Category: Top 5

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Welcome back to Top 5 veteran angler, John Kirkemo, as he adds his first submissions of 2023. He and a young fishing partner took on Snakeden Hollow’s McMaster Lake last week on a balmy evening and had a good outing.

Weight: 1-15
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: May 31
Weather: Partly cloudy with air temperatures in the 90s
Water Temp: 79-83F
Location: McMaster Lake
Lure: Wacky worm

Weight: 0-14
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: May 31
Weather: Partly cloudy with air temperatures in the 90s
Water Temp: 79-83F
Location: McMaster Lake
Lure: Wacky worm
Angler Comments: Fished from 4:15pm to 7:45pm. Most fish were caught before 6:00pm while the sun was still high. Not much action after 7:00pm. Only one other power boat on the lake and only a few shore fishermen.
Top 5 Weight: 2-13 (1-15,0-14)

Well done, John, as that crystal clear lake can be a challenge, especially on a sunny, summer-like afternoon. Great to hear a report from that unique fishing hole. More fishing stats and notes in the works. Stay tuned and talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

While some of us older guys put in a fair amount of time on the water this past week and caught some decent fish, we couldn’t fool anything to boost our weights. Fortunately, a couple more youthful anglers reeled in some quality bass to provide an update this week. My niece is a newcomer to the Top 5 while the other angler has posted a batch of bass in the past. Read on for the scoop on our latest submissions.

Weight: 5-6
Angler: Natalee Townsend
Date: May 26
Location: Lake Okeechobee Canals – Florida
Lure: Lipless Crankbait

Weight: 2-3
Angler: Natalee Townsend
Date: May 26
Location: Lake Okeechobee Canals – Florida
Lure: Lipless Crankbait
Top 5 Weight: 7-9 (5-6,2-3)

Weight: 3-8
Angler: Landon Hannam
Date: May 27
Location: Lake Storey
Lure: Wacky worm
Top 5 Weight: 3-8 (3-8)

Welcome aboard to Natalee whose heaviest bass represents our second largest bass of 2023 and biggest on a lipless crankbait. And great to have Landon back on board again. Rumor has it that he may have another outing in the works later this week. Good luck to all as the local bass should be finishing up the spawn and a bit more eager to bite. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Back with a solid update and a funky musical shout out as last week’s catches were a “Family Affair” (Sly and The Family Stone – 1971). While not quite The Jackson 5, three of our Jacksons had some “Hot Fun in the Summertime” (Sly and The Family Stone – 1969). Okay, kind of a stretch as we still have a month to go until summer but a cool tune to work into the update theme. Anyway, I don’t know if Sylvester Stewart is an angler, but as “Sly” from Sly and the Family Stone, his music continues to entertain many listeners. And here are the Family Jackson submissions for Monday’s regularly scheduled entertainment.

Weight: 2-11
Angler: Terry Jackson
Date: May 16
Location: Little John Conservation Club
Lure: Senko wacky rig
Editor’s Comments: Dad’s catch came during an outing where he and Mom took some grandkids out for an evening of fishing. A good time was reported by all and Dad posted Top Bass on a favorite presentation, the Senko wacky rig. He’s got a few of the kids slinging the lure as well because it is a winner.
Top 5 Weight: 2-11 (2-11)

Weight: 2-13
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: May 20
Weather: Sunny/windy
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: Mann’s Chug and Spit popper

Weight: 2-15
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: May 20
Weather: Sunny/windy
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: Senko wacky rig
Top 5 Weight: 14-14 (3-8,2-15,2-13,2-13,2-13) culls 2-12 and 2-11

Weight: 3-4
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: May 20
Weather: Sunny/windy
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: 5” Yamasenko wacky rig (perch)
Structure: Pocket
Angler Comments: My brother and I were working an isolated, oval pocket off the main body of the lake. He took one side and I took the other. A decent fish had come loose on my Senko a few minutes earlier but he either came back for a second chance or had a buddy in the neighborhood.  

Weight: 3-9
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: May 20
Weather: Sunny/windy
Location: Little John Conservation Club
Lure: 5” Yamasenko wacky rig (perch)
Structure: Pocket
Angler Comments: Once again a pocket off the main lake comes through. Brent and I had come up empty on multiple casts to the small area but perseverance paid off as we suspected that there was a bass or two around. Turned out we were right as Brent also landed a 1-1 just a few minutes later. It’s always cool when experience and a gut feeling pay off. 
Top 5 Weight:20-15 (5-3,4-10,4-2,3-9,3-7) culls a 3-1

A quality haul by three guys who won’t show up on the pro bass fishing trail stats. Just a trio of “Everyday People” (Sly and The Family Stone – 1968) like most of us who chase those green fish. To conclude, I want to “Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin” (Sly and The Family Stone – 1969) and putting up with another of my musical tangents in a fishing report. I am also hoping to stray down that path again before the end of the month with a Trip Tunes post. In the meantime, here’s hoping you can get outside for a bit of fresh air, perhaps reel in a fish or two, and turn on the radio to “Dance to the Music” (Sly and The Family Stone – 1967) along the way. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Brent saves the day with a solid catch to keep the Top 5 Update streak alive at seven straight weeks with a submission.

Weight: 2-11
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: May 13
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: Buzzbait
Top 5 Weight: 14-9 (3-8,2-13,2-13,2-12,2-11) culls 2-4

Brent’s overall report noted just under four hours on some public strip mine waters with an impressive haul of twenty-one bass. Every one of his bass were landed on topwater presentations, either a buzzbait or a popper/chugger. This fact prompted Brent to note in his text, “This might be the first trip in a long time with no Senko or spinnerbait bass.” Ten of his fish were “keepers” (12” or better), three hit the two-pound mark (2-11,2-1,2-0) and his Top 5 on the day weighed 9-2.

Now that’s a solid morning of catching and always entertaining when the topwater bite kicks into gear. Here’s to more of the same as we head towards Memorial Day and beyond. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Well, it was quite a week for the trio of anglers that make up this year’s Top 5 project. Bass were added on five of the seven days during the week to the tune of over thirty-five pounds combined for the nine entries. Along the way, Jim and Brent landed their new Top Bass for the year and I came up just a bit short on mine. Read on for the details.

Weight: 5-9
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: May 2
Weather: Besides the wind, the weather was very reasonable with a wind breaker.
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait
Structure: Weedy flat
Angler Comments: Weather might not have been bad, but the bite was tough. In 2.5 hours of fishing, I only managed one, but it was an impressive one. This 5-9 beauty came on a chatterbait. Pulling over weeds on a flat adjacent to a windblown cove.

Weight: 4-14
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: May 5
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait
Structure: Weed tops

Weight: 4-4
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: May 5
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Dark Sleeper
Structure: Weed tops
Angler Comments: I went after work for a couple of hours and managed four bass. Two dinks and two that were photo worthy. Weeds are growing quickly but was still able to pull a chatterbait and Dark Sleeper over the weeds and the snot moss.
Top 5 Weight: 25-9 (5-9,5-5,5-1,4-14,4-12) culls 4-8 and 4-5

Weight: 4-10 (21″)
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: May 6
Weather: Overcast/very windy
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: Whopper Plopper 110 (bone)
Structure: Windblown ledge/dropoff
Angler Comments: A strong south wind was a direct hit on a narrow finger of this lake. I was hoping it would get some bass fired up and I was not disappointed. I initially thought this one was going to beat my current Top Bass of 2023 (5-3) but not quite. An entire upcoming post dedicated to this specific scenario and catch is in the works so stay tuned.

Weight: 4-2 (20.5″)
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: May 6
Weather: Overcast/very windy
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: Whopper Plopper 110 (bone)
Structure: Flooded trees
Angler Comments: Roughly ten minutes after arriving at an unfamiliar lake, I had this four-pounder in hand. I really had no idea what to expect from the lake other than I had observed a bass during a brief peek while walking the bank prior to putting in the boat. More quality bass followed as noted below.

Weight: 3-7 (18.5″)
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: May 6
Weather: Overcast/very windy
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: War Eagle spinnerbait (chartreuse/white) with twin tail trailer (Houdini)
Structure: Point/dropoff
Angler Comments: I let the wind push me up against the bank in a pocket with decent depth as I was tired of fighting for boat control. The natural anchor provided for fan casting, and I had already thoroughly worked the area with a Whopper Plopper without a bite. However, the area looked like it should hold a fish and a change of presentation proved me right. Cool when it works out like that.

Weight: 3-1 (17.5″)
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: May 6
Weather: Overcast/very windy
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: Whopper Plopper 110 (bone)
Structure: Flooded trees
Angler Comments: In less than an hour, I had landed a 4-2, 2-11, and 2-8 on new water and was feeling quite fortunate about my stroke of luck. Next up was this 3-1 on a Whopper Plopper and I just had to laugh. I’ve been fishing for a long time and kind of know what I am doing but stretches like this still don’t come along every day. And with that stroke of luck, I am back in the 20-pound club after missing the mark the last year.
Top 5 Weight: 20-7 (5-3,4-10,4-2,3-7,3-1) culls 3-0,2-14, and 2-7

Weight: 1-10
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: May 4
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: Senko wacky rig
Angler Comments: Looks like forty-seven total bass on the day, but the good one got away.

Weight: 3-8
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: May 7
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: Buzzbait
Angler Comments: The buzzbait is the bait today. Nine bass this morning, one on Chug-N-Spit and eight on buzzbait. Seven of the eight were between 1-6 and 2-1, the other was 3-8.
Top 5 Weight: 14-2 (3-8,2-13,2-13,2-12,2-4) culls 2-3

Jim added a picture with his 4-4 catch from May 5 noting the bloody tail indicative of a bass engaging in the spawn. Another of his submissions, a 5-5 from April 23 exhibited the same affliction. Cool observation of both physical characteristics as well as behavioral factors that influence bass location and mood over the calendar year. Kudos to Jim for releasing those quality bass to continue their contribution to the gene pool of an impressive fishery.

And with that I conclude another Top 5 Update and set my sights on the latest strip mine report and other fishing related stuff. Talk to you later. Troy

Top Bass #1000

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Congratulations to our Top 5 leader, Jim Junk, as he was the fortunate angler to reel in Bass #1000 all-time for the Top 5 project. And it was quite a fish as noted by the pic and details below.

Weight: 4-12
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 9
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait
Angler Comments: Wish I had a great story for #1,000 but it was really a typical, or above average, early spring day at Banner. Fast moving baits over emerging weeds. Ended up with a few that day, but glad the biggest one made #1,000!

It’s fitting that Jim wound up with the milestone bass as he has been the most prolific contributor over the years. Jim took part in the initial Top 5 back in 2014 and has submitted fish every year except for 2017. In that span he has racked up a whopping 215 bass added to our database and is our two-time defending champion.

This whole thing started back in March of 2014 while I was blogging for the Heartland Outdoors website. I invited readers of my “Meandering” column to share their catches in the format that remains to this day. I left Heartland Outdoors to start my own website in 2017 and the Top 5 project has continued to this day unlike that old website.

The concept was inspired by a fellow angler that I met through my blogging, corresponded with for a few years, and shared a boat with a couple times. I’d long kept stats and even tracked my best bass of each year but never thought of tracking the Top 5 from year to year. Thanks, Terry, for the inspiration.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a trivia (and baseball) guy. So, how about a tangent for another milestone that occurred forty-eight years ago today.

Do you know which of these players scored run #1,000,000 in baseball history? (Note: my card collection lacks a 1975 Topps Bob Watson so I picked my favorite poses of both players instead, Concepcion – 1974 Topps with Wrigley Field backdrop, Watson – 1977 Topps)

As we headed towards Bass #1000, I couldn’t help but think of the 1975 Major League Baseball quest to see what player would score MLB run number one million. I won’t fill up space here with the tale, but it is a cool event from the days before the internet provided instant feedback on game status. However, I will leave you with a few details and a link. Run number one million came down to a footrace between the two players above as they simultaneously headed for home in separate cities. And it occurred on May 4, 1975, hence my decision to reveal our Top 5 milestone on May 4, forty-eight years later. Check out the link below to see which of these two guys crossed the plate first.

MLB Run #1,000,000

And speaking of trivia, here is the answer to who submitted Bass #1 for the Top 5.

From the original March 24, 2014 Top 5 Update
Weight: 4-3
Angler: Bruce Zilkowski
Date: 2/19
Location: Newton Lake
Lure: Strike King Red Eye Shad (sexy shad)
Structure: Shallow point
Angler Comments: “First thing in the morning we pulled up on a shallow underwater point that extended out from the shoreline. I think it was less than 5 casts before it hooked up.”

It’s been a fun ten-year ride for the Top 5 and the hits keep coming. As I typed this post up, I received a text and pic of the new 2023 Top 5 Top Bass. But you’ll have to wait until the Monday update for that to be revealed. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Stats

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Behind schedule on my monthly Top 5 Stat Updates as I failed to post any of the numbers for February or March. So here we go to catch up on the data for the forty-one bass submitted through April.

2023 Totals
January = no submissions
February = 2 bass
March = 7 bass
April = 32 bass

Top 5 Weight by Month
January = no submissions
February = 6-10 (3-9,3-1)
March = 19-8 (5-1,4-5,4-4,3-5,2-9)
April = 24-0 (5-5,5-3,4-12,4-8,4-4)

Boat vs. Bank
Boat = 6 bass
Bank = 35 bass

Boat vs. Bank Weight
Boat = 12-3 (2-14,2-13,2-4,2-3,2-1)
Bank = 24-13 (5-5,5-3,5-1,4-12,4-8)

Public vs. Private
Public = 41 bass
Private = 0 bass

Public vs. Private Top 5 Weight
Public = 24-13 (5-5,5-3,5-1,4-12,4-8)
Private = no submissions

The Baits
Lipless Crankbait = 22 bass (Top Bass 5-1 Jim Junk)
Chatterbait = 5 bass (Top Bass 5-5 Jim Junk)
Grub = 5 bass (Top Bass 5-3 Troy Jackson)
Jerkbait = 3 bass (Top Bass 2-13 Brent Jackson)
Spinnerbait = 3 bass (Top Bass 2-14 Troy Jackson)
Jig = 1 bass (Top Bass 2-13 Brent Jackson)
Plastic Worm = 1 bass (Top Bass 2-4 Brent Jackson)
Swimbait = 1 bass (Top Bass 2-0 Jim Junk)

Monthly Top Bass
January
No submissions
February
3-9 Jim Junk
March
5-1 Jim Junk
April
5-5 Jim Junk

2023 Top 10 Bass
5-5 Jim Junk 4/23
5-3 Troy Jackson 4/7
5-1 Jim Junk 3/5
4-12 Jim Junk 4/9
4-8 Jim Junk 4/1
4-5 Jim Junk 3/11
4-4 Jim Junk 3/26
4-4 Jim Junk 4/9
4-0 Jim Junk 4/2
3-13 Jim Junk 4/23

Angler Weights
Jim Junk 23-15 (5-5,5-1,4-12,4-8,4-5)
Troy Jackson 16-9 (5-3,3-1,3-0,2-14,2-7)
Brent Jackson 12-13 (2-13,2-13,2-12,2-4,2-3)

More than a few years of fishing for our current Top 5 crew but hoping as the spring rolls on to get some younger anglers on the list including a lady or two or three. Stay tuned and if anyone out there wishes to join up just send your pics, catch details or any questions my way at troy@troyjacksonoutdoors.com. Just note that a picture is required along with a weight. Bass minimum length is twelve inches and other species can be submitted as well.

And it looks like this is going to be a Top 5 sort of week here on the blog. Stay tuned for the reveal of Top 5 Bass #1000. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

While the Hennepin Canal has had a solid Top 5 showing the last two years, this year the bass have been stubborn for our resident Canal angler. But knowing that some quality bass call it home means you keep on casting. This week it paid off.

Weight: 2-14
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: April 26
Weather: Sunny/breezy, 57F
Location: Hennepin Canal
Lure: War Eagle Spinnerbait (chartreuse/white) with double tail trailer
Structure: Logs
Angler Comments: This year’s up and down weather was on a down trend but having an afternoon off work prompted me to spend a couple hours on The Canal. Fifteen minutes into casting, I fooled this bass and had my hopes riding high. However, I could only muster one more bite on the two-hour trip.
Top 5 Weight: 16-9 (5-3,3-1,3-0,2-14,2-7) culls 1-4

Good to get a solid Canal bass that provided a significant boost to my Top 5. The weather has taken a downturn as I put this post together, but it looks like a real warm-up on the horizon. Here’s hoping the bite warms up along the way. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

After getting spoiled by some unseasonably warm weather, the area temperatures have taken a real dip and some snow flurries/sleet even made a recent appearance. But those unfriendly fishing conditions did not stop our Top 5 leader from taking his shot and reeling in the rewards.

Weight: a pair in the two-pound range
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 16
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Dark Sleeper and chatterbait
Angler Comments: Bet you didn’t expect a fishing report from me today. Miserable temperature and winds really had me thinking of just staying home today. However, really hard to pass up a free day this time of the year, so was just looking for a reason to go. Wound up looking at the weather and noticed that the wind had changed to West direction from a consistent wind out of the South for the past couple weeks. An old saying came to mind, “wind from the west, the fish bite the best.” Headed out about 11:00am-3:00pm. With layers and rain gear, it really wasn’t terrible…as long as the wind was at my back. Ended up with four bass, two dinks that I didn’t take a picture and two that I took pics but didn’t weigh. Notice the wind blowing the fish and my jacket in the first pic.

Weight: 3-13
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 23
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait (white)
Structure: Flat
Angler Comments: Long cast and hit came just after one or two cranks of the reel.

Weight: 5-5
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 23
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait (white)
Angler Comments: Not exactly where I would expect a bass this time of the year but notice the bloody tail fin. This hog was definitely on the bed.
Top 5 Weight: 23-15 (5-5,5-1,4-12,4-8,4-5) culls a 4-4

Well done by Jim, as the 5-5 not only adds over a pound to his creel, but it also establishes a new Top Bass mark for 2023. To go along with Jim’s “wind from the west” comment, I would add another item related to his inclement weather success. “The best time to go fishing is anytime you can.” Talk to you later. Troy

Tough to take my own advice with the weather on Saturday

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Well, as I put this week’s post together on Sunday night, it’s spitting snow. Which makes it all the better to revisit the fishing results logged during the recent near-record weather. Three of our anglers got it done as we have quite the Top 5 Update.

Weight: 2-15
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 9
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless crankbait

Weight: 3-3
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 9
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless crankbait

Weight: 3-4
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 9
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless crankbait

Weight: 3-9
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 9
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless crankbait

Weight: 3-11
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 9
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless crankbait

Weight: 4-4
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 9
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait

Weight: 4-12
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 9
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait
Angler Comments: Spent about eight hours at Banner and kept pretty busy. Took pics and weighed seven bass. Caught another six or seven that I didn’t weigh. Weeds are starting to grow up, so catches were a mix of lipless cranks and chatterbaits.
Top 5 Weight: 22-14 (5-1,4-12,4-8,4-5,4-4) culls a 4-0

Weight: 2-7 (17”)
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: April 10
Weather: Sunny/windy
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: ¼ oz. Lunker Hunt Finesse Swimbait (perfect pumpkin)
Structure: Drop
Angler Comments: I cast the lure along a drop and watched as slack indicated that the lure had reached the bottom. As I took up the slack and prepared to crawl the bait, it felt heavy, so I set the hook and the rest is Top 5 history.

Weight: 3-1 (18”)
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: April 10
Weather: Sunny/windy
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: ¼ oz. Lunker Hunt Finesse Swimbait (perfect pumpkin)
Structure: Finger/trough
Angler Comments: After landing a 5-3 two days prior on a lake that is not a regular stop, I figured that another visit was in order on this outing. Well, luck was with me again as this fish cooperated.

Weight: 3-0 (17.5”)
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: April 10
Weather: Sunny/windy
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: ¼ oz. Lunker Hunt Finesse Swimbait (perfect pumpkin)
Structure: Finger/trough
Angler Comments: Fifteen minutes after landing the 3-1, I got lucky again with a bass that was a near twin. A crazy couple 2023 April visits to this lake as our previous lake record was 2-3 with no other fish over two pounds. You just never know, but I suspect it will be a regular stop going forward.
Top 5 Weight: 14-15 (5-3,3-1,3-0,2-7,1-4) culls 1-2 and 1-0

Weight: 2-4
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: April 15
Location: Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Senko wacky rig
Top 5 Weight: 12-13 (2-13,2-13,2-12,2-4,2-3) culls 2-1

Good catching by all and one of the bass above wound up being Bass #1000 all-time for the Top 5 project. More on that milestone in a future post. In the meantime, we set our sights on Top 5 Bass #2000. Only nine hundred and ninety-six bass to go. Talk to you later. Troy