Rod S

I see them. They look great!!!

I am not aware of any magazines that cover everything you are looking for, unless there something out there in the flyfishing world. My favorites are as follows FLW Outdoors Bassmasters Bass Times Illinois Outdoor News does have fishing reports from Illinois lakes. A lot of their content and fishing reports you can get on line. Prarie State Outdoors has a fair amount of info online. http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/ Time on the Water shown on xfinity/comcast, covers lakes within driving distance from Chicago, especially if you like fishing with wacky worms. Probably not much help, but these are the media sources that I frequent.

I own numerous baitcasters and my favorite is the Bass Pro shops Johnny Morris Signature Series, they currently go for $119, I have three of them. They used to sell them for $169. Recently I spoke with a BPS salesman and he told me that they are changing the manufacturer of those reels for next year. I wouldn't be surprised if they're at close-out pricing in March. I also have the BPS Extreme which is OK for the money. I believe the quantum KVD series, which goes for $99, will be on sale this weekend, at BPS, for about $50, I like this one better than the extreme. You get what you pay for. If you fish a lot you'll be much happier buying a more expensive reel. Which ever reel you buy, I would make sure you can dial in the magnetic brake on the outside. It's a pain taking off the cover to adjust the brake.

I'm jealous. What color baits have been more successful?

I'm sorry I missed it. But I hope to make it to the next one.

I use a rubber skirt collar inserted after the hook. They also make a collar that goes over the trailer hook eye, but I don't care for them, the hook doesn't swing freely.

I was in Bass Pro shops a few weeks ago and spoke with one of the sales people about them. He told me that they had a higher return rate on the older model rods. Which, I believe, are the ones on sale.

Interesting thread. I generally use a trailer hook when throwing a buzzbait and sometimes with a spinnerbait,as long as it's not too weedy. I would not try to guess a percentage of improved hook up. But I have definitely caught fish that were only hooked on the trailer. I can't say that I recall gut or gill hooking a fish on the trailer hook yet. I would recommend it, especially if one is experiencing short strikes and changing speeds, cadence or color doesn't help.

Thanks for the suggestions. I forgot to check tackletour, great website. After reading their reviews I'm not sure which rod to buy. I'm not ready to plunk down $300+ for a rod, yet.

I'm looking to buy a crankbait rod. I've done some research but would like some additional input. I've looked at the Quantum KVD rod, TKVD7106M, but haven't settled on anything yet. Recommendations?

I have purchased a couple of their baitcasting rods and one of their baitcasting reels. The rods are decent. Nobody is going to confuse them with a St Croix rod but they're worth the money. I haven't used the reel much, yet. But so far, again it's worth the money paid. If your on a tight budget I would recommend Acadia, their rods are probably comparable to ones twice the price. I personally, enjoy using my more expensive tackle more. But that's at three to four times the cost.

Did you buy the rod in Bolingbrook or online? Are they still available?

I may be interested.

I purchased a baitcaster and received another one free, different size. For the money they're not bad rods. You may not confuse them with a St Croix, but they're comparable to a Bass Pro Extreme rod, which I have. I'm still using both of them. I also bought a baitcaster reel from them, which I'm still using.

This was my first outing and I had a great time. I fished with Scott F. Fishing wasn't the greatest. I believe Scot had a couple of smallies and a catfish, while I managed to catch one dink smallie using a twister tail. I learned a few things and am looking forward to another outing. Thanks again Scott

I plan on attending. This would be my first outing also. Any suggestions on baits to bring would be appreciated.

I want to take the kids fishing in WI this summer. I'm looking for a resort recommendation not more than a couple of hundred miles from Chicago. I was thinking Fox Lake, but I'm open to suggestions. Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the info. I spoke with the resort owner yesterday. The lake didn't crest until Sat afternoon. It went up another five inches after we left. It has come down, some, since. But it is still high and water is still coming out of the south bayou pretty strong. It may be a few weeks before things are back to normal.

Our trip wasn't quite what we expected. Thurs- A strong wind kept us fishing mostly in the bayou's. We caught about a dozen bass mostly on 4" senko's and two on a chatterbait. Between Thurs 9pm and Fri 4am the area received between 10 and 12 inches of rain. The lake level went up almost 3 feet. I was told a good number of boats drifted off of their lifts. Three of them got to the dam which prevented them from opening it up to release all of the excess water, until they were chopped up. Our resort didn't get power back until Fri. afternoon but we couldn't get any drinking water because the well was below the new water line. With the roads closed in fifty area's in the county due to standing water or washouts. And the threats of additional rain we came home on Friday. We do hope to get back there again.

Thanks a lot for the detailed info. Much Appreciated! Sounds like you've fished there a few times. We'll be fishing only three days, Thurs thru Sat, next week. I'll give a report on our return. Thanks again!!!

I'm going to Hamlin Lake near Ludington, MI next week. I was wondering if anyone has fished there recently and could provide any info, since this is our first time.

I've been using the BPS Johnny Morris Signature Series Baitcast Reel for the last year, currently on sale for $129. I own two of them, and have been very happy with their performance. I like them much better than my older model Shimano Curado. Only possible drawback, if it's important to you, is that they do not have a flipping switch. They may actually give you combo price if you're buying an new extreme rod.

I bought a pair of foldups at Michaels for a couple of bucks. It works pretty good.