29JMP29 Posted April 1, 2013 Posted April 1, 2013 Anybody got any tips for fishing ponds this time of year? I'm fishing in a pond that gets to about 10 feet deep, mainly muck bottom, stained water, lots of structure in the form of wood. I got denied on a jerkbait two days ago and got denied on jigs yesterday. Quote
cadman Posted April 1, 2013 Posted April 1, 2013 Anybody got any tips for fishing ponds this time of year? I'm fishing in a pond that gets to about 10 feet deep, mainly muck bottom, stained water, lots of structure in the form of wood. I got denied on a jerkbait two days ago and got denied on jigs yesterday. My nephew has been fishing several ponds and doing really well on red ey shads. He lives in the Carol Stream area. I live in the Mundelein area and I still had ice today on lots of the small ponds. Another week and the ice should be gone. I always start the season with a rattle trap fished very slowly on the bottom, just enough to keep it moving, and I do really well for bass in our local northern ponds. Where are you fishing? Quote
tbone1993 Posted April 1, 2013 Posted April 1, 2013 So at this rate the bass will be spawning in may.... Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted April 1, 2013 Super User Posted April 1, 2013 So at this rate the bass will be spawning in may.... From my observation around the Chicago area.....I typically don't see them on beds until late April and into mid-May. Quote
29JMP29 Posted April 1, 2013 Posted April 1, 2013 My nephew has been fishing several ponds and doing really well on red ey shads. He lives in the Carol Stream area. I live in the Mundelein area and I still had ice today on lots of the small ponds. Another week and the ice should be gone. I always start the season with a rattle trap fished very slowly on the bottom, just enough to keep it moving, and I do really well for bass in our local northern ponds. Where are you fishing? Im out by Carpentersville, the ponds are at a forest preserve called Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary. Tried a spro mcstick today and got denied again, haha. It's good practice though, trying to fish extremely slow. I'll try the rattletraps though. Quote
jross1901 Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 Clinton lake today I caught 9 lmb with 4 over 18inches. Also caught several nice strippers around 4 lbs. god start to year. Quote
mark nowak Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 Hey Fellas, Just checking in now that I am living in St Charles, Illinois. I relocated for my job! I just moved here from New Mexico, before that I was In MO, CO and I am originally from northern Michigan. Not real familar with the area yet, any help from some locals would be great. Thank you very much! Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 3, 2013 Super User Posted April 3, 2013 Welcome to IL. If you haven't been fishing yet, the Fox River is a pretty devent smallie fishery Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted April 3, 2013 Super User Posted April 3, 2013 Welcome to IL. St. Charles is a nice location. You can try the Fox like mentioned. Around the damns and then further down river to Batavia has been said to have a lot of musky lingering. I don't do too much lake/pond fishing in IL so I'm not really going to comment there. Too many bucket fisherman.......... Quote
mark nowak Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 Welcome to IL. If you haven't been fishing yet, the Fox River is a pretty devent smallie fishery Thank you, I will definetly try the Fox river. Welcome to IL. St. Charles is a nice location. You can try the Fox like mentioned. Around the damns and then further down river to Batavia has been said to have a lot of musky lingering. I don't do too much lake/pond fishing in IL so I'm not really going to comment there. Too many bucket fisherman.......... Thank you! St Charles is a nice place to live except for the cost, I actually just put an offer in on a house in Maple Park. Hopefully the move will free up some funds for a new boat. Quote
29JMP29 Posted April 9, 2013 Posted April 9, 2013 Has anbody been out to the fox yet? The water is pretty high by me Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 9, 2013 Super User Posted April 9, 2013 I've been on the Chain, not the lower river. There still dumping water thru from the Wisconsin run off. This should stop by May 1st. There was a tourney out of Port Barrington this past Sunday. 12 boats, 7 bass total, big bass was a 3.3 . Also, rumor has it, there were some Asian carp snagged on the Chain this week. Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted April 9, 2013 Super User Posted April 9, 2013 I was on the bank off 90 about 2 weeks ago. Current is fast, water is high and frigid cold still. I didn't catch anything nor did I see any signs of life. I'd expect it to pick up around May. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 15, 2013 Super User Posted April 15, 2013 The entire Fox Chain is No Wake as of today due to flood conditions. We were out yesterday in the 30mph winds and caught the skunk. Water temps 39-43. There was a tourney going on in which I did not participate Out of 25 boats, 2 boats weighed in a total of 3 fish. The winner was paid out 1st and 3rd places with big bass and the 2nd boat was paid out 2nd and 4th. The team who won walked away with almost a grand. Not too shabby for a 4.66 bag. Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted April 15, 2013 Super User Posted April 15, 2013 The entire Fox Chain is No Wake as of today due to flood conditions. We were out yesterday in the 30mph winds and caught the skunk. Water temps 39-43. There was a tourney going on in which I did not participate Out of 25 boats, 2 boats weighed in a total of 3 fish. The winner was paid out 1st and 3rd places with big bass and the 2nd boat was paid out 2nd and 4th. The team who won walked away with almost a grand. Not too shabby for a 4.66 bag. That's depressing. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 15, 2013 Super User Posted April 15, 2013 Mark, I just talked with the guy who came in first. He said if the weigh in was at 3 and not 3:30 there would have been zero fish weighed in. He and the 2nd place team caught the 3 fish on the same shoreline after 3 pm. I have a tourney on Sunday depending on water levels. If they stay where they're at it will be a 'no wake" tourney. If they rise they may close the waterway and reschedule for the 28th. 1 Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted April 16, 2013 Super User Posted April 16, 2013 Mark, I just talked with the guy who came in first. He said if the weigh in was at 3 and not 3:30 there would have been zero fish weighed in. He and the 2nd place team caught the 3 fish on the same shoreline after 3 pm. I have a tourney on Sunday depending on water levels. If they stay where they're at it will be a 'no wake" tourney. If they rise they may close the waterway and reschedule for the 28th. Good luck out there. Stay safe. Hopefully you find a better bite than the guys who fished that last one. Water will probably continue to rise as the lakes up north continue to thaw and the rain we're getting. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 17, 2013 Super User Posted April 17, 2013 Anglers Choice has cancelled the tourney on the 21st and rescheduled for the 28th due to water conditions on the Fox Chain. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 17, 2013 Super User Posted April 17, 2013 and the Fox Chain is officially closed to boat traffic Quote
hooah212002 Posted April 17, 2013 Posted April 17, 2013 The section of the Fox River I drive by on my way to work is really high as well. Seems to just keep rising day by day, too. Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted April 18, 2013 Super User Posted April 18, 2013 After this rain......the river is going to be ROARING. Hope everyone's sump pump is working. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 19, 2013 Super User Posted April 19, 2013 Anglers Choice has cancelled the tourney on the 21st and rescheduled for the 28th due to water conditions on the Fox Chain. Rescheduled to Sept. 22nd Quote
jross1901 Posted April 22, 2013 Posted April 22, 2013 Water really high at Clinton. Fishing was good before rain, should be by next weekend. Quote
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