Jackson: Good fishing requires time, effort

By Mike Jackson

I've received a number of emails from readers reporting to me how they've worked hard trying to keep trespassers off their property.

As a refresher, I mentioned some friends and I hit the motherlode when we fished a public park district pond.

I wrote the column about our wonderful catch and release crappie angling and, lo and behold, the very next couple days interlopers descended upon the pond and literally cleaned it out.

They also made their way to the water through local homes climbing over shrubs and fences. That's a no-no.

I discussed this issue with custom rod builder Jim Grandt, because in 35 years of creating fine fishing tools he's discovered other small rod companies trying to "jump over his fence" and "trespass" into his land of creativity.

It's a simple analogy. You have a great pond that has become a true fish factory year after year and provides a wide scope of anglers with enjoyable fishing.

The rod business isn't exactly the same, but some others try and compete and wind up falling by the wayside.

In the Grandt scenario, Jim has grown his brand to a higher-class level over a 35-year manufacturing operation. And this is the year Grandt was recognized for his conservation efforts by being inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

Over a period of years Jim Grandt helped create a large pool of fishing equipment for kids to use and catch fish during Illinois Conservation Foundation outings. Add to that his active roll with the ICF for various fundraising activities.

I might add that I have personally used 10 or 12 different brands of spinning, casting and fly rods. I settled on Grandt's 25 years ago because a friend suggested I start using ultrasensitive equipment for finesse fishing.

Now getting back to local angling. There are largemouth bass in our ponds that will open the eyes of many anglers.

But like many other issues in life these days, very few people are wiling to put in the time and effort to explore the ponds as well as the Fox River.

Here's a spot that holds trophy smallmouth and catfish, but very few venture into the realm of possibility on that great body of water.

So because it's a moving body of water with fish holding in many different locales, I will share some hot spots with you.

Even now you're liable to score with a bucket of minnows, small hooks, and dredging places like deadfall trees and outlet pipes.

The trick is to drop some live bait into whirlpools close to the bank. Allow enough time for the bait to reach the bottom.

A slack-water (whirlpool) is usually a place where fish hold off the current and feed on various goodies that come by while being tossed from the current.

I wade the river in late spring and summer months for walleyes and smallmouth. I also work the bridge areas for big catfish and smallies. During the winter, I am on the ice on Bangs Lake and Lake Catherine.

Like building fine rods over the years, good fishing isn't always a snap unless one puts in the time and effort.

• Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, and catch his radio show 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM and live-streamed at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com.