Category: Top 5

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

A late season flurry of fish in the Inbox includes some recent catches and some catching up. Glad to see some submissions either way for a strong finish. Or is there still more to come?

Weight: 4-3 (20.125”)
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: August 26
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: 3” Big Hammer Swimbait

Weight: 3-0 (17.0”)
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: September 17
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: Mepps (black fury)

Weight: 5-2 (21.5”)
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: September 17
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: Mepps (black fury)
Top 5 Weight: 23-12 (5-4,5-2,5-2,4-3,4-1) culls 4-0 and 3-10

 

Weight: Paul Kessler
Angler: 3-1
Date: October 12
Location: Emiquon Preserve
Lure: Strike King Mr. Crappie Slabalicious jig (hot chicken)
Angler Comments: I did catch six bass while jigging for crappie including the 3lb 1oz.
16-6 (4-3,3-4,3-2,3-1,2-12) culls 2-12

 

Weight: 6-8
Angler: Mark Balbinot
Date: October 29
Location: Fulton County Strip Mine Lake
Lure: Strike King 3/8 jig with a Reaction Innovations Twerk in Taco Truck
Water Temp: 57F
Structure: Laydown in about 15’ of water
Angler Comments: I was fishing the jig next to a laydown in about 15 feet and felt that light tick and the fight was on. Pretty cool seeing them come up out of deep water while reeling them in. After netting and weighing the fish at 6.52 lbs, I knew I could cull one of my top 5 for the year.

Weight: 7-4
Angler: Mark Balbinot
Date: October 29
Location: Fulton County Strip Mine Lake
Lure: Strike King 3/8 jig with a Reaction Innovations Twerk in Taco Truck
Water Temp: 57F
Structure: Laydown in about 15’ of water
Angler Comments: I continued down the bank throwing up next to another laydown, felt a tick and after setting the hook, my line broke. The fish felt heavy and I counted my blessing that it had not broken while fighting the previous fish. I retied the same setup and threw my next cast to that same laydown. After bringing it over a branch, I felt the light tick on the fall. I set the hook and the fight was on again. This was another good fish weighing in at 7.27 lbs. Another cull for the year. I checked to see if it had another jig in its mouth but it was not there.

Weight: 5-10
Angler: Mark Balbinot
Date: October 29
Location: Fulton County Strip Mine Lake
Lure: Strike King 3/8 jig with a Reaction Innovations Twerk in Taco Truck
Water Temp: 57F
Structure: Laydown in about 15’ of water
Angler Comments: I continued fishing the main lake laydowns in deeper water with a jig and managed to catch some small fish, a couple more 3 lb plus fish and another nice fish of 5.60 lbs. I didn’t realize that I almost beat that incredible day from this past December. The final weight for the top 5 of the day was at 26.99 lbs,
Top 5 Weight: 33-4 (7-4, 6-15, 6-8, 6-6, 6-3) culls 5-15 and 5-8

Bonus Species – Northern Pike

Length: 32.0”
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: August 13
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: Livebait

Length: 29.5”
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: August 26
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: Buzzbait

Length: 37.0”
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: September 3
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: Mepps Black Fury (black/yellow)

Length: 35.25”
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: September 3
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: Mepps Black Fury (black/yellow)

Length: 30.0”
Angler: Jake Bresson
Date: September 17
Location: Northern IL stream
Lure: Mepps Black Fury
Top 5 Length: 167.75” (37.0”,35.25”,33.5”,32.0”,30.0”)

Now that’s what I’m talking about, an outstanding batch of quality fish. Thanks to each of the guys for taking the time to pass them along, always appreciated. I likely just wrapped up my 2017 fishing year this past weekend with a handful of bass but nothing to boost my Top 5. If anybody manages to fool any more before we hit 2018 or if you have any belated entries, send them my way.

My final fishing report, a couple batches of Top 10 Trip Tunes, some trapping flashbacks and other ramblings hopefully headed your way as we close out 2017. Hope you’ll tune in and talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Stats

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Got a slew of fish that showed up the last several days in the Inbox, some from a few months ago along with some recent quality catches. But today I’m going to run with the regular monthly stat update and save the new additions for a little later. 71 total bass, a handful of “bonus” species and counting…

2017 Totals (* = new record)
*January = 1 bass (no previous entries)
*February = 13 bass (old record 7 in 2016)
March = 10 bass (record 13 in 2014)
April = 11 bass
May = 13 bass
June = 1 bass
July = 11 bass
August = 3 bass
September = 4 bass
October = 4 bass


4-3 Paul Kessler October 7

Top 5 Weight by Month (* = new record)
*January = 2-11 (2-11) no previous record
February = 21-5 (5-2,4-14,4-2,3-15,3-4) record 22-9 in 2016
March = 22-15 (6-2,4-11,4-9,4-3,3-6) record 28-0 in 2016
April = 25-0 (6-0,5-15,5-9,3-14,3-10)
May = 26-14 (6-15,5-8,5-4,5-2,4-1)
June = 6-3 (only submission)
July = 21-0 (5-0,4-12,4-7,3-8,3-5)
August = 14-6 (6-6,5-11,2-5) (only three submissions)
September = 7-14 (2-9,2-4,1-11,1-6)
October = 12-1 (4-3,3-2,2-12,2-0)

Boat vs. Bank
Boat = 61 bass
Bank = 10 bass

Boat vs. Bank Weight
Boat = 31-10 (6-15,6-6,6-3,6-2,6-0)
Bank = 20-2 (5-2,4-1,3-14,3-10,3-7)

Public vs. Private
Public = 38 bass
Private = 33 bass

Public vs. Private Top 5 Weight
Public = 27-3 (6-0,5-15,5-4,5-2,4-14)
Private = 31-5 (6-15,6-6,6-3,6-2,5-11)

The Baits (* = new record)
Crankbaits = 16 bass (Top Bass 6-0 Randy Sampson Sr.)
Jigs = 9 bass (Top Bass 6-2 Troy Jackson)
Spinnerbait = 9 bass (Top Bass 4-3 Paul Kessler)
Plastic Worm = 8 bass (Top Bass 5-11 Troy Jackson)
*Buzzbaits = 6 bass (Top Bass 5-9 Troy Jackson)
Old record 5-8 Terry Isbell 9/14/14
Jerkbait = 5 bass (Top Bass 5-4 Jake Bresson)
Swim Jigs = 5 bass (Top Bass 5-2 Jake Bresson)
*Creature Bait = 3 bass (Top Bass 6-15 Mark Balbinot)
Old record 6-1 Jeff Marshall 5/23/14
Lipless Crankbaits = 3 bass (Top Bass 4-3 Bruce Zilkowski)
Underspins = 2 bass (Top Bass 5-2 Mark Balbinot)
*Propbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 4-7 Troy Jackson)
No previous record
*Stickbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 6-6 Mark Balbinot)
Old Record 5-8 Randy Sampson Sr. 5/7/16
Swimbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 4-12 Randy Sampson Sr.)
Topwater Frog = 1 bass (Top Bass 6-3 Mark Balbinot)
Tube = 1 bass (Top Bass 4-1 Jake Bresson)


3-2 Paul Kessler October 7

Monthly Top Bass (* = new record)
January
*2-11 Mark Balbinot (no previous record)
February
5-2 Mark Balbinot
March
6-2 Troy Jackson
April
6-0 Randy Sampson Sr.
May
6-15 Mark Balbinot
June
6-3 Mark Balbinot
July
5-0 Troy Jackson
August
6-6 Mark Balbinot
September
2-9 Brent Jackson
October
4-3 Paul Kessler

Top 10 Bass (* = new Top 10 all-time)
*6-15 Mark Balbinot 5/13 (#7 all-time)
6-6 Mark Balbinot 8/27
6-3 Mark Balbinot 6/18
6-2 Troy Jackson 3/4
6-0 Randy Sampson Sr. 4/15
5-15 Mark Balbinot 4/14
5-11 Troy Jackson 8/21
5-9 Troy Jackson 4/25
5-8 Mark Balbinot 5/13
5-4 Jake Bresson Late May

Angler Weights
30-15 Mark Balbinot (6-15, 6-6, 6-3, 5-15, 5-8)
26-13 Troy Jackson (6-2,5-11,5-9,5-0,4-7)
23-11 Randy Sampson Sr. (6-0,4-14,4-12,4-11,3-6)
22-1 Jake Bresson (5-4,5-2,4-1,4-0,3-10)
18-0 Bruce Zilkowski (4-9,4-3,3-15,3-0,2-5)
16-1 Paul Kessler (4-3,3-4,3-2,2-12,2-12)
10-2 Brent Jackson (3-2,2-9,1-11,1-6,1-6)
5-6 Terry Jackson (3-5,1-3,0-14)

Bonus Species – Northern Pike
Total = 54.5” Jake Bresson (33.5”,21.0”) both on Tubes

Bonus Species – Green Sunfish
0-13 Jayce Jackson

Bonus Species – Muskie
Total = 131” Jake Bresson (47”,31”,29”24”) on Rapala X-Rap
Total = 29” Troy Jackson on Mann’s Baby 1- crankbait

Bonus Species – Walleye
Total = 118” Jake Bresson (26.5”,26.0”,25.5”,20”,20”) on Rapala X-Rap or jig & minnow

A late season burst of fish was a welcome surprise as things had been pretty slow for the last several months. Looking like it is about that time for me to put away my poles but hoping to get that November bass in the books. Keep me posted if you get out or have any belated catches to submit before we start up a 2018 version of this project. Top 5 Update coming soon. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Ample reason this week to not put those poles away just yet.

Weight: 4-3
Angler: Paul Kessler
Date: October 7
Location: Banner Marsh – Johnson Lake
Lure: Tandem spinnerbait (white) with silver/gold blade combo

Weight: 3-2
Angler: Paul Kessler
Date: October 7
Location: Banner Marsh – Johnson Lake
Lure: Tandem spinnerbait (white) with silver/gold blade combo

Weight: 2-12
Angler: Paul Kessler
Date: October 7
Location: Banner Marsh – Johnson Lake
Lure: Tandem spinnerbait (white) with silver/gold blade combo

Weight: 2-0
Angler: Paul Kessler
Date: October 7
Location: Banner Marsh – Johnson Lake
Lure: Tandem spinnerbait (white) with silver/gold blade combo
Angler Comments: Made it to Banner Marsh yesterday for about five hours. Was very windy and had to anchor my kayak in weed edges and throw into the wind to find them but did catch 10.  All were on a white spinnerbait with two spinners – one silver and one gold.
Top 5 Weight: 16-1 (4-3,3-4,3-2,2-12,2-12) culls 2-10,2-5,2-4

Outstanding day, Paul, nothing like a good, old white spinnerbait to get it done in the fall. Great to see some late season bass in the Inbox and hope to see a few more before 2017 runs out. Best of luck to all as we head into the home stretch. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Stats

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Still plugging away with a handful of September fish as well as a couple belated entries from earlier this year. All good, and hoping the well hasn’t quite run dry on 2017…

2017 Totals (* = new record)
*January = 1 bass (no previous entries)
*February = 13 bass (old record 7 in 2016)
March = 10 bass (record 13 in 2014)
April = 11 bass
May = 13 bass
June = 1 bass
July = 11 bass
August = 3 bass
September = 4 bass


Brent Jackson 1-11 September 17

Top 5 Weight by Month (* = new record)
*January = 2-11 (2-11) no previous record
February = 21-5 (5-2,4-14,4-2,3-15,3-4) record 22-9 in 2016
March = 22-15 (6-2,4-11,4-9,4-3,3-6) record 28-0 in 2016
April = 25-0 (6-0,5-15,5-9,3-14,3-10)
May = 26-14 (6-15,5-8,5-4,5-2,4-1)
June = 6-3 (only submission)
July = 21-0 (5-0,4-12,4-7,3-8,3-5)
August = 14-6 (6-6,5-11,2-5) (only three submissions)
September = 7-14 (2-9,2-4,1-11,1-6)


Paul Kessler 2-4 September 17

Boat vs. Bank
Boat = 57 bass
Bank = 10 bass

Boat vs. Bank Weight
Boat = 31-10 (6-15,6-6,6-3,6-2,6-0)
Bank = 20-2 (5-2,4-1,3-14,3-10,3-7)

Public vs. Private
Public = 34 bass
Private = 33 bass

Public vs. Private Top 5 Weight
Public = 27-3 (6-0,5-15,5-4,5-2,4-14)
Private = 31-5 (6-15,6-6,6-3,6-2,5-11)


Brent Jackson 2-9 September 17

The Baits (* = new record)
Crankbaits = 16 bass (Top Bass 6-0 Randy Sampson Sr.)
Jigs = 9 bass (Top Bass 6-2 Troy Jackson)
Plastic Worm = 8 bass (Top Bass 5-11 Troy Jackson)
*Buzzbaits = 6 bass (Top Bass 5-9 Troy Jackson)
Old record 5-8 Terry Isbell 9/14/14
Jerkbait = 5 bass (Top Bass 5-4 Jake Bresson)
Spinnerbait = 5 bass (Top Bass 2-12 Paul Kessler)
Swim Jigs = 5 bass (Top Bass 5-2 Jake Bresson)
*Creature Bait = 3 bass (Top Bass 6-15 Mark Balbinot)
Old record 6-1 Jeff Marshall 5/23/14
Lipless Crankbaits = 3 bass (Top Bass 4-3 Bruce Zilkowski)
Underspins = 2 bass (Top Bass 5-2 Mark Balbinot)
*Propbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 4-7 Troy Jackson)
No previous record
*Stickbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 6-6 Mark Balbinot)
Old Record 5-8 Randy Sampson Sr. 5/7/16
Swimbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 4-12 Randy Sampson Sr.)
Topwater Frog = 1 bass (Top Bass 6-3 Mark Balbinot)
Tube = 1 bass (Top Bass 4-1 Jake Bresson)

Monthly Top Bass (* = new record)
January
*2-11 Mark Balbinot (no previous record)
February
5-2 Mark Balbinot
March
6-2 Troy Jackson
April
6-0 Randy Sampson Sr.
May
6-15 Mark Balbinot
June
6-3 Mark Balbinot
July
5-0 Troy Jackson
August
6-6 Mark Balbinot
September
2-9 Brent Jackson


Mark Balbinot 6-6 June 18

Top 10 Bass (* = new Top 10 all-time)
*6-15 Mark Balbinot 5/13 (#7 all-time)
6-6 Mark Balbinot 8/27
6-3 Mark Balbinot 6/18
6-2 Troy Jackson 3/4
6-0 Randy Sampson Sr. 4/15
5-15 Mark Balbinot 4/14
5-11 Troy Jackson 8/21
5-9 Troy Jackson 4/25
5-8 Mark Balbinot 5/13
5-4 Jake Bresson Late May


Mark Balbinot 6-3 August 27

Angler Weights
30-15 Mark Balbinot (6-15, 6-6, 6-3, 5-15, 5-8)
26-13 Troy Jackson (6-2,5-11,5-9,5-0,4-7)
23-11 Randy Sampson Sr. (6-0,4-14,4-12,4-11,3-6)
22-1 Jake Bresson (5-4,5-2,4-1,4-0,3-10)
18-0 Bruce Zilkowski (4-9,4-3,3-15,3-0,2-5)
13-3 Paul Kessler (3-4,2-12,2-10,2-5,2-4)
10-2 Brent Jackson (3-2,2-9,1-11,1-6,1-6)
5-6 Terry Jackson (3-5,1-3,0-14)

Bonus Species – Northern Pike
Total = 54.5” Jake Bresson (33.5”,21.0”) both on Tubes

Bonus Species – Green Sunfish
0-13 Jayce Jackson


Troy Jackson 29″ September 17

Bonus Species – Muskie
Total = 131” Jake Bresson (47”,31”,29”24”) on Rapala X-Rap
Total = 29” Troy Jackson on Mann’s Baby 1- crankbait

Bonus Species – Walleye
Total = 118” Jake Bresson (26.5”,26.0”,25.5”,20”,20”) on Rapala X-Rap or jig & minnow

Don’t know about anyone else but my days on the water for 2017 are dwindling. My goal, as always, is to put a November bass in the boat before putting the poles away until next year. That typically puts me at six weeks or so let to cast depending on family commitments and weather. Hope some others can get out there as well amidst other fall outdoor pursuits. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

A welcome influx of fish as we head into fall as it’s been a pretty lean summer for the Top 5.

Weight: 2-4
Angler: Paul Kessler
Date: September 17
Location: Johnson Lake-Banner Marsh
Lure: Buzzbait (black) with Flappin’ Hog II trailer (June bug)
Angler Comments:
Top 5 Weight: 13-3 (3-4,2-12,2-10,2-5,2-4)

Weight: 2-9
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: September 17
Location: Lake Storey
Lure: Emiquon Special spinnerbait
Structure: Log
Co-Angler Comments (actually mine): First cast after changing from a white spinnerbait resulted in the Top Bass for the day.

Weight: 1-11
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: September 17
Location: Lake Storey
Lure: Emiquon Special spinnerbait
Structure: Log
Co-Angler Comments (actually mine): Second cast after changing from a white spinnerbait resulted in the runner-up Top Bass for the day, pretty cool immediate results.

Weight: 1-6
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: September 17
Location: Lake Storey
Lure: Mann’s Baby 1- crankbait (red/yellow)
Structure: Point
Co-Angler Comments (actually mine): Flurry of activity on this shallow crankbait along a historically productive stretch adds to the creel.
Top 5 Weight: 10-2 (3-2,2-9,1-11,1-6,1-6) culls 1-5,1-5,1-2

Bonus Species – Muskie

Length: 29”
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: September 17
Location: Lake Storey
Lure: Mann’s Baby 1- crankbait
Structure: Flat
Angler Comments: A bass fishing “accident” hits at the boat prompting me to hit the button on my baitcaster and free spool to let the fish run, pretty exciting stuff.

Don’t put those poles away quite yet, plenty of good fishing left as we head into some more fall like temperatures in the coming day. Send ‘em when you catch ‘em. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

A pair of belated entries push our Top 5 leader over the 30-pound mark for the second consecutive year. Hey, if you’ve wavered on submitting any fish, don’t sweat it as it’s not too late for some earlier 2017 catches.

Weight: 6-3
Angler: Mark Balbinot
Date: June 18
Location: Fulton Co. IL strip mine lake
Lure: Spro Frog (white)
Water Temp: 80F
Structure: Open water about 15’ of water
Angler Comments: I realized that I had forgotten to send a catch from a Father’s Day trip with my daughter this past June. We have fished together the past few years on this day.

Weight: 6-6
Angler: Mark Balbinot
Date: August 27
Location: Fulton Co. IL strip mine lake
Lure: Strike King Sexy Dawg (white)
Water Temp: 78F
Structure: Tree top in about 20’ of water
Angler Comments: Went out early with blue skies and fished over 7 hours. Caught a lot of small ones to start and then a cold front approached that afternoon and the skies clouded up. Water was like glass, air was still and not even a bird was chirping. I knew a storm was getting close and the topwater bite turned on.
Top 5 Weight: 30-15 (6-15, 6-6, 6-3, 5-15, 5-8) culls 5-2 and 4-2

And check out Mark’s video from the August 27 outing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTq2v2Fo-rg

Way to go, Mark, two for two on meeting and beating a 30-pound limit to go along with a 32-13 bag from last year which tied the all-time Top 5 record. Still some time to go with the bass looking to strap on the fall feedbag here at some point once the weather heads towards fall conditions. So, don’t put those poles away quite yet, folks, as you’ll miss out on some good fishing. Got a few more fish for next week already that came in after I’d scheduled today’s post as well as a couple reports from my latest outings and a few other associated bits to pass along. Good luck, stop back by throughout the week and talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Stats

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Only two bass joined our project during the month of August, bringing our 2017 total submissions to 61 bass. August is historically the leanest open water month, posting only seven entries over the first three years of the Top 5 (1-3-1 from 2014 through 2016). Late season is always tough as we head towards Fall as participants have typically established a solid creel or begin to put the gear away in favor of other pursuits. Time will tell for our stretch run but here are the latest stats.

2017 Totals (* = new record)
*January = 1 bass (no previous entries)
*February = 13 bass (old record 7 in 2016)
March = 10 bass (record 13 in 2014)
April = 11 bass
May = 13 bass
June = 0 bass
July = 11 bass
August = 2 bass

Top 5 Weight by Month (* = new record)
*January = 2-11 (2-11) no previous record
February = 21-5 (5-2,4-14,4-2,3-15,3-4) record 22-9 in 2016
March = 22-15 (6-2,4-11,4-9,4-3,3-6) record 28-0 in 2016
April = 25-0 (6-0,5-15,5-9,3-14,3-10)
May = 26-14 (6-15,5-8,5-4,5-2,4-1)
June = no submissions
July = 21-0 (5-0,4-12,4-7,3-8,3-5)
August = 8-0 (5-11,2-5) (only two submissions)


August 5 Paul Kessler 2-5 Creature bait

Boat vs. Bank
Boat = 51 bass
Bank = 10 bass

Boat vs. Bank Weight
Boat = 30-11 (6-15,6-2,6-0,5-15,5-11)
Bank = 20-2 (5-2,4-1,3-14,3-10,3-7)

Public vs. Private
Public = 30 bass
Private = 31 bass

Public vs. Private Top 5 Weight
Public = 27-3 (6-0,5-15,5-4,5-2,4-14)
Private = 29-13 (6-15,6-2,5-11,5-9,5-8)

The Baits (* = new record)
Crankbaits = 15 bass (Top Bass 6-0 Randy Sampson Sr.)
Jigs = 9 bass (Top Bass 6-2 Troy Jackson)
Plastic Worm = 8 bass (Top Bass 5-11 Troy Jackson)
Jerkbait = 5 bass (Top Bass 5-4 Jake Bresson)
Swim Jigs = 5 bass (Top Bass 5-2 Jake Bresson)
*Buzzbaits = 5 bass (Top Bass 5-9 Troy Jackson)
Old record 5-8 Terry Isbell 9/14/14
*Creature Bait = 3 bass (Top Bass 6-15 Mark Balbinot)
Old record 6-1 Jeff Marshall 5/23/14
Lipless Crankbaits = 3 bass (Top Bass 4-3 Bruce Zilkowski)
Spinnerbait = 3 bass (Top Bass 2-12 Paul Kessler)
Underspins = 2 bass (Top Bass 5-2 Mark Balbinot)
*Propbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 4-7 Troy Jackson)
No previous record
Swimbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 4-12 Randy Sampson Sr.)
Tube = 1 bass (Top Bass 4-1 Jake Bresson)

Monthly Top Bass (* = new record)
January
*2-11 Mark Balbinot (no previous record)
February
5-2 Mark Balbinot
March
6-2 Troy Jackson
April
6-0 Randy Sampson Sr.
May
6-15 Mark Balbinot
June
No submissions
July
5-0 Troy Jackson
August
5-11 Troy Jackson


August 21 Troy Jackson 5-11 Senko wacky rig

Top 10 Bass (* = new Top 10 all-time)
*6-15 Mark Balbinot 5/13 (#7 all-time)
6-2 Troy Jackson 3/4
6-0 Randy Sampson Sr. 4/15
5-15 Mark Balbinot 4/14
5-11 Troy Jackson 8/21
5-9 Troy Jackson 4/25
5-8 Mark Balbinot 5/13
5-4 Jake Bresson Late May
5-2 Mark Balbinot 2/26
5-2 Jake Bresson 5/20

Angler Weights
27-10 Mark Balbinot (6-15,5-15,5-8,5-2,4-2)
26-13 Troy Jackson (6-2,5-11,5-9,5-0,4-7)
23-11 Randy Sampson Sr. (6-0,4-14,4-12,4-11,3-6)
22-1 Jake Bresson (5-4,5-2,4-1,4-0,3-10)
18-0 Bruce Zilkowski (4-9,4-3,3-15,3-0,2-5)
10-15 Paul Kessler (3-4,2-12,2-10,2-5)
8-4 Brent Jackson (3-2,1-6,1-5,1-5,1-2)
5-6 Terry Jackson (3-5,1-3,0-14)

Bonus Species – Northern Pike
Total = 54.5” Jake Bresson (33.5”,21.0”) both on Tubes

Bonus Species – Green Sunfish
0-13 Jayce Jackson

Bonus Species – Muskie
Total = 131” Jake Bresson (47”,31”,29”24”) on Rapala X-Rap

Bonus Species – Walleye
Total = 118” Jake Bresson (26.5”,26.0”,25.5”,20”,20”) on Rapala X-Rap or jig & minnow

Personally, these next couple months are my favorite time of the year to fish so here’s hoping that you keep on casting in the quest for a late season trophy that lets its guard down. I gave it a shot yesterday and posted a solid limit but just couldn’t find that exceptional bite to boost my total. Report and some associated thoughts coming your way next week. Hope you’ll tune in and keep on casting for a few more Top 5 additions before we call it a year. Best of luck and talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

August can be a tough time to cull for various reasons. The dog days can do a number on both angler and bass, back to school (at least in my world) can move fishing down the priority list and if you are already having a good year of fishing, it can just plain be a tall order to replace one in your creel. All of the above applied when assessing my odds for a bump in weight but I still managed to get one that added over two pounds to my 2017 Top 5.

Weight: 5-11
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: August 21
Location: Knox County Strip Mine
Lure: 5″ Yamamoto Senko wacky rig (pumpkin with black flake)
Structure: Overhanging bushes
Angler Comments: My first Eclipse Day bass was a winner and just in time as I only got one more in an hour of casting before the weather got real ugly and sent me packing.
Top 5 Weight: 26-13 (6-2,5-11,5-9,5-0,4-7) culls 3-8

My good fortune continues to push me farther into uncharted territory as my previous best Top 5 on record was 22-12 back in 2015. Since kicking off this project in 2014 I have somehow managed at least a 20-pound limit each year along with setting a new personal best each successive year. This one may be tough to top so here’s to finding a few more before 2017 is all said and done to really give me something to shoot for in the future. Hope anyone out there gets some time on the water as we head into another shot at the fall feeding frenzy and send them my way when you fool them. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Good news and bad news for this week’s update.

Good news first, we have an August bass. Our first of 2017 and only the sixth entry for August over the history of the Top 5 dating back to 2014.

Bad news is, we have an August bass, as in one lone fish for the month. Still over half a month to boost that total so what do you say we give it a go? Now, on to an example of how to get it done.

Weight: 2-5
Angler: Paul Kessler
Date: August 5
Location: Emiquon Preserve
Lure: Bass Pro Crack Craw (Blue Flex)
Top 5 Weight: 10-15 (3-4,2-12,2-10,2-5)

Well done, Paul, and thanks for continuing to plug away and fool one during the dog days. Here’s the challenge to anyone who wishes to play along, let’s shoot for at least five more August bass to break our 2014-2016 running total of five bass on our way to a strong finish in the remaining months of our 2017 quest. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Stats

Posted on by Troy Jackson


July 8 Terry Jackson (aka Dad) 3-8 Senko

Another month, another update as July proved to be a comeback sort of month after a disappointing June where no new entries showed up in the Inbox (or on the end of my line).

2017 Totals (* = new record)
*January = 1 bass (no previous entries)
*February = 13 bass (old record 7 in 2016)
March = 10 bass
April = 11 bass
May = 13 bass
June = 0 bass
July = 11 bass


July 8 Troy Jackson 5-0 Buzzbait

Top 5 Weight by Month (* = new record)
*January = 2-11 (2-11) no previous record
February = 21-5 (5-2,4-14,4-2,3-15,3-4)
March = 22-15 (6-2,4-11,4-9,4-3,3-6)
April = 25-0 (6-0,5-15,5-9,3-14,3-10)
May = 26-14 (6-15,5-8,5-4,5-2,4-1)
June = no submissions
July = 21-0 (5-0,4-12,4-7,3-8,3-5)


July 15 Brent Jackson 1-5 Buzzbait

Boat vs. Bank
Boat = 49 bass
Bank = 10 bass

Boat vs. Bank Weight
Boat = 30-9 (6-15,6-2,6-0,5-15,5-9)
Bank = 20-2 (5-2,4-1,3-14,3-10,3-7)


July 15 Brent Jackson 1-6 Senko

Public vs. Private
Public = 29 bass
Private = 30 bass

Public vs. Private Top 5 Weight
Public = 27-3 (6-0,5-15,5-4,5-2,4-14)
Private = 29-4 (6-15,6-2,5-9,5-8,5-2)


July 16 4-12 Randy Sampson Sr. Fluke

The Baits (* = new record)
Crankbaits = 15 bass (Top Bass 6-0 Randy Sampson Sr.)
Jigs = 9 bass (Top Bass 6-2 Troy Jackson)
Plastic Worm = 7 bass (Tie-Top Bass 3-5 Troy Jackson, Terry Jackson)
Jerkbait = 5 bass (Top Bass 5-4 Jake Bresson)
Swim Jigs = 5 bass (Top Bass 5-2 Jake Bresson)
*Buzzbaits = 5 bass (Top Bass 5-9 Troy Jackson)
Old record 5-8 Terry Isbell 9/14/14
Lipless Crankbaits = 3 bass (Top Bass 4-3 Bruce Zilkowski)
Spinnerbait = 3 bass (Top Bass 2-12 Paul Kessler)
Underspins = 2 bass (Top Bass 5-2 Mark Balbinot)
*Creature Bait = 2 bass (Top Bass 6-15 Mark Balbinot)
Old record 6-1 Jeff Marshall 5/23/14
*Propbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 4-7 Troy Jackson)
No previous record
Swimbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 4-12 Randy Sampson Sr.)
Tube = 1 bass (Top Bass 4-1 Jake Bresson)

Monthly Top Bass (* = new record)
January
*2-11 Mark Balbinot (no previous record)
February
5-2 Mark Balbinot
March
6-2 Troy Jackson
April
6-0 Randy Sampson Sr.
May
6-15 Mark Balbinot
June
No submissions
July
5-0 Troy Jackson


July 17 Troy Jackson 4-7 Whopper Plopper

Top 10 Bass (* = new Top 10 all-time)
*6-15  Mark Balbinot 5/13 (#7 all-time)
6-2   Troy Jackson 3/4
6-0   Randy Sampson Sr. 4/15
5-15 Mark Balbinot 4/14
5-9   Troy Jackson 4/25
5-8   Mark Balbinot 5/13
5-4   Jake Bresson Late May
5-2   Mark Balbinot 2/26
5-2   Jake Bresson 5/20
5-0   Troy Jackson 7/8

Angler Weights
27-10   Mark Balbinot (6-15,5-15,5-8,5-2,4-2)
24-10    Troy Jackson (6-2,5-9,5-0,4-7,3-8)
23-11   Randy Sampson Sr. (6-0,4-14,4-12,4-11,3-6)
22-1    Jake Bresson (5-4,5-2,4-1,4-0,3-10)
18-0    Bruce Zilkowski (4-9,4-3,3-15,3-0,2-5)
8-10    Paul Kessler (3-4,2-12,2-10)
8-4 Brent Jackson (3-2,1-6,1-5,1-5,1-2)
5-6 Terry Jackson (3-5,1-3,0-14)


July 23 Troy Jackson 3-8 Buzzbait

Bonus Species – Northern Pike
Total = 54.5” Jake Bresson (33.5”,21.0”) both on Tubes

Bonus Species – Green Sunfish
0-13 Jayce Jackson

Bonus Species – Muskie
Total = 131” Jake Bresson (47”,31”,29”24”) on Rapala X-Rap
 
Bonus Species – Walleye
Total = 118” Jake Bresson (26.5”,26.0”,25.5”,20”,20”) on Rapala X-Rap or jig & minnow
 
August is usually a rough one for the Top 5 with only 5 entries in the first three years.  Of course, if you’ve racked up a decent batch of fish already, it’s not quite as easy to beef up your haul.  But the fish don’t go on vacation, just got to find ‘em and fool ‘em as usual.  Best of luck to anyone out there giving it a shot, send ‘em this way if you get ‘em.  Talk to you later.  Troy