Author: Troy Jackson

5th Day of 2025 Lures – Propbait

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Propbait
18 bass vs. 52 bass in 2024
Whopper Plopper 110 (bone)
Top Bass: 3-13 Knox County public strip pit – May 16
Top 2 Weight (only two at 12” or better): 4-14 (3-13,1-1)

Comments
I didn’t throw the Whopper Plopper as much in 2025 as I had during the past several years. The drop in use was primarily because I did not fish the Hennepin Canal as much as I had in previous years. My 54.25 hours on The Canal in 2025 was a significant decrease from 136 hours in 2024. The Canal is a very shallow fishery which sets up well for topwater fishing once the water warms. And the Whopper Plopper is quite effective in spots where you can avoid fouling the large treble hooks in the abundant weed growth.

History
From 2021 through 2024, I landed one hundred and fifteen bass on the Whopper Plopper, so my 2025 total fell shy of keeping up the pace. And my total was way down from a record haul in 2024 of fifty-two bass. It is a fun presentation and fits well with my fast, power fishing approach. However, it took a backseat this year to other topwater offerings and catch totals suffered from the diminished time fishing The Canal.

Video
The video of the 2025 Top Propbait Bass is kind of rough for a couple reasons. First, the wind was terrible on this day and ruined the audio. Therefore, the volume is way down on the catch and assessment portions of the video but turned back up for the release. Secondly, the video had to be spliced due to cropping certain sections for “security” reasons as the backdrop was a bit too revealing. With all my 2025 fishing taking place on public waters, there are instances where I choose to leave a little mystery.

 

Last Cast
I am still working on my game plan for 2026 so it remains to be seen what the time investment will be on The Canal where the Whopper Plopper shines. The strip mines also give up some quality bites as demonstrated by the video, but the wind and weeds can be a hindrance when fishing from the bank. If I were to make a prediction, I would anticipate similar numbers in 2026.

Another lure is on the way tomorrow so talk to you later. Troy

4th Day of 2025 Lures – Swimbaits

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Swimbaits
6 bass vs. 45 bass in 2024
3.8” Bass Pro Shops Speed Shad (K’s Magic) with a 3/16 oz. Owner Flashy Swimmer jighead
Top Bass: 2-13 Knox County public strip pit – July 24
Top 5 Weight (only one at 12” or better): 2-13

Comments
My swimbait production decreased dramatically after a banner year in 2024. The highlight of the half dozen bass in 2025 was the lone “keeper” of the bunch that tipped the scales at 2-13. This bass established a new Top Swimbait Bass beating out a 1-13 from 2021. On a clerical note, I designate swimbaits exceeding three inches in length as “true” swimbaits while the shorter versions are classified as “grubs” and include what I call “Ned Rigs” as well. We will cover that category later in this series.

July 24, 2025 – Top Swimbait Bass at 2-13 (18.5″) from a Knox County public strip pit

History
Prior to the forty-five swimbait bass in 2024, I had only landed ten bass on this lure type, all between 2021 and 2023. The added experience from last year did not translate into more casts in 2025. My confidence in other baits that get the job done makes it tough to put those down and shift to a swimbait. Yep, that whole creature of habit thing is hard to shake.

Video
I got my GoPro started late on the catch of my Top Swimbait Bass, so the hookset and my initial reaction are missing. It is also tough to tell but this fish came off a deep weed edge in a prototype V-cut section of a strip pit. My approach was to cast the lure out parallel to the edge and let it sink all the way to the bottom before beginning a retrieve just fast enough to get the tail thumping while keeping the bait running deep.

 

Last Cast
Catching the 2-13 in close to twenty feet of water was stepping out of my comfort zone. Being a shallow angler, I do nearly all my fishing and catching in eight foot of water or less. However, there is ample opportunity on the public strip pits to probe the depths, and I may take further shots at seeing if I can replicate this result in 2026.

Another lure on the way tomorrow so talk to you later. Troy

3rd Day of 2025 Lures – Crankbaits

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Crankbaits
2 bass vs. 19 bass in 2024
Rapala DT10 (parrot), Strike King KVD 2.5 Rattling Squarebill (natural pumpkinseed)
Top Bass: 2-14 Lake Storey – September 15
Top 2 Weight (only two at 12” or better): 3-11 (2-14,0-13)

Comments
Crankbaits took a back seat to a collection of other presentations in 2025 as I simply didn’t need them due to the success of other lures. Of the two bass that I caught (both on Lake Storey), one was on a Rapala DT10 targeting an isolated stump in about eight feet of water. The fact that it worked like a charm was one of the most rewarding catches of the year. The other crankbait catch was the lone success along the dam, a stretch that normally produces several bites.

September 15 – Top Crankbait Bass at 2-14 (18″) on Lake Storey

History
I invested a significant amount of time on Lake Storey from August to November where crankbaits have long been a mainstay. However, I got onto a spinnerbait bite on my “home” lake that precluded picking up a crankbait rod. I suspect that a crankbait would have still produced but it was one of those “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” situations. One of the bass that I fooled with a crankbait was a solid 2-14 caught on a Rapala DT10 in the parrot color pattern. That bait holds the distinction of having landed my largest bass of all-time, a 7-3 from the Emiquon Preserve in 2009.

Video
Unfortunately, I did not have my GoPro running when I landed the 2-14 bass that was my 2025 Top Crankbait Bass. As a result, I am only able to include the release video. It may be better that I did not have the camera running anyway as it was on a “secret” spot, a stump in about eight foot of water where a riprap bank transitions to mud. Not equipped with very fancy electronics, I was proud of this catch in finding the sweet spot relying primarily on experience. I did include that catch video of the second bass. Although not a particularly impressive specimen, it was the only “dam” Lake Storey bass that I landed as the typically reliable retention structure let me down in 2025.

 

Last Cast
It really surprised me when evaluating the 2025 totals that it only included two crankbait bass. Typically, I would land more than that on a Mann’s Baby 1- on The Canal or a few strip pits. And I suspect that is just what will happen in 2026.

Another lure on the way tomorrow so talk to you later. Troy

2nd Day of 2025 Lures – Jig

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Jig
2 bass vs. 2 bass in 2024
Googan Gridiron Jig (rotten pumpkin) with Net Bait B-Bug trailer
Top Bass: 1-9 Lake Storey – September 15

Comments
For the second straight year, my jig total is a meager two bass. Jigs are proven winners that shine early and late in the year, but the presentation is generally slower than I like to fish. And if the cool-water bass let me get away with faster offerings such as a lipless crank, chatterbait, or spinnerbait, the jig usually stays in the tackle bag.

 September 15 – Top Jig Bass at 1-9 (15″) from Lake Storey

History
While my jigs don’t get much of a workout these days, they have quite a storied history. In fact, jigs hold the record for my largest Top 5 total of any lure type with five bass weighing 27-9. As far as co-anglers, Brent’s largest bass of all-time came on a jig and tipped the scales at 6-15.

Video
For the featured catch, I made nearly ten spinnerbait casts to some good wood cover, hitting it from different angles without any luck. So, I opted for a follow-up with the slower, bottom bouncing jig and was able to entice a bite. The spot in this clip is historically productive, but sometimes it takes a little extra effort to make it work.

 

Last Cast
I am a creature of habit and fish fast, perhaps too fast in the cool to cold water period of the year. As such, the jig is often “Plan B” or beyond in my lure selection. In addition, many of my early season outings are quick hit trips to the Hennepin Canal which is a slimy mess nearly year-round, and those conditions can make bottom dragging presentations frustrating. For 2026, I am sure I will dabble with a jig as usual, but it will likely not be in heavy rotation on the end of a line.

Another lure on the way tomorrow so talk to you later. Troy

1st Day of 2025 Lures – Swim Jig

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Swim Jig
1 bass vs. 0 bass in 2024
Lure: Jonn Graham Warrior Swim Jig with a Big Hammertail trailer (bluegill)
Top Bass: None at 12” or better

Comments
My lone bass on a swim jig came late in the year on October 26 on the Hennepin Canal. During the summer I had spoken to a pair of anglers who had noted success in tossing swim jigs and figured that I needed to give one a go before my 2025 Canal adventures closed. A handful of casts paid off as I crawled the lure amidst the fading weed growth in an aqueduct.

History
Despite glowing reviews on the effectiveness of swim jigs over the years, I have yet to commit. In fact, I have only landed a dozen bass on a swim jig dating back to 1997 with catches in 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2025. This particular swim jig was from a batch that I purchased many years ago from Jonn Graham’s booth at the now defunct Elmwood All Outdoors show.

Video
The video of my lone catch presents a unique approach in what I call “perch fishing on The Canal.” In this case, “perch” refers not to a fish species, but a seat of sorts atop an aqueduct guardrail. The height of the protective barrier makes it tough to present a lure effectively from a standing position. Instead, I have taken to climbing the guardrail and locking my legs into the beams for stability. It works like a charm and gets rather exciting when a quality bass is on the line. In such instances, I must climb down and walk the fish to a landing point beyond the barrier. This fish was not one of those instances.

 

Last Cast
I am a creature of habit who relies heavily on his “confidence lures” and there just hasn’t been a need for swim jigs in my arsenal. As such, I don’t anticipate them getting much action in 2026.

Next lure on the way tomorrow so talk to you later. Troy

12 Days of Lures – Intro

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Winter has a grip on my neck of the woods well in advance of the actual season arriving. As such, I am confident that no more bass will be added to my fishing log for 2025. Therefore, I have elected to start my 2025 fishing wrap-ups ahead of schedule instead of waiting until after the New Year.

In doing so, it allows me to incorporate the old “12 Days of Christmas” approach with a bit of a fishing advent calendar mixed in. For this project, the countdown will consist of twelve lure types as that was the tally on how many fooled the 359 bass I landed in 2025. (Note: several lure types contained multiple lures within the designation, and they will all be included).

So, stay tuned for the lure recap from the first day to the twelfth day working up from the lures that caught the least bass to the Top Lure of 2025. The posts will feature stats, comments, history, catch video, and a parting shot. Tune in for the next twelve days. Talk to you later. Troy

Lake Storey Report – November 4

Posted on by Troy Jackson

I was able to get away from work last Tuesday, the warmest day of the week with afternoon temperatures pushing sixty after a cool morning. The aim was to land a November bass to meet my annual goal. The wind was a challenge, but Lake Storey came through with a batch of late season bites.

10:14am – Mission accomplished at 1-8 (14″) on a spinnerbait, Top Bass of the day

Stats
Date: November 4
Location: Lake Storey, Knox County, IL
Time: 9:50am-3:20pm
Totals: 5 bass
Weather: Sunny to partly cloudy/very windy, 52-63F
Water temperature: 51-52F
Lure: War Eagle spinnerbait (chartreuse/white) – 5 bass
Top Bass: 1-8 (Spinnerbait)
Top 4 Weight (only 4 at 12” or better): 5-5 (1-8,1-7,1-4,1-2)

Winning lure

Tune of the Trip
Against the Wind – Bob Seger (1980)
“I found myself seeking shelter against the wind.”
The wind was a beast on this day and coupled with a broken thrust pad on the trolling motor, boat control was tough. I did find brief shelter from the wind down below what I still call “Lakelawn”, and the area produced three of my five bass.

11:24am – Top Bass #2 at 1-7 (14″) on a spinnerbait

Notes and Nonsense

Wind for the Win – Wind can help to position the bass and windblown cover is a prime target. The downside is boat control as I don’t have any of the fancy (and expensive) accoutrements such as Spot-Lock on the trolling motor or a Power Pole anchor system on the transom. As such, I focused heavily on casting a spinnerbait trying to hit cover from as many angles as possible before the wind blew me off the spots. The goal of a November bass came after twenty-five minutes on the water with my first cast to a stump on a point getting pounded by the wind.

11:47am – Top Bass #4 at 1-2 (12.5″) on a spinnerbait

Missing Muskies – I spent just over fifty-six hours chasing bass on Lake Storey from August 31 through this outing and never saw a muskie. Typical years, with even fewer hours on the water usually result in a sighting or two and if I am lucky, a catch. I did have an odd swirl on a spinnerbait earlier this fall that looked longer than a bass but no confirmation on the species. In addition, I broke off two spinnerbaits on hooksets (including one on this outing) so maybe I had some close encounters that were not visually verified. Or maybe it takes a little imagination to categorize those incidents as muskie misses.

My November notes compiled for reference before I hit the water

November Numbers – While I have long pursued a November bass to end my year, selecting Lake Storey as my destination is not a common occurrence. Looking back over the logs, I observed that Lake Storey posted a November bass in 2008, 2022, and this year. Evaluating the data from those years prior to this outing, I found that I had a Lake Storey November All-Time Top 5 that weighed 9-15 (2-9,2-8,1-13,1-10,1-7). So, as I set out on this trip, not only was I looking for a November bass but shooting for one that weighed in a 1-8 or better to push that Top 5 into double digits. Well, I didn’t make it by much, but the first bass of the day got the monkey off my back as it was right on the mark at 1-8. It would prove to be the Top Bass of the outing and that was just fine as it checked off two goals on one cast.

12:18pm – Top Bass #3 at 1-4 (13.5″) on a spinnerbait, last bass of 2025???

Time will tell if these are the final bass for me in 2025. Daylight is gone at the end of my workdays, and the temperatures are set to drop considerably this week. But it looks like a warmup next weekend, so never say never. Talk to you later. Troy

Hennepin Canal Report – October 27

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Last Monday, I had a few hours to get away before I had school pickup duty for one of the boys, so I decided to hit The Canal looking to boost the Top 5 on a stretch into double digits. A quick start did not lead to a banner day as described in the report below.

Stats
Date: October 27
Location: Hennepin Canal
Time: 11:00am-2:00pm
Totals: 2 bass
Weather: Sunny/very windy, 53-61F
Lures: War Eagle spinnerbait (chartreuse/white) – 2 bass
Top Bass: 1-3 Spinnerbait
Top 2 Weight (only two bass at 12” or better): 2-5 (1-3,1-2)

Starting Lineup

Tune of the Trip
Take the Long Way Home – Supertramp (1979)
I did the opposite on this trip as I took the long way to the fishing hole. This time of year, I am in no big hurry as a later start lets things warm up a bit and often the bite is better as the day progresses. In addition, as the fishing year begins to fade, I like to take the scenic route to reminisce, jam on some tunes, and generally escape.

Notes and Nonsense

Top 5 Quest – The stretch that I chose had an all-time Top 5 Weight of 7-15 (1-15,1-12,1-9,1-7,1-4) so a couple good bites were needed to reach the ten-pound mark. The area has lots of good-looking wood cover, but I had not been able to find any big bites during two previous visits.

11:00am – First bass at 1-2 (12.5″) on a spinnerbait

Beginner’s Luck – My sixth cast of the day resulted in my first bass while casting a spinnerbait to shoreline wood. I run on the low end of the cautiously optimistic scale, so I seldom start counting my chickens (or bass) too soon. However, the pool featured an abundance of similar targets on both sides of the waterway over roughly two miles of water. Thus, I would have ample opportunity to duplicate the catch with three more hours left to fish.

Wrong Wind – On most stretches of The Canal that I fish, unless the wind is a direct east or west hit, you are sheltered thanks to timber lined banks. On this outing, I took a chance that the predicted east winds would have a bit of a southerly bend, but such was not the case. The weather forecast was right on the money, and I battled a stiff east wind the entire time. The only benefit was that it assisted my drift and row back to my launching point after plowing against it upstream for over a mile.

1:28pm – Last bass at 1-3 (13″) on a spinnerbait

Letdown – Fighting against the wind on the way out and being swept downstream on the way back made lure presentation a challenge. As a result, I relied heavily on a spinnerbait worked tight to every piece of wood cover I could hit. After all, that was a winner right of the bat to start my day. I would only land one more bass during the next three hours.

Winning lure

2025 on The Canal has seen its share of ups and downs. Overall, I have managed a respectable Top 5 but haven’t really ended up with a solid, patterned bite all year. As I often say, that’s fishing. Fortunately, other fishing holes have taken up the slack. My sights are now set on the annual goal of a November bass. Whether it comes from The Canal, another body of water, or even comes at all remains to be seen. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Stats

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Only one bass was added to our list in October, but it was a good one as it represented my largest Lake Storey bass of all time. It also tied for my Top Bass of 2025 and provided the boost that I needed to reach the coveted twenty-pound mark for the year. So, as another month begins, here are the latest cumulative stats for 2025.

2025 Totals
March = 10 bass
April = 16 bass
May = 22 bass
June = 5 bass
July = 11 bass
August = 0 bass
September = 4 bass
October = 1 bass

Top 5 Weight by Month
March = 11-3 (2-15,2-8,1-15,1-15,1-14)
April = 18-9 (4-14,4-10,3-13,2-14,2-6)
May = 22-9 (5-7,4-15,4-7,3-15,3-13)
June = 16-3 (4-0,3-9,3-4,2-11,2-11)
July = 19-15 (4-15,4-13,3-8,3-6,3-5)
August = no submissions
September = 11-7 (3-12,3-6,2-8,1-13)
October = 4-14 (4-14)

Boat vs. Bank
Boat = 35 bass
Bank = 34 bass

Boat vs. Bank Weight
Boat = 18-14 (4-14,3-12,3-8,3-6,3-6)
Bank = 25-0 (5-7,4-15,4-15,4-14,4-13)

Public vs. Private
Public = 67 bass
Private = 2 bass

Public vs. Private Top 5 Weight
Public = 25-1 (5-7,4-15,4-15,4-14,4-14)
Private = 6-11 (3-13,2-14)

The Baits
Plastic Worm = 16 bass (Top Bass 4-15 Jim Junk)
Frog = 11 bass (Top Bass 3-6 Troy Jackson)
Jerkbait = 11 bass (Top Bass 2-8 John Kirkemo)
Chatterbait = 9 bass (Top Bass 4-14 Troy Jackson)
Lipless Crankbait = 8 bass (Top Bass 4-10 Brent Jackson)
Underspin = 4 bass (Top Bass 5-7 Jim Junk)
Spinnerbait = 3 bass (Top Bass 4-14 Troy Jackson)
Swimbait = 3 bass (Top Bass 4-13 Jim Junk)
Popper = 2 bass (Top Bass 2-4 Brent Jackson)
Grub = 1 bass (Top Bass 2-2 Troy Jackson)
Propbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 3-13 Troy Jackson)

Monthly Top Bass
March
2-15 Jim Junk
April
4-14 Troy Jackson
May
5-7 Jim Junk
June
4-0 Jim Junk
July
4-15 Jim Junk
August
No Submissions
September
3-12 Troy Jackson
October
4-14 Troy Jackson

2025 Top 10 Bass
5-7 Jim Junk 5/17
4-15 Jim Junk 5/25
4-15 Jim Junk 7/19
4-14 Troy Jackson 4/19
4-14 Troy Jackson 10/12
4-13 Jim Junk 7/10
4-10 Brent Jackson 4/6
4-7 Jim Junk 5/30
4-0 Jim Junk 6/7
3-15 Jim Junk 5/2

Angler Weights
Jim Junk 24-9 (5-7,4-15,4-15,4-13,4-7)
Troy Jackson 20-11 (4-14,4-14,3-13,3-12,3-6)
Brent Jackson 16-1 (4-10,3-8.,3-1,2-8,2-6)
John Kirkemo 10-15 (2-8,2-8,2-4,1-14,1-13)
Carly Jackson 1-2 (1-2)

Other Species

Channel Catfish
Brent Jackson 3-4 (3-4)

Walleye
Brent Jackson 1-6 (1-6)

We are in the home stretch of another year, and things get lean as far as new submissions for most of our anglers. However, we do have a southeastern fisherman who is still experiencing favorable weather and water temperatures that may allow for a few more casts. And I am looking for a November bass before I call it a year. Maybe we can find another “good one.” I also have one late October trip to report from The Canal so stay tuned and talk to you later. Troy

Hennepin Canal Report – October 26

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Time is fading for my 2025 fishing as November is only a few days away. My annual goal is a November bass before I call it a year, but I am still trying to land a few more October bass in the meantime. Altered plans put me on The Canal last Sunday rather than my original target of Lake Storey. More on that below along with the results.

Stats
Date: October 26
Location: Hennepin Canal
Time: 3:25pm-5:25pm
Totals: 2 bass
Weather: Sunny/windy, 64F
Lures: Strike King Red Eye Shad (red craw) – 1 bass, JG Swim Jig (bluegill) with Hammertail trailer (bluegill) – 1 bass
Top Bass: 2-4 Red Eye Shad (other catch was a short fish)

Starting Lineup

Tune/Lyric of the Trip
“Can’t afford a blowout, ‘Cause we haven’t got a spare.”
Sausalito Summernight – Diesel (1981)
A blowout on the interstate on the way to Galesburg with my boys would alter my fishing plans. Fortunately, unlike the lyrics above, we did have a spare.

Plan A – Saturday afternoon, I was returning Dad’s truck as I had borrowed it for a week while mine was in the shop. My plan was to stay all night in Galesburg and fish Lake Storey on Sunday. As my boys and I headed down, the rear driver’s side tire blew around mile marker 21 on Interstate 74. At 70mph, it was a little wild and the boys would also get a crash course in tire changing on the shoulder with traffic whizzing past. The spare was way low on air, but we made it to Andover and a functioning air pump at Casey’s saved the day.

Plan B – With the spare having a slow leak, I opted out of the scheduled full day Lake Storey Sunday trip. Instead, I watched the World Series Game Two with Mom and Dad and stayed all night as planned but then got the truck to the shop on Sunday morning to await a Monday decision on new tires. Mom and Dad ran me back home Sunday morning and I opted to try The Canal via bicycle that afternoon.

4:02pm – Top Bass at 2-4 (16.5″) on a lipless crankbait

Results – I selected my best stretch for biking as it offered excellent back access along with quality fishing. Two hours of pedaling and casting produced two bass. The first was a solid fish on a lipless crankbait and tipped the scales at 2-4. The second catch was a short fish but rewarding as it came on a seldom used presentation, a swim jig. While the 2-4 was a quality fish, it did not provide a boost to my all-time Top 5 for the pool which sits at an impressive 15-11 (3-6,3-6,3-1,3-0,2-14). A rather uneventful short outing but no problem as the prior events had been plenty exciting.

4:51pm – Short bass on a swim jig

Winning lures

Soon, one of my catches will be the last for 2025, just hoping it will be the sought after November bass. However, the October fishing was not done after this outing as I was able to work in a few more hours on The Canal the following day. Stay tuned for that report and talk to you later. Troy