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Illinois river
#12808026
06/27/18 09:50 PM
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 25
Forkin fool
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 25 |
Has anyone tried chasing smallies on the illinois? Floated it yesterday and I couldn't even enjoy myself with all the bronze backs I was seeing. I'm going to have to try it out next wk. Pics to follow
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Re: Illinois river
[Re: Forkin fool]
#12808500
06/28/18 11:20 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,618
361V
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,618 |
I assume you are talking about the Illinois river between the areas of Tahlequah Oklahoma and Siloam Springs Arkansas? 1-2 hours east of Tulsa? If so: YES. Very pretty little river loaded w/smallies. Lots of options: small spinners, little crankbaits, clear Tiny Torpedo's(small topwater prop bait).....typical small river baits all will work at different times but a 1/8-1/4oz jighead with a 3"-4" curley tailed grub will always catch them. Any color....as long as its chartruse! If they are not biting this bait they are not biting anything! Concentrate on the pools just below the faster water/rapids. Enjoy!
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Re: Illinois river
[Re: Forkin fool]
#12808724
06/28/18 02:23 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,900
Bissett
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,900 |
I went to college in Tahlequah and fished it a few times a month. It is loaded with smallies but not many over a pound to pound and a half (still a blast to catch though). I liked throwing a tiny Rick Clunn squarebill (0.5) in the shallower spots and a small shakey head with finesse worm or speed craw in the deeper holes. Those white grubs on 1/8 oz jighead work really well all along the river also.
I would hit up the Barren Fork river too if you have time. I've caught a couple smallies in the 2-3 pound range around the welling area. It's not as big as the Illinois but I've caught bigger fish there.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
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Re: Illinois river
[Re: Forkin fool]
#12809423
06/28/18 10:46 PM
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 25
Forkin fool
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 25 |
Yup tahlequah is where we are at. I'll definitely look into the barren fork while I'm up here too! Thanks for the info boys!
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Re: Illinois river
[Re: Forkin fool]
#12810071
06/29/18 02:05 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 177
WhiskeyTango223
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 177 |
It is full of little ones but downstream in Tenkiller lake there are some giant smallies. Up in the river be quiet and stay back from the deeper holes so they can't see you and throw a white rooster tail.
Texas Boat Works Prostaff Pride Rods by Billy Kistler rep
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Re: Illinois river
[Re: 361V]
#12810311
06/29/18 04:10 PM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,837
Barn
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,837 |
typical small river baits all will work at different times but a 1/8-1/4oz jighead with a 3"-4" curley tailed grub will always catch them. Any color....as long as its chartruse! If they are not biting this bait they are not biting anything! Concentrate on the pools just below the faster water/rapids. Enjoy! This ^^, but I use to have luck with shad and/or watermelon shades too.
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Re: Illinois river
[Re: WhiskeyTango223]
#12813495
07/02/18 03:54 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,900
Bissett
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,900 |
It is full of little ones but downstream in Tenkiller lake there are some giant smallies. Up in the river be quiet and stay back from the deeper holes so they can't see you and throw a white rooster tail. I forgot to add that I've caught some in the 4 lb range at Horseshoe Bend. that's pretty much where the river starts turning into Tenkiller. It's probably 30 yards wide in this area and it's about the furthest you can get up the river by boat (when the water is right). It's a pretty cool drive to get down there too. You'll see some nice views on the way down the hills
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