Month: April 2021

Strip Mine Report – April 2

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Good Friday turned out to be a good day of fishing for the Brothers Jackson despite some less-than-optimal fishing conditions. The sunny skies were deceiving as air temps lingered in the 40s most of the day and strong winds made it feel even colder. Fortunately, the weather had more of an effect on the fishermen than the fish.

Top Bass was Brent’s 4-0 on a Bomber Flat A crankbait (read on for some cool release footage)

Stats
Date: April 2, 2021
Location: Knox County, IL public strip mines (7 lakes)
Time: 11:05am-3:50pm (4.75 hours fishing)
Weather: Sunny/very windy
Air Temp: 41-52F (felt much colder)
Water Temp: not available
Totals: 20 bass
Lures: Rapala Shad Rap (shad) – 12 bass, Bomber Flat A crankbait – 4 bass, Strike King Red Eye Shad – 2 bass, Jig & Plastic (black/blue) – 2 bass
Top 5 Weight: 12-4 (4-0,3-1,1-13,1-12,1-10) – see video below featuring the Top 5

 

Notes and Nonsense

Weather – It started out cold with wind chills in the 30s and I actually think it got colder at times even though the temperature went up if that makes sense. Numb fingers and runny noses were standard for most of the day although I did reach a point in the afternoon where I could feel all my digits.

Old School – Rapala Shad Rap (top) and Bomber Flat A (bottom)

Classic Cranks – With all the latest in lures gracing the shelves and cyber shops, you’d think we’d get with the program. Now, I do have plenty of newer lures but there is something to be said about old school, narrow/flat sided, unassuming crankbaits in cold water. For this trip, the Rapala Shad Rap and the Bomber Flat A were co-MVPs (most valuable presentations). I won’t pretend to know why but these toned-down offerings are preferred over louder cranks with a wider wobble when the water temps are low.

Last Cast – We’d planned on fishing until about 4:00pm since I had a football game to attend as my girls are in the color guard. So, at 3:47pm I am about 100 yards away from Brent when I hear him holler “I got a good one.” I quickly ditch my pole and head his direction as rapidly as a 50-something guy with a phone shooting video can move over strip mine bank terrain (kind of on autopilot upon seeing the bend in his pole). Upon arriving, I find that he has shattered the former lake record of 1-14. In fact, he more than doubled the mark with the 4-0. After weighing, photographing, and releasing the fish I offer up that I am done for the day, satisfied with that being an outstanding last cast. Brent agreed with that exclamation point to cap a solid day and we headed for our trucks.

 

Certainly, a successful day on the water, always enjoyable to get out for some fresh air and chase bass with a longtime fishing partner. Rewarding that a couple guys who started chasing those wily fish together as teenagers are still fooling them in their fifties. More to come from this outing and another fishing trip when time permits as my real job is taking me away from the blogging thing for a bit. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 5 Update

Posted on by Troy Jackson

A solid Top 5 Update this week from three anglers spanning the transition from March into April. Scroll on down for just over 25 pounds of bass.

Weight: 4-2
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 28
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless crankbait
Structure: Submerged weeds

Weight: 4-1
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 30
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless crankbait
Structure: Submerged weeds

Weight: 4-3
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: March 30
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Lipless crankbait
Structure: Submerged weeds
Angler Comments: Well, this has been one heck of a March. Another 9 or 10 bass today. All came on lipless crank over submerged weeds. Two biggest were 4-1 and 4-2. Seems to be an abundant population of bass in the four-pound range this year.

Top 5 Weight: 21-14 (5-5,4-3,4-2,4-2,4-2)

Weight: 3-1
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: April 2
Weather: Sunny/very windy
Location: Knox County, IL public strip pits
Lure: Rapala Shad Rap (shad)
Structure: Drop
Angler Comments: After striking out with a bit more active and thumping lure in a chatterbait, I went back to the old faithful Shad Rap. Once again, it was a winner in landing my largest bass of the day as well as my two other Top 5 entries.

Weight: 1-10
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: April 2
Weather: Sunny/very windy
Location: Knox County, IL public strip pits
Lure: Rapala Shad Rap (shad)
Structure: Drop

Weight: 1-13
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: April 2
Weather: Sunny/very windy
Location: Knox County, IL public strip pits
Lure: Rapala Shad Rap (shad)
Structure: Drop
Top 5 Weight: 9-3 (3-1,1-13,1-10,1-10,1-1)

Weight: 1-5
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: April 2
Weather: Sunny/very windy
Location: Knox County, IL public strip pits
Lure: Spinnerbait (brown/orange)
Structure: Drop

Weight: 1-12
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: April 2
Weather: Sunny/very windy
Location: Knox County, IL public strip pits
Lure: Bomber Flat A crankbait
Structure: Drop

Weight: 4-0
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: April 2
Weather: Sunny/very windy
Location: Knox County, IL public strip pits
Lure: Bomber Flat A crankbait
Structure: Drop/trough
Top 5 Weight: 8-14 (4-0,1-12,1-5,1-0,0-13)

Now that was a fun update to put together and submit (and participate). The crazy thing is, the days these bass were landed weren’t particularly pleasant in terms of weather. Things have kicked up a notch for the better in the area so here’s hoping the bite does as well. If you want to get in on the act, send your catches and pics to troy@troyjacksonoutdoors.com with the details noted in the entries above. Date, weight and/or length are required along with a pic while the rest of the details are up to you. Talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – April 10, 2006

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Fifteen years ago, Julie and I were less than two years into starting a family and were only a few months away from welcoming a sibling for Helena. The old pictures in today’s post are from an April 2006 visit to Little John Conservation Club.

Of course, during a trip to Little John, it’s recommended to pack along a fishing pole or two to see if you can get a few bites. Along with the fishing gear in those days, we also packed along a car seat, a diaper bag, a stroller, kid food and snacks, sippy cup…and so on. While I have learned that the standard “they grow up so fast” statement is indeed true, I can’t really say that I miss the preparation and packing that was a part of hauling little kids. Nope, these days, it’s just a matter of handing Helena the keys, telling her three siblings to pile into the minivan and off we go with our chauffeur. Still seems a little strange at times.

The picture below is a more recent look at the old scene above. It was taken last spring as part of a larger project that has yet to fully materialize. The intent was to duplicate as many of my blog banner pictures as possible to use as a new blog banner. That project is still in the works, so I guess consider today’s flashback post a sneak preview.

Talk to you later. Troy