Steve S.

Merry Christmas everyone! Rich - you're not alone; still trying to shake mine as well!

just curious if it had any gamefish in it at all, and if so, what?

Still haven't posted my 3. Since I didn't use plastics much this past season, I'm having trouble ranking them amongst each other. I am curious as to how everyone rigs their plastics (not only looking for the what but also the how). Okay, here are my three plastics (historically speaking): Kalin's Salty Lunker Grub on a round unpainted jighead, 3" Pumpkinseed Zoom Tubes with a BP Tender Tube jighead (inserted), Green Pumpkinseed YUM Crawbug with a BP tender Tube jighead (inserted), 2.5" Green Pumpkin. The YUM became my "go to" plastic this year, only when topwaters and spinnerbaits were not producing as well as I was used to. Still, I rarely used it unless I was "under the influence" of Don R. The plastic that I look forward to throwing more is the Fluke. I've long used soft jerkbaits in lakes, but I haven't given them the time they deserve in moving water.

Now that's funny!

Mike If you are locating bass, then you should be able to catch them on topwaters. The reason I like the prop bait over the popper (and I like the popper) is for the same reason Mark K. likes the buzzbait - its a great search lure. You can cover a lot more water with a prop bait. I try to look for active bass as a first choice, and this usually means covering a lot of water. Topwaters will get them in all the classic spots that your other lures will. When I fish the first push downstream of a dam I fish on the WI River, there are times when my first dozen casts may not get touched, and then they kill it. If you know the bass are there, keep casting. Don't give up!

I saw some of it, flipping back and forth with the football game. It was interesting to see the history of the region.

I fished these (3) lures pretty much all season: Rapala Skitterprop topwater Booyah white tandem spinnerbait 3/8 oz YUM green pumpkin crawbug I would guess I used the topwater over 50% of the time.

I've never owned a high end pair of sunglasses, but as with any optics, I would presume a higher quality lens would offer the best performance. I have used polarized sunglasses forever and they make a big difference over regular sunglasses and a huge difference over none at all, especially for safe wading. Start with a "cheap" pair and see if it makes a difference for you. LOL! Same holds true if they are newer!

Tim Okay, thinking like a fish, how often would I "make the choice" to pursue my select forage? Would a smallie pass on a juicy nightcrawler that drifts by to forage for a crayfish? What about a fat (and soft) creek chub? I always think of fish as being opportunistic first and discretionary second, but maybe I need to alter my thinking. BTW, I love seeing this data, as long as I can interpret it. Thanks!

Tim I thought that is what I saw, but I wasn't sure. Now, does it say if the shad were single or tandem spin?

so, what does the data tell us?

Always easier to spot the wildlife too! Sounds like a great idea, if it weren't for the dropping temps and 35 mph winds!

I work in Wheeling, and they have quite a bit of snow up here. Should've turned around, but it wasn't as bad at 4:30am when I left until I got up here. It seems northen Cook County has a lot of trouble keeping up with their snow (and not just today).

Jonn Good news: Weather was great, got to spend the better part of the day fishing with friends, saw some new water and caught about 1/2 dozen or so on the Husky Jerk. Not as good news: Couldn't get any of the bigger bass, but my partner got a couple close to/around 14".

Best wishes for a great day!

Kind of hard to focus on the gloves when you're holding a nice smallie! Doesn't the tighter fit hamper your circulation?

You crack me up!

LOL! How many of us do this? Putting the waders on and taking them off once a day is plenty for me. Maybe this could be another man law?

What is the penalty for a second offense? Wet wading in Oswego?

LOL! I was fully prepared for one of these man laws to include a reference to "crap plants".

Hey, where did the ISA caps come from????

It does have an odd scent at times; more "north" than "south". I've noticed it around Warrenville.

Now this got my interest (not that flyfishing for trout didn't). So what is the "Hooterbowl"?

LOL! My youngest just entered high school. I'm just waiting for things to change!