey]

15 hours ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

You are catching some mighty fine bass there my friend!! Nice!!

 

 

Any local anglers interested in a meet up? Would be cool to get together and wet some lines! We can also be our own “hard water support group” through the winter.

 

Ive been trying to round up some buddies for a fishing trip to Lake Fork or Okachobee but we can never get schedules to align. 
 

Im out in Naperville
 

I’d be down! I’m up in Grayslake

[cadman]

On 10/20/2022 at 8:57 PM, TheBaitMonkey said:

I’d be down! I’m up in Grayslake

I'm in the Libertyville area. I would like to do a group meet maybe next year in the S.E. Wisconsin waters, or Northern waters in IL. We tried this several years ago and it just didn't work out with all the different anglers schedules. I haven't been posting a lot, been doing a lot of fishing and fishing related things. I mainly fish S.E Wisconsin waters. Browns, Powers, Beulah, Como, Silver, Twin Lakes Geneva, Delavan and so on. If anybody needs info on these lakes just PM me and we can talk.

[Allen Der]

On 10/22/2022 at 12:15 PM, cadman said:

I'm in the Libertyville area. I would like to do a group meet maybe next year in the S.E. Wisconsin waters, or Northern waters in IL. We tried this several years ago and it just didn't work out with all the different anglers schedules. I haven't been posting a lot, been doing a lot of fishing and fishing related things. I mainly fish S.E Wisconsin waters. Browns, Powers, Beulah, Como, Silver, Twin Lakes Geneva, Delavan and so on. If anybody needs info on these lakes just PM me and we can talk.

 

I'd suggest Round Lake or Long Lake in late April.  Both those lakes work well for kayakers and power boaters and you don't need a wisco license.

[cadman]

7 hours ago, Allen Der said:

 

I'd suggest Round Lake or Long Lake in late April.  Both those lakes work well for kayakers and power boaters and you don't need a wisco license.

I've fished them both and out of the two, Long lake has a better ramp. Round lake ramp is short and if you have to go deep to launch, your tires fall off the ramp. I have a tandem axle and it is a problem especially in Summer. Supposedly they are going to lengthen it but I don't know when. Spring may not be too bad since the water levels are usually higher.

[cadman]

Went out to Little Muskego this last week. Fishing was slower, but quality of fish is better. I got 2 largies at 17-3/4" and 1 at 16". Also got some smaller fish about 14" and 4 northern pike from 22"-26". Attached a couple of pics.

[slonezp]

On 10/22/2022 at 12:15 PM, cadman said:

I'm in the Libertyville area. I would like to do a group meet maybe next year in the S.E. Wisconsin waters, or Northern waters in IL. We tried this several years ago and it just didn't work out with all the different anglers schedules. I haven't been posting a lot, been doing a lot of fishing and fishing related things. I mainly fish S.E Wisconsin waters. Browns, Powers, Beulah, Como, Silver, Twin Lakes Geneva, Delavan and so on. If anybody needs info on these lakes just PM me and we can talk.

I'm up for it Ted. 

 

On a side note, my dad has been having some serious health issues. Figured I'd let you know. We might be running the kids casting/ fishing next year on our own. I'll keep you posted. 

[cadman]

1 hour ago, slonezp said:

I'm up for it Ted. 

 

On a side note, my dad has been having some serious health issues. Figured I'd let you know. We might be running the kids casting/ fishing next year on our own. I'll keep you posted. 

Say HI to your dad from the both of us, and hope he gets better. Please keep me posted on your dad. PM me with any info on how your dad is doing.  

 

PS: My wife and I will do the kids contest with you next year. Count us in.

 

Take Care.

[MidwestBassAttack]

Alright you Northern IL guys and gals…..we have the first snowflakes of the year falling here in Naperville and sadly temps are set to plummet this week with lows in the teens at night…I’m braving it out on the water all day tomorrow but I’m dreading that hard water coming soon.

 

I just bought a Shimano Zodias rod for the final weeks to play around with. I can already tell this is going to be an expensive off season…Metaniums from Japan will be trickling 2x each month between now and March ???

 

 

[cadman]

11 hours ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

Alright you Northern IL guys and gals…..we have the first snowflakes of the year falling here in Naperville and sadly temps are set to plummet this week with lows in the teens at night…I’m braving it out on the water all day tomorrow but I’m dreading that hard water coming soon.

 

I just bought a Shimano Zodias rod for the final weeks to play around with. I can already tell this is going to be an expensive off season…Metaniums from Japan will be trickling 2x each month between now and March ???

 

 

There is still open water and some fish to be had. I am going tomorrow to do some fishing in a pond by my house. I do know last week they were catching bass on live bait. We'll see how it goes. 

 

How do you like your Metaniums?

[MidwestBassAttack]

6 minutes ago, cadman said:

There is still open water and some fish to be had. I am going tomorrow to do some fishing in a pond by my house. I do know last week they were catching bass on live bait. We'll see how it goes. 

 

How do you like your Metaniums?

I absolutely LOVE them. I’ve had my bouts with some Abu’s and Lews but it’s no comparison to Shimano. The Metanium is my all time favorite…plus it retains heat which is perfect for this time of year in Northern IL. 

[cadman]

I went with my wife to Browns Lake last week for a final fishing /boat ride of the season. The weather was a beautiful Autumn day in Wisconsin with the leaves already changing. Fishing wasn't fast and furious but we did manage to get 8 bass and 4 small northern pike. The bass were 15-1/2", 15" and (2) 16"ers. The other 4 were 14". All fish were caught on a custom made 3/16 oz jig with a plastic trailer. Below are some pics.

[MidwestBassAttack]

1 minute ago, cadman said:

I went with my wife to Browns Lake last week for a final fishing /boat ride of the season. The weather was a beautiful Autumn day in Wisconsin with the leaves already changing. Fishing wasn't fast and furious but we did manage to get 8 bass and 4 small northern pike. The bass were 15-1/2", 15" and (2) 16"ers. The other 4 were 14". All fish were caught on a custom made 3/16 oz jig with a plastic trailer. Below are some pics.

[url=https://imgur.com/1Xj8inj][img]http://i.imgur.com/1Xj8injm.jpg[/img][/url]

Now that’s a great day out! 
 

I’ve got a 3/8 jig tied up this morning and ready for some action 

[cadman]

3 minutes ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

Now that’s a great day out! 
 

I’ve got a 3/8 jig tied up this morning and ready for some action 

For a fall day yes it was a great day out. Browns Lake is a tough lake to get a 16" (minimum for the lake) in the summer. I was really surprised. It seems the colder water 52 deg last week brought out some nicer fish. I don't have a problem with that. Unfortunately time to put the boat away and try some shore fishing. Where are you going this morning?

[TheBaitMonkey]

On 11/12/2022 at 8:02 PM, MidwestBassAttack said:

Alright you Northern IL guys and gals…..we have the first snowflakes of the year falling here in Naperville and sadly temps are set to plummet this week with lows in the teens at night…I’m braving it out on the water all day tomorrow but I’m dreading that hard water coming soon.

 

I just bought a Shimano Zodias rod for the final weeks to play around with. I can already tell this is going to be an expensive off season…Metaniums from Japan will be trickling 2x each month between now and March ???

 

 

 

LMAO, an expensive offseason - I think this forum is single handedly keeping the Japanese economy moving!

[MN Fisher]

11 minutes ago, TheBaitMonkey said:

 

LMAO, an expensive offseason - I think this forum is single handedly keeping the Japanese economy moving!

And getting more expensive - reel I paid $116 for a week-and-a-half ago is up to $121 now....and it's because the exchange rate is going down...was 142yen/dollar, now it's 137

[TheBaitMonkey]

16 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

And getting more expensive - reel I paid $116 for a week-and-a-half ago is up to $121 now....and it's because the exchange rate is going down...was 142yen/dollar, now it's 137

time to stock up! I’m looking at getting another spinning reel but can’t make up mind up on which one. What reel did you get?

[MN Fisher]

Just now, TheBaitMonkey said:

time to stock up! I’m looking at getting another spinning reel but can’t make up mind up on which one. What reel did you get?

The $116 was a Tatula 100H casting

I got a Miravel 2500 for $90 and an Ultegra 1000 for $105

[slonezp]

Hoping the skim ice will thaw to get a couple more days in

[Jig Rookie]

On 11/23/2022 at 7:12 PM, slonezp said:

Hoping the skim ice will thaw to get a couple more days in

Man who you telling--I've driven past my ponds every day this week hoping for some open water, nothing yet. Gonna give it another go on my way to work in a couple hours, can't believe three days of 50° weather hasn't opened SOMETHING up. Fingers crossed...

[BigAngus752]

On 11/23/2022 at 7:12 PM, slonezp said:

Hoping the skim ice will thaw to get a couple more days in

I was feeling the same way, but I decided to pull the gear out of the boat and start my winter maintenance.  My last six trips were nothing short of epic in both size and numbers.  I know I could go out and catch fish tomorrow, but I'd rather end on a high note for the year.  I don't want to be Michael Jordan playing for the Wizards. 

 

[Jig Rookie]

Welp, ponds near me were still locked up Wednesday; one more shot today on the way to work, if they're not open now they're probably locked for the season, cuz we've got the cold weather coming back next couple days.  The good fall bite slowed for me about three weeks ago but I've managed a few since then: a couple night fish on the Boogie Back wake-and-crank, and one on the Shine Glide.  Here's hoping I get one more chance today...

[Jig Rookie]

On 10/20/2022 at 9:24 AM, Bdnoble84 said:

Depends on the pond. Im not sure bout round weeks, but if you have rip rap, that could be deadly. You would probably be intrigued by preacher jigs, but thats an open water structure technique in the south. 
 

if you really want to try something fun, get yourself a ml/xf 6’10’’ st croix and some small 1/16 to 3/32oz marabou jigs in all colors as long as they are black. I could see that being a dynamite pond presentation throughout the year.

 

message me and i can probably hook you up with some jigs to try.

So I actually got some hair jigs last year, didn't put much time.  I went out to the pond during the last snowstorm we had over a week ago, a couple days before the ponds locked up.  Pond's about 5ft max depth; I set up a float-and-fly at about 3-and-a-half feet, firetiger hair jig, and got a decent one!  My first hair jig bass, first float-and-fly fish, and first snowstorm fish haha, it was a good day.