Author: Troy Jackson

Strip Mine Report – April 2

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Good Friday turned out to be a good day of fishing for the Brothers Jackson despite some less-than-optimal fishing conditions. The sunny skies were deceiving as air temps lingered in the 40s most of the day and strong winds made it feel even colder. Fortunately, the weather had more of an effect on the fishermen than the fish.

Top Bass was Brent’s 4-0 on a Bomber Flat A crankbait (read on for some cool release footage)

Stats
Date: April 2, 2021
Location: Knox County, IL public strip mines (7 lakes)
Time: 11:05am-3:50pm (4.75 hours fishing)
Weather: Sunny/very windy
Air Temp: 41-52F (felt much colder)
Water Temp: not available
Totals: 20 bass
Lures: Rapala Shad Rap (shad) – 12 bass, Bomber Flat A crankbait – 4 bass, Strike King Red Eye Shad – 2 bass, Jig & Plastic (black/blue) – 2 bass
Top 5 Weight: 12-4 (4-0,3-1,1-13,1-12,1-10) – see video below featuring the Top 5

 

Notes and Nonsense

Weather – It started out cold with wind chills in the 30s and I actually think it got colder at times even though the temperature went up if that makes sense. Numb fingers and runny noses were standard for most of the day although I did reach a point in the afternoon where I could feel all my digits.

Old School – Rapala Shad Rap (top) and Bomber Flat A (bottom)

Classic Cranks – With all the latest in lures gracing the shelves and cyber shops, you’d think we’d get with the program. Now, I do have plenty of newer lures but there is something to be said about old school, narrow/flat sided, unassuming crankbaits in cold water. For this trip, the Rapala Shad Rap and the Bomber Flat A were co-MVPs (most valuable presentations). I won’t pretend to know why but these toned-down offerings are preferred over louder cranks with a wider wobble when the water temps are low.

Last Cast – We’d planned on fishing until about 4:00pm since I had a football game to attend as my girls are in the color guard. So, at 3:47pm I am about 100 yards away from Brent when I hear him holler “I got a good one.” I quickly ditch my pole and head his direction as rapidly as a 50-something guy with a phone shooting video can move over strip mine bank terrain (kind of on autopilot upon seeing the bend in his pole). Upon arriving, I find that he has shattered the former lake record of 1-14. In fact, he more than doubled the mark with the 4-0. After weighing, photographing, and releasing the fish I offer up that I am done for the day, satisfied with that being an outstanding last cast. Brent agreed with that exclamation point to cap a solid day and we headed for our trucks.

 

Certainly, a successful day on the water, always enjoyable to get out for some fresh air and chase bass with a longtime fishing partner. Rewarding that a couple guys who started chasing those wily fish together as teenagers are still fooling them in their fifties. More to come from this outing and another fishing trip when time permits as my real job is taking me away from the blogging thing for a bit. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

A solid Top 5 Update this week from three anglers spanning the transition from March into April. Scroll on down for just over 25 pounds of bass.

Weight: 4-2
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 28
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless crankbait
Structure: Submerged weeds

Weight: 4-1
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 30
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless crankbait
Structure: Submerged weeds

Weight: 4-3
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 30
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless crankbait
Structure: Submerged weeds
Angler Comments: Well, this has been one heck of a March. Another 9 or 10 bass today. All came on lipless crank over submerged weeds. Two biggest were 4-1 and 4-2. Seems to be an abundant population of bass in the four-pound range this year.

Top 5 Weight: 21-14 (5-5,4-3,4-2,4-2,4-2)

Weight: 3-1
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: April 2
Weather: Sunny/very windy
Location: Knox County, IL public strip pits
Lure: Rapala Shad Rap (shad)
Structure: Drop
Angler Comments: After striking out with a bit more active and thumping lure in a chatterbait, I went back to the old faithful Shad Rap. Once again, it was a winner in landing my largest bass of the day as well as my two other Top 5 entries.

Weight: 1-10
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: April 2
Weather: Sunny/very windy
Location: Knox County, IL public strip pits
Lure: Rapala Shad Rap (shad)
Structure: Drop

Weight: 1-13
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: April 2
Weather: Sunny/very windy
Location: Knox County, IL public strip pits
Lure: Rapala Shad Rap (shad)
Structure: Drop
Top 5 Weight: 9-3 (3-1,1-13,1-10,1-10,1-1)

Weight: 1-5
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: April 2
Weather: Sunny/very windy
Location: Knox County, IL public strip pits
Lure: Spinnerbait (brown/orange)
Structure: Drop

Weight: 1-12
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: April 2
Weather: Sunny/very windy
Location: Knox County, IL public strip pits
Lure: Bomber Flat A crankbait
Structure: Drop

Weight: 4-0
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: April 2
Weather: Sunny/very windy
Location: Knox County, IL public strip pits
Lure: Bomber Flat A crankbait
Structure: Drop/trough
Top 5 Weight: 8-14 (4-0,1-12,1-5,1-0,0-13)

Now that was a fun update to put together and submit (and participate). The crazy thing is, the days these bass were landed weren’t particularly pleasant in terms of weather. Things have kicked up a notch for the better in the area so here’s hoping the bite does as well. If you want to get in on the act, send your catches and pics to troy@troyjacksonoutdoors.com with the details noted in the entries above. Date, weight and/or length are required along with a pic while the rest of the details are up to you. Talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – April 10, 2006

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Fifteen years ago, Julie and I were less than two years into starting a family and were only a few months away from welcoming a sibling for Helena. The old pictures in today’s post are from an April 2006 visit to Little John Conservation Club.

Of course, during a trip to Little John, it’s recommended to pack along a fishing pole or two to see if you can get a few bites. Along with the fishing gear in those days, we also packed along a car seat, a diaper bag, a stroller, kid food and snacks, sippy cup…and so on. While I have learned that the standard “they grow up so fast” statement is indeed true, I can’t really say that I miss the preparation and packing that was a part of hauling little kids. Nope, these days, it’s just a matter of handing Helena the keys, telling her three siblings to pile into the minivan and off we go with our chauffeur. Still seems a little strange at times.

The picture below is a more recent look at the old scene above. It was taken last spring as part of a larger project that has yet to fully materialize. The intent was to duplicate as many of my blog banner pictures as possible to use as a new blog banner. That project is still in the works, so I guess consider today’s flashback post a sneak preview.

Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Jim Junk continues to impress in landing another batch of quality bass over the last week. In addition, one of my brothers gets in on the act to kick off his 2021 Top 5, wielding a lipless crank, nonetheless. Not normally his thing as more of a spinnerbait wizard. Read on for the results, details, and an entertaining fish story from Jim Junk regarding his current 2021 Top Bass.

Weight: 1-0
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: March 27
Location: Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Strike King Red Eye Shad (chartreuse sexy shad)

Weight: 0-13
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: March 27
Location: Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Strike King Red Eye Shad (chartreuse sexy shad)
Top 5 Weight: 1-13 (1-0,0-13)

Weight: 3-7
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 21
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait (black/red) with small craw trailer

Weight: 3-12
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 21
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait (black/red) with small craw trailer

Weight: 4-0
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 23
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait (white)
Angler Comments: Got out for about three hours this afternoon. Found shad, tied on a white chatterbait and it was on fire.

Weight: 4-2
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 24
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless Crankbait

Weight: 3-1
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 24
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless Crankbait
Angler Comments: Ok, five more bass today. 4-2 and 3-1 were the biggest, both came on lipless crank. Others were on a black chatterbait.

Weight: 5-5
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 26
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Gene Larew Biffle Big Bug (green pumpkin/pumpkin neon)
Angler Comments: Went out for a few hours this afternoon. Pretty slow, got three small bass from a number of locations. Went to another spot that I started fishing last year and it does have many quality bass, however, there are only three little openings from the bank. Hadn’t had any luck with lipless, crankbait and or any other presentations there yet this year. Was going to try different presentations and had a Fluke Texas rigged on a weighted hook. Nothing took and was going to rig with a Senko. Turns out all my Senkos were in a bag at home. Rigged a Gene Larew Biffle Big Bug and the story begins. Fairly deep bowl type lake. After maybe five or six casts throwing deep and trying to drag along bottom, this bass followed the lure up to the small flat in front of me. Went dead stick and he just stared at the lure. At this point, I’m thinking there is no way he’ll take it. Twitched a couple times and he came closer. Two more twitches and he took it right in front of me. Set the hook and landed easily.
Top 5 Weight: 21-11 (5-5,4-2,4-2,4-2,4-0) culls 3-15, 3-13, 3-12

My whole blogging habit started many years ago in sending fish stories to a group of family and friends. All these years later, the Top 5 allows others to get in on the act as you can never have too many fish stories. And they don’t get much better than Jim’s latest and largest catch of 2021. Looks like it’s going to be quite pleasant in the region as we near Easter weekend so hope some can get out there and do some catching. As always, send ‘em my way. Talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – March 28, 1976

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Going back a ways today to The Bicentennial with a pic featuring a pair of my outdoor heroes. The guy on the left is my dad, Terry Jackson, while the guy on the right is his brother, Richard Jackson.

There’s lots that I could say about this photo and these guys but not enough time or space. After all, a blog loses a little luster when a post turns into a novel.

This photo was shot in my uncle’s backyard in Berwick, Illinois. If you’ve never been to Berwick, you are not alone. If you are familiar with Berwick, kudos to you for getting out and straying more than a little off the beaten path.

Further off the beaten path, not far from Berwick, was a fishing hole called Griswold’s Pond, the former home to these guys’ stringer of bass. The pond drew its name from the resident, Clark Griswold. No, not the Christmas Vacation guy, but the real-life Clark Griswold. I can’t say that I know much about Mr. Griswold beyond recalling that he was a talented golfer. In fact, the landscape on one side of the pond was manicured to the point that it looked like a fairway.

Back of the above photo

As far as this fishing trip, I’m guessing that a Rapala Floating Minnow and/or a Mepps spinner were involved. Fishing tackle was certainly a lot less complicated in 1976 and lacked the advertising hype of today’s connected society. Those two lures never needed much hype anyway. The bass provided plenty of feedback and us kids took whatever these two said to heart.

Which brings me around to saying that such unwavering and often wide-eyed trust and belief in their tales can get you fooled every once in a while. For this pair of outdoor brothers are more than prone to a little leg pulling and fish stories. From alligators in Cedar Fork to effectively running off the elephants, hippos or rhinos that used to call West Central Illinois home, a few tales are rather tall. Then again, some of their tall tales are actually true, so you just never know.

Regardless of the veracity of the stories, they have been told time and time again and are still as entertaining today as ever. And as the years have passed, it’s been a treat to watch a new generation of outdoor kids get the wool pulled over their eyes every now and then.

All part of the fun when under the tutelage of two one of a kind outdoor mentors. Talk to you later. Troy

Snakeden Hollow Report – March 20

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Reading on social media of the early season success of other anglers sure had me chomping at the bit to get on the water. Unfortunately, it took until the first day of spring to get an opportunity. The weather was pleasant and one of my brothers was free, so we had a mid-afternoon meet up at some old stomping grounds to bike and hike. We didn’t find many bass who were as enthused as us, but any day on the water is a good day.

A jig is a winner this time of year

Stats

Date: March 20, 2021
Location: Snakeden Hollow (4 lakes)
Time: 3:00pm-6:45pm (3.00 hours fishing)
Weather: Sunny/windy
Air Temp: 56F
Water Temp: no reading
Totals: 3 bass
Lures: Rapala Shad Rap (shad) – 2 bass, Googan Squad Gridiron Jig (PB&J) – 1 bass
Top Bass: 1-10 Shad Rap
Top 5 Weight (only 2 at 12” or better): 2-11 (1-10,1-1)

The winning Shad Rap from the “lost and found” as noted later in the report

Trip Lyric
“It’s kinda like a lost and found in a border town…” – Lost and Found, Brooks & Dunn (1991)

Notes and Nonsense

First Bass – Tops on my list for this trip was a revisit to a spot where I lost a good one last summer. It is a lake that I hadn’t fished much in recent years as I found it to be largely populated by small bass. But that one bite last year was an eye opener as at least one of the residents had grown up. Well, I didn’t find the one that got away and it took close to 40 minutes of casting but I did get my first bass of the year. Always good to get that first bite no matter the size and to get back on the board after 107 long days without a bass (12/3/20 at Lake Fork, TX).

On the board with the first bass of 2021

Recovered Rapala – I figured that at some point I would likely employ a Rapala Shad Rap to fool some cold-water bites. Instead of my customary blue pattern, however, I opted for a shad-colored bait. The lure was actually one that I had found tangled in a rocky bank last October on a family hike around Sylvan Island in the Quad Cities. I thought, wouldn’t it make a good fish story to catch some bass on a lure from the local “lost and found.” My first two bass turned that vision into a success story.

October 2020 – A Sylvan Island find (the bait, not the boy)

Close Shave – Earlier this month, I told Julie that I was waiting to shave my beard until I landed my first bass of the year. Let’s just say that she might have been more eager for me to get on the water than I was. So, after landing my first bass I sent her a pic to “brag”, completely forgetting my previous promise. In return, she responded with the pic below. And, yes, I did follow through in discarding most of the shaggy mess.

The Question – My youngest boy, Zac, likes to hit me up on occasion with a repeated fishing question. Offered up with a bit of a grin, it goes something like this, “Dad, who is a better fisherman, you or Uncle Brent?” I grin a bit too while seeking creative ways to avoid a definitive answer as it is indeed a complicated query. Kind of like when he asks the “Dad, who is your favorite kid” question. In the end, the best I can do is state that it depends on the day. Let’s just say that on this trip the bass took a bit more of a liking to Dad rather than Uncle Brent.

Bass number two with my fishing partner in the background, get ’em next time

Great to get on the board and enjoyable to wander some familiar turf with my brother. I hope to do it again as the year progresses as I tossed about some fishing adventure ideas that walk the fine line between epic and foolish. Stay tuned and talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

A half dozen submissions this week from a pair of anglers give the Top 5 a boost. While a couple of the half dozen aren’t quite as heavy as the others, you’ve got to start somewhere. Personally, I’m ecstatic to just get on the board as it has been a long winter. Read on for the latest entries as open water in the region is back to stay.

Weight: 3-13
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 18
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless Crankbait
Angler Comments: Went out for a couple hours. Rain had stopped but still windy and cold. Ended up with three bass, two were around two pounds and this one that came in at 3-13.

Weight: 3-10
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 19
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless Crankbait

Weight: 3-11
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 19
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless Crankbait

Weight: 4-2
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 19
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless Crankbait
Angler Comments: My lipless crankbait wasn’t working nor other presentations I tried in my go to spots. Talked to a guy loading his kayak and he said he got a couple on a bluegill Rat-L-Trap. Tied on a similar lure and landed three bass in about 45 minutes.
Top 5 Weight: 19-11 (4-2,4-2,3-15,3-13,3-11) culls 3-10, 3-4 and 3-1

Weight: 1-10
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: March 20
Weather: Sunny/windy 56F
Location: Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Rapala Shad Rap (shad)
Structure: Dropoff
Angler Comments: My first bass of the year hooked up about an hour into the outing on a classic cold-water lure (more about the lure in the fishing report later this week).

Weight: 1-1
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: March 20
Weather: Sunny/windy 56F
Location: Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Googan Squad Gridiron Jig (PB&J) with twin tail trailer
Structure: Brush
Angler Comments: Some unfamiliar water with a fair amount of wood cover accessible from the bank was a winner on the jig.
Top 5 Weight: 2-11 (1-10,1-1)

Way to go, Jim, and pretty cool that another quality fish should cover those five ounces needed to hit the 20-pound mark. And it’s not even April. As for the other guy, I’m hoping that his pair of entries are displaced before the 2021 Top 5 runs its course. Ideally, its just a matter of time. As in finding time to get on the water. Here’s to others getting on the water as well and sending their catches my way. Talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – March 23, 2016

Posted on by Troy Jackson

An impromptu outing five years ago on a quality fishing hole with a generous host provided a welcome escape. Read on for the report from “The Rock” as originally submitted on March 30, 2016.

A couple weeks ago I chalked up my 3/12 outing as my lone shot at some March bass. Work and family commitments for the rest of the month meant a wait until sometime in April for round two. And I was good with that after a successful debut both in terms of quantity (19 bass) and quality (established my initial Top 5 limit). However, during a work trip down to Peoria County I had the good fortune of crossing paths with a fishing friend, Chris Rock, who invited me out to The Rock for a couple hours of casting once my job duties were completed. I wasn’t sure considering it being an awfully long day but upon texting Julie, she gave me the boost I needed by texting in return, “You gotta do it.” So, I did.

2:49pm – first bass and a March bonus on an ad lib outing

Stats
Date: March 23, 2016
Location: The Rock
Time: 2:40pm-4:40pm
Weather: Overcast/very windy
Air Temp: Low 50’s (may have qualified for wind-chill)
Water Temp: 48-49F
Totals: 11 bass (Chris similar if not more)
Lures: Spinnerbait (firetiger) – 11 bass, others on chatterbait, jig or jerkbait
Top Bass: 1-11 (Chris likely got me by a few ounces on one of his bass)

3:16pm – Top Bass 15″ and 1-11 on a spinnerbait

Notes and Nonsense

Foul Weather Fishermen – While some are referred to as “fair weather fishermen”, in our experience on the water together, Chris and I would definitely not fit the bill. About midway into our gray, windy, cold front afternoon Chris commented, “I don’t think we’ve had a nice day yet” in reference to our two previous outings together. I’d had the same thought running through my head as this day was no exception. For proof it took until somewhere between Wyoming and Toulon on the drive home before I could once again feel all my fingers. Even so, it was certainly worth delaying my after work drive by a couple hours.

Generous Guide – Chris not only knows a thing or two about his fishing holes, but he is also simply a good angler. As such he is also an excellent guide, helping to put his guests in a solid position to catch some fish. But despite Julie advising me to take my fishing gear to work “just in case”, I had left it at home. Of course, when offering up the invitation to go fishing, Chris also added that he had “plenty of fishing stuff”. On the water he opened up his tacklebox for my selection along with the advice that we were going to start our quest in some areas featuring 3-6’ depths. I chose a spinnerbait in firetiger, was rewarded with my first bass about ten minutes into casting and stuck with the bait the entire trip. It served me well which was fortunate as most of my fingers wound up so numb that I don’t believe I could have tied on another lure anyway.

Makeshift log as I can’t ditch the documenting, old habits are hard to break

Improvisation – An impromptu trip calls for some adjustments on my part in terms of my fishing habits. One somewhat unnerving matter was not having the regular tools with which I document my catch, no tape measure, no scale, and no log. Years of tracking fish is too much to disregard even for one trip so I did the best I could. After eyeballing thousands of bass, I felt confident in my estimates on the lengths of my catches. Anything worth weighing was taken care of via Chris’ scale and my log consisted of a piece of scrap paper as included above. I did have my good luck floppy hat in the truck, however, even though a stocking cap may have been more weather appropriate.

A winning choice from my fishing partner’s tacklebox

All in all, a cool finish to a long day which saw me get out of bed at 2:00am, hit the road for Peoria County at 2:55am, work from 4:30 am until 2:00pm, cast from 2:40pm until 4:40pm and get back home at about 6:30pm. Took me a couple days to get rested but definitely worth it and many thanks to Chris for the invite and the generosity. Always a good time hanging out on the water and some bonus bass to boot.

Fun to look back on one of those outings that prove the saying that “the best time to go fishing is anytime you can.” I also like to think that winging it with a lone borrowed lure and getting it done deserves a little pat on the back. Then again, it may be more about the fishing hole than the fisherman, as it is quite a special place. Talk to you later. Troy