Thanks again to Jim Junk as the hits keep coming for the 2021 Top 5. And boy, what a hit with one of his submissions. Read on for a classic fish story that will certainly be told again and again by several on the scene.

Weight: 3-14
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: December 9
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless Crankbait
Angler Comments: A few casts later got this 3-14. (Note: see next entry for the preceding catch)
Top 5 Weight: 26-0 (6-0,5-5,5-3,5-2,4-6)

Weight: 17-10 (43”)
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: December 9
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless Crankbait
Angler Comments: Decided to go to Banner when they opened at 1:00pm. Fished some regular spots for a couple of hours and didn’t even get a bite. Was going to go home and lick my wounds but pulled into another spot (to answer Nature’s Call) where I had never put in much effort and saw a couple guys crappie fishing from the bank. Watched one guy catch a small bass on a minnow and caught my interest. A friend pulled up and said he was going to fish in the area, so I pulled out my trusty lipless crankbait and started making some casts. Within the first dozen casts I had a strong hit. Very cool fight, stripping line and fighting good. One of the guys that was crappie fishing saw the fight and offered a net and my friend heard the commotion and came to assist too. My friend was in the water and landed the fish by hand before the net got there. Besides the pictures, we kept the fish in the net, and water, for length, weight, and release.
Top 5 Weight: 17-10 (17-10)

Folks, that is a fish story. Such tales can be categorized under many headings and this one is no exception. I’ll call this one a “what the heck, I’ll make a few more casts” fish story. Of course, contributing factors such as a bladder, a buddy and a bass certainly came into play as well. Ain’t fishing great.

 

Congrats, Jim, on an impressive catch and let’s not forget that is a darn good December bass as well. Talk to you later. Troy