Trapping Tuesday – 2012 Tailgates & Training

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Over the years, the photo album has amassed quite a collection of pictures that fit the description of today’s title. This posting comes from 2012 and features one of several versions of “The Jackson Five” that trekked the trapline through the years.

What follows are excerpts from a pair of postings featured on a previous blogging gig.

From “Guest Trappers 2012”, originally posted on November 16, 2012:

“As I noted in my trapping post (“Ready, Set, Trap”) earlier this week, Dad and Brent have been joined by a handful of guest trappers this season. Well, here are a couple more of them who tagged along on November 7. My son Jayce (age 3) and my brother’s boy, Brady (age 4), got an opportunity to partake in their second year of trapping and had a good time. I got to tag along as photographer, videographer and documentarian and will now share a portion of what our fearless group of trappers found upon running their sets.

All told, the trappers caught 15 coons to go with the 20 from Opening Day. A solid start to another season not to mention more pictures, outdoor adventures and stories to tell.”


Brent, Jayce, Brady and Terry Jackson (aka Dad and Papa)

Continuing on with “More Than Trapping” from November 19, 2012:

“There’s definitely something cool about landing that four pound bass, catching a 60 pound beaver or accidentally hooking a muskie. I’ve got more than a few photos, log entries and blog postings of all that stuff that constitutes a fair portion of my memory book. However, the peripheral adventures with family and friends leave just as much of a mark whether you catch anything or not. A recent trapping outing for Dad, Brent and me with a couple little guys (my boy, Jayce, and Brent’s son, Brady) only reinforced this point and gave me a little glimpse into the future. I envision more than a few conversations as those boys get older that will start with something like ‘Do you remember that one time with Papa and your dad…?’

I certainly will and I hope that some of the words and photos that wind up accompanying those adventures will someday bring a smile or get the stories rolling.

For today, I’ll pass along a batch of those memories from November 7. I suppose the whole trip lasted maybe four hours but those boys more than got their money’s worth as did the ‘grownups.’


Not just about the fur as hedgeballs also provide an opportunity to goof around.


Another part of the “class” involves finding and identifying “sign”

Big trapper educating little trappers, just as he learned more than a few years ago

Our day started with the usual silliness on the road to Burger King in Monmouth where the boys chowed down and enjoyed further silliness that comes with being a kid (and not having your mom around, just kidding). The boys were pretty fired up about getting some stylish Super Mario BK crowns. As I wrote this, Jayce informed me that he was Mario and Brady was Luigi (or Weegie as Jayce puts it) for I hadn’t filed those particular details away. I do believe that at least one of the big people actually wore a crown for a bit as well but there was no camera present to verify. Anyway, after fueling up it was off to see what we’d caught.

I was very impressed with the boys as it was not what one would call balmy with low 40’s and a stiff wind. Not a single complaint though about being cold and both were eager to get out of the truck at each stop in order to goof around (and check a trap or two). I also could not believe that neither one of them fell asleep on the way home. One other trapper did, but hey, I need to find some rest whenever I can as naps have been slim pickings for like the last eight years or so.


And, speaking of naps, this classic shot features my boy, Jayce, relaxing on his “coon cot”

An enjoyable day on the trapline culminated with the customary back of the truck photo of the haul and lunch with Gamaw. What more could a guy, large or small, ask for?”

Plenty more “Trapping Tuesday” posts to come, along with whatever else I can muster. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 10 Trip Tunes 11/4 – Part II

Posted on by Troy Jackson

The Top 5 goes a little more “classic” than yesterday’s favorites with some pretty heavy hitters, all-time greats in fact.

5. “Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy” – Sammy Hagar (1982) – Between Montrose and trying to replace David Lee Roth, “The Red Rocker” was successfully jamming solo with a batch of hits. For my money, this is the best of that bunch.

4. “Shattered” – The Rolling Stones (1978) – Always kind of lukewarm on The Stones but Mick and the boys doing their thing on this one is a treat. A rambling, seedy, dirty, nasty bit of a musical trek through the big city. “Pride and joy and greed and…” well, you know, along with rats, bedbugs, maggots and a battered brain. Cool when a song such as this gets me wandering back through the catalog for another listen, so many songs are cooler the older you (and they) get. Oh yeah, it also says “Shadoobie” a lot of times.

3. “Surrender” – Cheap Trick (1978) – What a cool song from the band hailing from Rockford, Illinois. Not only a great hook but also a warning about what was called “VD” back in the day. Also included is a quick shout out to KISS amidst a rough visual of walking in on the folks. Last but not least, it brings back memories of the 80s classic “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” with Damone pitching Cheap Trick concert tickets. How’s all that for a tune?

2. “Over the Hills and Far Away” – Led Zeppelin (1973) – Another great intro, interesting finish and keeps chugging along in between. In addition, I’ve long had a thing for tunes that never use the title in the lyrics, kind of a fun trick to pull out every once in a while I suppose.

1. “Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd (1975) – Speaking of intros, here’s another to add to the list. The title track from the how do you follow up “Dark Side of the Moon” album. A wistful lament on a lost relationship with a lost soul and what a wonderful title to sum it up. Sonically hits the spot and one of those cuts that always amazes with the depth of emotion conveyed while needing only a sparse lyrical accompaniment.

Hey, it’s been fun, but this will wrap up the musical portion of my “outdoor” blog for 2017. What was kind of a whim with the first Top 10 batch wound up being a fun rundown of sixty tunes. I guess that would work out to $1.20 worth of my two cents from a half dozen drives with a lifelong companion known as the radio. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 10 Trip Tunes – 11/4 Part I

Posted on by Troy Jackson

I’ve had a good time finding an excuse to delve into some music via my Top 10 Trip Tunes series that debuted back on September 5 and has reappeared several more times. Well, as we near the end of 2017, as a rockstar might holler from the stage, “One more time!”

As always, first half today, second half tomorrow.

10. “Shut Up and Dance” – Walk the Moon (2014) – Every once in a great while, something my kids are listening to strikes a chord with me and this one fits the bill. The 80s feel is a winner for a guy who became a teenager in 1980, rode the MTV wave and finds it fun when a new song reminds him of an old song.

9. “Stand” – REM (1989) – Never much of an R.E.M. fan, too college or something, but this goofy, orienteering ditty hit the spot. Sometimes it’s the time period as much as the cut and I will always associate this one as part of the soundtrack of several “wasted” days watching NCAA March Madness with a group of friends. Time well spent though as the “wasted” reference pertains to a bit of imbibing.

8. “Cherry Pie” – Warrant (1990) –You just can’t help what catches your ear and although some may be loath to admit it, I’m not. While this rock n’ roll love songs lyrics seem rather inane on the surface, there’s actually some solid advice such as “think about baseball” and “lock the door.” Say what you will, but gotta give some props to a hair hit that still shows up on the airwaves nearly 30 years later and finds me cranking it up, belting it out and thinking about “dessert.”

7. “Learn to Fly” – Foo Fighters (1999) – Bought the Nirvana stuff when they hit it big but just didn’t last for me, nor did the band in the end. In contrast, the fellow who stepped out from behind their drum kit has made quite an impact with his band and beyond. Personally, I’d take Dave Grohl’s rock contributions, such as this one, over his former front man any day.

6. “Word Up!” – Cameo (1986) – An 80s classic and if it doesn’t brighten your day, well, I don’t know what to tell you. I was a bit beat from the weekday grind but the first cut I heard on this drive immediately turned my surly frown upside down and made for a better day no matter what the fishing results were going to be. And, you know, the mental picture of Larry Blackmon in that darn codpiece brings a grin as well, kinda weird but I know I’m not alone.

Ah yes, memories as much as music, 30 years of Memory Lane in this eclectic first half of the final Top 10 Trip Tunes of 2017. Top 5 headed your way tomorrow. Talk to you later. Troy

Trapping Tuesday – 2002 Opening Day

Posted on by Troy Jackson

So, I’ve got a new “winter” project that I’m calling “Trapping Tuesday.” It will consist of a weekly look at a family past time dating back several generations that has only recently been put upon the shelf. Therefore, this series of postings will consist of flashbacks from 5, 10, 15 and up to 45 years ago drawing upon family photo albums, old written reports and tales either witnessed firsthand or passed down over the years. I actually have had a major trapping blog project in the works for several years but still working on getting it just right and need more time to write, research, rehash and reminisce. I guess this is kind of a tease to that future trapping project. Maybe next year for the unabridged version.

In the meantime, we go back in time to November of 2002 with the crew pictured below for a look at the results of Opening Day. The following is an excerpt from an original write up I passed along via email to a group of family and friends.

November 6, 2002 – (Left to right): Richard Jackson (my uncle), Richard Jackson (yep, that’s actually my first name), Brent Jackson (my brother) and Terry Jackson (aka Dad) – many miles and just a few stories with this bunch

“Our grand total was 121 traps set. The vast majority were coon sets (though some may also catch muskrats, mink, and, yes, opossum), three were muskrat sets and four were beaver sets. Here’s a breakdown by location.

Big Timber – 4 coons
Rickett’s – 3 coons
Earl’s House – 1 coon
Moore’s Lane – 1 coon
Pat’s Creek – 1 coon, 1 muskrat, 1 beaver (60 lbs.)
Corner Place – 2 coons
Earl’s Pond – 2 coons
Moore’s-North – 2 coons

Totals – 16 coons, 1 muskrat, 1 beaver (also a few opossums but who’s counting)

A reasonable day, very close to one trapper’s prognostication, while failing to meet several optimistic predictions offered by others over a Burger King breakfast. However, there were quite a few thrown traps (the trap went off but failed to catch anything) and ones that got away. Had we caught even a few of these, some of our predictions would have had a chance. As an added feature, we also picked our “can’t miss” set as a tiebreaker (Brent’s idea). We each selected a single trap on the trapline that we felt would produce a catch. None of these produced an official catch. One guy’s pick caught an opossum and after a very brief discussion, Brent, Dad and I decided this species didn’t qualify. The other trapper, whose name will not be mentioned, did not file a protest. As it turned out, Dad was the winner and didn’t miss the actual catch by very much. Here’s each trapper’s prediction and their “can’t miss” set.

Dad – 15 coons 2 muskrats 1 beaver The Culvert
Brent – 17 coons 3 muskrats 0 beaver The Tile
Troy – 21 coons 3 muskrats 0 beaver The Blue Gate
Uncle Dick – 24 coons 4 muskrats 0 beaver The Big Rock

Glancing back at the results you will notice a variety of place names included in the totals and predictions. A future article during the trapping season will explore the origin of many of the names that have been assigned over the years. A lot of years have been spent prowling many of these areas and, of course, there’s a story behind all of the names. It’s says a lot about the time spent together enjoying the outdoors when one of us says, “We caught one just around the bend from The German Torpedo” or “We lost one at The Dangerous Crossing.” A mental picture pops into your head and you know the exact area where the event occurred. Most of the time, at least, as I get confused on occasion when I get The Deer Stand, Old Faithful or The Rose Bowl in the incorrect order. Well, you get the picture. Some of the names are obvious, while others require a tale.”

Takes two trappers for this shot with a 60-pound beaver

A book could be written on the trappers, the methods, the quarry, the stomping grounds and so on. But as noted at the outset, this is just a precursor to what I hope to contribute in the future, tip of the iceberg sort of thing. Besides, as the Tuesdays roll on, we’ll have plenty more chances to explore.

And plenty more stuff coming your way in and around the trapping postings so make sure to check in here and the Facebook page. Talk to you later. Troy

Strip Mine Report 11/4

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Been a while since a fishing report and likely going to be a whole lot longer until another new one as this November 4 outing is probably the 2017 finale. But what a year it was and perhaps will have to revisit it with a few recap postings as the 2018 kickoff nears. First things first though, as I set out last Saturday afternoon to meet my annual goal, a November bass before putting away the gear.

Last trip of 2017, over 30 years of rowing, many miles, many bass, many tales with this old companion

Stats
Date: November 4, 2017
Locations: Little John Conservation Club (2 lakes)
Time: 2:40pm-5:55pm
Weather: Overcast/breezy
Air Temp: 48-51F
Water Temp: no reading
Totals: 3 bass
Lures:
1/4 oz. Rattling Jig (black/blue) with #11 pork frog (black) – 1 bass
Strike King Red Eye Shad (sexy shad) – 1 bass
Strike King KVD 2.5 Rattling Squarebill crankbait (sexy shad) – 1 bass
Top Bass: 1-12 KVD 2.5 crankbait
Weight (2 bass at 12” or >): 2-10 (1-12,0-14)


3:52pm First Bass 12″ 0-14 Jig & Pig

Notes & Nonsense

Uplifted – A rainy day, a frustrating week of work, the general weight of getting by and the end of my fishing year in sight kind of had me in a surly mood as I readied my gear for an early afternoon departure. In fact, one my boys, Jayce, was really itching to go but conditions were just not favorable prompting me to comment to Julie that he was more enthused than I was. Not entirely true but just the mindset I was in. But as I cranked the truck and turned on my radio, an old 80s cut had me headed towards a better mood. Thanks, Larry Blackmon and Cameo, as “Word Up” kicked off a better mood as did a string of other tunes, a Top 10 list for another day.

So Close – It took me about 45 minutes to get the bite I was seeking. It came on a jig and pig worked around some overhanging bushes and it sure seemed like I had the monkey off my back as I swung the bass into the boat. However, it came unhitched en route and ended up back in the drink before I ever got a hold of it. Not a lunker by any stretch, maybe a pound, but I was sure disappointed and left wondering if I might have just missed my lone shot at the sought after November catch.


4:30pm Last Bass and Top Bass 15″ 1-12 KVD 2.5 Squarebill crankbait

Second Chance – Fortunately, I only had to cast for about twenty more minutes before another bass took a liking to my jig. Once again, no trophy but didn’t matter a bit to me as I had achieved my goal and the rest of the day would be icing on the cake. Two more bass joined the log over the next forty minutes before the day ended with an hour shutout on a second lake where I normally find some late season lipless crankbait success.


Had to shoot a final 2017 fishing farewell pic in the fading daylight

As I noted in the intro, I suspected that this trip would be the 2017 finale and a combination of responsibilities, work and less than ideal weather on the horizon pretty much seal the deal. But what a year it’s been for me with a personal best Top 5 haul that started off back on March 4 with a 6-2 for my very first bass of the year. Not surprisingly, I never found another to exceed that mark but did fool a couple within shouting distance. No complaints here, never are, as it’s always a treat to get on the water and try and figure them out. Hope to have some more fishing stuff and various other postings throughout the “off season” so stop by to fend off some Cabin Fever. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 10 Trip Tunes 10/21 – Part II

Posted on by Troy Jackson

The October 21st trip’s Top 5 features several heavy hitters that would likely have a place on that lifetime greatest hits sort of thing I think about compiling from time to time. Perhaps another day or another blog.

5. “Ballroom Blitz” – Sweet (1975) – This song has had several lives but I am proud to say that I’ve dug it since back in the day. Now I get to listen to my kids sing it thanks to all of those “Suicide Squad” movie trailers (and let’s not forget the “Wayne’s World” version). Glam rock at its finest and kind of fun what I see and hear in Sweet’s videos and tunes all of these years later; Queen, Kiss, Ramones, Motley Crue…

4. “Sir Duke” – Stevie Wonder (1977) – One bad dude giving us a musical history lesson and tribute to some greats. And how about 1977 for this fifth grade kid; “Rocky” (released December 1976), “Star Wars”, Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours”, Dr. J leading the Sixers to the NBA Finals, Reggie’s three swings in the World Series (best home run trot, period) and the Dallas Cowboys on the way to a Super Bowl title. Best year ever?

3. “Black Water” – The Doobie Brothers (1974) – Gotta like a song that mentions “catfish” and even if you can’t sing, like me, you can’t help but do some singing along to this one. And any song with “pretty mama” in the lyrics is also way cool (also see Boston’s “Let Me Take You Home Tonight”).

2. “Solsbury Hill” – Pater Gabriel (1978) – I dig everything about this well-crafted cut and particularly enjoy the rhyme scheme in each of the three verses. I honestly wanted to include the full lyrics but will leave it to you to search out the rest if you so desire. The final verse simply takes it to another level, utilizing “net”, “pirouette”, “silhouettes” and “etiquette.” Are you kidding me? One of my three wishes if I ever find a genie is to write something like that.

1. “Right Down the Line” – Gerry Rafferty (1978) – Just might be my favorite song of all-time, really tough to pin down though with more than a few years of hanging out with the radio. Paired up with “Dancin’ in the Moonlight” from King Harvest it comprised the dynamic duo of first dance songs for Julie and me at our wedding reception fifteen years ago. Best day and best songs ever.

Thanks for tagging along on another tangent. Got one more of these in the works from what was likely my final fishing trip of 2017. Stay tuned for that fishing report and those Top 10 Tunes. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 10 Trip Tunes 10/21 – Part I

Posted on by Troy Jackson

A little behind on this one but here’s a Top 10 Trip Tunes from an October 21 outing. I thought about just skipping it, but what fun is that? Besides, none of the tunes are current, so who cares if this post is either?

10. “Lady (You Bring Me Up)” – Commodores (1981) – One of two final smash hits with Lionel Richie aboard (also see “Oh No”) and right on the verge of a whole new direction in music. Takes me back to the late 70s/early 80s prior to the impact of MTV and gets me lost on the internet with some Spinners, Kool & The Gang, Earth, Wind & Fire and Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall.” Oh yeah.

9. “D’yer Mak’er” – Led Zeppelin (1973) – Never knew how to pronounce it and never really got it before search engines but just a different tune from kind of a different album from a one of a kind band.

8. “I’m Not in Love” – 10CC (1975) – A childhood favorite, no concept of the subject matter, just sounded good. Takes me back to a specific place as well, a classic summer cut on heavy rotation while tagging along with my cousin to Galesburg’s Lakelawn pool, those were the days.  And the line “Big boys don’t cry” was featured in the novelty hit “Mr. Jaws” cashing in on the latest blockbuster. Did I mention, those were the days?

7. “Love Is Like a Rock” – Donnie Iris (1981) – Once MTV hit, there was a wild landscape of tunes to enjoy, kind of all over the place in terms of genre, which was pretty cool. If memory serves me right, this one was a frequent flyer in those first several eye opening months of an unforgettable music revolution and yet another love song left a lasting impression.

6. “Somebody’s Baby” – Jackson Browne (1982) – From the “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” soundtrack, a classic (and Phoebe Cates). Long been a fan of this fellow’s tunes (not so much his crusades or habits) and got to see him in concert a few years ago. I was fired up about the opportunity upon winning tickets on the radio but after he forgot the words to a couple songs, I just felt old.

Stop by tomorrow for the Top of this Top 10. Talk to you later. Troy

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

Strip Mine Report 10/21

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Well, it’s getting to be that time when I start wondering about those last few bites before I put the poles away and call it a year. It’s been a very rewarding year in terms of time on the water as well as the quality and quantity of fish that have taken a liking to my lures. But hey, not quite done yet.


9:42am 14″ 1-8 Red Eye Shad

Stats
Date: October 21, 2017
Locations: Little John Conservation Club (3 lakes)
Time: 8:15am-2:05pm
Weather: Partly cloudy to sunny/windy to very windy
Air Temp: 61-77F
Water Temp: no reading
Totals: 19 bass
Lures:
Booyah Counterstrike spinnerbait (salt & pepper) – 9 bass
Strike King Red Eye Shad (sexy shad) – 6 bass
Strike King KVD 2.5 Rattling Squarebill crankbait (sexy shad) – 4 bass
Top Bass: 2-6 Booyah Spinnerbait
Top 5 Weight: 8-4 (2-6,1-8,1-8,1-7,1-7)


10:39am 14.5″ 1-7 Booyah Spinnerbait

Notes & Nonsense

First Stop – With several bodies of water to choose from, it can present a challenge when deciding where to start on one of these fishing trips. This time around I rolled the dice on a spot that I don’t fish a whole lot, part gut feeling and part wanting to give a couple other potential spots some time to warm a bit. I scratched out three on a spinnerbait around some wood, a favorite fall approach, but nothing of note and it was time for a change of scenery after an hour of casting.

Stop Two – My second stop has been my most productive fishing hole the last several years in terms of quality bass so hopes were high to fool something good. I got my shot as one in about the four-pound range took a swipe at my Red Eye Shad just a few feet from the boat but came up short on the strike. I worked the area over thoroughly two more times with a range of presentations but failed to get a second chance. Eleven bass in just over two hours was fun but Top Bass only tipped the scales at 1-8 and only three met or exceeded the 12” mark.


1:17pm 14.5″ 1-8 Booyah Spinnerbait


1:24pm Top Bass 16.5″ 2-6 Booyah Spinnerbait


1:52pm 14″ 1-7 Red Eye Shad

Final Destination – Having worked over my big bass spot pretty good I decided to take my last shot of the day on a lake where I’d put a hurt on the bass several years prior on a similar day where the wind was howling into a wooded pocket. On this trip, the wind direction was slightly different but I did finally find an area where it had a few bass stacked on a point. Four of my five bass on the lake came from this area along a slight dropoff at the edge of a submerged weedline. Three were on a cool spinnerbait retrieve that crawled the bait over the weed tops and then just kind of killed it at the drop to let it fall slightly where the bass were ready to pounce, including the day’s Top Bass at 2-6. Even with some serious surface chop, the clear water allowed me to see a couple of the bass strike as the bait jumped sideways letting me know I had a fish before I ever felt any pressure.


Had a couple gear casualties on this outing

The Cost – While chucking a buzzbait hoping for a little late season magic my reel handle came flying off. Although I did not hear anything splash, apparently something went into the drink as I found several components scattered about the bottom of the boat but not enough. And somehow or another, I busted the tip off my Berkley Cherrywood rod either in transit to or while unloading at my last stop. Both items are not top of the line as that’s not how I roll but still stinks when equipment gets damaged. The rod was really tough to take as it was an outstanding lipless crank rod at 7’ medium action. Oh well, Christmas is coming into view.

So, a delayed report here from my latest outing and here we are in November. My goal is a November bass to end the year so stay tuned to see how that pans out as weather and responsibilities may make it a challenge. Likely one more shot before it’s all said and done. In the meantime, I do have a backlog of Top 5 submissions coming your way along with another batch of Top 10 tunes. Talk to you later. Troy