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By Lucas Stoner

The Illini Bass Fishing Club of the University of Illinois hosted our 2nd Annual High School Open tournament on April 7th at Clinton Lake. In our inaugural event, we had 50 teams compete from all over the state of Illinois. We are excited to report that we set the bar even higher, surpassing that mark with participation from 67 teams this year. This tournament was one of the largest high school tournaments in the state, as well as the largest known collegiate ran high school tournament.

 On a tough post-frontal day, the 134 high school anglers competing in this tournament still found ways to catch some finicky Clinton Lake bass. Out of the 67 high school teams in attendance, Dunlap High School topped them all with a five fish limit weighing 17.73 lbs! Monticello High School came up just short with their best five weighing 17.71 lbs landing in second place. Bishop McNamara locked in a third place finish with another fantastic bag of 17.62 lbs. Monticello High School had a great showing, adding a fourth place boat to their runner-up team. The latter team had five fish weighing 14.12 lbs, anchored by a 6.75 lb beast earning big bass of the day. Rounding out the top five was Plainfield Central with a five fish limit weighing 13.32 lbs. On a difficult day of fishing, to have these anglers weigh in limits like these is incredible. The proof is in the pudding, these ‘kids’ can fish! Check out our website for the full results here:

http://www.fightingillinibassclub.com/high-school-open-results.html

  The goal of our tournament is to help promote fishing to the younger generations, and also show high school anglers there is a place for them after Illinois High School Association fishing. Illinois was the first state to implement high school fishing as a sport and it has been a huge success. Since its founding 5 years ago, participation has grown every year throughout the state and several other states have followed Illinois’ lead. We have seen the effects first hand in our club, as we have had more and more members coming in with previous tournament experience.  College fishing is growing every year, and a lot of this growth is due to tournament organizations like B.A.S.S. but also to the high school fishing programs that get anglers started at a younger age. College fishing provides anglers want to take their passion for the sport to the next level a chance to do so. Many collegiate anglers are heading straight into professional fishing after college, such as last years B.A.S.S. Elite Series Rookie of the Year, Brandon Card. He was the first collegiate angler to make it to the Elite rankings and was welcomed with immediate success, winning a prestigious title and qualifying for the Bassmaster’s Classic. Our club has witnessed this transition firsthand, as our current president, Cody Sullivan, is in the process of making the transition to the professional side of bass fishing as well. Cody’s story gives us the unique ability to show these young anglers how they too can rise in from the high school level, to the collegiate level, and eventually to a professional career.

April 11, 2013

By Noah Humfeld

With the spring air moving to the Midwest, hundreds flock to the rivers to chase the elusive walleyes that call the rivers home. Here in southwest Wisconsin, the Mississippi River is our battlefield. With water temps nearing 40 degrees, the action is fast heating up on pool 11 near Dubuque, IA. Fishing in the area for the last few years, many interesting techniques for catching walleyes have been instilled upon me, however, the most “absurd” method, in my opinion, is fishing with “one-eye” jigs.

How can a simple ½ to 1oz piece of lead, dressed up with a little paint, and a hook at each end possible attract fish, let alone catch them? I was never a strong believer in the technique of snap jigging these ridiculous lures until very recently. When I had landed a solid 5 pound Mississippi River walleye, hooked in the mouth, I was hooked as well.

  These  lures would be classified as a jigging spoon, technically, however, most often are cast into heavy currents, and with a snap jigging type retrieve, ripped off of the bottom, and let fall slowly back down, triggering strikes. The construction of these lures is very simple: a thin, diamond shaped piece of lead poured over a wire form with a loop at each end for hook attachment points.

Most often, I purchase my “one-eye” jigs at a local gas station, where the sizes range from ¼ to 1oz lures, in multiple different color patterns. The first thing I do with any “one eye” style of jig is replace the hooks. For whichever reason, the stock hooks just don’t last very long in the rocky torrent known as the Mississippi River, so I replace all of my hooks with size 4-6 red Eagle Claw, Lazer Sharp treble hooks. The red hooks are great for their fish attraction properties, and these hooks hold up the best fishing in these tough conditions.

It can be quite a challenge to pick and choose the right colors from the myriad of choices at the bait shop, but don’t be intimidated! Good choices for this style of jig are greens, purples, blacks, and natural bait fish patterns. More important than the color, is the location at which you are going to fish. This time of year, look for slack water on the edge of faster moving currents. This provides the fish with a resting place, as well as an ambush point for feeding. Breaking down water to target these fish is easy using Fishidy. Whether or not you are shore fishing or using a boat, the maps provide anglers with the most current information on the water way they are fishing. Using the satellite photo maps, it is easy to locate where the fast water meets the slack.  Target areas of 8-15 feet of water during the daytime, and anywhere from 4-8 feet of water during the evening and night time, when the walleyes move in shallow to feed.

Cast the one-eye out into the slower moving water, and let out line until you feel contact with the bottom. Reel up the slack, then with a quick snap of the wrist, rip the jig off the bottom, and using the rod, control the speed of the fall back down. Most of the time, the fish will strike as the jig is falling back to the bottom, so when you feel a bump or a “tick”, set the hook hard, and hold on. The bite is on, so get out and give this local remedy to the walleye fever a shot!

Written by Ryan Ketter, with contributions by Fishing Hot Spots

Anglers today can have an eagle’s eye view of the waters they fish….that is if they own the technology. The most common technology used today is GPS (Global Positioning System). GPS utilizes satellite based transmitters. Its worldwide availability and high level of accuracy has created a significant demand in fishing.  Using GPS applications has allowed anglers to travel easily and directly from one part of a large body of water to another and pinpoint strategic fishing spots, like a weed edge, fish crib, or breakline.

Written by Ryan Ketter, Courtesy of Fishing with Maps by Fishing Hot Spots

A map will help you find all three important fish zones: sanctuaries, travel routes, and feeding areas that are influenced by:

 Light

Weather

Feeding Influences

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