John

Age: 30

Home: Joliet, IL

Occupation: Heating and Cooling

How many days a year do you fish? 30+

Favorite piece of gear? Bells!!! My bells save me when I'm off doing something else when I'm targeting catfish. My bells have saved many of poles from going into the water!!

Gear you splurged on? Berkley Fireline Advanced. It was more expensive than the Spiderwire I commonly use on the rest of my poles, but I wanted something I could cast far and smoothly with no memory in the line. It was well worth it and I am considering spooling all 10 of my poles with Berkley Fireline Advanced thermal filament

Most memorable outing in Illinois? My most memorable outing was probably when I landed my first 3 pound bass while on my buddies Jon boat. It was a heck of a fight and it was one of my proudest fishing experiences

What got you interested in fishing? My Dad would take me fishing when I was younger and then I didn't fish much most of my teenage years. When I turned about 21 I started fish more regularly and then I started learning the basics to catchin decent sized catfish. Once I caught my first keeper catfish, I was "hooked" for life!! It seems like every year I fish more than the last. Each year I start earlier than the last and keep fishing later in the year... Pretty soon you'll see me out there ice fish.. That's something I have yet to experience.

How long have you been fishing? 26 years

Favorite species to fish for? Catfish are my species of choice. There are a few reasons behind them being my favorite. One being that I can fish at night time for them with confidence that I will most likely catch something. Secondly, I don't have to keep casting over and over using a lure to try and catch them, they typically come to me. Third, they put up a great fight!!!

Favorite places to fish in Illinois? Backwaters, Kankakee River, Des Plaines river, and the Illinois river. Occasionally I will be invited to fish at Goose Lake on private property. That's few and far between, but always a treat due to the pristine waters there

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