Weird subject, I know.

But I've taken to keeping my fishing pole in my car and finding random ponds when I have a moment to kill, and doing some shore fishing. This is like, lunchtime at work, or drop kids off at soccer and kill time til practice is over...I can usually find some suitable body of water to throw a few lines in - golf course pond or a larger retention pond, forest preserve pond, etc.

Given that I really have no idea what types of fish are in these ponds, or if ANY fish whatsoever are in them - what would be your strategy? Essentially, what lure would you use shore fishing a lake you don't know the first thing about?

They're mostly pretty murky looking and have lots of weeds/algae/vegetation under the water. I'm in northern Illinois, so things are a little different here than in northern Minnesota for example.

I assume there is panfish in most of these ponds, probably carp and catfish as well, and I'd guess most have a few bass lurking.

Live bait is not really an option, as I don't want to drive around with worms in my trunk as the weather warms.

Where in northern IL?

I keep a couple Big-O's and small Rapalas in the car, throw those out and see what bites. I try to avoid "true" retention ponds, as at least around me they're frequently completely dry--that tells me there are never fish in there even when they're full.

mtn: "Where in northern IL?


I keep a couple Big-O's and small Rapalas in the car, throw those out and see what bites. I try to avoid "true" retention ponds, as at least around me they're frequently completely dry--that tells me there are never fish in there even when they're full.
"

Western suburbs of Chicago.

And yeah I know the "true" retention ponds you're talking about and wouldn't waste my time. I figure anything that hols water year round probably holds some fish though.

I would throw a beetle spin (basically a mini spinner bait, somewhat weedless) or a smaller Mepps. Can pick up panfish, but will also get the attention of larger predator fish. I’ve caught walleyes, bass, and pike when throwing a beetle spin for panfish.

treehorn: "Weird subject, I know.

But I've taken to keeping my fishing pole in my car and finding random ponds when I have a moment to kill, and doing some shore fishing. This is like, lunchtime at work, or drop kids off at soccer and kill time til practice is over...I can usually find some suitable body of water to throw a few lines in - golf course pond or a larger retention pond, forest preserve pond, etc.

Given that I really have no idea what types of fish are in these ponds, or if ANY fish whatsoever are in them - what would be your strategy? Essentially, what lure would you use shore fishing a lake you don't know the first thing about?

They're mostly pretty murky looking and have lots of weeds/algae/vegetation under the water. I'm in northern Illinois, so things are a little different here than in northern Minnesota for example.

I assume there is panfish in most of these ponds, probably carp and catfish as well, and I'd guess most have a few bass lurking.

Live bait is not really an option, as I don't want to drive around with worms in my trunk as the weather warms."

I'm with Abbey, Beetle Spin or Mepps. Great search lures. They can be run right under surface. If a bass of any size is caught and is the target, I'd consider switching to a 4 inch plastic worm, fished weedless/weightless, add a split shot if weeds permit. "Bucket biologists" stock many/most of these waters. Weed cover generally leads to inefficient predation and overpopulation, but on the plus side, there's always a chance for a real lunker that got ahead of the curve. Winter kill is a big factor, these retention basins and 'borrow pits' used to construct overpasses tend to be on the shallow side. Having said all this, it's always worth checking. I've had some rather sensational fishing over the years in some obscure little urban settings. Do not be deterred by water clarity. They've survived by learning to use other senses than sight. Personal matter, but in addition to principles about catch and release (I favor it), I would never eat fish out of such waters. The thought of the concentration of lawn chemicals and street run-off chemicals makes me blanch.

treehorn: "Weird subject, I know.

But I've taken to keeping my fishing pole in my car and finding random ponds when I have a moment to kill, and doing some shore fishing. This is like, lunchtime at work, or drop kids off at soccer and kill time til practice is over...I can usually find some suitable body of water to throw a few lines in - golf course pond or a larger retention pond, forest preserve pond, etc.

Given that I really have no idea what types of fish are in these ponds, or if ANY fish whatsoever are in them - what would be your strategy? Essentially, what lure would you use shore fishing a lake you don't know the first thing about?

They're mostly pretty murky looking and have lots of weeds/algae/vegetation under the water. I'm in northern Illinois, so things are a little different here than in northern Minnesota for example.

I assume there is panfish in most of these ponds, probably carp and catfish as well, and I'd guess most have a few bass lurking.

Live bait is not really an option, as I don't want to drive around with worms in my trunk as the weather warms."

Spinnerbait. Jig and twister, swim bait, or bobber and panfish jig .

Trying to send you a PM to get exact location, but it isn't working. I'm in Elmhurst--let me know if you have any luck in any of the ponds. I've been skunked in the neighborhood ponds around me, but I doubt I have even 2 hours yet.

I've had decent luck at Busse woods, but that probably isn't convenient.

treehorn: "

mtn: "Where in northern IL?

I keep a couple Big-O's and small Rapalas in the car, throw those out and see what bites. I try to avoid "true" retention ponds, as at least around me they're frequently completely dry--that tells me there are never fish in there even when they're full.
"

Western suburbs of Chicago.

And yeah I know the "true" retention ponds you're talking about and wouldn't waste my time. I figure anything that hols water year round probably holds some fish though."

Spinnerbaits are a good choice as most of the ponds out here have bass in them. I have had really good luck on lunch breaks fishing the ponds in and around the corporate or industrial parks. Someone mentioned a beetle-spin and that would be a really good choice too. Western 'burbs can be a tough place to try and fish. Good luck!

I've had some luck with just small jigs and various twister tails/grub bodies.. I'm in Downers Grove.
Yeah, obviously you won't keep live bait in the car... but once I bought some shiners,..they die pretty quickly on a hot day. But I went to an office pond, hooked on the dead shiners and caught a bunch of largemouth bass. It was great. A year later, that same office pond had "No Trespassing" signs all over the place. I asked about how strict they were with that on another site (check out ChiTownAngler.com), and some guy had gotten in the area of a $1000 fine. Nasty.
Usually the retention ponds will have bluegills, green sunfish, bullheads, largemouth, carp. Can be great fishing.

Something like a Heddon Tiny Torpedo might be good to have as well. I was once fishing at Sag Quarries off Route 83 (sort of between Lemont and Willowbrook etc), not catching anything. But there was a guy using one of those, actually doing pretty well on bass.

I'm in central Ohio and do the same thing. A 2" twistertail on a 1/16oz jig works well for me, its small enough that panfish will hit it but I've also caught some big largemouth bass on them. If all you want to do is catch a few fish and dont care about the size, I say go on the small side.

Medium light spinning outfit with a silver Mepps #2 is always in my truck.