Category: Top 5

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

The hits keep coming as we transition from spring to summer, whatever that means these days. In fact, on the first full day of summer I headed out at dawn in long sleeves and a sweatshirt. 2019 just hasn’t been right.

Weight: 4-1
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: June 20
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Weedless Senko
Structure: Outlying weed edge
Angler Comments: At the end of a retrieve and a bass jumped and tried to strike as I was trying to get on top of outlying weed edge. One more cast to the same spot was rewarded with my first bass. It was on after that.

Weight: 3-0
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: June 22
Location: Knox County strip mine
Lure: Jig and worm
Top 5 Weight: Top 5 Weight: 21-4 (4-8,4-6,4-3,4-2,4-1)

Weight: 2-4
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: June 22
Location: Knox County public strip mine
Lure: Booyah Buzz Buzzbait (snow white shad)
Structure: Weed edge
Angler Comments: A perfect setup for a buzzbait came through along the weed edge near the back of a pocket at the end of a main lake point. Always cool when you say, “There should be one here”, and there is.
Top 5 Weight: 11-5 (2-10,2-4,2-4,2-3,2-0) culls a 1-13

And a bonus submission that provides a classic example of the dilemma faced by the summertime bank angler.

The size is a surprise on these catches as Jim has to “unwrap” the bite from a hefty shroud of aquatic vegetation before the bass is revealed.

Weight: 2-3
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: June 20
Location: Banner Marsh

Way to go, Jim, and thanks again for your reliable Fulton County submissions and putting in the work to get them. Not to mention the work required once you get one hooked as shown above. Fun stuff.

And hey, not a lunker but sure is good to get my mug back on here again. Looking to post the report from the “100 Year Trip” as well as another outing later this week so stay tuned. Another batch of “Trip Tunes” also coming your way, combined from that pair of road trips. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

A productive week on the water gives the Top 5 a welcome boost with four anglers submitting their catches. Great to see such a good turnout from several bodies of water in the region.

Weight: 1-1 (14”)
Angler: Landon Hannam
Date: June 10
Location: Lake McMaster – Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Lunkerhunt Lunker Frog
Structure: Weed bed
Angler Comments: This was my first ever topwater fish. Had about eight strikes but only managed to hook one.
Top 5 Weight: 2-3 (1-2,1-1)

Weight: 3-4
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: June 10
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Texas rigged weightless Stik-O
Angler Comments: Summer fun fishing is back in full force at Banner. My prime spots have between 10 and 20 feet of muck between me and any open water.

Weight: 3-2
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: June 14
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Texas rigged weightless Stik-O
Angler Comments: Shallow point that leads out to what I believe is a shallow flat with open water as far as I can throw. Within the first few casts a healthy 3-2 started running with my Stik-O. Hard fight and managed to pull him through the weeds and get him landed.

Weight: 4-3
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: June 14
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Texas rigged weightless Stik-O
Angler Comments: The next cast really wasn’t a cast. I threw out as far as I could and was walking backwards with the bail open to get a small loop out of the spool. With the bail open my line started stripping off the spool. Closed the bail quickly and set the hook on a nice 4-3 that I managed to maneuver through the weeds and land.
Top 5 Weight: 21-4 (4-8,4-6,4-3,4-2,4-1) culls a 4-1

Weight: 3-11
Angler: Chris Schwarz
Date: June 12
Location: Spring Lake – McDonough County
Lure: Squarebill crankbait (bluegill)
Top 5 Weight: 15-8 (3-11,3-10,3-2,2-10,2-7) culls a 2-4

Weight: 1-12
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: June 16
Location: Lake Storey
Lure: Senko wacky rig (bumblebee)

Weight: 1-2
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: June 16
Location: Lake Storey
Lure: Buzzbait (yellow)
Angler Comments: A few other bites on topwater, lots of weeds.
Top 5 Weight: 4-8 (1-12,1-10,1-2)

Weight: 6-9
Angler: Chris Schwarz
Date: June 12
Location: Spring Lake – McDonough County
Lure: Squarebill crankbait (bluegill)
Angler Comments: Call me the catfish wizard! Haha! This was completely luck, but I managed to catch another nice fish on my bluegill colored squarebill.
Top 5 Weight: 6-9 along with a 35” cat that bottomed out a 6-pound scale

Well done guys, gave me a workout putting this update together. Definitely worth it and up for the challenge any time. If the weather cooperates perhaps I’ll get to join the fun later this week as I look to team up with one of the anglers above. Hope to post some other stuff throughout the week though so stay tuned and talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

A regular smorgasbord this week with three species and I believe from three different counties.

Weight: 1-10
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: May 31
Location: Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Senko wacky rig
Top 5 Weight: 1-10
Editor’s Note: After hearing that Brent had fooled a qualifier I asked him if he had a picture. His response was “Yep, it’s a Jim Junk shot.” Had to laugh and indeed looks rather familiar.

Length: 34-35”
Angler: Chris Schwarz
Date: June 2
Location: Spring Lake – McDonough County
Lure: Squarebill crankbait (bluegill)
Structure: Submerged trees
Angler Comments: This was a lot of fun! Caught this fish on a bluegill colored square bill and it gave me a 10 minute fight of pulling drag craziness! I believe this is a blue cat, but maybe some of our catfish experts can help me out? My scale only read 6 pounds, but this fish measured around 34-35 inches, which would put it in the 15-17 pound range according to most length to weight conversion charts. I can tell you that it was way more than 6 pounds, ha!
Top 5 Length: 34-35”

Weight: 1-8
Angler: Teagan Mills
Date: June 2
Location: Private pond
Top 5 Weight: 1-8

Thanks guys for the variety, always good to see some fish in the Inbox and have something to offer on Mondays. I am trying to work out a time to chase some bass with the guy who posted the bass for today’s update so stay tuned. Not sure what sort of stunt we will pull but I’ve got one idea that could be interesting. Stay tuned and talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Stats

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Another month means another round of Top 5 Stats. Been a lean year in most respects but here’s hoping for an uptick in activity as we head to summer and hopefully leave the “Monsoon Season” behind.

2019 Totals (* = new record)
January = 1 bass
February = no submissions
March = 8 bass
April = 14 bass
May = 11 bass

Top 5 Weight by Month (* = new record)
January = 3-3 (one bass)
February = no submissions
March = 19-3 (4-8,4-2,4-1,3-5,3-3)
April = 19 -10 (4-1,4-1,4-0,3-12,3-12)
May = 19-1 (4-6,4-0,3-15,3-10,3-2)

Boat vs. Bank
Boat = 3 bass
Bank = 31 bass

Boat vs. Bank Weight (* = new record)
Boat = 4-3 (2-4.1-2, 0-13)
Bank = 21-2 (4-8,4-2,4-6,4-1,4-1)

Public vs. Private
Public = 26 bass
Private = 8 bass

Public vs. Private Top 5 Weight
Public = 21-2 (4-8,4-6,4-2,4-14-1)
Private = 14-1 (3-10,3-2,2-10,2-7,2-4)

The Baits (* = new record)
Chatterbait = 10 bass (Top Bass 4-2 Jim Junk)
Lipless Crankbaits = 7 bass (Top Bass 4-8 Jim Junk)
Spinnerbaits = 7 bass (Top Bass 3-10 Chris Schwarz)
Jigs = 3 bass (Top Bass 2-10 Troy Jackson)
Plastic Worm = 3 bass (Top Bass 4-0 Jim Junk)
Underspin = 2 bass (Top Bass 4-6 Jim Junk)
Buzzbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 2-4 Troy Jackson)
Livebait = 1 bass (Top Bass 4-1 Jim Junk)

Monthly Top Bass (* = new record)
January
3-3 Jim Junk
February
No submissions
March
4-8 Jim Junk
April
4-1 Jim Junk
May
4-6 Jim Junk

Top 10 Bass (* = new Top 10 all-time)
4-8 Jim Junk 3/28
4-2 Jim Junk 3/30
4-6 Jim Junk 5/14
4-1 Jim Junk 3/31
4-1 Jim Junk 4/10
4-1 Jim Junk 4/13
4-0 Jim Junk 4/13
4-0 Jim Junk 5/19
3-15 Jim Junk 5/18
3-12 Jim Junk 4/24

Angler Weights
Jim Junk 21-2 (4-8,4-6,4-2,4-1,4-1)
Chris Schwarz 14-1 (3-10,3-2,2-10,2-7,2-4)
Troy Jackson 10-14 (2-10,2-4,2-3,2-0,1-13)
Landon Hannam 1-2 (1-2)

Other Species
13-0 Channel Catfish Teagan Mills 4/20/19 Private Pond

The extended forecast in the region looks a little drier and sure wouldn’t think it could get much wetter. Hope some folks have a chance to get out there on the water and don’t forget your favorite bug spray. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Better late than never on a Monday and this one is real fresh. In fact, just got it earlier this afternoon and been such a long time coming that I’m not holding onto it until next Monday.

Weight: 2-4
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: May 27
Location: Knox County private strip mine
Lure: Booyah Buzz Buzzbait (bleeding shad)
Structure: Weed edge
Angler Comments: Been a long wait on this one as I had not been bass fishing since April 19. Not a beast but very satisfying to get a bump in weight.
Top 5 Weight: 10-14 (2-10,2-4,2-3,2-0,1-13) culls a 1-13

All told got in only about two hours of fishing between torrential rains but definitely grateful to get that as I was worried that I would lack a May bass for 2019. Got a few more too so stay tuned for all the details later this week. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

In between the ongoing rains in the region, our Top 5 leader continues to reel in some quality bass. Read on for the details with a bonus look at a lure you should have tied on the end of a pole from now through summer.

Weight: 4-6
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: May 14
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Underspin
Structure: Point
Angler Comments: Steady retrieve parallel to a point

Weight: 3-15
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: May 17
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Underspin

Weight: 4-0
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: May 19
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Texas rigged Senko

Weight: 2-13
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: May 19
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Wacky rigged Senko (white and smoke)
Top 5 Weight: 21-2 (4-8,4-2,4-6,4-1,4-1) culls a 4-1

Senko style worm success has kicked into gear and quite effective in both weedless Texas rigged and wacky rigged presentations. Jim passed along several of his weekend winners below.

Two wacky rig looks that were successful this past weekend

A couple Texas rigged worms post catch, Jim notes that they are just as effective rigged from tail end to get extra use from damaged baits

Thanks to Jim for a quality update and the heads up that the Senko bite is off and running. Here’s hoping you have an opportunity to get out and enjoy it with a holiday weekend on the horizon (got my fingers crossed for a shot too). Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

A good showing this week as more of our Warren County contingent is back on board for another year. After an up and down start to spring it was great to see an outstanding weather weekend in the area and glad that this pair of anglers were able to take advantage.

Weight: 2-4
Angler: Chris Schwarz
Date: May 4
Location: Warren County private pond
Lure: Spinnerbait (bluegill)

Weight: 2-7
Angler: Chris Schwarz
Date: May 4
Location: Warren County private pond
Lure: Spinnerbait (bluegill)

Weight: 2-10
Angler: Chris Schwarz
Date: May 4
Location: Warren County private pond
Lure: Spinnerbait (bluegill)

Weight: 3-2
Angler: Chris Schwarz
Date: May 4
Location: Warren County private pond
Lure: Spinnerbait (bluegill)

Weight: 3-10
Angler: Chris Schwarz
Date: May 4
Location: Warren County private pond
Lure: Spinnerbait (bluegill)
Angler Comments: Bass were tight to the bank and getting ready to spawn; I’m sure the weather has wreaked havoc on their internal spawning clocks.
Top 5 Weight: 14-1 (3-10,3-2,2-10,2-7,2-4)

Weight: 1-2
Angler: Landon Hannam
Date: May 5
Location: Private Pond
Lure: Wacky worm
Angler Comments: I was fishing in our school’s tournament and caught another 1-0 bass on a Z-Man chatterbait.
Top 5 Weight: 1-2

Well done guys and happy to have you back in the mix. Keep ‘em coming when you catch ‘em and that goes for anybody else out there as well. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Our leader continues to reel in some quality bass but it’s already a tall order for him to bump his weight as it takes a bass over four pounds to provide a boost. This one was darn close and in the interest of sharing pics and fish stories, always worth an update. I also have a note this week on some Banner Marsh video so read on.

Weight: 3-12
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 24
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Rapala Clackin’ Rap
Angler Comments: Nothing to cull but did manage this 3-12 while talking to a Conservation Officer.
Top 5 Weight: 20-13 (4-8,4-2,4-1,4-1,4-1)

First up, way to go Jim and thanks for keeping us afloat on Top 5 Updates. Last week I found that Jim wasn’t the only one taking a shot at that Fulton County fishing hole as noted below.

As I am always looking for some fish stories, I’ve found myself checking out a batch of YouTubers who chase some bass as their primary target. Trouble is, they are usually fishing in Texas or Florida or some other warmer clime where the bass come a little larger due to a more favorable year-round growing season.

But among the YouTubers I check out there’s a couple of fellows out on a cross country road trip they refer to as a “50 State Fishing Tour.” At present they are over 20 states into the project and just posted their Illinois outing. Originally they hinted that the destination would be Lake McMaster at Snakeden Hollow. I thought that was pretty cool as I first fished Lake McMaster back on July 1, 1987 several years before it was open to the public and a few years before it even got the name (shout out to my friend, Larry, who took me and Brent on an eye opening outing). Me, Dad and Brent have fished it since 1990 so I was looking forward to see how the guys did on our longtime stomping grounds.

However, they wound up shifting gears and hit Bass Pro Shops in Peoria before ultimately heading to Banner Marsh for some muskie fishing. Slightly disappointing but still rewarding to see them fish water that I have fished and where last Friday’s Flashback took place. I’ll leave it to you if you choose to check it out rather than being the spoiler alert guy. But for my two cents, some cool stuff at the link below from the SBFishingTV channel:

https://youtu.be/HxCWckD2lkM

Emiquon Pitfalls continue tomorrow, hope you’ll tune in. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Hey, we’ve got something besides a green fish this week, one with whiskers. And a good one at that, equaling the largest catfish submitted to date. Both by the same young angler.

Weight: 13-0
Angler: Teagan Mills
Date: April 20
Location: Private pond
Angler Comments: Caught on 4-pound test
Top 5 Weight: 13-0

Congrats, Teagan on an impressive catch that definitely required some skill and patience on that light line. Looks like the area weather is headed for a pretty stable run of warm temps so here’s hoping those fish will finally be able to get their act together and let us fool some more. I encourage anyone out there to join the fun and send them my way at troy@troyjacksonoutdoors.com.

The Emiquon at 10 celebration kicks off tomorrow, hope you’ll tune in. Talk to you later. Troy

Lures of the Top 5

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Well, every Monday when there’s some new fish to offer, the weekly Top 5 Update gives you their pictures. In addition, the details of the catch accompany the fish and typically include the bait that got the job done. As a bonus Top 5 post we’re going to take a more in depth look at the specific lures that are fooling our fish thus far in 2019. Pictures of all the winning lures along with some notes and stats below, so read on.

A range of color and trailer combinations in chatterbaits have been winners

Chatterbaits: 10 bass – Top Bass 4-2 Jim Junk – Top 5 Weight 18-9
Also referred to as bladed jigs, this lure type is a relative newcomer with origins dating back to 2004 but not experiencing a real sales explosion until a few years later. For our group in 2019 it has had the best start in terms of numbers and is pushing the 20-pound mark for a collective Top 5. Definitely a lure that you should give a go early in the season as a proven producer.

You won’t find the Rapala Clackin’ Rap on the baitshop shelves (read below)

Lipless Crankbaits: 6 bass – Top Bass 4-8 Jim Junk – Top 5 Weight 20-0
Generally a faster moving bait than most other cold water offerings and still makes me scratch my head at times on its early season effectiveness. No need to ponder though, just throw it. An interesting detail here is that Jim Junk’s now not so secret weapon happens to be a bait that is no longer in production (note: Jim gave me permission to reveal). The Rapala Clackin’ Rap is now the denizen of the online auction and there’s plenty of them out there if you are willing to fork over the bucks.

Strike King Pro Model Jig (pumpkin/green flake) with BPS Triple Ripple Craw trailer (pepper frog/hot orange)

Jigs: 3 bass – Top Bass 2-10 Troy Jackson – Top 3 Weight 6-7
Another cold water standby that can fool some big cold water bass, this one has taken a back seat to the faster paced and noisier offerings noted above. Certainly recommend having one of these tied on this time of year and don’t be afraid to throw it into some of the nastiest looking wood and/or rock in the fishing hole.

Booyah Blade spinnerbait (white/chartreuse) with twin tail trailer (smoke)

Spinnerbaits: 2bass – Top Bass 0-14 – Top 2 Weight 1-11
Not much to show for this old school lure that has kind of fallen out of vogue in the last 20 years or more. However, I’m a firm believer in them and when given a shot they still get the job done, just not as glamorous as some other baits. I would have to say more of a fall presentation for me but I still keep the faith of that 1980s kid who cut his bass fishing teeth on them and have had one tied on each time out in 2019.

BONUS!
Livebait: 1 bass – Top Bass 4-1 Jim Junk
A perfect example of the allure of “the real thing” along with reinforcing the fact that if you have a bait in the water anything can happen (Jim caught this entry while crappie fishing with a minnow). Jim also provided the pics below of what some of his Fulton County bass are likely eating so it’s no wonder that there are some darn healthy fish swimming down there.

Fulton County, IL forage – I want to catch something that’s eating that!

Such forage takes me back to 2014 and the initial year of the Top 5 as there was a Chicagoland area angler who used to prowl the banks of his local waters armed with large swimbaits. While the bites could be limited on such giant baits, when they came they were quite impressive as seen below.

Top 5 Flashback from 2014,  quality vs. quantity dilemma on large swimbaits. Your choice? 

Okay, all for today and hope that you enjoyed the rundown of these early season baits and perhaps found an addition to your tacklebox. If nothing else, I hope it got some folks a little fired up for some fishing as the local weather really took a turn for the better (may even last a day or two this time). And if you are fortunate enough to enjoy the benefit of a three day weekend, well, send your catches my way and go ahead and include a pic of the lure while you’re at it. Talk to you later. Troy