Month: March 2019

Friday Flashback – March 20, 2004

Posted on by Troy Jackson

We head back 15 years today with a look at an afternoon of strip mine fishing with a couple of the Brothers Jackson. And for added effect, you get the original post from a larger fishing report originally submitted to family and friends on March 27, 2004.

March 20 – Brent and I head out for Snakeden Hollow for some biking and bassing. Air temperatures were around 60 F with sunny skies and strong winds out of the Northwest. Our first target, Long Lake, was rather disappointing as we failed to catch any bass in about forty-five minutes of fishing. Jigs, crankbaits and jerkbaits all failed to produce. This lake is typical strip mine habitat with steep banks and crystal clear water. Looking for a change of pace we headed up the bank to a shallower lake that had more stained water and more diverse structure.

 

This is kind of fun as I took this shot of Brent’s new lake record from “across the lake”, not far in a straight line but a long walk in strip mine distance.

We spent about an hour and a half on Crosscut Lake and combined for ten bass. Brent posted an addition to the record book with a 2-10 that hit a Mann’s 4- crankbait (chartreuse). The bass also broke the lake record of 2-0 set by Tim Townsend on 3/23/00. All of our fish came on Mann’s 4- crankbaits worked with a steady retrieve along dropoffs in 2-5′ of water. Jigs produced a couple strikes without hookups and lipless crankbaits got no attention. After working over this relatively small body of water, we decided to head for Little John. However, we had to bike back to the truck first, directly into some fierce winds. At one point, the wind actually exceeded gravity. We had to pedal to go downhill as the wind was so strong that we couldn’t coast. Not exactly a treat paired with my current level of physical fitness.

Still have the lure that did the trick per the above database entries but can’t tell you the last time it hit the water.

Definitely gets me fired up for another year on the strip mines. It’s always a treat to hop between the potholes and fingers that dot the landscape and gets me to wondering about a new look at some of those old places. Lots of ideas, just need some time and open water. Talk to you later. Troy

BM Classic Thoughts & Picks

Posted on by Troy Jackson

The Tennessee River out of Knoxville, TN serves as the launch site for the 2019 Bassmaster Classic, March 15-17

Friday kicks off the 49th Bassmaster Classic, no doubt the traditional top dog of bass fishing championships. It’s the equivalent of the Super Bowl or Daytona 500 when it comes to the pinnacle of the pursuit.

But the landscape of professional bass fishing is in the midst of some significant changes with a load of anglers parting ways with the Bassmaster Elite Series and moving on to Major League Fishing. As a result, this year’s Bassmaster Classic is an interesting mix of competitors. While there are various means of punching your ticket to the tourney, for many of the anglers, it may be their last time claiming one of those spots.

I won’t get into the specifics on the exodus but it seems to be a blend of cash and control resulting in a number of longtime Elite Series anglers potentially fishing their final Classic. And I’m talking some legitimate legends of the sport. Names like Kevin VanDam (28th Classic appearance and four-time champ), Mike Iaconelli (20th Classic and 2003 champ), Edwin Evers (18th Classic and 2016 champ), Aaron Martens (20th Classic and four-time runner-up), Skeet Reese (19th Classic and 2009 champ) and Jordan Lee (only his 5th Classic but as the two-time defending champ he is looking for an unprecedented three-peat).

Folks, those are some pretty heavy hitters who are launching on Friday in pursuit of a Classic title via their 2018 Elite Series qualifications while having bid the 2019 Elite Series season farewell. An interesting dynamic in the field of professional bass fishing. Kind of weird for a fishing fan who first started following the Classic back in 1982 when Paul Elias took the title thanks to a crankbait fishing technique called “kneel and reel.”

Lots of Classic memories for me in between so kind of bittersweet seeing a bunch of familiar faces take their show on the road with another organization. It has indeed been a bit odd following the first two events on the Bassmaster Elite Series. I must admit having a few Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid moments in asking “Who are those guys?”

But time marches on and the business of fishing continues to evolve.

For old time’s sake though I’m going to revisit an old bit that I first rolled out while blogging about the 2012 Classic. Here are my picks for the Top 4 finishers in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic, a tourney that will leave a memorable footprint in the history of bass fishing for many reasons.

Fourth Place = Bradley Roy – finishing the 2018 Elite Series in third-place for the Angler of the Year title has this young angler riding high as the Classic comes nearly nine years to the date of his first Elite Series event fished when he was only 19 years old.

Third Place = Jesse Wiggins – just a good guy with a lot of qualities that the regular angler can relate to, a darn good young fisherman who remains humble, hasn’t forgotten his roots and I like to pull for good things to happen to good people.

Second Place = Chris Zaldain – the lone angler among my pics who stuck with the Bassmaster Elite Series, Zaldain is coming off a strong runner-up finish in last month’s Elite event and I look for him to keep rolling in the Classic.

Classic Champion = Ott DeFoe – not really going out on a limb here as the hometown angler is a popular pick and he has proven his mettle with four top 10 Classic finishes in his seven previous appearances.

Come Sunday we’ll see how good of a prognosticator I am and I invite anyone out there to pitch in with your own selections. The Classic field can be found on the Bassmaster website by clicking here.

Good luck and back on Friday with a flashback that features a lake record. Talk to you later. Troy

2019 Top 5 Stats & Guidelines

Posted on by Troy Jackson

(Note: click here for the rules and guidelines for the Top 5)

Been a rough winter around here so pretty slim pickings to start the 2019 Top 5. If it weren’t for some dedication from Top 5 veteran, Jim Junk, we’d be shutout. His New Year’s Day bass saved the day and stands as the lone entry to date. Winter arrived in full force shortly after that catch resulting in the first February blank since kicking off the project back in 2014. But, as always, if we’ve got fish, we’ve got a monthly stat update.

Our lone bass of 2019 but here’s hoping for another banner Top 5 year 

2019 Totals (* = new record)
January = 1 bass
February = no submissions
March = no submissions…yet

Top 5 Weight by Month (* = new record)
January = 3-3 (3-3)
February = no submissions
March = no submissions…yet

Boat vs. Bank
Boat = no submissions
Bank = 1 bass

Boat vs. Bank Weight (* = new record)
Boat = no submissions
Bank = 3-3 (3-3)

Public vs. Private
Public = 1 bass
Private = no submissions

Public vs. Private Top 5 Weight
Public = 3-3 (3-3)
Private = no submissions

The Baits (* = new record)
Lipless Crankbaits = 1 bass (Top Bass 3-3 Jim Junk)

Monthly Top Bass (* = new record)
January
3-3 Jim Junk
February
No submissions
March
No submissions

Angler Weights
Jim Junk 3-3 (3-3)

Other Species
No submissions

Locally, winter is showing signs of loosening its grip and we’ve moved into the later sunset so things are headed in the right direction. I’m going with the lack of entries being due to weather as opposed to a lack of interest so send ‘em my way when you finally get a shot to do some casting. One final note to pass along is that Jim’s catch puts us at 592 bass all-time so what do you say you take a shot at being the answer to a Top 5 trivia question regarding bass #600? Talk to you later. Troy

Blog Banner – Anticipation

Posted on by Troy Jackson

“Takin’ my time, choosin’ my line, tryin’ to decide what to do.”

Walk Away – James Gang (1971)

You never know what lies ahead as you head to your fishing holes.

Today we conclude the series with a pic that to me is a visual representation of the beginning of every fishing trip. No matter terrestrial approach as displayed here or chasing those fish via watercraft, the concept is the same.

Before you venture into somewhere out there, there’s a degree of preparation and planning for what you feel may lie ahead. But in actuality, anything can happen which is all part of the fun.

But at the moment represented in our final pic, here frozen in time, hopes run high, the heart beats a little faster and a smile graces the face. The image still does all of those things as I sit here typing while letting my mind wander to thoughts of the next time I get to take that initial step into that world.

You know what’s funny?

Today’s title, lyric and feelings also apply each time I find myself in front of a clipboard or a keyboard.

Thus we conclude the “Blog Banner” series, thirty up and thirty down. An exercise in explaining what the outdoors means to me via some words behind the photos.

And what a journey it’s been.

From Alice Cooper to ZZ Top…Bigfoot to Martians…Joe Jackson to Jack-in-the-Pulpit…legends to one-hit wonders…Sister Sledge to Mr. Hand…tunes featuring the likes of Charlie Brown to Bela Lugosi… Blue Glimmer to Snow White Shad…Julius Caesar to Virgil Ward to Hank Parker… my family to The Addams Family…

All in the name of conveying the title and tagline that reside just above those 30 pictures that I call the Blog Banner.

I’m going to leave the current one around for the rest of the month before another change of blog scenery, thinking perhaps a bit more retro outdoor theme. We’ll see.

Of course, more stuff coming your way and I’ve got my fingers crossed that I get a chance to chase that first March bass. Talk to you later. Troy

Blog Banner – If A Boat Could Talk

Posted on by Troy Jackson

“I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks,

but I got to stop wishing, got to go fishing…”

A Pirate Looks at Forty – Jimmy Buffett (1975)

So many stories and still rowing strong

I’d say that this post details how a boat looks at forty but no one really knows the age of this old faithful watercraft. Its true origins are unknown, says so right on the registration, which is pretty cool. Adds a little character.

The origins of it becoming “our little boat”, however, are known. Dad and a friend found it completely submerged while clearing a log jam on a creek in Henderson County, IL over forty years ago. Adds a little more character.

And, as the saying goes, the rest is fishing history.

As the above lyrics reference there are a few minor leaks but I suppose that’s to be expected. After all, that thing has been hauled thousands of miles in the beds of trucks, drug over all types of terrain, launched on ramps of gravel, grass and concrete, rowed over ice, pushed over logs, pulled through shallows, rained in, snowed on…you get the picture.

It’s outlasted a few sets of oars, a couple boat seats, numerous poles, lures, tackleboxes, lifejackets and anchors.

I have no idea how many fellow anglers we’ve rowed around on how many waters and I hesitate to think how many hours there are on “the motor.”

And how many fish?

Still going strong and ready to get back after it, hopefully soon. Talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – March 19, 2009

Posted on by Troy Jackson

March 19, 2009 – first bass of the year, Snakeden Hollow State Fish & Wildlife Area near Victoria, IL

Hey, how about that? Open water in these photos, looks good.

Not so much in 2019 and I suspect that we’ve still got a final weekend of icefishing on the local haunts. It will be interesting to see how things play out in terms of getting on the board with the annual goal of a March bass. A goal that has been achieved every year since 2002 (with a few bonus February catches thrown in the mix).

This first pair of bass from ten years ago came from two walk-in lakes at Snakeden Hollow in Knox County, IL. From 2009 through 2014 this was the standard plan for nabbing the first bass of the year and the collection of strip pits never let me down.

Original log entry from the outing, only a two bass day but I’d certainly take that right now

Here’s the original, brief report that was submitted as part of the rundown on the start to 2009.

2009 is off to a slow start for me, much the same as 2008. Weather, work and family responsibilities have all conspired to keep me off the water. I managed a pair of bass on 3/19 from a couple Snakeden Hollow lakes with the larger of the two (actually more like the least small) weighing 1-4. Both came on Bomber Flat A crankbaits (baby bass).

Top Bass for the day 13.5″ and 1-4 on a Bomber Flat A crankbait, a classic cold water bait

Yep, 2009 had a rough start on the water and it lasted through much of the summer as Julie and I welcomed a third kid in late May. However, once I consistently got a chance to cast beginning in mid-August and running through October it turned out to be a pretty darn good year. And a lot of that success was due to the opening of a place called “Emiquon.”

But those are stories for Friday Flashback posts later this year. Don’t worry though as there’s plenty to fill the all the Fridays until then. And don’t forget, there are two final Blog Banner posts coming your way to complete that 30 post series. Sooner or later got to be some fishing too. Talk to you later. Troy

Blog Banner – Nature’s Ninjas

Posted on by Troy Jackson

“They were chopping them up, they were chopping them down…”

Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas (1974)

Jayce and Zac wielding a butcher knife, a boomerang, a katana and a staff

Wildcat Den State Park, IA – May 13, 2017

The outdoors is a wonderful place.

So is a kid’s imagination.

And when those places collide…well, it’s quite an adventure.

The wooded ravines of Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, Iowa were a bit safer on this day thanks to a pair of martial artist brothers. Not only were their hands considered lethal weapons but they also managed to collect several other weapons from nature’s stash.

Who knew that lying trailside amidst the towering bluffs, along the running streams and beneath the forest canopy one would find such an arsenal?

Sadly, not a fifty year old guy more concerned with the flora, fauna and geographical features of the site. But you know, those young imaginations are more than a bit contagious.

So while I scan the terrain this spring for Virginia bluebells, bloodroot and Dutchman’s breeches I’ll also be on the lookout for swords or hatchets or spears.  All the while under the watchful eyes of my entertaining and stealthy outdoor protectors. Talk to you later. Troy

Blog Banner – Uncle Martin

Posted on by Troy Jackson

“And I freaked ‘cause the guy sitting next to me was a Martian”

Martian Boogie – Brownsville Station (1977)

Inadvertent backdrop took me back to an old TV show

This shot was included in the Blog Banner as an example of a weird accident turned trivia opportunity that wasn’t noticed until taking a closer look at the pic after the trip. These days we do have the welcome feature of immediate feedback on digital photos but I generally just give them a quick glance. I make sure the shots are in focus and that my lighting is acceptable before giving it the okay and letting the fish swim away.

In the case of this shot, it was not a particularly impressive bass but it was my first of the evening which calls for a picture. After all, while you intend to add more to the log, you just never know when those fish will get stingy and leave you without another bite. Since taking up blogging, the first fish shot has become a habit just for such a reason.

Upon having a closer look when compiling my fishing report I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit at the “antennae” protruding from my floppy hat courtesy of one of the electrical towers in the background. The photobomb immediately made me think of the old sitcom My Favorite Martian that used to run in rerun on weekday summer afternoons as a kid. I was never what you would call a fan as I was more of an outdoor kid but I saw enough to get the character of Uncle Martin lodged somewhere in my brain.

And there you have it, another fun bit of once useless trivia put to work all of these years later in an outdoor blog. The actor who played Uncle Martin had a later role that hit closer to my generation. It was none other than Ray Walston who portrayed History teacher, Mr. Hand, in the classic 80s comedy, Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Good stuff. Aloha and talk to you later. Troy

Blog Banner – Booyah Y’all

Posted on by Troy Jackson

“Lights out, aha, blast, blast, blast!”

Lights Out – Peter Wolf (1984)

(Note: this fun solo effort from the onetime J. Geils Band frontman is kind of a lost cut and I would also recommend checking out the entertaining video for his 1987 tune “Come As You Are”)

Booyah Buzz Buzzbait in the Snow White Shad pattern

blast (verb) – to attack vigorously

blast (noun) – an explosion or violent detonation

blast (noun) – an enjoyably exciting experience, event or occasion

Yep, that pretty much sums it up.

Well, wait a minute. I guess I need to check out one more definition.

Booyah (exclamation) – used to express triumph or exuberance

Yeah, that also fits the bill on a buzzbait catch.

Being an amateur scribe, I don’t get compensated to pitch anything but Booyah if you are out there…

Anyway, I buy these off the rack just like most of us fishing folk. For my money they are just right as the price is reasonable for one thing. Many places you can find them for under $5 and after a couple good strikes I’d say the bait has returned your investment. Of course, they last much longer but the rest is just icing on the cake.

The second aspect that is a winner is the fairly brainless nature of a buzzbait retrieve. Now you’ve got to be tossing it in the right places but once you identify such locations it’s basically cast it out, reel it in and get comfortable on the edge of your seat.

A few quick tips though before I let you go.

I find that a longer rod is a must to get the most effect and distance out of your casts (I use a 7’ Medium Heavy/Fast Action model). I want to throw it as far as I can around those fishy looking spots in order that it makes as much commotion for as long as it can on the way back to the boat or bank.

A high gear ratio reel helps to keep the bait moving and picks up slack in a hurry to begin the retrieve once the bait hits the water. I only use a 6.2:1 so could definitely step it up to ease the workout but it is what I’ve got and I make do just fine.

Final note, don’t set the hook when you see the strike but wait that split second to feel the fish. Easier said than done and takes some practice.

While we won’t be tossing buzzbaits anytime soon around here I thought this post provided a good opportunity to educate beyond the earlier vocabulary lesson. The education aspect is a feature that I hope to delve into a bit more as 2019 progresses.

Okay, four more of these Blog Banner posts to go along with the regular Friday Flashback. Looks like I just might complete this project after all. Talk to you later. Troy

Blog Banner – You Go Girl

Posted on by Troy Jackson

“You just call on me brother (or sister) when you need a hand…”

Lean on Me – Bill Withers (1972)

Carly with a Henry County, IL pond catch that took an extra hand to hold – May 29, 2017

Anybody remember the Addams Family?

Well, that’s not Thing giving our youngest daughter, Carly, an assist with her bass but instead it’s her younger brother, Jayce. He’s much more in tune with handling the catch. In fact, he can hardly wait to get a hand on a fish no matter who is on the catching end.

When it comes to catching though, Carly will give that boy a run for his money as the most prolific fishing kid. A scan of the outdoor photo collection shows her with a bluegill on the end of a Mickey Mouse pole a month shy of turning two years old.

Carly also holds the unofficial kid species record with a collection of bluegill, crappie, bass, green sunfish and redear. She seems to have a knack for the latter of that bunch, prompting a previous blog entry for the original Blog Banner series entitled “Redear Queen” (click here).

I definitely give this pic a thumbs up just as Carly is doing with one of her two free hands. Hey, no harm in getting by with a little help from your friends (or a sibling). Heck, I used to fish with a Golden Gloves boxing champ in high school, toughest dude around, who either used a leather glove or had me unhook his fish. True story, and he was also afraid of worms. But those are tales for another day, if I ever decide to risk the reveal.

Talk to you later. Troy