Re: Kankakee River Bass Fishing Reports

[Fishaholic]

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...

[Mike Cork]

Thanks for the update Fish, sounds like you salvaged the day with the gills. Always good to get out no matter what

[billkay]

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?

[Fishaholic]

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.

[billkay]

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.

[Fishaholic]

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.

[Lipripper]

WOW!! Fish only one taker  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  Better luck next time