Ice Fishing
When Winter Panfish Behave Badly
A common mistake some anglers make is thinking the world below the ice is static. The mistaken belief that nothing changes. We have all probably been lulled into a great bite where we set up […]
Fishing Tackle
Fishing Tips
Pros and Cons of Dropping the Anchor When Fishing for River bass
It’s one of the most underutilized pieces of equipment in my river guide boat: the boat anchor. Some days I silently curse it, those times when I nearly trip over the plastic bucket it’s stored […]
Trout/Salmon Fishing
Winter Trout Fishing On Lake Taneycomo
Unusually cold temperatures hit the Ozarks in mid-November as Eric Olliverson and I met at the Branson landing on the shore of Lake Taneycomo. Early on there was no wind and it was bearable. Once […]
Ice Fishing
ICE FISHING WOLF LAKE
There are two Wolf Lakes in Illinois. This one is near Chicago just off of Lake Michigan on the Illinois/Indiana state line. The other one is downstate. Wolf Lake is a 419-acre lake in the […]
Catfish Fishing
Catfish and Kids
Aggressive feeding habits, fast growth and affinity for shore line structure make the catfish a natural for teaching young and old the secrets of fishing. This feisty battler enjoys a state-wide distribution due to its […]
Walleye Fishing
The Biggest Key to Frequent Walleye Bites
When walleye fishing gets tough, it’s often to an angler’s advantage to slow things down. One tactic that is great at catching “tough-bite” walleyes is what I like to call “slow fall”. This is a […]
Walleye Fishing
Top 3 Places to Catch More Walleye This Fall
Autumn is an amazing time to chase walleye. As water temperatures cool, they feed heartily to prepare for winter. Walleye will hang out in many areas in autumn, but tributaries, bars, and humps are three […]
Ice Fishing
Some Ice Fishing Basics
Not having a basic knowledge of a sport like ice fishing limits ones desire to participate. With a little forethought and some basic and relatively inexpensive equipment is all one needs to find success in […]
Bass Fishing
3 Reasons to Fish With Football Jigs for Fall Smallmouth
Autumn is a time for upsizing baits to catch trophy smallmouth bass. Big and chunky plastics top my list of presentations. Using a football jig head for rigging is an excellent choice. Here are three […]
Bass Fishing
5 Tips for Late Fall Northern Largemouth Bass
Fishing the late fall shift on northern lakes has its advantages. Largemouth bass can be relatively easy to locate and, for the most part, will be the largest you will find them all season long. […]
Fishing News - Salt
5 Reasons to Fish Fluorocarbon in Saltwater
Bass Anglers are well aware that fluorocarbon line is a must-have tool because of its remarkable sensitivity as well as the fact that it sinks rapidly, driving crankbaits and other lures deeper. But fluoro fishing […]
Fishing News - Salt
Rocket Stripers and Hybrids
There is nothing that will stir the heart like the whine of a reel when a Striper or Hybrid Striper has taken your bait. These striped rockets are the state’s greatest battler according to Steve […]
Fishing News - Fresh
New Work Plan May Result in Restrictions on Traditional Fishing Tackle
As part of its “Green Chemistry Initiative”, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control is currently targeting various consumer products that it will seek to restrict or ban, and unfortunately fishing tackle is in the […]
Boat News
Boat Theft Prevention
Boats, trailers and related gear are susceptible to theft. It can be as simple as tire theft from the trailer or as complicated as stealing an engine or boat. The key to theft prevention is […]
Fishing Tips
Fall White Bass Fishing
Fall fishing for white bass is just the opposite of the spring pattern. In spring they move to staging areas and then into the spawning areas of lakes and rivers. As the water temperatures begin […]
Bass Fishing
Patrick Sebile and Crankbaits
Shallow running crankbaits like the Sebile Bull Minnow are effective in fall. One need only follow his exploits on Facebook to realize that this designer of fishing tackle is a dedicated angler of vast world […]
Trout/Salmon Fishing
Dunkin Worm
Illinois spring catchable trout program opens in April. It opens in other areas at different dates but the scene is still the same. During the season Illinois anglers have a chance to catch this great […]
Panfish Fishing
Carolina-rigged Crankbait Crappies
Fishing crankbaits for crappie needn’t be a big-boat, multi-rod affair. You also can cast and retrieve a single lure for big-fish action.Oklahoma City crappie guide Todd Huckabee does this using a Carolina-rigged, 4-1/2-inch, suspending Smithwick […]
Fishing News - Fresh
Fish Action In August
Summer sunshine in August is often a sure sign that the fish will not bite during the day. Most anglers switch to night fishing or at least early morning and late evening. That is not […]
Fishing Tips
Night Fishing Tips
Regardless of the species sought, catching fish at night takes some changes in tactics as well as special care for safety. If you have the energy to stay up late you just might find some […]
Fishing News - Fresh
Fishing With Munchkins
Taking munchkins fishing is an opportunity for you and them to get closer and develop an appreciation for the outdoors. Only a few weekends remain this summer. Weekends that provides excellent opportunities to teach a […]
Panfish Fishing
Bluegil Action On Farm Ponds
Tips You Can Use All Over: Illinois anglers can find good early season bluegill action on farm ponds providing they pay attention to the tackle, the presence, absence, and location of vegetation. Very dense vegetation […]
Catfish Fishing
Slip Bobbers and Catfish
My introduction to fishing came at the end of some black nylon line with a wine cork tied above a worm-baited hook. Between the two was tied a bolt. It was pretty rudimentary but functional. […]
Panfish Fishing
Go To Bushes In the Spring
Fishing the heavy buck brush and shallow openings is a key to finding early season crappie. Sometimes anglers must pole their boats far into the shallows to find the big ones. All kinds of jigs […]
Fishing News - Fresh
Carlyle Lake Bass
Three species of “bass” inhabit the tailwaters below the Carlyle Dam. The three are Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and White Bass. The 26,000-acre impoundment that is Carlyle Lake can be located on Illinois 127 and […]
Panfish Fishing
Around The Gills
The Bluegill is easily recognizable by the blue or yellow green coloration, six to eight dark vertical bands down the sides and dark opercula flap behind the eyes. During spawning season a male may also […]
Fishing News - Fresh
Walking Streams In Spring
May is a time to explore the area creeks and streams in search of some off beat fishing holes. With a little planning and careful walking, the fisherman can find water that is his and […]
Panfish Fishing
Family Fun Had With Bluegils
The return of warm weather inspires anglers to dig out the rod and reel. The entire family can all take part in bluegill fishing. The many public fishing areas of southern Illinois provide ample space […]
Trout/Salmon Fishing
White River Trout Fishing
The line of pink cabins along this stretch of the White River in Arkansas is as distinct as they are historical. The main buildings house the main office, restaurant, sports bar and a huge dining […]
Fishing News - Fresh
Two In A Day Fishing
When it comes to a good day, two Illinois public fishing areas are a good bet. Located about an hour southwest of St. Louis, Pinkneyville City Lake and the many lakes found in Pyramid State […]
Fishing News - Fresh
Tips For Spring Weather Fishing
Spring can be the best and the worst of times for the fisherman. The fish are active and so is the weather. It seems that spring is just one front after another. Some contain severe […]
Catfish Fishing
Kaskaskia River Catfish
Beginning with its headwaters in Champaign County, the Kaskaskia River flows some 280 miles to the southwest to join the Mississippi River. The upper reaches of the river above Lake Shelbyville do not produce large […]
Boat News
Getting Your Boat Ready
Do you want to operate your boat safely and effectively this year? There is some preparation it needs done. It is not difficult, but necessary. It might even save money in the long run. Just […]
Fishing News - Fresh
Managing Ponds For Great Bass Fishing
Ponds are good places to fish and if managed correctly, there are usually more fish per acre than is many lakes. They are great places to polish skills and gain an understanding their habits and […]
Fishing News - Fresh
Smithwick Elite 8 Dives Quick, Stays There
Smithwick, the company that brought jerkbaits to the mainstream with the classic Rattlin’ Rogue, introduces the new Suspending Elite 8 Rogue, a 4 ½-inch jerkbait that dives quicker and runs deeper than other jerkbaits of […]
Fishing News - Fresh
Fishing Unfamiliar Waters
High fuel costs and other boat expenses mean that many of us are fishing water closer to home and or perhaps areas we neglected in the past. Fishing a new lake, or seldom fished lake, […]
Panfish Fishing
Early Season Crappies
Pre-spawn crappies teach us how to fish for all species. They require stealth, patience, ability to read the water, sound knowledge of the species and in general provide an apprenticeship to all fishing. The early […]
Fishing News - Fresh
Dunkin Worms For Trout
Spring catchable trout programs allow anglers catch these denizens of the cold water often not normally available the rest of the year. Rainbow trout live in water that remains below 72-degrees and within 4 feet […]
Fishing News - Fresh
Organizing Your Tackle For The Season
Here is some advice for off season sorting of fishing tackle. The system is dependent upon what type of fishing one is planning. It is simple if all of the fishing is from a single […]
Fishing News - Fresh
Fishing Rods Need Love Too
The first warm day of spring brings visions of happy days on the lake with your favorite rod. Then there to your wondering eyes appears your fishing rod with a bow in it. Leaning against […]
Fishing News - Fresh
PUT-N-TAKE TROUT
Put-and-take trout fishing requires more thought than most anglers believe. Sure it is possible to catch them with little effort. Consistently getting results after the first few days is a little more difficult. Finding fish […]
Fishing News - Fresh
Spring Bass Action On Lake Of Egypt
Although often fished the entire year, Lake of Egypt can be a fish factory in early spring. The weather may be unstable. It can be iced one day and 70 degrees the next. The fish […]
Panfish Fishing
Late Winter Crappie Surprise
The ice will soon be off our favorite lakes. Most of us as we get older tend to prefer the warm confines of home to fishing out on a lake in 40-degree temperatures. Kyle Schoenherr […]
Panfish Fishing
Cold Water Crappie Fishing
Preferring the warm confines of home to fishing out on a lake in 40-degree temperatures does not make one unusual. But a while back Kyle Schoenherr’s tales of 2-pound crappie became irresistible. In addition to […]
Panfish Fishing
Trolling Crankbaits
Summer was good, and you had the crappie pinned down. You could return to the same brushpiles or standing timber and pound limit after limit. But now comes the first cold front, and, where’d they […]
Fishing Tips
Cold Water Fishing
The cool water of late fall allows fish to spread out and find comfort zones in a variety of levels. Thanks giving weekend has given anglers in southern Illinois a chance for some very late […]
Panfish Fishing
Crappie In Crapy Weather
White crappie caught on rainy day teaches one to fish under hardship. Thunder and lightning punctuate the night time skies. But, we are anxious to get out on the water and catch some crappie. Rain […]
Ice Fishing
Checkout This New Ice Jig From JR’s
Deadly on perch, crappie and finicky walleye, JR’s UV Glowin’ Glitter Skoobie Snak attracts from a distance and triggers strikes from your quarry. Glitter back reflects natural light for added realism. Includes UV Glowin’ Glitter […]
Ice Fishing
Ultimate Ice Panfish Jig Kit
Jammin Jig put together 18 of our best panfish lures, all in SUPER GLOW COLORS, Blues, greens, reds & oranges. hook sizes range from a size #12 up to a #6. YOU DONT WANT TO […]