Today I head out to a known staging location for smallmouth Bass in Chicago Illinois. We’re Fishing Belmont harbor. To avoid parking fees I parked along the street and took the scenic walk in through the walking and biking trail. Very sunny day to start at least And April 1 , I aim my sights on pre spawn smallmouth bass. These are fish all moving in at the same time in schools primarily for one main task. The males finding suitable areas To make beds and then for the females to roll through and deposit eggs after the males have finished their part setting up the bed “nest”. After the female deposits the eggs the males will remain around and protect the nest Until the fry hatch. They defend their nest from everything. Water larvae and other insects, Gobies cray fish, panda oh and even carp. It’s hard work for them once their on the nest. That’s why bed fishing is very controversial. Today we’re fishing pre spawn fish. Fish whom are staging to go shallow to make nest but have yet to. A lot of times of you hit it right the fish will feed very heavily right before starting their process.
We use a zman trd. Anything of the like would work, Small swim jigs, tubes and obviously even live bait. Anything to mimic small prey.
It’s important to catch and release. The small mouth bass can easily be labeled Chicago’s most protected fish.
Hope you enjoy
Thank you
Happy Fishing
Geo
Nice fish, great underwater footage. Is what you were using called a ned rig, I never even used one before.👍
On the 6 they opening a spot for trout fishing. Can't wait to catch my 1st one.
Great job bud👍👍👍
Belmont is DEFINITELY my favorite harbor for bass.👍🏻🎣👏🏻
Belmont harbor!
Was the gate locked ?
Or did you jump the fence???
Good times!
Beautiful fish!
There are a lot of small mouth there!
You are fishing on hallowed water and crushed it!