Part II without further ado.
5. Spinnerbaits
Booyah Blade (largely a white combo of some sort) – 31 bass
Top Bass: 18” 2-11 October 14 Knox County, IL private strip mine
Comments: I’m still a spinnerbait guy even though the lure has kind of fallen out of vogue in the mainstream over the years in favor of some newer presentations. My waters set up about 50/50 in terms of spinnerbait effectiveness. I like to toss these bladed baits in shallower water with some color and cover with Lake Storey and a handful of strip pits being right on target. Even found out that they work just fine on Kansas bass in 2019.
4. Crankbaits
Various (see below) – 42 bass
Top Bass: 15-15.5”” 1-12 Aug 3 (Lake Storey) Aug. 31 (Knox Co, IL public strip pit)
Comments: Success came on a several baits including the Mann’s Baby 1-, Rapala DT10, Strike King Rattling Squarebill and Bomber Deep Flat A. This batch of baits fish fast and cover the surface to ten feet, both aspects that are right in my comfort zone.
3. Lipless Crankbaits (tiebreaker with crankbaits = larger Top Bass)
Strike King Red Eye Shad (sexy shad or orange craw) – 42 bass
Top Bass: 17” 2-8 August 31 Knox County, IL public strip pit
Comments: Kind of a weird year for this lure type. Typically a hit early in the year, 2019 didn’t see my first Strike King Red Eye shad catch until the end of June. From there on out it was a top producer right on through October on area strip mines and Lake Storey.
2. Plastic Worms
Senko wacky rig (watermelon/crème laminate or smoke) – 46 bass
Top Bass: 20” 3-14 July 27 Knox County, IL private strip mine
Comments: For several years, the Senko wacky rig has been my top producer and gets a real workout on the water. 2019 saw a bit of a decline in usage as many of my regular spots featured water that was more stained than normal. Just kind of strange conditions that had me focusing on some louder, flashier presentations. It was fun to see the Senko stake a claim to my Top Bass title for the first time since 2011.
1. Buzzbaits
Booyah Buzz (snow white shad or bleeding shad) – 63 bass
Top Bass: 17-17.5” 2-4 May 27 & June 21 Knox County, IL strip pits
Comments: I am a sucker for a buzzbait strike and continue to force feed the bass in hopes of a big one getting fooled. Unfortunately, no big bites for the second straight year but plenty of success to insure that I’ll be throwing them again in about three months. Plenty of bites but such can also be a result of plenty of casts as I have been known to keep casting these when I’d probably be better off throwing something else.
Still more to come on the 2019 recap. As far as the 2020 season, I observed open water just over an hour south last Thursday. However, a local check yesterday showed ice to still be lingering on a Henry County fishing hole. But preparation is underway in hopes of getting on the water during one of these March weekends. Stay tuned and talk to you later. Troy