May 31, 2005
Grand Kankakee Marsh and Pond
air temp - 77
water temp unknown
wind 13 mph W
barometer 30.04
humidity 45%
atmosphere no clouds at all
water condition - muddy, 2 feet below normal stage and full of cottonwood seeds, slop should be ripe in approximately 2 weeks.
Bluegills are spawning everywhere, saw plenty of bass swimming around lethargically.
Started in the slop with a Johnson Silver Minnow, 1/2 oz with 6" of fluorescent green culprit worm as a trailer, got several hits, but they were hitting short; so, I switched to a Texas-rigged Kinami 5" worm and still the fish were hitting it short; downsized again to a Texas-rigged 3.5" tender tube and still they hit it short, dropped down to a 2.5" tube rigged the same way and finally they were taking the bait, but releasing it immediately....so, I gave up on the slop. :(
Went down and started working spinners and tubes around the timber, but the carp were rowdy and had moved into the timber. :(
Took a hike down to the pond, tied on my new Stealth Shad bait from Ambush Lures...got several hits with no connection and finallly I saw what was going on, 10-12 in bluegills were hitting the Stealth Shad bait but they were hitting the bait from the top :(
Results for the day...3 tiny bass eventually caught on tubes, and when I pulled out my toy rod during a sit down break, with a size 12 tru-turn hook and some Crappie Nibblets, I managed to have some fun catching 30 or so hand-sized gills
Highlight of the day was seeing a scarlet tanager and watching a heron in flight.
It was still good to get out of the house and be on the water...
Thanks for the update Fish, sounds like you salvaged the day with the gills. Always good to get out no matter what :-*
Where did you find those carp? I'd love getting into some in the 10-20lb range. The family has a great time with them when they're hitting. Was it near where we fishd together earlier in the year?
nope, but I could draw you a map...but if you want to catch some really big ones, the warm water discharge at the NIPSCO plant in Michigan City is a very good choice...they get em up to 35 pounds there...and you might even hook into some nice sized drum too.
No doubt about the lakefront, but this is much closer to home and would work as a spur of the moment trip for the family. I'd be happy to have a map. I'll trade you a cool beverage or two for it.
June 1, 2005
Feeder Ditch along the Kankakee
air temp 81 degrees
sky occassional cloud
water- muddy
visibility 1 foot
humidity 37%
barometer 30.01
wind East 8mph
water temp unknown
Johnson Silver Minnow dragged through a laydown produce 1 12" smallmouth...tried further with the spoon, tubes, Big O, Snagless Sally, Stealth Diver...no other hits were to be had.
Saw 3 deer running through a field and almost had a hummingbird fly inside the van as I was sitting under the tailgate...wild irises in full bloom.
WOW!! Fish only one taker :o maybe because it's been so long since ya been fishing they didn't reconise ya ;) a hummingbird I havn't seen one of them in a long time :( They are fun to watch buzzing around like they do 8) Better luck next time ;D