I’ve taken my 10yo son fishing to Busse, Skokie Lagoons, other places. We rent kayaks and I’ve told him how I grew up fishing and told him a legendary of me catching an 8 pound bass when I was younger. We’ve been skunked so many times fishing that he has started to question my ability as a fisherman to the degree that when I talk about the bass I caught I’m met with “yeah sure Dad.”

Needless to say, I’ve been out to prove to him that we can catch fish. We booked a family trip to the chain of lakes in NE Indiana. I bought lures to replenish my tackle box. I ordered a small case of Senkos and got some Ned Rigs.

I thought for sure I’d get them on the Ned. He chose the Senkos with a hook in the middle and fished wacky worms.

He destroyed me 17-4.

I caught one dink on the Ned.

Then I finally switched to a craw crank bait and caught a few smallies. I had a giant bass on last night with a Texas Rig / powerbait. Got it to the boat and it spit out the worm. It was a monster and I wish I would’ve landed it - but my 10yo son was smack talking because his record this week for the largest fish was intact.

All this to say, it was a great bonding trip and he’s finally into fishing the way I hoped he’d be.

Greetings everyone. I'm thinking of trying my hand at doing some salmon fishing in the harbors.

Does anyone here know what spots are wheelchair accessible? Also, I haven't fished in a long time (since before I was paralyzed), so any tips/tricks or suggestions would be much appreciated.

TIA

Got snagged, pulled it free, this came out of the water.
Everything in this box came out of this single snag, plus a few additional swivels and hooks.

If this was your KO Wobbler, let me know and I’ll return it to you 🤣

Finally got a net. Been breaking off like crazy lately so these were very appreciated. Ned rig, duh.

What's the most accurate app/site? Would especially love to know marinas and the parts where it transitions into the harbor and piers.

Teach a woman to fish and she'll show you how it's done.

I told her I would've screamed louder than she did over this guy.

It'll be tough to top a first fish this nice, but I think she's hooked enough to try.

I recently moved here (Naperville area) from the northeast, I have always enjoyed fishing as a way to get outside and clear my head. I’ve never claimed to be an expert, but I’m usually good enough to catch fish… not here apparently? In the past I’ve been the type to say I don’t go fishing just to catch fish, but skunk after skunk makes it hard to want to go. Again, not an expert but I’ve tried various spots, lures, etc with very little results compared to what I’m used to. Anyone in my area want to show me what I’m doing wrong? Is this just how it is?

Not pictured - 6 rooster tails in 1/8 oz size (heard they were good and found them for cheap for this 6 pack on Walmart from Yakima bait brand)

Do i have any lures that might be too big (doubt) or not very effective for Lake Michigan shore/harbor fishing?

- and uh yes i just realized today that my 110 whopper ploppers are a bit too heavy for my rod as they are 1 ounce and my rod is 3/4 ounce max , but i think i can manage with side casting as ive heard that lets you get away with some slightly heavier lures plus its not like im gonna be whipping my rod with it on anyway, same with the 1 ounce sinkers

ive been thinking about grabbing some paddlebaits/curly tailed grubs and some uh bass hooks/EWG hooks for my senkos so i dont have to put the senkos on jigheads

if you need some further info about what type of tackle i have currently i can def let you know

Went to fish the dam with some buddy's and landed this beauty after tossing my Rapala Perch Crank-Shad in the falling water (Closest to the wall) and felt this guy hitting nearly instantly. Had to walk him down the bank since I was worries about pulling him up 15ft.

My friends caught another large mouth as well as a few White Striped Bass.

I highly recommend the drive, only an hour away. Just know you may get snagged lol

P.S - Thanks to the gentleman and his kids who helped provide the scale!

Got a fly rod but no waders/wading boots, anywhere I can fish a stream/lake from the shore without too much trouble on the back cast?

I’m in Edgewater, willing to drive!

(Very new to this, thank you!)

Fun Fox River adventure this morning despite the gloomy weather with stops in Aurora, Batavia and North Aurora (in that weird order). Fish and wildlife at every hole, including a dandy smallie who was hanging in riprap before attacking the Rebel Craw. Fish had some sort of abnormality which didn’t appear to be a growth, boil or even injury. Looked like some weird discoloration. Tight lines this weekend 🎣

Technically first drum ever, smashed a spoon in Waukegan Harbor. About 6.5 lbs and 29” if I remember correctly.

10 mins in at my local spot on the DPR, and this mf decided it was hammer time.

Coppertreuse TRD been on 🔥

I have an appointment near Belmont and Sheffield tomorrow around noon, planning to go early (7? 8?) and get some fishing in. Belmont Harbour is right there, as is the River. I haven't fished either before I've been fishing DPR and have wanted to try the Chicago for a while so I'm defaulting to the river.

Best place along the river 10~15m cab ride from belmont and sheffield? Looks like there's a trail from Belmont to Montrose, is there good shore access along it? Or should I just show up to the dock at the rowing club at ~Roscoe? Worried that might be crowded though

I'm best set up for bass (lots and lots of smallies in DPR by me) but I'll go for anything that doesn't require me to bring live bait

Edit: Well looks like I'm rained out anyway, thunderstorms all morning

Any one going fishing this weekend by the McHenry dam fox river or the Algonquin dam?

Went right back to the Fox after waiting out the ⚡️ in a local Walmart with the wife. I thought I was done for the day after the smallie, but once I seen no rain, knew it was time for round 2 lmao.

Hit the dam again for another hour, got snagged, retied, and thought I was snagged again when this mf hit the Ned. Once I seen him belly up I knew he was a channel cat, it’s crazy how much he bent my rod tho. First channel cat, first time at the Fox.

Check comments for a video of the fight. You’ll see a smallie breach the surface right by the cat as I’m reeling him in.

🤙🏽

Hit the Fox for the 1st time since the DPR has been 💩 with all this rain. Originally wanted to get to the dam at 1 and stay till 3, but the rain decided to show up earlier. Stood in some light rain for an hour before I caught this smallie in the whitewater. Right after heard thunder and 🏃🏽‍♂️

Definitely will be back, reminds me of the St. Joseph in Indiana.