I almost forgot, I was using rattle traps, spinners, minnows and miscellaneous crank baits as well.

 

It won't be long now des plaines. You are using the right arsenal and they will be showing up with some numbers soon. In the past it has been the 1st or 2nd week in September. Thats next week. Best is if you live close to Montrose is to check it out daily. I take info from the bait store with a grain of salt. People always brag (for lack of a better word) about fish they caught to them giving them misleading info. I like to fish the jetty on the golf course side from 1 hour before dark into the middle of the night. I have caught some real nice and clean kings in the early part of the month thru the middle of October. After that they start to turn. When you see them jumping a lot, that is the females loosening up the eggs. ( or I have been told). You will probally see me out there int the next few weeks myself.
Good luck!

Smelt

 

Patience, grasshopper.

If you haven't already got a small box for fall salmon shore fishing get one. Then put your camera flash, glow spoons (11/2 oz. to 1 oz.), rattle traps, etc. in it. Then pull it out every year around the last week or two of August.

When you're out here at Montrose (or anywhere else) learn to experiment and take advice (like mine) with a grain of salt.

If you get there early enough pay attention to what spots fill up first for future visits.

Cover the entire water column (ie. countdown your lures) with all presentations. And vary your speeds. You aren't catching hungry fish, you are trying to piss them off enough to get a strike.

I'm still not as good as many claim to be but every year I seem to have just a bit more success than the year before and once you start catching there's nothing better. The key to me is this, just because you have reports saying that 3/4oz. blue krocs are the lure of choice, don't be afraid to give that 1/2 oz. orange KO Wobbler an equal shot.

There, advice from a mediocre (at best) fisherman.

 

I'd say within the next week or two with some cooler nights and west winds. We hit Burnham last night from about 1am until sunrise. One hook up that spit the hook, and a couple of fish jumping already. Last weekend of August was when we got our first fish last year at Burnham. I like Waukegan better but with gas where it is and my buddies persistance with wanting to fish Burnham I usually end up there. Keep trying, you just have to put in your time.

 

There around, just not in any good #s yet. As someone stated it would be nice if the damn weather cooled down a bit. Like yourself Ive been going out for the past two weeks, I usually hit em early but not yet... Bring a light rod with fat heads and try for some perch and rock bass if ya get tired of casting.

 

Heck,i`d give up a pinky toe to only have to drive from DesPlains to do some fall Salmon fishing.Enjoy the short cruse,put in the time,and it`ll pay off.

 

Heck,i`d give up a pinky toe to only have to drive from DesPlains to do some fall Salmon fishing.Enjoy the short cruse,put in the time,and it`ll pay off.

Yeah you gotta hick... I lve by sox park it under a 5 minute drive for me

 

now that, that is off my chest I feel much better. Thanks for the support guys and the info. I will continue to head up there every few days or so. I will be up there on Friday night so if anybody is interested in going let me know. I promise I don't spazz when I'm at the water, just on my computer. 2