Chicago River Sucks This Year!?!?

[MoonDawg]

I've been on the River bother at Foster st and throughout the stretch leading to the mouth of Lake Michigan downtown and all year up to this point....it has just SUCKED for me. Last year by this time I had caught beautiful bass, crappie, rock bass, channel cats, etc....this year only 1 dink bass, some goby, and some bluegills (which my daughter caught).

Anyone else noticing any kind of a difference on the river or is it just me? I used techniques that were successful before in similar weather conditions. Thoughts?

[Bassackwards]

I've been skunked too on the river this year. Nothing by Lincoln Ave bridge and nothing by the wwd by Howard St. I'm getting frustrated!

[MoonDawg]

Yeah I can't help but think something is out of whack this year...the bass aren't where I've caught them before or at least taking what i'm throwing...mind you I've thrown damn near everything in my tackle box. Crazy

[pikekid96]

i have caught some carp. also a couple bullheads

[Brandon]

throughout April it was really good. There were a couple weeks where I got out probably 4 times each and caught bass or saw/heard of bass being caught at my usual spots. the crappie bite/bluegill bite was automatic too. since then something has changed. not sure what.....its always been better in the spring or fall and completely sucked in the dead of summer for me. You should still be able to catch carp anywhere on the river though...

[MoonDawg]

my luck with carp sucks....I'd have better luck fishing with a bow and arrow to catch them! lol

[Moosert78]

The Cal Sag is sweet. I went out of Alsip last week, and caught 6 bass. 4 would have easily kept in a tourney, unfortunately none were smallmouth, only largemouth. senkos and spinnerbaits.

[jaypee the hhf]

it tuff in the summer, but have been catching some in downtown loop area.

dropshot and cranks.

[MoonDawg]

Hey JP...what type of cranks and at what depth? I have a hard time on the river downtown using cranks because the walls are so high off the water you almost have to cast 100+ ft just for the lure to get down far enough before you've already reeled it back in.

[drumminangler]

The bass are always there. The better bass are more difficult to catch when the water is above 70 downtown, but they can be caught. you really dont have to get a crank down very far. Just experiment with shallow medium and deep divers untill you start getting bit. Drop shot rigs with light line always works. As far as something out of the ordinary effecting the bite I would say the insanely warm spring we had. The water temp now, is where it normally is in August, and August usually SUCKS.
Good Luck

Ryan

[MoonDawg]

As far as something out of the ordinary effecting the bite I would say the insanely warm spring we had. The water temp now, is where it normally is in August, and August usually SUCKS.
Good Luck

Ryan

Good point and on most bodies of water the water is really warm. I'll try cranks next time out.

[stinkb8]

haven't caught a carp in 2 weeks on the river last year it was non stop

[pikekid96]

haven't caught a carp in 2 weeks on the river last year it was non stop

X2

[MoonDawg]

I haven't caught a carp ever lol. Suggestions on techniques?

[pikekid96]

I haven't caught a carp ever lol. Suggestions on techniques?

bread on a hook

[MoonDawg]

that's simple.

[pikekid96]

yeah, you probably want to get aldi white bread or wheat, doesnt really matter.

[MoonDawg]

And u just put it on the bottom or bobber?

[pikekid96]

let it go to the bottom

[MoonDawg]

ok cool. thx for the info! I'll make sure to post a pic (hopefully) and shout you out for the assist.

[stinkb8]

I use weights yet my buddies yell at me for it. I just say whose got the biggest fish this year.

[pikekid96]

I use weights yet my buddies yell at me for it. I just say whose got the biggest fish this year.

[stinkb8]

true or false

[pikekid96]

true or false

true

[rivergirl22]

rivergirl22: That's why I logged on to see what everyone else was saying about the River this year. I can truly say that something has changed??? I usually can't get one carp in the net without the other pole bending or bells ringing with another Carp on there. I've only been catching Blue gills, crappie and Large Mouth Bass oh and those bullheads. I admit it's getting frustrating. I Love when them carp give me a hard time And, throw them right back!!!

[pikekid96]

got out today, got one fish on the fly rod, look at the report