Back with another look at the numbers as we head towards the mid-point of another Top 5 year.

Bass Totals (largemouth and spotted)

2024 Totals
March = 15 bass
April = 16 bass
May = 11 bass

Top 5 Weight by Month
March = 18-3 (4-6,3-14,3-10,3-4,3-1)
April = 11-0 (2-8,2-7,2-4,2-0,1-13)
May = 14-15 (3-6,3-4,3-0,2-12,2-9)

Boat vs. Bank
Boat = 25 bass
Bank = 17 bass

Boat vs. Bank Weight
Boat = 14-5 (3-4,3-4,2-12,2-9,2-8)
Bank = 17-5 (4-6,3-14,3-10,3-1,2-6)

Public vs. Private
Public = 42 bass
Private = 0 bass

Public vs. Private Top 5 Weight
Public = 18-8 (4-6,3-14,3-10,3-6,3-4)
Private = no submissions

The Baits
Jerkbait = 15 bass (Top Bass 2-8 John Kirkemo)
Chatterbait = 10 bass (Top Bass 4-6 Jim Junk)
Plastic Worm = 5 bass (Top Bass 3-4 Brent Jackson)
Lipless Crankbait = 4 bass (Top Bass 2-6 Jim Junk)
Popper = 3 bass (Top Bass 3-6 Brent Jackson)
Spinnerbait = 2 bass (Top Bass 3-0 Troy Jackson)
Buzzbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 2-9 Troy Jackson)
Crankbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 1-11 Troy Jackson)
Frog = 1 bass (Top Bass 2-1 Troy Jackson)

Monthly Top Bass
March
4-6 Jim Junk
April
2-8 John Kirkemo
May
3-6 Brent Jackson

2024 Top 10 Bass
4-6 Jim Junk 3/3
3-14 Jim Junk 3/18
3-10 Jim Junk 3/3
3-6 Brent Jackson 5/4
3-4 Jayce Jackson 3/31
3-4 Brent Jackson 5/5
3-1 Jim Junk 3/17
3-0 Troy Jackson 5/4
2-12 Troy Jackson 5/8
2-9 Troy Jackson 5/19

Angler Weights
Jim Junk 17-5 (4-6,3-14,3-10,3-1,2-6)
Brent Jackson 13-6 (3-6,3-4,2-7,2-4,2-1)
Troy Jackson 12-12 (3-0,2-12,2-9,2-6,2-1)
John Kirkemo 10-7 (2-8,2-7,2-0,1-13,1-11)
Jayce Jackson 3-4 (3-4)

Other Species

Bowfin
Troy Jackson 3-13 (3-13)

Channel Catfish
John Kirkemo 2-3 (2-3)

Gar
John Kirkemo 28” (28”)

Striped Bass
John Kirkemo 6-11 (3-5,2-6,1-0)

Trout (brown and rainbow)
John Kirkemo 24” (12”, 12”)

Just five of us in the Top 5 this year but anyone else is welcome to join and perhaps I can see about putting a few more family members on some fish this summer. Stay tuned and talk to you later. Troy

In my fishing lingo, I refer to bass that make the two-pound mark as “good ones.” Well, this week we have a trio of “good ones” courtesy of two Jackson brothers on three separate outings.

Weight: 2-7
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: May 18
Location: Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Senko wacky rig
Top 5 Weight: 13-6 (3-6,3-4,2-7,2-4,2-1) culls 2-0

Weight: 2-1
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: May 18
Weather: Sunny/breezy, 67F
Location: Hennepin Canal
Lure: Spro Flappin Frog 65 (albino)
Structure: Lily pads
Angler Comments: I had rowed around The Canal for a mile with decent results but nothing of much size. Wouldn’t you know that I find my best bite of the day within about fifty feet of my truck.

Weight: 2-9
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: May 19
Weather: Sunny/breezy, 64F
Location: Hennepin Canal
Lure: Booyah Buzz Buzzbait (snow white shad)
Structure: Weed edge
Angler Comments: The sunrise buzzbait bite started out hot with this being my second “keeper” of the morning after only twenty minutes on the water. Unfortunately, once the sun rose above the tree line, the bite completely shut down.
Top 5 Weight: 12-12 (3-0,2-12,2-9,2-6,2-1) culls 1-15 and 1-14

A lot of “good ones” this year for our limits but the search continues for some three and four pounders. They are out there, just got to keep on casting. Talk to you later. Troy

The hits keep coming as we have a big batch of bass (spots and largies) along with a unique and prehistoric first-time entry.

Fish: Spotted bass
Weight: 1-3 (14”)
Angler: John H. Kirkemo
Date: April 30, 2024
Weather: Clouds with occasional rain showers
Water Temperature: 73 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, SC
Lure: Black and silver shallow running Rapala
Comments: This fish was caught while trolling at 1.61-1.71 mph along the shoreline in 6-10 feet of water.

Fish: Spotted bass
Weight: 1-5 (15”)
Angler: John H. Kirkemo
Date: April 30, 2024
Weather: Clouds with occasional rain showers
Water Temperature: 73 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, SC
Lure: Black and silver shallow running Rapala
Comments: This fish was caught while trolling at 1.61-1.71 mph along the shoreline in 6-10 feet of water.

Fish: Spotted bass
Weight: 2-7 (16”)
Angler: John H. Kirkemo
Date: April 30, 2024
Weather: Clouds with occasional rain showers
Water Temperature: 73 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, SC
Lure: Black and silver shallow running Rapala
Comments: This fish was caught while trolling at 1.61-1.71 mph along the shoreline in 6-10 feet of water.
Top 5 Weight: 10-7 (2-8,2-7,2-0,1-13,1-11) culls 1-7

Weight: 3-6
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: May 4
Location: Knox County public strip mine
Lure: Mann’s Chug-N-Spit (black/chrome belly)

Weight: 2-1
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: May 4
Location: Knox County public strip mine
Lure: Mann’s Chug-N-Spit (black/chrome belly)

Weight: 2-0
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: May 4
Location: Knox County public strip mine
Lure: Senko wacky rig

Weight: 1-13
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: May 4
Location: Knox County public strip mine
Lure: Mann’s Chug-N-Spit (black/chrome belly)

Weight: 3-4
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: May 5
Location: Knox County public strip mine
Lure: Senko wacky rig
Top 5 Weight: 12-15 (3-6,3-4,2-4,2-1,2-0) culls 1-13, 1-11,1-10,1-6

Weight: 3-0
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: May 4
Weather: Overcast/windy
Location: Hennepin Canal
Lure: War Eagle Spinnerbait (chartreuse/white) with BPS twin tail trailer (Houdini)
Angler Comments: I decided to explore new water and was rewarded with my Top Bass of 2024.
Top 5 Weight: 10-10 (3-0,2-6,1-14,1-11,1-11) culls 1-8

Fish: Gar
Length: 28”
Angler: John H. Kirkemo
Date: April 30, 2024
Weather: Blue sky with some clouds
Water Temperature: 73 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, SC
Lure: Black and silver shallow running Rapala
Comments: This fish was caught while trolling at 1.61-1.71 mph along the shoreline in 6-10 feet of water.
Top 5 Length: 28” (28”)

Now, how is that for a weekly fishing report? Three anglers posting three species caught on four different lure types from two states. And the waters that these fish called home include a major reservoir created in the late 1950s, a couple strip pits from the 1960s, and an abandoned shipping waterway that originally opened in 1907. Here’s to a pat on the back for the anglers and a slightly selfish shout out to this website. And another fishing report from the Hennepin Canal is set to post later this week. Talk to you later. Troy

Have we got an update for you this week. Our submissions come courtesy of John Kirkemo, who does his fishing in the Palmetto State these days, from what we semi-jokingly refer to as the “southeast field office” of Troy Jackson Outdoors. He is on a bite down there and his reports from the past week feature three species: spotted bass, striped bass, and a channel catfish.

Editor’s note: Spotted bass are a member of the black bass genus along with the largemouth bass; thus, the Top 5 totals will combine these two species. Similarly, variations and hybridization among striped/temperate bass will result in all submissions being assigned to the striped bass category.

Spotted Bass

Fish: Spotted bass
Weight: 1-1 (14”)
Angler: John H. Kirkemo
Date: April 22
Weather: Bright sunny day with air temperatures in the low 60s
Water Temperature: 68-70 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala
Comments: This fish was caught while trolling at 1.61-1.71 mph along the shoreline in 6 to 10 feet of water and was released in good condition.

Fish: Spotted bass
Weight: 1-11 (16”)
Angler: John H. Kirkemo
Date: April 23
Weather: Bright sunny day with air temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s
Water Temperature: 68-70 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala

Fish: Spotted bass
Weight: 1-13 (15”)
Angler: John H. Kirkemo
Date: April 23
Weather: Bright sunny day with air temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s
Water Temperature: 68-70 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala
Comments: Both fish were caught while trolling at 1.61-1.71 mph along the shoreline in 6 to 10 feet of water and were released in good condition.

Fish: Spotted Bass
Weight: 1-1 (13”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 25
Weather: Clear sky with bright sun; air temperature low 70s.
Water Temperature: 68-71 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, Southeast of Anderson, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala

Fish: Spotted Bass
Weight: 1-3 (13”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 25
Weather: Clear sky with bright sun; air temperature low 70s.
Water Temperature: 68-71 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, Southeast of Anderson, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala

Fish: Spotted Bass
Weight: 2-0 (16.5”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 25
Weather: Partly cloudy skies; air temperature low 70s.
Water Temperature: 68-71 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, Southeast of Anderson, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala

Fish: Spotted Bass
Weight: 2-8 (19”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 26
Weather: Cloudy sky. Air temperature high 60s to low 70s.
Water Temperature: 70 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, Southeast of Anderson, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala
Comments: The above fish were caught while trolling at 1.68-1.73 mph in 6 to 10 feet of water. The fish were released in good condition.
Lake Hartwell is 56,000 acres with a shoreline of 962 miles. I fished the lake every day this week (Week of April 22) but only a small area next to the Springfield Corps of Engineers campground near Anderson, SC. I have seen only a few bass fishermen. The anglers are casting to shoreline structure or fishing the underwater drop-offs. There is impressive structure consisting of downed trees and docks that could be holding bass, but I haven’t seen any fish near any of the structure.
Top 5 Weight: 9-7 (2-8,2-0,1-13,1-11,1-7) culls a 1-5

Striped Bass

Fish: Hybrid Striped Bass
Weight: 2-6 (17”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 22
Weather: Bright sunny day with air temperatures in the low 60s
Water Temperature: 68-70 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala
Comments: This was my first ever hybrid striped bass. Caught while trolling in open water.

Fish: Hybrid Striped Bass
Weight: 1-0 (13”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 27
Weather: Partly cloudy skies; air temperature low 60s.
Water Temperature: 68 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, Southeast of Anderson, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 3.5” shallow running Rapala
Comments: The lure was cast to a spot between two partially submerged trees. I saw the fish hit the lure as the lure approached the boat on the retrieve.

Fish: Hybrid Striped Bass
Weight: 3-5 (19”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 27
Weather: Partly cloudy skies; air temperature low 70s.
Water Temperature: 71 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, Southeast of Anderson, SC
Lure: Silver and blue shallow running jointed Rebel
Comments: Fish were seen surface feeding, so I trolled the lure in the area until the fish hit. The fish was strong and made a long run taking line against the drag. I kept pressure on the fish and was able to bring him to the net. The fish was released in good condition.
Top 5 Weight: 6-11 (3-5,2-6,1-0)

Channel Catfish

Fish: Catfish
Weight: 2-3 (19”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 25
Weather: Partly cloudy skies; air temperature low 70s.
Water Temperature: 68-71 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, Southeast of Anderson, SC:
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala
Top 5 Weight: 2-3 (2-3)

Well done, John, and keep them coming. It is a treat to see variety in species beyond the largemouth bass. In addition, seeing fish from outside the Land of Lincoln is also cool. For those of us locals, it looks like the April showers are going to dampen early May but here’s hoping we can dodge the drops and get bit. Talk to you later. Troy

My brother, Brent, has been too busy to fish this year but he was able to get out on some public Knox County strip mine stomping grounds this weekend. The bass were biting well but quality bites were tough to come by leaving him one bass shy of his initial Top 5. Great to have him on board again and I expect he’ll get that fifth bass in short order once he gets out for some more casts.

Weight: 2-4
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: April 13
Weather: Sunny/windy
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: Jerkbait

Weight: 1-10
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: April 13
Weather: Sunny/windy
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: Jerkbait

Weight: 1-6
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: April 13
Weather: Sunny/windy
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: Jerkbait

Weight: 1-4
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: April 13
Weather: Sunny/windy
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: Jerkbait
Top 5 Weight: 6-8 (2-4,1-10,1-6,1-4)

Well done with some hard-earned quality “keeper” bites on a tough day. I was along for the hike and couldn’t muster any to exceed Brent’s bites and give myself a Top 5 boost. Stay tuned for the report on our trip as I try and catch up on the April outings. Talk to you later. Troy