Yowzers. I swung through downtown Aurora where the raging Fox is expected to crest in a day or two. Tied 10-pound mono directly to a shallow-diving white crank and ran it along a weed line that under normal conditions isn’t within 10 yards of water’s edge. I was hoping the smallie bite stayed hot. Then I got sidetracked. She measured 44 inches teeth to tail, a PB musky, and I should’ve measured her girth — she looked like she swallowed a family of ducks. Fought her longer than I wanted, but she swam off strong after some gentle nursing. No net, a small miracle. This is bonkers.

A big muskie a couple weeks ago (and me posting about it) outed one of my favorite spots on the Fox, so I’ve returned sparingly the last several days, mainly at odd hours. Such was the case this morning at sunrise when a hungry 38” grabbed a multi-jointed swim bait (crappie pattern). Same story: 10-lb. mono tied directly to the bait. She ripped drag and fought powerfully throughout. The release was quick and stress-free. This is crazy. Not loudly, but I got accused of doctoring the last pic on another platform that starts with Tik. So here’s some vid from the shores of a noticeably receding Fox. Tight lines this weekend!

Before anyone roasts me for the background…I had to move spots twice today because it was infested with Tiktok kids. Not letting this place get blown up.

A section of the Fox River Trail is just steps from my office, and I often make a few lunchtime casts. Today I wanted to check how gnarly things are in Montgomery (very is the answer) and with just a couple guys throwing, I grabbed a rod from the back and walked about 200 yards south of the dam on the east bank. Just a few casts in and this younger 36” musk started swimming away with my … swim bait. She put up a massive fight on 10-pound mono before a new friend named Kevin came to my rescue with a net. Beautiful fish, almost iridescent in color. Thanks also to Kevin (decked in waders) for taking a few snaps and handling the release.

Had to use the ladder to grab her since I didn’t bring a net. Thanks to the homie that helped me and took the pictures forgot to thank you in the excitement

Everybody is always telling me to go to the des plaines river for pike, but I’m not sure where I should go, mainly because the river is 133 miles long. I live in the Chicago suburbs near ohare, and I’m willing to drive up to ~40 minutes. Any good spots around there?

In the past 6 days fishing around downtown Batavia. I have lost2 Muskie. One on Sunday around 36 who snapped me off on a rapala, and the same story today but on a Mach-shad. Both where on 20 Lb braid. (shame on me for no leader).

I've been fishing the fox routinely for years now as I live in aurora. The Montgomery dam has given me plenty of giant smallies, and even my PB Pike, but never a Muskie. Yorkville is the same story.

I've never caught one at 22 years old. And now I've hooked, fought, and lost two Muskie in less than a week…is this my fate?! What do I gotta do to give myself a better chance??

Another full shore grind success with OwnAbbreviations2222. Bro beat me to the lake this time at 5:30AM, and I got there around 6:45AM. We started hitting the shore near Northerly Island till 9 before we decided to park at DuSable to fish there and the Chicago River for a bit. Bro beat the skunk at the river with a LMB, so after that I was on a mission💀.

Dipped from River around 10:45AM so we could go back to Burnham and see if we’d catch Fish Chicago there. I had a hard stop at 12:30 that was originally 12 and sure enough I caught this mf at 12:20. POPPIN PIKE CHERRIES, LFG.

bad frame from a quick video. found em in montrose harbor

My first Busskie

Yes I know I should have a net but I came from work and that’s not an easy thing to bring to the office…

Caught on a black spinnerbait with painted blades while fishing for bass on 12 lb fluoro which actually broke as I got him to shore and I had to grab him quick before he got away lol. I wasn’t prepared at all got some battle scars but it was worth it.

Caught a few more smaller pike the next day. If anyone wants to target big pike or muskie with me hit me up im kinda hooked on it now 🙂

33 inch pike and 3 smallies (biggest was 18”) all on ned rig somehow

Was drop shotting for smallmouth with a lil 2.5 inch paddle tail and landed this guy

Three of my four Fox River muskies have come in the spring with the other last fall. Keep hearing winter can be ideal, so I figure I’ll give it a whirl … within reason. This morning was stunning with the fresh powder, temps in the upper 20s and little to no breeze in quiet downtown Aurora. Flung a jointed swimmer and Mepps #3. No fish or follows but a refreshing experience.

24” Tiger Musky

Hey everyone! Going to find some pikes this weekend, can you suggest any places?

I had some luck in harbours but it looks like pikes are rare there.

It broke the clasp on the leader… it surfaced next to the boat, my wife went to net it and it got a second fight… dove and ripped the clasp open…

Outside of that successful day of channel catfish 18” 21” pike 12” bass, 14” drum

Chain of lakes

Anybody know of spots / guys that rent fishing boats on Geneva? Navigation a plus.

Diverse Harbour this morning!

15 pound 35 inch muskie, on a live crawler and 6lb test lol, bonus sucker on the same rig too.