Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Quite a collection of fish this week with an unexpected catch joining our list of “bonus” species. (Note: I also forgot several of my brother’s bass last month so playing catch up on those)

Weight: 2-3
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: June 14
Location: Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Buzzbait

Weight: 2-13
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: June 14
Location: Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Senko

Weight: 1-14
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: June 14
Location: Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Senko
Top 5 Weight: 13-3 (3-2,2-13,2-12,2-5,2-3) culls 1-14 and 1-10

Weight: 1-13
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: June 29
Weather: Partly cloudy skies
Water Temp: 81-82F
Location: Lake Storey
Lure: Wacky Worm

Weight: 1-2
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: June 30
Weather: Light rain with gentle breeze from east
Water Temp: 82-83F
Location: Lake Storey
Lure: Wacky Worm

Weight: 1-2
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: June 30
Weather: Light rain with gentle breeze from east
Water Temp: 82-83F
Location: Lake Storey
Lure: Wacky Worm
Top 5 Weight: 7-10 (1-15,1-13,1-6,1-6,1-2) culls 1-0

Weight: 4-0
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: July 1
Weather: Partly cloudy/breezy
Location: Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Buzzbait
Structure: Flat/weed edge
Angler Comments: Pretty cool start to the morning when you’ve got three bass in the first twelve minutes topped by this one which is my personal best on this particular interior lake.

Weight: 3-11
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: July 1
Weather: Partly cloudy/windy
Location: Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Senko wacky rig
Structure: Sticks
Angler Comments: Actually saw this bass swimming near some stickups, plunked a Senko within range and got it to commit. On the upside, it was larger than I’d visually estimated. On the downside, it was rather gaunt and would have been my second four-pounder of the morning if in normal shape. No complaint, though.
Top 5 Weight: 17-6 (4-12,4-0,3-11,2-8,2-7) culls 2-6 and 2-4

Weight: 4-12
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: July 5
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Senko wacky rig
Top 5 Weight: 24-3 (5-15,4-14,4-12,4-6,4-4) culls 4-1

Other Species – Common Carp

Weight: 10-5
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: July 2
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Texas rigged Senko
Angler Comments: He hit close to the bank and started stripping line. Really thought I had a monster bass. Took quite a while to get close enough to see the yellow belly.
Top 5 Weight: 10-5

Well done by our crew. Looks like the dog days have arrived which can be a challenge. Early or late in the day can often tilt the odds a bit more in your favor but those fish don’t go anywhere, typically just a bit harder to find and fool. Talk to you later. Troy

Snakeden Birthday Report – July 1

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Earlier this week I paid a visit to an old friend for a birthday celebration. It was the first time we’d seen each other since last October but like all old friends, we picked up right where we left off. In fact, it only took four casts before I was greeted with a bass. A great start and the hits kept on coming before things got a bit ugly on the exit.

 

Stats

Date: July 1, 2020
Location: Snakeden Hollow (4 lakes)
Time: 5:20am-11:35am (4.00 hours fishing)
Weather: Partly cloudy or overcast/breezy to windy
Air Temp: 70-79F
Water Temp: no reading
Totals: 34 bass
Lures: Booyah Buzzbait (snow white shad) – 17 bass, Strike King Red Eye Shad (sexy shad) – 15 bass, Chatterbait (bluegill) – 1 bass, Senko wacky rig () – 1 bass
Top Bass: 4-0 Buzzbait
Top 5 Weight: 12-14 (4-0,3-11,1-15,1-14,1-6)

 

Trip Lyric
“Can’t afford a blowout ‘cause we haven’t got a spare.”
Sausalito Summernight, Diesel (1981)
A wonderful one hit wonder sums it up quite nicely as my boat transport setup gave out on me big time. As a result, I wondered if I would get my boat back to the truck and along the way began to wonder if I was going to make it as well. Further details below.

Notes and Nonsense

Personal Lake Record One (video below) – Twelve minutes into casting I had my third bass in the boat, a four-pounder which represented my Top Bass from this particular lake. And while not an overall lake record, such a catch will sure make your day. Our lake record is a 4-12 caught by my brother, Brent, last October and I was fortunate to have had a front row seat for that one. As far as a potential true lake record, I am aware of a seven-pounder from the spot in 2015. All of the above were released, by the way.

 

Personal Lake Record Two (video below) – On my final stop of the day, I was able to establish a lake record of 3-11 besting the previous mark of 2-15 that I landed in July 2012. This one was also rewarding as I had spotted the fish cruising among some shoreline sticks and was able to tempt it with a Senko wacky rig tossed out in front of its path. Always cool when something like that works out and makes you feel like you know what you are doing.

 

Fun Fact – As I have been fishing Snakeden Hollow for its entire public access, it is interesting when I consider how much the site has changed. For instance, on this outing, 20 of the 34 bass that were landed came from a pair of lakes that did not even exist 30 years ago. One was a rather lifeless depression in the terrain while the other was an expansive, nasty, shallow, slurry wetland. Kudos to those onsite personnel and fisheries staff that have transformed the once decimated landscape into a couple quality fishing holes.

Well, Goodbye, Dolly – I’ve seen various contraptions used to transport small watercraft into the remote waters of Snakeden and some are rather impressive. Mine, not so much, although the two wheel dolly has performed quite well during a batch of trips over the last three plus years. On this day, however, both tires blew and made for a real drag of a drag as I was a long way from my truck when disaster struck. I am not sure what lies in store as a remedy but I was back on my bike and beating the bank just like old times on my next visit.

But that’s another story. Talk to you later. Troy

Snakeden at 30

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Happy birthday to a fishing area that turned 30 years old earlier this week. Well, at least in terms of public access as Snakeden Hollow State Fish & Wildlife Area opened up for all to enjoy back on July 1, 1990. To mark the anniversary, I’ve decided to put together a batch of posts about that old collection of strip mines and spoilbanks.

It is fun for me to look back on that July 1, 1990 “Grand Opening” as I was actually a small part of that event. From May 1 to November 1, 1990 I worked a six month temporary job with the old Illinois Department of Conservation, several months of which were spent at Snakeden. Believe me, the site has come a long way in the interim and that is part of what I intend to explore as 2020 rolls along. I kind of have plan for this series but not really a set schedule, so I guess just expect some “Snakeden at 30” posts to pop up from time to time.

We’ll start with a brief primer here consisting of some general information on the history and features of the property.

Snakeden Hollow is located south and east of Victoria, Illinois (a satellite property, The Victoria Pheasant Habitat Area, lies to the northwest of town). The Snakeden Hollow parcel of land consists of roughly 2,500 acres and was obtained by the State of Illinois from the Midland Coal Company in 1987. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website, Snakeden contains “125 water impoundments totaling 400 acres” adding that “more than three dozen of the lakes and ponds are actively managed for their fishery.”

Lake McMaster is by far the largest of these bodies of water at roughly 160 acres and is the only lake with a boat ramp. All other lakes are accessible from peripheral parking areas but only on foot or perhaps bicycle (no motorized vehicles).

A wide variety of species inhabit these lakes including largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, redear, muskie, walleye, crappie, green sunfish, channel catfish and bullhead (trout have also been stocked in Lake McMaster at times). In regards to who swims where, it is all rather confusing and I would suggest consulting site personnel, fisheries staff or wandering the internet to get the lowdown.

It is definitely an interesting place and it can sure give you quite a workout if you so desire. Hunting is also offered and much to my chagrin, the site shuts down to anglers during goose season. A lot has changed at the site since I had the privilege of seeing it in its infancy as we’ll see over the course of the coming posts. While some days on the water are better than others, that’s fishing for you and the place has kept me coming back for thirty years.

In fact, I’ve been back twice this week. Stay tuned…Talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – July 1, 1985

Posted on by Troy Jackson

35 Years Ago This Week – new pond, slim teenager, plug of chew, Streaks cap, dog day bass…those were the days, huh?

Is there anything better in fishing than getting to fish a new and unseen pond?

There’s just something about new waters that really gets me fired up. Of course, most of the time they come with tantalizing tales from folks who have already taken their shot on the fishing hole. In addition, there is often a physical description of what the pond has to offer. Maybe it’s “a batch of lilypads in one corner” or “several trees in a cove” or perhaps “a ditch that is littered with stumps.”

Whatever the case, I find that I already have a picture of the place in my mind before I ever see the water. Sometimes my vision is close, other times it’s not, but never does it disappoint as the fishing hole comes into view.

My brother, Brent, with an old school trophy from “Olson’s Pond”

Thirty-five years ago this week I was in just that sort of scenario and actually in this case it involved a pair of ponds. Dad worked at Dick Blick Art Materials in Galesburg where a young guy was working during a college summer. Blaine Atwater was a fellow Galesburg High School grad several years older than me and it turned out that Blaine’s grandparents had some McDonough County, IL fishing holes near Colchester.

Brent on a carefree July 1985 evening at Olson’s Pond, fifteen is now fifty, time flies. 

Well, Dad and Brent got an invite and brought back fish stories of some nice bluegill and several solid bass. I had just begun to think that I was some kind of bass fisherman so naturally I was quite enthused when I was invited to tag along for their return trip on July 1, 1985. Per the original log entry below, here’s how it all went down.

Asked my boy, Jayce, who this was. “That’s you, Dad.” Nope, actually his Papa in 1985. I took it as a compliment.

While the results of this outing were a bit of a summer dog day beat down, the pics from those days always bring a smile all of these years later. I still think about those fishing holes every time I pass through Macomb and McDonough County on the way to visit family in Quincy. As the years have passed, I’ve come to realize that the best fishing memories don’t necessarily include the best catches. Talk to you later. Troy

Happy Birthday, Snakeden Hollow

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Happy birthday to Knox County’s Snakeden Hollow which reached 30 years of public access on July 1, 2020. The site and it’s collection of fishing holes have meant a great deal to me and a batch of fishing partners over the years.  Actually, my history with the site dates back even further than the July 1, 1990 Grand Opening.

As such, I am inspired to blog about it.

Check out the slideshow below consisting of 30 pictures to celebrate 30 years. These photos only scratch the surface of the photo collection documenting all those years of outdoor adventures. Stay tuned for further Snakeden posts as I have plenty to share on a place that holds many memories.

 

And the memories keep on rolling in 2020 as one of the photos in the slideshow was actually taken yesterday while I celebrated onsite. My old friend, Snakeden Hollow, was quite generous. Kind of cool how the fishing worked out. Look for the full report as well as a YouTube post this coming weekend (if all goes as planned). Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

West Central Illinois public waters keep the Top 5 Updates rolling along as we near the midpoint of the calendar year. Got some good ones this time around so read on as we have a new leader and another angler one step closer to filling his limit.

Weight: 4-14
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: June 22
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait

Weight: 5-15
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: June 22
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait

Weight: 4-6
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: June 24
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait
Angler Comments:
Top 5 Weight: 23-8 (5-15,4-14,4-6,4-4,4-1) culls 4-1,3-9 and 3-8

Weight: 1-6 (13”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: June 25
Weather: Bright sun
Water Temp: 77F
Location: McMaster Lake
Lure: Wacky worm
Top 5 Weight: 5-11 (1-15,1-6,1-6,1-0)

Thanks for the submissions guys as it doesn’t get much better than seeing a fish story show up in the Inbox. Good luck and stay cool out there as some dog day fishing looms on the horizon. Talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – June 26 & 28, 1995

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Although I’ve neglected these types of waters for nearly a decade, there’s something special about spillways and streams. Many good memories and many good fish courtesy of a simple dew worm, a “secret” doughball or a can of corn. It really doesn’t get much more basic than tossing in one of those baits, waiting for a tug and pondering what is on the end of the line as you set the hook.

Twenty five years ago this week I was able to cover both spillway and stream fishing over the course of just a few days. A handful of fellow fishermen (Dad, Brent and Mark “Geek” Junk) joined up to take a shot at a couple legendary fishing holes known as “Pat’s Creek” (Henderson County, IL) and “The Spillway” (Lake Bracken). Below is a slideshow of the photos that served to document those enjoyable adventures.

 

The crazy thing is that all of these years later I have plenty of moving water up here in the Quad Cities worth visiting. If I could just put down those bass rods…

Talk to you later. Troy

The Rock Report – June 13

Posted on by Troy Jackson

After nearly a month without a fishing trip and with a weeklong work trip to North Carolina on the horizon it was looking like the bass were going to get an even longer break. That fishing hiatus changed in a hurry though following a Thursday night text from my friend, Chris Rock, offering “if you are able to get away Saturday morning…” Even though I would be leaving my family for most of the week beginning at about 4:00am Sunday morning, Julie said, “Well, you gotta go.” My thoughts exactly and I’m sure glad I did.

Early departure to make the 5:30am launch time

Stats
Date: June 13, 2020
Location: Peoria County, IL private lake
Time: 5:50am-10:50am
Weather: Partly cloudy/windy
Air Temp: 57-64F
Water Temp: 74F
Totals: Troy = 42 bass, 1 tiger muskie, Chris = more than 42 bass
Lures: Blue Glimmer Spinnerbait – 16 bass, Mann’s Baby 1- Crankbait (red craw) – 11 bass, Strike King 2.5 Rattling Squarebill Crankbait (sexy shad) – 10 bass, Booyah Buzzbait (bleeding shad) – 4 bass, Strike King Red Eye Shad (orange craw) – 1 bass, Strike King Red Eye Shad (sexy shad) – 1 muskie
Top Bass: 2-5 (Chris) and 2-3 (Troy)
Top 5 Weight (Troy): 8-9 (2-3,1-14,1-10,1-8,1-6)

 

Notes & Nonsense

Rebounding – It had been a few years since I had a chance to fish a lake that had churned out several bass topping eight pounds. In the interim, Chris noted that Mother Nature had thinned the big bass in some manner so such bass were now unlikely. An unfortunate setback for the fishery but those we landed seemed quite healthy and headed in the right direction.

Comfort and Confidence – It’s always interesting when I get to fish with a partner and observe different approaches. Chris did much of his damage with a swim jig, a lure that I could stand to learn better. Not surprisingly, I stuck to several of my standard offerings. While the bass mood did fluctuate at times, it was cool to find that we were both able to dial in our own effective presentations.

Muskie Mystery – About midway through our morning, Chris pointed out a nice sized muskie swimming in the distance with its head sticking out of the water. I can’t say that I’ve ever seen such a thing before as the fish covered several yards in this manner before disappearing. Post fishing research by Chris turned up some possible explanations below. In the same general location, as we ended our outing, we actually got one in the boat but I was too distracted to ask the catch about the behavior. Maybe next time…

10:50am 36″ 12-12 Strike King Red Eye Shad (sexy shad)

Last Cast – We’d discussed “quitting time” and I opted for “around 11:00am” as I had plenty to do with a weeklong work trip beginning at 4:00am the next morning. As the deadline approached I’d been struggling to get bit while Chris continued to fool several bass on a couple different lures. I was confident in a lipless crank but felt I may have the wrong color so I switched out my orange craw for a sexy shad pattern. A few casts later, at 10:50am, the action below took place. After the release, I put my poles away, convinced that there was no better way to end the day. I’d have to say that it was my best “last cast” ever and a welcome “accident.”

 

Thanks to Chris for a great day and his guidance on a stellar body of water. I’ve done this fishing thing for a long time but still get a little self-conscious as a guest. Once I get going though, the mind and muscle memory kind of go on auto-pilot and the fish stories start to flow. I believe I only wound up with one snag and with Chris on the net was able to get a close muskie strike on 12-pound mono into the boat. I guess all of those years of practice tend to pay off in the form of some new fish stories. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

A trio of bass join the ranks as we transition from spring to summer. Yep, time sure flies when you’re fishing, a perfect getaway during our unusual times.

Weight: 1-0 (12”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: June 18
Weather: Bright blue skies
Water Temp: 78F
Location: Lake Storey
Lure: Senko wacky style
Top 5 Weight: 4-5 (1-15,1-6,1-0)

Weight: 4-4
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: June 19
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Texas rigged Senko

Weight: 3-9
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: June 20
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Texas rigged Senko
Top 5 Weight: 19-7 (4-4,4-1,4-1,3-9,3-8) culls 3-7 and 3-4

Thanks for your submissions fellas and keep them coming as the summer rolls on. Talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – June 19-20, 1995

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Better late than never this time around as the Friday Flashback darn near didn’t show up until Saturday. Been a wild week of work that wrapped up about four hours ago upon ending a roughly 1,000 mile/16 hour drive from Kinston, NC to the Quad Cities (four hours last night and twelve today). I am beat but not too beat to meet my Friday deadline.

Mark “Geek” Junk

Today’s flashback takes me back to a time with far less responsibilities for a trio of more or less single guys back in 1995. Joining me at the Lake Bracken Spillway on this trip were a couple old buddies known as “Geek” and “Hack”. Throw in some doughballs and an adequate supply of Milwaukee’s Best and you’ve got yourself an adventure.

And on this day it sure was a good time as evidenced by the rewards from a pair of carp battles.

Matt “Hack” Reynolds

A fun outing with some good guys who I’d say are now even better. Each of us has added a better half and a batch of eight kids over the last quarter century. We’ve long scattered in different directions and rarely see each other these days but when we cross paths it’s just like old times. Can’t ask for better friends than that. Talk to you later. Troy