Fishing Central Illinois: Granted, weather-wise, we’re early. Took my boat down to Jacksonville, Illinois. Launched and everything was fine. Got to the main lake and opened up my ETEC...

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

Granted, weather-wise, we’re early. Took my boat down to Jacksonville, Illinois.
Launched and everything was fine. Got to the main lake and opened up my ETEC 25 HP. she ran for about 100’ and quit.
Finished the day with the trolling motor. Didn’t go too far due to high winds. Ha the wind to our backs coming in.
Researched what might be wrong. Holy cow, a lot. We changed the spark plugs which was high on the troubleshooting list. NO JOY! So we’ll go out again tomorrow, TM only.
We had some success using Keiteck 2.8” Ghost minnows on a 1/8-1/4 ounce scrounger heads and belly weighted gamagatsu hooks in about 3-5’ of water covering last year’s weed line. Also got one each on a white spinner bait and a green/chartreuse chatter bait.
Some came to play.
It was freaking cold. But fun.

5 pounds 5 oz
5 pounds 5 oz...

No clue

No clue😂

4 pounds 5oz.
4 pounds 5oz....

2 pounds 13 oz.
2 pounds 13 oz....

CamT Loc: La Porte, Texas

Nice catching Jer, thanks for pics. Dont ya just love those ones almost as big as the lure🤣

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Jer wrote:

Granted, weather-wise, we’re early. Took my boat d... (show quote)

Nice catching Jer! Sorry to hear about your motor troubles. Ya gotta love the attitude of the little suicidal ones that attack a lure nearly their size. Thanks for the pictures, and yes you look cold.

Wv mike Loc: Parkersburg area. Wv

Good day for as cold as it looks

Maid Marion Loc: Corvallis, OR

Nice fish. With that attitude those little ones will be really fun in 4lb or 5lb. Hope you get that motor going and get some warmer weather soon.

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

CamT wrote:

Nice catching Jer, thanks for pics. Dont ya just love those ones almost as big as the lure🤣

Agree, Cam. What were they thinking.

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

Fredfish wrote:

Nice catching Jer! Sorry to hear about your motor troubles. Ya gotta love the attitude of the little suicidal ones that attack a lure nearly their size. Thanks for the pictures, and yes you look cold.

It was very cold and we were layered up, but 25MPH winds tore us up.

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

Maid Marion wrote:

Nice fish. With that attitude those little ones will be really fun in 4lb or 5lb. Hope you get that motor going and get some warmer weather soon.

Thanks MM. I’m hoping it’s not really expensive.

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

Wv mike wrote:

Good day for as cold as it looks

Oh Mike, it was a really tough two days. Tomorrow we’re going to seek out someplace where the wind is blocked.
Forecast for tomorrow isn’t any better with wind gust at 25-31MPH. With a low temperature of 31°. Brrr!

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Jer wrote:

Granted, weather-wise, we’re early. Took my boat d... (show quote)

Thanks for sharing, Jer.

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

Just remember anyone can catch a big fish it takes a real fishermen to catch those small ones

FourchonLa. Loc: Fourchon Louisiana, South Louisiana

Jer wrote:

Granted, weather-wise, we’re early. Took my boat d... (show quote)

Beautiful fish Jer. At least you were able to get out. Hope it’s not serious with the motor. Was reading up on trouble issues with your Etec. Water pump impeller issue causes motor to go into safe mode, reduced rpm’s then shutdown. The impeller blades break off over time instead of just wearing down. Good luck tomorrow and with your motor.

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

ranger632 wrote:

Just remember anyone can catch a big fish it takes a real fishermen to catch those small ones

We thought they were really funny. Both of those small ones were immediately following the bigger ones from the same location.

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

FourchonLa. wrote:

Beautiful fish Jer. At least you were able to get out. Hope it’s not serious with the motor. Was reading up on trouble issues with your Etec. Water pump impeller issue causes motor to go into safe mode, reduced rpm’s then shutdown. The impeller blades break off over time instead of just wearing down. Good luck tomorrow and with your motor.

Thanks for the heads-up on that. I never saw that write up. If that’s all it is I’ll be very happy.
Thanks, Four.

Bassmatter Loc: Rohnert Park Ca.

Jer wrote:

Granted, weather-wise, we’re early. Took my boat d... (show quote)

Congrats on some nice ones! Good luck and be safe!!