Jackson: Now's the time for a fishing roadtrip

The elements of hate and terror are working their sandals off, trying to destroy our wonderful way of life, especially at our nation's airports.

I have come to the realization that our underpaid TSA workers and various security agents are doing their best job under the worst conditions. Flying is difficult these days, not on board the planes, but the ultra-detailed drilling by security agents working under the auspiciousness of a federal umbrella.

Here's my alternative.

Take a road trip and open your eyes to the wonderful elements available to anyone who wants to avail themselves to the ways we traveled years ago.

With the news that a jumbo crappie (4 pounds, 8.8 ounces) recently came to the net at Kincaid Lake in Southern Illinois, I was reaching for the bearing grease on my boat trailer's wheels and changing plans to expand my horizons back to the southern parts of the state.

I can honestly say any area south of Kankakee can be heaven-on-earth when it comes to fishing and hunting. And that's because the overall population numbers are much less than what we have in the Chicago area.

And speaking of the Kankakee region, the Kankakee River is worth exploring. You can camp or check in to a bed and breakfast and proceed to use the services of a sharp guide who will lead you to hefty walleye, football-sized smallmouth bass or jumbo catfish.

Head for Lake Springfield to find large striped bass, largemouth bass and jumbo pan fish. Just avoid hitting any state lawmakers on the way through town.

Lake Shelbyville (near the University of Illinois), has enough big walleyes to keep you smiling, as well as muskies over 45-inches in length. Plenty of lodging in that area

From bluegill to hybrid striped bass and plenty of largemouth, Decatur Lake is a snap to fish. Not much pressure here.

Of course, there's always the Mississippi River and its plethora of huge blue and flathead catfish. There are also numerous walleye and sauger just off the wing dams as well. And the back channels of the big river play host to some of the largest bluegills in the Midwest. Add northern pike to the mix and you have a quite a destination spot, just upstream from Savannah at the northern end of the state.

Make sure you check out the Rock River in Northern Illinois for smallmouth and walleye. The smallies can usually be found near the nuclear plant in Byron, while the walleye and platoons of crappie are in the slack water of the river at Oregon.

The Ohio River at Golconda (Illinois side) is famous for its nice and fat striped bass (rock fish), and can be found right at the big dam there as well as downstream where the Tennessee River meets the Ohio. A multitude of hotels are available nearby.

Of course, you have Rend Lake, home of the great crappie runs and flathead catfish large enough to put a dent in the side of your aluminum boat.

A tad farther south, Marion has some goodl akes, including Crab Orchard, Little Grassy, and Devil's Kitchen. These are all prime bodies of water loaded with large numbers of big gamefish.

Just make sure you have your Illinois Concealed Carry Permit in your wallet just in case you want to bring along a sidearm to ward off "bears" and other creatures of mayhem.

• Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, catch his radio show 7-9 a.m. Sundays on WGCO 1590-AM (live-streamed at www.1590WCGO.com) and get more content at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com.