Prowl the Canal – April Stats

Posted on by Troy Jackson

2023 Top Canal Bass at 2-14 from April 26 on a spinnerbait

After landing over three hundred and fifty bass on The Canal last year, I was fired up to see open water in January this year. I figured that I would get a much earlier and better start than 2022 when I didn’t land my first Canal bass until April 15. Well, I haven’t been as successful as I hoped. Read on for the first of the monthly wrap-ups. This one covers February through April but my two outings in February were shutouts and I only landed one bass in three March trips (1-0 on March 5).

Top Canal lure of 2023

April Totals Breakdown
2023 April Totals: 11 bass in 15.75 hours (0.70 bass/hour)
2022 April Totals: 29 bass in 9.50 hours (3.05 bass/hour)

2023 Top March Bass: 1-0 March 5 Lipless crankbait
2022 No March bass

2023 April Top Bass: 2-14 April 26 Spinnerbait
2022 April Top Bass: 3-5 April 23 Spinnerbait

2023 April Top 5: 7-2 (2-14,1-3,1-1,1-0,1-0)
2022 April Top 5: 13-12 (3-5,3-2,2-12,2-5,2-4)

2023 Best April Top 5 Day: 5-2 (1-3,1-1,1-0,1-0,0-14) – April 29
2022 Best April Top 5 Day: 10-8 (3-5,3-2,1-9,1-6,1-2) – April 23

All-time April Top 5 Weight
14-6 (3-5,3-2-2-14,2-12,2-5) culls a 2-4

Worth a try but not sure it will meet the goal

Lessons

Water – Each of the stretches that I have fished early in the year have had lower than normal water levels. Some pre-season hiking provided information that at least one of the pools had been intentionally lowered to combat excessive aquatic vegetation. I am not an aquatic biologist (although I do have a biology degree) but I am not optimistic that the approach will have much of an effect. A couple stretches are already ugly by this time of the year such that a drop, dredge and do-over may be the only solution. I do hope for the best and will keep an eye out to see how things progress.

Weeds – As far as the state of aquatic vegetation in my early start to the year, it was pleasant to see open water from “shore to shore.” However, the bright green slime that I call “snot grass” was still around waiting to foul retrieves. As noted above, however, one of my stretches was so low that I did not bother to take advantage of the early start. Instead, I opted for stretches that had more water around shoreline wood cover. In the end, it didn’t matter as I could only find one bite in March. Now as the weeds begin to reclaim The Canal, it is simply time to adjust my approach accordingly. Weeds and slime are just a fact of life when fishing many of my spots on The Canal.

A Canal prowl update often includes items from the “Lost and Found”

All-Time Canal Stats (June 21, 2021, to present)
431 bass in 168.75 hours (2.55 bass/hour)
Top Bass: 3-6 on 7/21/21 Senko wacky rig
Best Top 5 Day: 11-3 (2-15,2-10,2-3,2-1,1-6) 6/24/22
Top 5 All-Time: 16-8 (3-6,3-5,3-5,3-4,3-4)

Yearly Top 5 Weights
2023 Top 5 Canal Weight: 7-2 (2-14,1-3,1-1,1-0,1-0)
2022 Top 5 Canal Weight: 15-15 (3-5,3-5,3-4,3-2,2-15)
2021 Top 5 Canal Weight: 15-6 (3-6,3-4,3-1,2-14,2-13)

As far as the 2023 Top 5 Weight, the Vegas over-under was set at 12-8.5 as I noted in the video clip below back in February when the odds were released. I am certainly struggling to begin the year, so perhaps the Vegas oddsmakers were onto something.

 

But I’m not buying that I’m on the downswing yet so I bet the over although I doubt that I will spend as much time on The Canal as last year. My prediction is 14-4 and looking on the bright side, I’m already halfway there with plenty of year to go. Stay tuned and 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

Hennepin Canal Report – April 29

Posted on by Troy Jackson

I had a good day on the strip mines yesterday but since I have been unable to keep up with the latest fishing reports, I am still wrapping up April. So, here we go with my most recent Canal visit where I found a solid number of bites when I had a couple afternoon hours to spare.

Stats
Date: April 29
Location: Hennepin Canal
Time: 2:30pm-4:45pm
Totals: 7 bass
Weather: Partly cloudy/windy, 59F
Lures: War Eagle Spinnerbait (chartreuse/white) with a BPS XPS double tail grub trailer (Houdini) – 7 bass
Top Bass: 1-3
Top 5 Weight: 5-2 (1-3,1-1,1-0,1-0,0-14)

Winning Lure

Notes and Nonsense

Wind – This day was extremely windy which is generally less of a factor on The Canal than any other waters I fish with a boat. However, if the wind is from the west, even The Canal gets pounded on many of the stretches that I visit. Such was the case, so I chose a stretch bordered by trees on both sides and a high bank on the west end. In addition to the windbreak, this choice also gave me an opportunity to explore. I had fished this section twice before but both times were later in the year when the weeds really took hold. The lack of weeds in late April provided ample open water cover to fish and resulted in enough bites to keep me interested.

3:06pm Top Bass at 1-3 (14.5″) on a spinnerbait

Top 5 Quest – In just under two years of fishing The Canal, I have landed bass in many stretches of the waterway from Colona to Wyanet. Being a stat guy, I log all catches and track the Top 5 from each section that I have designated (that’s another story on how I divide The Canal). Anyway, the section that I fished on this trip only had two “keepers” in the log (keeper = 12” or better and always released) totaling 2-1 (1-1,1-0). Thus, I was in search of at least three more keepers to establish a Top 5. Each of the seven bass that I fooled on this outing were between 12-14.5” so I met my goal. The Top 5 for this section now stands at 5-5 (1-3,1-1,1-1,1-0,1-0). Not a particularly impressive Top 5 but it gives me something to shoot for on my next visit as I try to boost my weight.

 

Spinnerbait Holdout – All seven of the bass landed on this trip came on a spinnerbait. In fact, a spinnerbait was about all I threw due to a combination of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” along with the abundant wood structure setting up ideally for the presentation. I cut my bass fishing teeth throwing spinnerbaits just like the pros back in the 1980s. While the lure has faded over the years on the paid circuit, this amateur, wannabe bass angler still wears them out when conditions warrant. And much of The Canal screams out, “Spinnerbait!”

Bites on The Canal this year have been tough to come by so seven bass in a couple of hours was a winner. Time will tell if this gets me back on track as I headed away from The Canal on my next outing. The strip mine bass treated me well so stay tuned for Monday’s Top 5 Update and a full report later next week. 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

Hennepin Canal Report – April 26

Posted on by Troy Jackson

I keep waiting for a chance to open one of my reports from The Canal with something like, “Boy, The Canal bass really turned things up a notch…” Well, this report doesn’t feature such an intro as the bass in that old trough continue to outsmart me in 2023.

3:40pm – Top Bass at 2-14 on a spinnerbait

Stats
Date: April 26
Location: Hennepin Canal
Time: 3:25pm-5:40pm
Totals: 2 bass
Weather: Sunny/breezy
Lures: War Eagle Spinnerbait (chartreuse/white) with a BPS XPS double tail grub trailer (Houdini) – 2 bass
Top Bass: 2-14
Top 5 Weight (only 2 at 12” or better): 3-14 (2-14,1-0)

Winning lure

Notes and Nonsense

Canal Struggle – Last year, by April 26 I had landed twenty-nine Canal bass during seven hours of April trips. In contrast, this year I have a total of four bass in just over thirteen hours of fishing The Canal starting on February 11. Water conditions have been solid and while weather conditions have been up and down, I have hit the water during a couple favorable warming trends. Just one of those things that I chalk up as “that’s fishing.” Some days you look like you know what you’re doing, and other days the fish prove to be elusive.

 

The Beauty of Bass – As the years have passed, I have found myself becoming more appreciative of my favorite fish. I could write a substantial post on this aspect of my fishing evolution but today I will simply touch on observing the coloration of my catches. As I lipped the Top Bass of this outing, I commented on how dark the fish looked. Just a casual, unrehearsed remark on camera that says a lot about my approach to this hobby. After landing thousands of bass over the past forty plus years, each one deserves a pat on the back and a little more than just unhooking and tossing back over the side of the boat. I’m proud of this progress in my fishing approach and hope that I am not alone in complimenting the catch.

April 26, 2023 bass sandwiched by two similarly sized April 23, 2022 bass from same stretch of The Canal highlight coloration differences

Not much more to add to this report other than to say that I will keep plugging away on The Canal as I know there are friendlier bass to find. Fortunately, the strip mine bass have been winners for me in 2023. Perhaps they felt neglected during my focus on The Canal last year. Who knows? Just keep trying to think like a fish and keep on casting. Talk to you later. Troy

4:18 pm and 1-0 on a spinnerbait – When you only land two bass, you can include pics of them all in your report.

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 10 Trip Tunes – April 2

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Over the years, I have wandered into some music related posts on what is an outdoor blog. I call them “Trip Tunes” as they are a list of the Top 10 tunes that I encounter on the radio dial on my drive to the fishing hole. Well, the feature is back for 2023 so away we go.

10. Live to Tell – Madonna (1986)
Not much of a Madonna fan but she was all over the radio and MTV when I was a teenager, and I vote this one as her best. A haunting tune from an interesting movie, At Close Range.

9. Good Day Sunshine – The Beatles (1966)
You don’t hear The Beatles enough on the radio these days. Therefore, it’s always a treat and you can’t help but smile and sing along to this happy ditty.

8. Over the Mountain – Ozzy Osbourne (1981)
This one chugs along musically with an entertaining lyrical delivery and a batch of Randy Rhoads guitar work that is all over the place. Guitar solos that sound like they belong in several different songs but all part of the fun of the early Ozzy albums.

7. Funk #49 – James Gang (1970)
Joe Walsh had me at “Life’s Been Good” back in 1978. Later, I would discover that he was a member of this gang and always an interesting oddball before becoming an Eagle. But, seriously folks, is there anyone more fun in rock and roll than this talented, entertaining, legendary performer?

6. Baker Street – Gerry Rafferty (1978)
I love the radio and this one takes me back to WLS 890 AM and summer nights with a bedside clock radio. You know, the kind with the flip numbers. I often ponder musical lists and this one would get a spot on the best intro and best sax solo rankings.

5. Dream On – Aerosmith (1973)
It’s crazy to think how long these guys have been around. Maybe a bit too long in terms of some of their 90s chart success but who am I to judge? I like a lot of their 70s stuff, a handful of the 80s cuts, and one tune after that. My two cents are that their oldest single remains their best. Fifty years after the recording of “Dream On,” I still stop on the radio dial and sing along.

4. Rich Girl – Hall and Oates (1977)
Once upon a time, I was a nine-year-old kid wondering, “Did they just sing that word on the radio?” Well, it does rhyme with rich. Cool, but you’ve got to be careful to not sing that word around certain company. Just a great song and fun memory as now I can sing whatever I want, wherever I want. And funny that my boy, Zac, left out a word in “Black Betty” as he was singing along yesterday (not the “B” word, but the “D” word).

3. Use Ta Be My Girl – The O’Jays (1978)
What a fun, smooth song for a tune about losing your lady. Fortunately, I still have my girl and my favorite lines from the fellows in this cut offer up, “Not only good lookin’, the girl was so smart, can’t beat her cookin’”. What more could a guy ask for?

2. Band on the Run – Paul McCartney & Wings (1974)
I distinctly remember the summer of 1974 and the popularity of this tune on the radio dial as it made its way to the top of the Billboard chart. It was my favorite song and its peak coincided with a trip to the Wisconsin Dells with my grandparents and cousin. Early radio memories with the tune hitting #1 after “The Streak” and prior to “Billy Don’t Be a Hero.” Those were the days.

1. We Just Disagree – Dave Mason (1977)
I mentioned song lists in a blurb about an earlier cut and this tune would garner a high ranking on my ultimate list. Definitely a Top 10, probably a Top 5 on my personal all-time greatest hits list. A great sentiment on relationships over forty-five years after its release but I must be careful about what I write these days and “leave it alone, ‘cause we can’t see eye to eye” and I’ll leave it at that.

Been a while since I did one of these and I have to say that I miss my musical strolls down Memory Lane. And I do have another set of Trip Tunes waiting in the wings should I get around to another post. Talk to you later. Troy

Hennepin Canal Report – April 15

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Had to get out as the warm weather was about to end

Following some strip mine success as the weather warmed up, I was looking to test the waters of The Canal. Well, the bass got the best of me as I continue to struggle on the waterway early in the year. I did land one bass and there’s always stories to tell from every outing, so read on for the scoop on the latest prowl.

Stats
Date: April 15
Location: Hennepin Canal
Time: 2:55pm-5:10pm
Totals: 1 bass
Weather: Sunny/breezy
Lures: War Eagle Spinnerbait (chartreuse/white) with a BPS XPS double tail grub trailer (Houdini) – 1 bass
Top Bass: 1-0

Winning Lure

Notes and Nonsense

Reports – I not only prowl The Canal in the real world but also on the world wide web and social media. One talented Canal angler was posting topwater (Whopper Plopper) catches to the west. Another reliable source was reporting nothing on power techniques to the east but slowed down with some plastics and had success. From even farther east came reports of solid catches on a spinnerbait by a talented young lady angler. The latter lure posted my lone catch but beyond that, I couldn’t get anything going from top to bottom.

Slime – Later this spring, I will have two years of Canal experience in the books. One observation that sticks out is the progression of vegetation. The bulk of the stretches that I prowl are shallow, even for The Canal. As such, it doesn’t take long before aquatic vegetation becomes a factor in presentations. Surface vegetation is already emerging but not to the point of effecting lure options for shoreline cover. However, the green slimy stuff has taken hold in the stretch that I fished on this outing. Many casts came back to the boat with the nasty, snotty goo fouling the lure. Such is the life of a Canal angler.

You’d think a guy would look a bit happier when avoiding a shutout

Batting 1.000 – After two hours without a strike, I finally got a hit within sight of my truck as I neared the end of my day. A spinnerbait crawled around a laydown came through unlike dozens of similar casts over the afternoon. That would be a miserable percentage were it a batting average. After setting the hook on my lone bite, I found myself talking to the bass as I reeled it to the boat, encouraging it to stay hooked. Luck and a solid hookset were on my side as the bass came aboard to avoid an embarrassing shutout. To look on the bright side, in terms of bites, I wound up with a “batting average” of 1.000.

Sunlight and a smudge, not the best clip but it’s all I’ve got

 

While it wasn’t my day, I left the water recalling a bit that I used to hear on the old Bassmaster television programs in the 1980s as we were getting hooked on our hobby. The host would offer up that while many in the field were struggling, “somebody, somewhere, is finding some fish” (or something like that, it was a long time ago). Here’s hoping that next time out, I am a “somebody.” Talk to you later. Troy