Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, we have for you today the Top 5 Update you’ve all been waiting for. Multispecies, young angler and not so young angler submissions, a new fisherman, a new species record, a new lake record and another member joins the 20-pound club for 2018. Without further ado, here we go.

Weight: 13-0
Angler: Teagan Mills
Date: October 13
Location: Private pond
Bait: Dipbait
Structure: Open water
Angler Comments: The catfish half swallowed dipbait hook.
Top 5 Weight: 13-0
Editor’s Note: This submission represents a new Top 5 channel catfish record and kind of fun that Teagan’s fish tops the former mark set by his school principal. I encourage a little good natured ribbing from the new top dog.

Weight: 1-5 (12.5”)
Angler: Riley Danner
Date: October 14
Location: Lake Storey
Water Temperature: 60F
Lure: Weedless wacky worm
Structure: Submerged vegetation and wood along shoreline.
Angler Comments: Glad to finally get to go fishing with my Uncle John and my cousin, Landon. The weather was chilly but I was excited to catch my first fish this fall. It was great to go out in my uncle’s boat as opposed to fishing from the bank.
Top 5 Weight: 1-5

Weight: 2-7 (17”)
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: October 19
Location: Lake Storey – Knox County, IL
Lure: Tandem Spinnerbait (Emiquon Special)
Structure: Dock

Weight: 3-8 (18”)
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: October 19
Location: Lake Storey – Knox County, IL
Lure: Tandem Spinnerbait (white)
Structure: Laydown

Weight: 4-11 (20”)
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: October 19
Location: Lake Storey – Knox County, IL
Lure: Tandem Spinnerbait (white)
Structure: Laydown
Top 5 Weight: 19-2 (5-1,4-11,3-8,3-7,2-7) culls 2-12,2-10,2-3
Editor’s note: This bass represents a new lake record among family and friends and a fortunate series of events surround the catch, details in fishing report later this week.

Weight: 4-11
Angler: Chris Schwarz
Date: October 21
Location: Private lake – Knox County, IL
Lure: Chatterbait
Top 5 Weight: 20-15 (4-11,4-11,4-8,4-0,3-1) culls 2-8

Now that’s an update, folks, a stellar batch of catches and a lot to offer in terms of firsts, bests and fish stories. That’s what it’s all about and why it’s always exciting to find something new in the Inbox. Just like on the water, you never know what’s going to show up.

One final note on our bass tally for 2018. We currently sit at 97 bass so what do you say we set our sights on pushing it over the century mark before the year draws to a close. I am on my way to do my part today as I took a day off work. I’ll keep you posted and you do the same. Thanks to all for the submissions and talk to you later. Troy