Great Lakes Kayak Fishing Series: Bass

Tournament number 2 of the Great Lakes Kayak Fishing Series.

The day - June 14th...Flag Day...My birthday!

The location - A large stretch of the Illinois River down in Ottawa, Illinois.

The target species - Bass...Smallmouth, Largemouth, and White.

Going into the tournament I thought I had birthday luck on my side, so, I was feeling good. I have never fished the Illinois River before, and have only seen it when I went hiking around Starved Rock State Park (...and Google Maps).

At the launch at Heritage Harbor - Ottawa.

It was a beautiful day, but the rain during the week raised the water levels for tourney, and the river was moving. I spent some time out on the main river, but not much time fishing. Most of my time was spent paddling upriver, to get out of the current, and back into the harbor, where I stayed a majority of the day. The river was just, too, much for me.

At the mouth of the harbor. 

Out on the river. Took me 5 minutes to paddle back to where I was after taking this picture.

I ended the day catching no bass. There were quite a few people with bass skunks, so, I wasn't alone. I know a lot of people caught sauger along the walls and places the bass would normally be. I ended the day with a gar, and a sheepshead. I am becoming a tournament sheepshead master! That's 3 in the last 2 tournaments. Hilarious!

There was little to no fight in this one. Once hooked I just  dragged him in.

Congratulations, to +BrookField Angler of www.Brookfieldangler.com on taking 3rd place at this event. I would also like to say, thank you, to the organizers of the event. It was a great time. 

I'm really looking forward to catching some sheepshead at the 3rd and final event September 6th out of Manitowoc Marina in Wisconsin. (North or Milwaukee). Target species - King Salmon. For more information click HERE.