Mark and I met up yesturday-evening and got out for a few hours. We had a pretty frustrating start, not being able to hit anything, and having to take some fairly long shots. We were shooting at fish feeding on the muck on the surface, and they were all 30-40 foot shots. Not very productive. I think we got 3 in the daylight. But when we turned on the lights, we could see them a little better. Weonly boated 7 fish. Mark got an 8-pound common, I got a 9-pound buffalo, and I was lucky enough to hit a skinny long-nose gar about 30-32 inches long. It was the first gar I've seen at DesPlaines, but thiswas only my third time outthere, so I'm sure I'll see more.
We would've probably stayed out alot longer, but the trolling-motor battery pooped-out on us. All the better, since we both have big days at work today.
But I can't wait to go back out there! I can only imagine it on a clear-water-night with the lights. There are loads of fish in there! Plenty of carp, and I know there has to be some huge buffalo in there since it is a big river. The DuPage River flows in right west of where we start out at, and washes through the whole area. We've both heard stories of 5-foot-plus gar taken out of the exact same area, and I talked to an older gentleman last sunday who told me about tons of gar by an island.
Thanks alot Mark for inviting me along. Next time, I'm bringing my push-pole, and maybe another paddle, just in case...
Those were some tough conditions! Between the muddy water, thick weeds, strong currents, and stupid troller batteries, I don't think we did too bad. We finally started to see some decent size fish which I know this area holds a lot of. I layed awake all night building my dream bowfishing rig in my head. I've got some crazy ideas. I think there are going to be some changes made to the barge. Time to get out the saw!
DesPlaines River 9-14
