Guest Don R Posted April 9, 2007 Report Share Posted April 9, 2007 I know several (OK, it's really only a few) anglers that try to keep their streak alive by catching at least one bronzeback per month. The winter months can be more challenging due to the weather and the slower metabolism of smallmouth bass. I intend on trying more of John Graham's cold water smallie tactics next winter. Although if this cold air mass hangs around much longer I may still have a chance this spring! 2005 was a very busy year for me. I was working a full time job with a good deal of overtime while also trying to keep a failing business afloat (pun intended). When the latter drifted away I have to admit I was relieved for many reasons. First and foremost was the fact that I would have more time to fish! March of '06 I was mostly hitting the ponds trying to catch those "ugly" green bass. By the time April rolled around I was ready to hit the rivers. Little did I know that month was to be the start of something special. I've been fortunate to catch and release at least one smallie 17" or bigger (from Illinois rivers) for twelve consecutive months. Last saturday, March 31st the water temps were about 54 F. I tied on a 2" Case pumpkinseed helgrammite a few minutes prior to landing this 17"er. The fish was in a mid-river depression and hit the jig with authority. I didn't set out a year ago to start some kind of streak...but now that it's there, I'd love to keep it going! Don R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary L Posted April 9, 2007 Report Share Posted April 9, 2007 Don, Congratulations on a great 12 Months of fishing. Your having caught a Smallmouth Bass from Illinois waters every month for the past 12 Months is an accomplishment for you or anyone to be proud of and to stand up and shout about. I hope your wining streak continues for many more months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregg S Posted April 9, 2007 Report Share Posted April 9, 2007 Nice going Don. That is a test of persistence, and you passed. I usually sit out Dec-Feb. Gregg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skjordan Posted April 9, 2007 Report Share Posted April 9, 2007 Don, very nice job. I think I will try that this year! Except I will leave out December, January, Febuary, March. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teedee Posted April 9, 2007 Report Share Posted April 9, 2007 It is always good to read your reports. It seems that every report you have you ARE hooking into a 17"er or larger. Keep up the good work. Maybe you can show me "grasshopper" how to stay active, fishing, during the cold months. Keep the reports coming and do NOT slow down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonn Graham Posted April 9, 2007 Report Share Posted April 9, 2007 I too try to keep the 12 month streak alive. I think I missed on February of this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick G Posted April 9, 2007 Report Share Posted April 9, 2007 I had a three year streak going until I went without smallie this March. It is not "real" fishing in the winter months because you have to fish the treatment plants. It is interesting though, to fish throughout the winter and early spring and track the arrival and departure of the many varieties of fish that visit a pool fed by a constant stream of water warmer than the main river. Smallmouth, largemouth, crappie, bluegill, catfish, carp and creek chubs all seem to be the dominate fish at different times, only to disappear for weeks or months. Now, unlike Don, I never had a streak of big fish. A lot of dinks in the winter to keep the streak going. The streak just sort of happened. It became a reason to get out of the house and into nature, but it also helped to stretch the season. Last fall I was out fishing open river water at the end of November and having a great day. The next day we got the big snow storm on December 1st and that started the treatment plant season for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Clifford Posted April 10, 2007 Report Share Posted April 10, 2007 I tied on a 2" Case pumpkinseed helgrammite a few minutes prior to landing this 17"er. The fish was in a mid-river depression and hit the jig with authority. Funny you mention this. I was out Saturday with Tim Smith and I had a Case hellgie tied on for the first time in many moons. Problem wasn't with the bait, but the river and weather just weren't playing nice. Congrats on your success! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Smith Posted April 10, 2007 Report Share Posted April 10, 2007 Problem wasn't with the bait, but the river and weather just weren't playing nice. The weather was more than not nice...I'd call it down-right MEAN. Don, that's a great streak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don R Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Thanks all. Yer right Dick, the treatment plant fishing isn't "real" fishing. But it sure beats cabin fever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Negronida Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Cabin fever vs. Fox River frostbite…Hmmm let me think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don R Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 I still have all my fingers and toes. They may a bit blackened (ala Mr. Deeds) but they're still there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kend Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Thanks all. Yer right Dick, the treatment plant fishing isn't "real" fishing. But it sure beats cabin fever. Carp on a fly rod, would show some anglers a good time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don R Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Carp on a fly rod, would show some anglers a good time. And there's plenty of them below the outflow all winter long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm M Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Don , Congrats on a streak with larger fish , that is impressive . I had a streak of over ten years but it wasn't with a 17 inch or larger fish in every month . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don R Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Congrats on a streak with larger fish , that is impressive . I had a streak of over ten years but it wasn't with a 17 inch or larger fish in every month . Thanks Norm. I consider most of my success to be luck with a bit of knowledge sprinkled in for good measure. Ten years....now that is truly impressive!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don R Posted April 29, 2007 Report Share Posted April 29, 2007 I'm sitting here at the computer when I should be out fishing. Got out this morning (on the fox) trying to keep my monthly 17" smallie streak alive. I came up 1/2" short with this one caught on a pumpkinseed hellgie. Also caught three more on a blue fox vibrax spinner. I missed one on a yum crawbug that looked to be in the 18" range. Two days left in the month Found fish relating to slack water shoreline areas and street run-off pipes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don R Posted May 22, 2007 Report Share Posted May 22, 2007 Well...the streak has ended. I had a feeling that as soon as I typed something about the streak...well, you know, I jinxed myself The month of May has been much better to me and those that I've fished with. Jim Kast got his big smallie of the year this past Saturday at the Green http://illinoissmallmouthalliance.net/foru...?showtopic=1466. Yesterday I had the pleasure of watching new ISA member matt k reel in his biggest of the year (a beautiful 18.25"er). Here's matt with a 17.75" (we released the bigger one before a photo was taken) It was a good day as we landed two fish each between 17.75" and 18.25". I caught the fish above on a 3" Yum Dinger in green pumpkin/pearl (Thanks Ken D!) A smallie hunters outing on May 6th produced a nice 18"er for Mr Ed Locke. I'd put the pic up but I have a feeling we'll all be seeing it soon. Here's a couple more from May... One of the things I like about smallies is the many different colors,shades and patterns they come in I guess I'll just keep the streak alive (a bit smaller)....14 months at 16.5" or better Don R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kend Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 Don, Congrats on your catch and success. Some great fish you're catching. Beats Workin' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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