Top 5 Guidelines

Posted on by Troy Jackson

For anyone not familiar with the Top 5, it is an audience participation project for anglers to submit their catches for public consumption on what I like to call a virtual brag board. 2018 marks year number five of the project and it’s been an entertaining addition to my fishing and writing hobbies as well as something to look forward to with weekly update postings each Monday.  We already have two updates in the books this year, click these dates to check out the postings from 2/5 and 3/5 .

Screenshot from our first 2018 update.

While the first three years were devoted exclusively to bass, for 2017 the project was expanded to include other freshwater species. I will accept either weight or length data based on the angler’s preference so there will potentially be separate categories within species according to the information provided. One stipulation is that the fish be landed via rod and reel.

Bass will still remain a collective group for your Top 5 creel (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted or whatever other black bass species you might run into on a fishing journey somewhere) and must measure 12” or better to qualify whether submitted to the length or weight category. Don’t hesitate to send in some early members of your “limit” that you anticipate displacing later. It’s always fun to watch the progression in such instances and even the Bassmasters have to post some “dinks” along the way.

I don’t really have any minimum criteria on other species at this point as this is still a work in progress to see what may turn up. I’m also going to leave each species on its own for this experiment. For example, the catfish family will all be separate, thus a flathead Top 5, channel cat Top 5 or even a bullhead Top 5 if that’s your specialty.

For those who elect to weigh their catch, while a digital model is preferred, if you still roll with a DeLiar and such, it’s all good as long as you can get within a couple ounces of accuracy (remember there is no big money check). We run on honor code. I shoot straight in terms of weight in all of my fishing reports and I assume others do as well.
The amount of information you are willing to share is entirely up to you. I’m a more information the better guy but I get it if you’d rather remain somewhat elusive. I have compiled a database of the 485 bass and handful of other species submitted over the years and it’s always fun to take a look at the record book. Thus, it would be cool to have it dialed in, but I’ll take whatever I can get.

Here’s what I’m asking for in your submissions:

Weight/Length: I record weights in pounds and ounces such that 5-4 equates to five pounds four ounces as opposed to decimals so I ask that submissions be reported in this fashion to avoid conversion and/or confusion. For length submissions let’s go with the nearest half inch.

Lures/Bait: if you aren’t willing to reveal specifics such as brand, model, presentation and color, a generic category such as spinnerbait, plastic worm or crankbait would be appreciated. Chicken liver, stinkbait, dew worm, cutbait and so on work just fine as well.

Location: if you don’t want to say “Emiquon Preserve” just go with Fulton County and a designation of public or private would also be of interest. Even West Central Illinois strip mine or Eastern Iowa stream would be beneficial if you prefer not to be too specific.

Date: can’t see much of an issue with this aspect but I guess I’ll just list it as the date I received the submission unless otherwise noted. Once again though, the more accurate the better in my book.

Name: totally up to you whether you want to use your real name or a nickname, just let me know what you prefer.

Photo: a pic is required so have your cameras or “phones” at the ready. After all, part of the premise of this entire project is to show more fishing pictures on the website than just my little bass. Whether you put your mug in the frame is your choice.

Angler Comments: if you’ve got a story, something weird or otherwise interesting to pass along with the catch, by all means, include your tale. Same goes for structure as it’s fun to hear if the fish came off a point, alongside a laydown, amidst a patch of lilypads and so on. I will be happy to use your description, as written, in the periodic updates so don’t use any “bad” words, that way I don’t have to spend time editing.

Having typed all that, here is a sample submission (using an old school bass just for fun on the heels of Easter weekend):

Troy Jackson
Largemouth Bass
20”
4-0
Lake Storey
April 4, 1999
Spinnerbait (blue glimmer)
Dad and I were able to sneak away for a little Easter Sunday bass fishing on our “home lake.” My only bass of the day and first of the year but a cool way to kick it off, came on a perfect setup as I slowly ran my spinnerbait parallel to a submerged log, just like you read about in the magazines.

And here is the general process:

Step One: You catch, weigh/measure, document and photograph a fish that resides in your Top 5 heaviest of 2017.

Step Two: Send your pic and details to troy@troyjacksonoutdoors.com.

Step Three: I track the catches and photos in order to provide periodic updates (typically each Monday) as you build your Top 5. (Note: you send each fish as you work towards a Top 5 rather than waiting until you have five, unless, of course, you wipe ‘em all out on your first trip).

Step Four: Repeat the above, replacing (or culling to use a tourney term) smaller Top 5 fish as larger ones join your ledger. For instance, say your Top 5 by May 1 is as follows: 3-4, 2-7, 2-3, 1-12 and 1-11 for a total weight of 11-5. Then on May 6 you reel in a 3-3 so out goes the 1-11 and the total weight bumps up to 12-13. Same concept for length submissions.

And we’ve already got a pair of limits on the books as a couple of us were able to get out in January and February. Crazy thing is, I’m sitting here typing the draft of this posting amidst a late March snowstorm that has really dumped a pile of the white stuff on us. I’d say “C’mon spring” but I guess it’s already here. Good luck out there and talk to you later. Troy

2017 Video #5 – Bass, Bass, Bass!

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Kids are cool.

Bass are cool.

Kids and bass are…well, check out the video.

 

I’ll admit it can be a challenge teaching kids to fish but memories like this serve to reinforce that it’s well worth it. All of the pulling lures out of trees, “stand back so you don’t get hooked”, “really, it’s okay to pee over there, nobody will see you”, “you don’t need hand sanitizer…” and so on fade away when that bobber goes under.

And it’s fun as a grownup to realize that sometimes you aren’t so far removed from being a kid yourself. Listening to Jayce holler, “Bass, bass, bass” got me to thinking about that little voice in my head that involuntarily starts in with the same mantra once I’ve set the hook.

Never really thought about that before and that’s another aspect of this whole video thing that has been fun while also providing an opportunity for more than a few laughs with the advent of more user friendly recording.

We’re not the big boys, we don’t have a script and any catchphrases that may be spouted out on a regular basis are just the natural reaction to the simple joy of fooling a fish. As a grown up it’s kind of weird sitting all alone in a boat or balancing on a spoilbank while trying to provide the “viewers” with a feel for what you’ve got going on. But throw in a hookset met with some scaly resistance from the other end and a sort of verbal auto pilot feature kicks in. A reaction that goes back as long as I’ve fished, another thing that I never really consciously thought about. I’ve been talking to the fish for years, seems a natural part of the pursuit. Just takes a bit of getting used to when you see it on video.

Which brings me back to the joy of observing kids fishing or hanging with kids in general. Imagination and silliness typically run high even for a fellow like Jayce who is more than a bit reserved in most situations. Thus, it’s a treat to see the goofiness and excitement come pouring out while he’s sharing a common interest with a guy who just so happens to resemble a bigger version of that kid.

Before I sign off, here’s a bonus video from the same day on the water.  It serves to show that kids also learn other valuable fishing skills from their mentors beyond casting and reeling.  And yes, not surprisingly, I learned this one from Jayce’s Papa.

 

Here’s to more “bass, bass, bass”, “bluegill, bluegill, bluegill” and hopefully one of his 2018 goals of “catfish, catfish, catfish.” Talk to you later. Troy

2017 Video #6 – Bad Is Good

Posted on by Troy Jackson

 

Sometimes I wonder how many casts I’ve made over the years.

Don’t really have the slightest clue.

But what I do know is that the old “practice makes perfect” saying is not entirely accurate when it comes to this skill (or any other I suppose). For no matter how many casts you’ve made, there are still those that end up errant and off target. Such mistakes can range from a mere fraction of an inch to one of those weird ones that crops up on occasion and leaves you wondering just how a seasoned angler could foul it up that bad. Gotta be wind or equipment failure, right?

But as today’s video shows, even when you miss your mark, good things can still happen. As finicky as we might find those bass to be on some days, they are still top of the line predators that are built and programmed to eat.

If your lure is in the water, it’s fair game.


Bad isn’t so good when it comes to this photo of the above catch so I’m glad that I’ve been able to add the video aspect to the fish stories

Such was the case with this catch from Iowa’s Lost Grove Lake, a fishing hole that can be quite frustrating due to an abundance of slimy, scattered vegetation. While the cast doesn’t look as ugly as a toss into a tree or onto a boat dock (done ‘em both more than a few times) it nevertheless struck me as a wasted shot into some of the nasty subsurface weeds. Fortunately, the lure came through unscathed by the vegetation which just so happened to be the hiding place of an interested bass and that aspect was indeed part of the plan.

A plan that worked to perfection despite an imperfect cast. Without the audio on this clip one would never even know that I was essentially looking ahead to my next cast as this one didn’t stand a chance.

Bonus video from this trip featuring the Top Bass weighing 1-14

As always, a fishing trip isn’t only about the haul. It’s also about learning something new each time out. In this case, if you’ve got a lure in the water be ready because anything can happen. After all, even a bad cast can produce a good result. Talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – 3/26/2003

Posted on by Troy Jackson

3/26/2003 Emstrom’s Pond 3-3 Jig & Pig

Boy, I miss the days of a having permission to fish a pond that took about three minutes to drive to from my folks house where we kept our little johnboat. But while some things have changed, several items in this photo have not.

But first, the stats on the day.

Date: March 26, 2003
Location: Emstrom’s Pond – west of Galesburg, IL
Time: 12:55pm-2:55pm
Weather: Sunny/windy (from west)
Air Temp: 60F
Water Temp: 51F
Totals: 2 bass
Lures: ¼ oz. Jig (black/blue) with #11G pork frog (black/blue glitter)
Top Bass: 3-3 (19.5”) Jig & Pig
Weight: 5-1 (3-3,1-14)

Actual log entry from this outing

Still fishing out of that same old boat.

Still got that sweatshirt, think I’m wearing it today, in fact.

Still a fan of the old IronMan watch and a watch in general instead of a “phone.”

Still got the ring, of course.

Still sporting a floppy hat, got this one in the garage as I’m now on FloppyV.2.0.

Still sporting a beard/goatee although something looks a little different these days. Can’t quite put my finger on it. Shaggier, perhaps?

Still shooting selfies these days, albeit with that “phone” as well as a camera.

3/26/03 Emstrom’s Pond 1-14 Jig & Pig

And still happy to land a good fish, almost smiling in the photo where the bass isn’t hiding my face. I have tried to change that pose over the years, for better or worse. Talk to you later. Troy

2017 Video #7 – Smorgasbord

Posted on by Troy Jackson

 

Today’s clip features a catch from October 8 on a public Knox County, IL strip mine pothole. It was one of sixteen bass landed in just over four hours on the water with the first eleven coming from this spot during my first two hours of casting. If you do the math on this first stop that equates to 5.5 bass per hour which is really pretty darn good.

Now here’s the weird thing about this borderline feeding frenzy.

Those eleven bass came on six different lures. It was truly a bizarre sort of buffet as the bass never really showed a preference for a particular presentation yet still proved to be cooperative if I was willing to keep my lure choices rather dynamic.


Here’s the menu for this ever changing fall feeding frenzy, 8 lures = 16 bass

What was also puzzling was that I was all in at the start to nab some on an old topwater favorite, the Zara Spook, and never got the slightest hint of interest. And after five minutes of that I put it down in favor of a chatterbait. Four casts later I had the fish in this clip after a pair of short strikes on two of the previous casts. Sure seemed like they were taking a liking to the chatterbait.

Nope, couldn’t coax another bite the rest of the time on this spot. However, I did continue to catch bass as evidenced by the snip from the log entry below. Briefly got them dialed in on a Mann’s Baby 1- crankbait and a Swim Jig but those flurries were fleeting as well.

In the end I was quite pleased with the overall results on this relatively unfamiliar pothole as it was indeed a productive stop. I also gave myself a pat on the back for being diverse in my offerings and changing up when my “can’t miss” baits (Red Eye Shad lipless crank and Senko wacky rig) only got the interest of one bass.

In assessing my day on the ride home, I found myself envisioning one of those old silly tricks we used to do as a kid. That old rub your stomach and pat your head routine, except this time it was more like pat your back and scratch your head. A fair amount of both occur with this interesting hobby and actually kind of a fun challenge when they coincide. Talk to you later. Troy

2017 Video #8 – Family Record

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Jayce sets new family record…read on (Note: iPhone video as opposed to GoPro for this clip)

Today’s video documents the establishment of a new family record for the green sunfish species reeled in by my son, Jayce, on May 27, 2017. The catch weighed in at 13 ounces, came from a Henry County, IL pond and was caught on a waxworm hung from a bobber.

Perhaps your next question is, “How big was the old record?”

Well, in all honesty, I don’t really know that there was an old record despite reeling in hundreds of these misfits over the years. For many years we fished Lake Bracken just south of Galesburg, IL and while it featured an abundance of these feisty fish I don’t recall that we ever got one quite this big or bothered much in weighing these catches.


New record at 13 ounces (gravel aided weight deemed negligible)

You see, the green sunfish is an interesting sort of outcast.

They are very cooperative, aggressive fighters and feature a wide range of colorization due to hybridization with bluegill. For kids they are also easier to get a hold of than a bluegill thanks to a bigger handle (meaning a bigger mouth). However, every once in a while you run into one that has some pretty good teeth that will give you a little scrape reminiscent of what we call “bass thumb.”

A small jighead or hook tipped with a waxworm or piece of dew worm and hung from a bobber will get the job done as will moving Beetle spin type baits with or without a spinner. Most times you can find green sunfish in the shallows and they seem to particularly like hanging in the cover of a rocky shoreline waiting to pounce on a meal. A cast to such a spot on the Lake Bracken shoreline back in the day was about as close to a guarantee as you could get.


The record was not a fluke as Jayce hauled in another fine specimen two days later

Which takes me back to the fun of being a fishing kid as while green sunfish can have some negative effects on a body of water they sure are fun to catch on an ultralight rig. As much evidence as one would need in this video of a happy kid tied into a feisty fish that nearly jerks the pole away at one point. Fishing in its simplest form, just looking for whatever’s biting. And a little extra cause for celebration when it’s a “family world record.” Talk to you later. Troy

2017 Video #9 – Second Chances

Posted on by Troy Jackson

The second video of our countdown actually comes from the same outing as the first video which was posted yesterday. Believe it or not, it was the second bass of the morning, coming only three minutes after the inaugural GoPro catch.

Can you tell that I am having fun with this whole new aspect of the fishing trip?

Sure thing, as situations that I’ve experienced countless times over the previous 35 years or so kind of take on new life when caught on film (I know, no film, but that’s the way I talk so that’s the way I write).

I also thought that a piece featuring “Second Chances” in the title just logically fit as the second submission in the countdown. Indeed, there is occasionally a method to my madness and a tinge of planning to some of this stuff.

 

So, let’s set the scene before I shift into Bass Professor mode and break this clip down in order to pass along a couple valuable topwater bass fishing lessons. What I am doing here is casting a topwater bait known as a Whopper Plopper across a point that drops off into 8-10 foot of water on all three sides of its ledgelike setup. Classic summer bass magnet in the lowlight conditions early or late in the day. The Whopper Plopper (pictured below) features a propeller sort of rear end which sputters across the surface when twitched or reeled.


Whopper Plopper 90 in the I Know It color

Lesson One – Do not set the hook on a topwater bait when you see the fish strike it, wait until you actually feel the weight of the fish. Easier said than done no matter how long you have been topwater fishing. My error in this regard occurs around the 0:04 mark of the clip as I essentially jerk the lure away from a “hot” fish that has taken two swipes at the plug and likely will keep after it until he gets it right.

Lesson Two, Plan A – Go right back after the fish either with the same bait or what is often called a “follow-up” lure as it is likely still hanging in the general area and perhaps wondering how its breakfast got away. In this case, I opted for a repeat with the Whopper Plopper but made sure to cast well beyond where the strikes had occurred. My intent is to not land on top of the fish but rather cause a commotion several yards away and then bring it right over the top of what I hope is still a fired up fish. Worked like it was supposed to on this occasion and always cool when they make you look smart.

Lesson Two, Plan B – You can also resort to the “follow up” lure approach with a sinking lure that is pitched right into the vicinity of the strike as quickly as possible after the swing and a miss by the bass (and angler in this case). My go to lure in this scenario is a weightless wacky rigged Senko. It enters the water above that bass with less commotion and its waving action on a slow fall is often too much to resist.


Senko weightless wacky rig in natural shad color

We’ve still got at least another month around here before a solid topwater bite will come into play but definitely a blast, and rather addictive when it does. Keep these lessons in mind when you put those baits to use and it will put a few more of those bites in the boat. Oh, and don’t be too tough on yourself if you jump the gun on a few of those topwater explosions by bass with bad aim. Happens to us all, no matter the icewater we got in those veins. Just part of bass fishing and be grateful that some of those bass can’t resist a second chance. Talk to you later. Troy

2017 Video #10 – First Cast Bass

Posted on by Troy Jackson

I’m going to take the suspense out of the video that leads off the countdown if you happen to read this before you click the clip. What you are about to see (or have already clicked on here or Facebook) is a 10” bass.

Now you see, I’ve come to realize over the years that it’s not just the size of the fish that makes for a memorable catch. In addition to the length or weight, you’ve got to consider the circumstances in assessing whether or not that fish is gonna stick in your head or have the starring role in a fish story.

Or, in the case of this project that draws on the offerings of modern technology, whether the video clip finds its way onto the external hard drive and possibly the internet or simply winds up in the Recycle Bin.

 

This one wound up a winner for the reasons described in my video commentary which are also repeated below.

How often do you catch a bass on your first cast?

On your birthday (#50 to boot)?

On a topwater bait for added visual appeal?

On the first time you punched record on a fishing trip with your brand new GoPro?

Yep, a winner on all accounts.


Actual log entry for the catch minus a few location details though

If you’ve taken the time to tune into any of the stuff I’ve written here on the website or the collection of postings at other locations over the years, it should be apparent that I just flat out like to talk fishing (some may even say ramble about fishing). And today’s submission fits that habit perfectly, a little bass that makes for a big fish story. In fact, it was the smallest bass that I caught among the eleven bass landed on the roughly five hour outing that included a Top Bass of 3-8.

Speaking of that Top Bass, it didn’t make the Top 10 video cut for a couple reasons but I thought that if would be fun to add a little bonus footage to some of these countdown postings along the way. So here’s a quick look at that catch as well, kind of abbreviated as wouldn’t you know, I forgot to start the camera until after I set the hook on the biggest bass of the day. Go figure, but at least I was able to scramble and get some footage of the fight.

 

So, the countdown is off and running and while the video is a cool addition, there’s always more to the whole story. And as the stories continue through the countdown, there’s actually some fishing knowledge to be learned along the way (like don’t forget to turn on your GoPro, right). In fact, a couple of those fishing tips are headed your way with tomorrow’s clip. Hope you’ll stop by for a look and a lesson. Talk to you later. Troy

2017 Video Countdown

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Last July, my wife, Julie, gave me a GoPro camera for birthday #50. I’d looked around at them plenty of times but never pulled the trigger on getting one. After kicking off the website last May, it also occurred to me that it would be fun to incorporate some video at some point. I’d also started tuning into a handful of fishing vloggers on YouTube about the time that I launched the website, further convincing myself that video could be a solid addition.

Over the course of last year’s fishing I compiled a fair amount of footage including a handful of clips that have already made an appearance here on the blog. Well, as the final part of my 2017 wrap-up I’m going with a video countdown. From the intro below through the rest of the month I will pass along a Top 10 video countdown compiled from GoPro and iPhone video shot in 2017.

Mind you, I am still getting my feet wet on the whole video shooting and editing stuff so bear with me on some things like wind noise, lame commentary and brief bits of rather empty frame. But hey, I can’t afford a camera operator yet and they wouldn’t fit in the boat with me anyway, so I get what I get.

The Top 10 Video Countdown starts tomorrow and the hits keep coming for the rest of the month. Hope you’ll tune in and talk to you later. Troy

2017 Wrap Up – Partners

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Today we look back at who I spent time with in the boat or on the bank during 2017. And these days it’s not too surprising that I happened to be related to every one of them.

Now, when I initially thought back on 2017, I found myself thinking that I had been rather selfish in my fishing with nearly all of my fishing time spent flying solo chasing those darn bass. There’d been plenty of requests to tag along from the kids which didn’t materialize for various reasons, such as a reluctance to get out of bed at 4:30am. It is also a tough sell on a long day as I selfishly like to put in more than a few hours, particularly when hitting my old stomping grounds as they require about a two hour round trip.

Okay, enough of the excuses, gonna look to boost time on the water with some fishing partners as part of the Resolutions posted for 2018.

And, actually, when looking back there was a lot more of that quality family time than I initially thought, just look below.

May 27 and May 29
Got the kids out on these two occasions on a pothole of a pond near Coal Valley, IL. Aquatic weeds and limited bank and casting access provided some challenges but we reeled in a decent amount of fish.

June 2 and 3
A family camping trip to Little John produced the regular multi-species quest and our brood have taken to the hobby like a fish to water. A good bunch and fun to watch them practice and hone their skills. Next up, consistently baiting your own hook and talking off your own fish.

June 25
Went exploring with Carly and Jayce for a change of pace after our Coal Valley spot let us down. They were all about a change of scenery and we found some cool access and a handful of fish on the Hennepin Canal in Colona, IL.

July 8 (3.5 hours, 17 total bass, 5-0 and 3-5 Top Bass, 12-4 Top 5 Weight)
The lone trip with Dad for 2017 produced a decent quantity of bass and though it took a while we also posted two real solid catches. This outing was featured in a return to a retro fishing report entitled Lake Lowdown. Look for a revisit to this format at some point in 2018.

July 8
After the “serious” bass outing for me and Dad, we were joined by my boys, Jayce and Zac, for some panfishing amidst some goofing off. A great time with lots of good photos and some video footage that I hope those two youngsters will appreciate more and more as they get not so young.

July 15 (5.50 hours, 15 total bass, 7-3 Top 5 Weight, 1-6 Top Bass)
On the heels of the successful outing for me and Dad, I did the brother fishing trip with Brent to see if we could pull off another one. We struggled a bit as can happen during the “Dog Days” of summer, fishing longer but still coming up a bit short on quantity and a bit more short on quality.

September 17 (6.75 hours, 27 total bass, 8-3 Top 5 Weight, 2-9 Top Bass)
A very comfortable and successful fall drawdown day on the “home lake”, Lake Storey, with my brother, Brent. Even wound up with a toothy fish as can happen, just another reason that this is probably my favorite fishing hole. We even made a pact to split time in both ends of the boat so nobody could claim they got “front ended.” 27 total bass was a very good day and you’ll have to ask Brent who wound up on top despite equal time in the generally advantageous front of the boat position.

That does it for another look back at 2017 as I await my next shot in 2018. Plenty of fun with some fishing buddies but must say that a couple are missing on the list. Definitely need to get my wife, Julie, out there as well as our oldest daughter, Helena, who is content to observe her younger siblings getting it done. However, I got some inspiration from an NCAA football stunt last season to provide a little competitive incentive in 2018. Stay tuned for the reveal in a future posting once spring kicks into gear.

But wait, I am not yet finished with 2017, as once I get on a roll talking fishing…One final project headed your way. Talk to you later. Troy