Big Baits Big Fish

[Fishin Musician]

So Even though I believe Half of what I read on The internet!!!! I am going to throw bigger baits with a bait caster and see what comes of it. I am giving myself two weeks time... at least hour a day and I will bring my camera so I can post any results that may happen. When I first started fishing the fox I would be using freshly caught conditioned nightcrawlers a family secret ...and minnows on a small circle hook. I have not had any good results though I have only fished 4 hours this week... A far cry from my 10 hour marathons when I would run into Ken on almost an every other day occurrence . See ya on the water!!! The water still seems a bit cold and the baitfish not where I would expect to see them.

[Ken G]

I am going to start throwing spinnerbaits the size of helicopters and crankbaits that look like 15 lb. carp.

That's what you get for living up in Batavia and me down in Yorkville. Neither one of us can justify driving more than 10 minutes to go fishing!!!!

We get distracted, pull over and go fishing.

I think the half way point is just south of Aurora, I know a spot.

What's a baitcaster?

[Ed79]

I am going to start throwing spinnerbaits the size of helicopters and crankbaits that look like 15 lb. carp.

That's what you get for living up in Batavia and me down in Yorkville. Neither one of us can justify driving more than 10 minutes to go fishing!!!!

We get distracted, pull over and go fishing.

I think the half way point is just south of Aurora, I know a spot.

What's a baitcaster?

I've never used a baitcaster. Just never felt the need.

[Norm Minas]

I am going to start throwing spinnerbaits the size of helicopters and crankbaits that look like 15 lb. carp.

That's what you get for living up in Batavia and me down in Yorkville. Neither one of us can justify driving more than 10 minutes to go fishing!!!!

We get distracted, pull over and go fishing.

I think the half way point is just south of Aurora, I know a spot.

What's a baitcaster?

When are you going to stop fucking with that finesse shit and throw some big lures?

[Ken G]

As soon as they quit producing numbers of fish up this way. Based on recent posts on my blog, maybe soon.

You know I do pretty good on your waters with them too.

If it ain't broke, what the hell am I supposed to be fixing?

In a creek, last month, I caught an 18 inch smallie. 1/16th ounce jig, #4 hook, 1.5 inch crappie assassin.
The other 4 fish caught that day were all a bit smaller.

[Special Ed]

As soon as they quit producing numbers of fish up this way. Based on recent posts on my blog, maybe soon.

You know I do pretty good on your waters with them too.

If it ain't broke, what the hell am I supposed to be fixing?

In a creek, last month, I caught an 18 inch smallie. 1/16th ounce jig, #4 hook, 1.5 inch crappie assassin.
The other 4 fish caught that day were all a bit smaller.

If you compared notes with Norm from last month you would bury your spinning gear and forget all about it.

His numbers don't lie.


On the other hand, who am I to talk? I think my last report was an ice-fishing report!

[Dan]

Ken,

You wanted a casting rig right??!! Doesn't matter... That's what your getting!!!!!!

[Ken G]

If you compared notes with Norm from last month you would bury your spinning gear and forget all about it.

A long time ago I have a vague memory of comparing where Norm fishes with where I fish. Virtually impossible to do and those who try do a huge disservice to anglers. Other than flowing water, you can't compare the two. Especially in the spring.

Once upon a time I called out an angler that likes to fish the fox. He was telling everyone that the topwater bite on the Fox was HOT!!!

He didn't bother telling anyone that he was fishing topwaters on the crystal clear waters of a creek that feeds the Fox and he happened to be able to see the Fox from where he was standing. He didn't bother telling anyone that the Fox at the time had about 6 inch clarity from it's usual summer issues and that virtually nothing can be caught on topwaters, let alone on the Fox, when conditions are like that.

So I brought it up. Let's just say that didn't go well.

[Special Ed]

I'd be curious to test that theory.

Some of my best topwater days were in murky water. River and lake.

More noise and a slower presentation is all you need. When the fish are keyed in on overhead forage, it can be the only thing they will eat.


Oh, and Fishin' Musician - I like big baits.





Oh, and btw I agree about comparing those two rivers being a waste of time. However, I still think some of Norm's philosophy could do you some good on the Fox. Take HuntnGators for example. Kills 'em with the big baits.

If I ever get the chance to throw the waders on again, maybe we should walk a stretch together. Compare notes that way....

[Norm Minas]

topwaters work in muddy water, cold water whatever. not always the most productive choice of course but i have caught them on topwaters in just about every water condition i can think of.

Big baits the same as topwaters. they do tend to catch fewer numbers of fish and not as many smaller fish by far.

If it's working and you like doing it, do what floats your cork.

fishing in tribs that are much clearer than the river is two different beasts.

as far as comparing the kankakee to other rivers, don't do it. I have reservations about comparing different stretches of the kankakee to each other. the strecth from the stateline to the Iroquois is as different from the state park area as the strecth from the DPCA to the conflence is from either of the first two.

hell at 4000 cfs the fox is fucked for wading for the most part, the kankakee is still wadeable in many places. i don't know if the fox ever hits into the 40,000 to 60,000 cfs range. all those crap plants can make a huge difference twixt the two. hell the type and amount of rocks are a big difference, wading the fox is like a stroll in the park for me and I've heard many regular fox guys bemoaning the toll on thier feet in the kankakee.

big, fat, dumb, slow, eat me. what's not to like for a fish.