A late season flurry of fish in the Inbox includes some recent catches and some catching up. Glad to see some submissions either way for a strong finish. Or is there still more to come?

Weight: 4-3 (20.125”)
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: August 26
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: 3” Big Hammer Swimbait

Weight: 3-0 (17.0”)
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: September 17
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: Mepps (black fury)

Weight: 5-2 (21.5”)
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: September 17
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: Mepps (black fury)
Top 5 Weight: 23-12 (5-4,5-2,5-2,4-3,4-1) culls 4-0 and 3-10

 

Weight: Paul Kessler
Angler: 3-1
Date: October 12
Location: Emiquon Preserve
Lure: Strike King Mr. Crappie Slabalicious jig (hot chicken)
Angler Comments: I did catch six bass while jigging for crappie including the 3lb 1oz.
16-6 (4-3,3-4,3-2,3-1,2-12) culls 2-12

 

Weight: 6-8
Angler: Mark Balbinot
Date: October 29
Location: Fulton County Strip Mine Lake
Lure: Strike King 3/8 jig with a Reaction Innovations Twerk in Taco Truck
Water Temp: 57F
Structure: Laydown in about 15’ of water
Angler Comments: I was fishing the jig next to a laydown in about 15 feet and felt that light tick and the fight was on. Pretty cool seeing them come up out of deep water while reeling them in. After netting and weighing the fish at 6.52 lbs, I knew I could cull one of my top 5 for the year.

Weight: 7-4
Angler: Mark Balbinot
Date: October 29
Location: Fulton County Strip Mine Lake
Lure: Strike King 3/8 jig with a Reaction Innovations Twerk in Taco Truck
Water Temp: 57F
Structure: Laydown in about 15’ of water
Angler Comments: I continued down the bank throwing up next to another laydown, felt a tick and after setting the hook, my line broke. The fish felt heavy and I counted my blessing that it had not broken while fighting the previous fish. I retied the same setup and threw my next cast to that same laydown. After bringing it over a branch, I felt the light tick on the fall. I set the hook and the fight was on again. This was another good fish weighing in at 7.27 lbs. Another cull for the year. I checked to see if it had another jig in its mouth but it was not there.

Weight: 5-10
Angler: Mark Balbinot
Date: October 29
Location: Fulton County Strip Mine Lake
Lure: Strike King 3/8 jig with a Reaction Innovations Twerk in Taco Truck
Water Temp: 57F
Structure: Laydown in about 15’ of water
Angler Comments: I continued fishing the main lake laydowns in deeper water with a jig and managed to catch some small fish, a couple more 3 lb plus fish and another nice fish of 5.60 lbs. I didn’t realize that I almost beat that incredible day from this past December. The final weight for the top 5 of the day was at 26.99 lbs,
Top 5 Weight: 33-4 (7-4, 6-15, 6-8, 6-6, 6-3) culls 5-15 and 5-8

Bonus Species – Northern Pike

Length: 32.0”
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: August 13
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: Livebait

Length: 29.5”
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: August 26
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: Buzzbait

Length: 37.0”
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: September 3
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: Mepps Black Fury (black/yellow)

Length: 35.25”
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: September 3
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: Mepps Black Fury (black/yellow)

Length: 30.0”
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: September 17
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: Mepps Black Fury
Top 5 Length: 167.75” (37.0”,35.25”,33.5”,32.0”,30.0”)

Now that’s what I’m talking about, an outstanding batch of quality fish. Thanks to each of the guys for taking the time to pass them along, always appreciated. I likely just wrapped up my 2017 fishing year this past weekend with a handful of bass but nothing to boost my Top 5. If anybody manages to fool any more before we hit 2018 or if you have any belated entries, send them my way.

My final fishing report, a couple batches of Top 10 Trip Tunes, some trapping flashbacks and other ramblings hopefully headed your way as we close out 2017. Hope you’ll tune in and talk to you later. Troy