In case you were considering putting your fishing gear away as we head into the last few months of the year, check out the latest offerings for the Top 5 before you make your decision.

Weight: 1-1
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: September 28
Location: Lake Storey
Water Temp: 66-67F
Air Temp: High 50s and falling
Lure: Weedless wacky worm
Structure: Shoreline aquatic vegetation
Angler Comments: I fished from 1:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Overcast skies with a stiff wind blowing from northwest. Brief light sprinkles at one point. I caught seven fish. Each was as big or bigger than the previous fish.
Top 5 Weight: 8-8 (2-7,2-0,1-9,1-6,1-2)

Weight: 4-2
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: September 29
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Wacky worm
Angler Comments: Not sure if this will cull or not, 4-2 on a dreary Saturday morning.

Weight: 3-14
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: September 30
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Wacky rigged worm

Weight: 3-4
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: September 30
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Wacky rigged worm
Angler Comments (Note: Jim and I had teamed up for about four hours earlier in the day): Add 5 more to the total. 1-9, 2-6, 2-7, 3-4 and 3-14. Each strategically placed to make me stay for just a few more casts. I’m beat.
Top 5 Weight: 22-6 (5-2,4-9,4-5,4-4,4-2) culls 4-1

Great to see one of my favorite fall destinations make the list with John’s Lake Storey contribution and continue to be impressed by Jim’s effectiveness from the bank as the hits just keep coming from his Fulton/Peoria County fishing hole. And he certainly put his work in to get that September 30 pair. Jim noted that he wrapped up his casting that evening about 6:30pm, pretty crazy considering he and I had fished that morning and made our first casts shortly after 6:30am. More on that adventure coming later this week. Talk to you later. Troy