Jackson: There are options when you can't find the fish

As anglers, we seem to be creatures of habit coupled with a major desire to embrace stubbornness. And stubbornness can translate into attitudes that embrace a high degree of negativity.

I've listened carefully to Ned Kehde about using micro-baits (Finesse Fishing and in-fisherman.com). Bass that don't want to chase specific offerings will sometimes adapt a neutral or negative holding position themselves.

Because there are hordes of experts on TV that wear brightly colored shirts displaying a sponsor's logo, they expect us to act like docile and run to our favorite tackle shop and purchase a bag of that particular brand.

Some of the Cook County Forest Preserve ponds in the western region seem to be rich in a more sustainable environment to support healthy weed cover. It's the weed cover and a few deadfall trees that can generate some pretty intense action.

If you are willing to invest the time right now, Hoffman Estates, Bartlett and Itasca are three areas where you could catch some decent largemouth bass using finesse techniques.

For example.

A 1/64th oz. jig head tipped with a Cubby Nail Tail or Mini-Mite could produce a tremendous amount of strikes and hookups.

Why a 1/64th oz. you may ask? Isn't that weight too light for bass? Perhaps. But if you are like countless anglers who want guys like me to literally point to the exact spots where the fish are holding, you are doing yourself a tremendous disservice.

If you wind up catching just two or three fish from a place that someone else revealed to you, then perhaps you should begin to question your skills.

I know many fishermen just want to catch some fish and brag to their pals and wives. The real test, however, is to find the spots for yourself and pay attention to a pond or lake's makeup, especially in the rock and weed departments.

I brought up Finesse Fishing and Ned Kehde for a couple of reasons.

I generally carry a bunch of Little Action pre-rigged worms in my fishing gear bag. I also carry some micro-jigs like the one I described, along with Nail Tails and Mini-Mites.

The worm itself is a triggering bait, in that the corkscrew action teases a fish to strike. But if that fails after several casts, I will then switch to the finesse mode.

I knew a Hoffman Estates pond held some big bass and even though I was limited to casting from the bank, I managed to drop a lure right on the edge of a cabbage bed a good 30-feet away. My gut feeling kept telling me to keep working the same area. I finally got a strike and landed a nice 2-pounder.

A stranger walked up to me and asked me to show him the technique I was using. Within a matter of minutes this angler was catching bass from close to the same area where I had succeeded.

By the way, I was using 4-pound fluorocarbon line on a spinning rod. That line was practically invisible to fish.

And just in case you didn't know, western Cook County ponds are golden.

• 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.