Author: Troy Jackson

8th Day of 2025 Lures – Chatterbaits

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Chatterbait
22 bass vs. 59 bass in 2024
Z Man Chatterbait (sexy shad or white) with various swimbait trailers
Top Bass: 4-14 Knox County public strip pit – April 19
Top 5 Weight: 11-1 (4-14,1-11,1-8,1-8,1-8)

Comments
As we enter the Top 5 lures of 2025 with today’s post, we are on to the heavy hitters from the tacklebag. Both in terms of numbers and weights. Of the five remaining lure types (including today’s post), the chatterbait came in with the fourth heaviest Top 5 bag of bass for the year with a weight of 11-1. For 2025, the chatterbait was equally at home on The Canal and the strip mines with eleven bass on each type of water.

April 19 – Top Chatterbait Bass at 4-14 (20.5″) from a Knox County public strip pit

History
I landed my first bass on a chatterbait back in 2007 and I was hit or miss on casting one for many years afterwards. In 2020, I made a commitment to invest more time with the lure and in the interim have caught two hundred chatterbait bass. The 2025 totals were down from previous years as I am a spinnerbait guy at heart and trended in that direction, particularly during my late season Lake Storey trips.

Video
The clip below features my biggest bass of the year (tied at 4-14). It is also the largest chatterbait bass that I have ever caught, smashing a 2-15 from Lake Storey in 2024. It came on a cast immediately after I had landed a short bass in the same area. My primary GoPro battery gave out shortly after landing this one but the entire cast, catch, and grab are on video. The customary weight guess and the release with all the data are also added to the end of the catch clip.

 

Last Cast
I have an affinity for tossing a chatterbait along shoreline ledges/drops and across extended flats/points. Much of my use of the chatterbait is predicated on where I am fishing regarding these types of structure. Another factor is if the bass turn up their noses to my spinnerbaits, I often resort to the chatterbait for a different look. Tough to predict what lies in store for 2026 as I will rely on feedback from the bass and my gut instinct as my days on the water develop.

Another lure on the way tomorrow so talk to you later. Troy

7th Day of 2025 Lures – Buzzbaits

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Buzzbaits
20 bass vs. 77 bass in 2024
Booyah Buzzbait (snow white shad or black)
Top Bass: 2-6 Hennepin Canal – October 5
Top 5 Weight: 9-10 (2-6,2-2,1-14,1-10,1-10)

Comments
Like the situation with the Whopper Plopper (see Propbait post), diminished hours on The Canal led to diminished buzzbait catches. The public strip mines produced a handful on buzzbaits, and I even landed a buzzbait bass on Lake Storey which is a rarity for me. However, the shallow, weedy waters of The Canal are where buzzbaits shine and there just weren’t as many occasions to break out the lure in 2025.

History
Buzzbaits are a blast and can be big bass producers. They trail only jigs for the all-time Top 5 Weight breakdown by lure with a five bass limit weighing 25-15. While none of my 2025 catches came close to displacing any of those five fish, every cast with a buzzbait has the potential for a quality bite.

October 5 – Top Buzzbait Bass at 2-6 (17.5″) on the Hennepin Canal

Video
This bass on The Canal hit the bait between scattered patches of surface weeds in an open water area above abundant subsurface vegetation. Typical Canal conditions on the section of the main line west of Lock 24 and an ideal setup for casting a buzzbait (or a topwater frog). For this clip, I also added slow motion view of the strike which was quite an explosion. If you listen closely in the regular speed clip of the catch, you can hear the splash as well. Along with the potential for big bites, such strikes make topwater fishing exciting, and addictive.

 

Last Cast
Buzzbait production for 2026 will likely be related to the time that I spend on The Canal. I do have several strip pits that feature shallow water flats and ledges that set up well for buzzbait fishing. However, they can be a challenge during the warm weather conditions when the buzzbait bite is in full swing. Terrestrial vegetation on the strip mines makes for a tough hike to get to the water and shoreline aquatic vegetation can get so expansive that it is difficult to get the bait in front of the bass.

Next lure on the way tomorrow so talk to you later. Troy

6th Day of 2025 Lures – Grubs

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Grubs
20 bass vs. 34 bass in 2024
Lunker Hunt Finesse 3” Swimbait (perfect pumpkin or smokin’ shad)
Top Bass: 2-2 Knox County public strip pit – May 18
Top 5 Weight: 6-14 (2-2,1-4,1-3,1-3,1-2)

Comments
For 2025, all twenty of my grub bass came from the Knox County public strip pits in April and May. These little swimbaits are what I call “Ned Rigs” and I classify them as “grubs” since they are smaller, bite-sized versions of what I consider a true “swimbait.” Some may debate my designation, but it gives me yet another category to evaluate when compiling my beloved stats. I am a fan of these baits early in the year before switching to larger, louder presentations as the water gets warmer and weedier.

May 18 – Top Grub Bass at 2-2 (17″) from a Knox County public strip pit

History
The Lunker Hunt Finesse Swimbait burst on the scene in 2023 when it landed a Top 5 bag of bass weighing 14-15. That batch of bass was anchored by the 2023 Top Bass that tipped the scales at 5-3. Numbers were solid in 2024, but the big bites were elusive, and the latter aspect continued in 2025. Even so, enough “keepers” were landed to establish a 2025 Top 5 for the lure.

Video
Brent and I went off the beaten path during a May strip mine bike and hike outing. One of my stops was a small body of water that I had not fished for fourteen years. The shoreline weeds and brush had taken over since that visit and made access and casting tough. A spinning setup was ideal as it offered more creative casting options than a baitcaster. Armed with a “Ned Rig”, the spot came through with my biggest bass from the little lake to date.

 

Last Cast
While the 2023 success of this lure set the bar quite high, I remain convinced that it wasn’t a fluke. Numbers and size have been down over the last two years, but you can bet that I will have a Lunker Hunt Finesse Swimbait tied on when I hit the strip mines again next year.

Another lure on the way tomorrow so talk to you later. Troy

5th Day of 2025 Lures – Propbait

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Propbait
18 bass vs. 52 bass in 2024
Whopper Plopper 110 (bone)
Top Bass: 3-13 Knox County public strip pit – May 16
Top 2 Weight (only two at 12” or better): 4-14 (3-13,1-1)

Comments
I didn’t throw the Whopper Plopper as much in 2025 as I had during the past several years. The drop in use was primarily because I did not fish the Hennepin Canal as much as I had in previous years. My 54.25 hours on The Canal in 2025 was a significant decrease from 136 hours in 2024. The Canal is a very shallow fishery which sets up well for topwater fishing once the water warms. And the Whopper Plopper is quite effective in spots where you can avoid fouling the large treble hooks in the abundant weed growth.

History
From 2021 through 2024, I landed one hundred and fifteen bass on the Whopper Plopper, so my 2025 total fell shy of keeping up the pace. And my total was way down from a record haul in 2024 of fifty-two bass. It is a fun presentation and fits well with my fast, power fishing approach. However, it took a backseat this year to other topwater offerings and catch totals suffered from the diminished time fishing The Canal.

Video
The video of the 2025 Top Propbait Bass is kind of rough for a couple reasons. First, the wind was terrible on this day and ruined the audio. Therefore, the volume is way down on the catch and assessment portions of the video but turned back up for the release. Secondly, the video had to be spliced due to cropping certain sections for “security” reasons as the backdrop was a bit too revealing. With all my 2025 fishing taking place on public waters, there are instances where I choose to leave a little mystery.

 

Last Cast
I am still working on my game plan for 2026 so it remains to be seen what the time investment will be on The Canal where the Whopper Plopper shines. The strip mines also give up some quality bites as demonstrated by the video, but the wind and weeds can be a hindrance when fishing from the bank. If I were to make a prediction, I would anticipate similar numbers in 2026.

Another lure is on the way tomorrow so talk to you later. Troy

4th Day of 2025 Lures – Swimbaits

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Swimbaits
6 bass vs. 45 bass in 2024
3.8” Bass Pro Shops Speed Shad (K’s Magic) with a 3/16 oz. Owner Flashy Swimmer jighead
Top Bass: 2-13 Knox County public strip pit – July 24
Top 5 Weight (only one at 12” or better): 2-13

Comments
My swimbait production decreased dramatically after a banner year in 2024. The highlight of the half dozen bass in 2025 was the lone “keeper” of the bunch that tipped the scales at 2-13. This bass established a new Top Swimbait Bass beating out a 1-13 from 2021. On a clerical note, I designate swimbaits exceeding three inches in length as “true” swimbaits while the shorter versions are classified as “grubs” and include what I call “Ned Rigs” as well. We will cover that category later in this series.

July 24, 2025 – Top Swimbait Bass at 2-13 (18.5″) from a Knox County public strip pit

History
Prior to the forty-five swimbait bass in 2024, I had only landed ten bass on this lure type, all between 2021 and 2023. The added experience from last year did not translate into more casts in 2025. My confidence in other baits that get the job done makes it tough to put those down and shift to a swimbait. Yep, that whole creature of habit thing is hard to shake.

Video
I got my GoPro started late on the catch of my Top Swimbait Bass, so the hookset and my initial reaction are missing. It is also tough to tell but this fish came off a deep weed edge in a prototype V-cut section of a strip pit. My approach was to cast the lure out parallel to the edge and let it sink all the way to the bottom before beginning a retrieve just fast enough to get the tail thumping while keeping the bait running deep.

 

Last Cast
Catching the 2-13 in close to twenty feet of water was stepping out of my comfort zone. Being a shallow angler, I do nearly all my fishing and catching in eight foot of water or less. However, there is ample opportunity on the public strip pits to probe the depths, and I may take further shots at seeing if I can replicate this result in 2026.

Another lure on the way tomorrow so talk to you later. Troy

3rd Day of 2025 Lures – Crankbaits

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Crankbaits
2 bass vs. 19 bass in 2024
Rapala DT10 (parrot), Strike King KVD 2.5 Rattling Squarebill (natural pumpkinseed)
Top Bass: 2-14 Lake Storey – September 15
Top 2 Weight (only two at 12” or better): 3-11 (2-14,0-13)

Comments
Crankbaits took a back seat to a collection of other presentations in 2025 as I simply didn’t need them due to the success of other lures. Of the two bass that I caught (both on Lake Storey), one was on a Rapala DT10 targeting an isolated stump in about eight feet of water. The fact that it worked like a charm was one of the most rewarding catches of the year. The other crankbait catch was the lone success along the dam, a stretch that normally produces several bites.

September 15 – Top Crankbait Bass at 2-14 (18″) on Lake Storey

History
I invested a significant amount of time on Lake Storey from August to November where crankbaits have long been a mainstay. However, I got onto a spinnerbait bite on my “home” lake that precluded picking up a crankbait rod. I suspect that a crankbait would have still produced but it was one of those “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” situations. One of the bass that I fooled with a crankbait was a solid 2-14 caught on a Rapala DT10 in the parrot color pattern. That bait holds the distinction of having landed my largest bass of all-time, a 7-3 from the Emiquon Preserve in 2009.

Video
Unfortunately, I did not have my GoPro running when I landed the 2-14 bass that was my 2025 Top Crankbait Bass. As a result, I am only able to include the release video. It may be better that I did not have the camera running anyway as it was on a “secret” spot, a stump in about eight foot of water where a riprap bank transitions to mud. Not equipped with very fancy electronics, I was proud of this catch in finding the sweet spot relying primarily on experience. I did include that catch video of the second bass. Although not a particularly impressive specimen, it was the only “dam” Lake Storey bass that I landed as the typically reliable retention structure let me down in 2025.

 

Last Cast
It really surprised me when evaluating the 2025 totals that it only included two crankbait bass. Typically, I would land more than that on a Mann’s Baby 1- on The Canal or a few strip pits. And I suspect that is just what will happen in 2026.

Another lure on the way tomorrow so talk to you later. Troy

2nd Day of 2025 Lures – Jig

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Jig
2 bass vs. 2 bass in 2024
Googan Gridiron Jig (rotten pumpkin) with Net Bait B-Bug trailer
Top Bass: 1-9 Lake Storey – September 15

Comments
For the second straight year, my jig total is a meager two bass. Jigs are proven winners that shine early and late in the year, but the presentation is generally slower than I like to fish. And if the cool-water bass let me get away with faster offerings such as a lipless crank, chatterbait, or spinnerbait, the jig usually stays in the tackle bag.

 September 15 – Top Jig Bass at 1-9 (15″) from Lake Storey

History
While my jigs don’t get much of a workout these days, they have quite a storied history. In fact, jigs hold the record for my largest Top 5 total of any lure type with five bass weighing 27-9. As far as co-anglers, Brent’s largest bass of all-time came on a jig and tipped the scales at 6-15.

Video
For the featured catch, I made nearly ten spinnerbait casts to some good wood cover, hitting it from different angles without any luck. So, I opted for a follow-up with the slower, bottom bouncing jig and was able to entice a bite. The spot in this clip is historically productive, but sometimes it takes a little extra effort to make it work.

 

Last Cast
I am a creature of habit and fish fast, perhaps too fast in the cool to cold water period of the year. As such, the jig is often “Plan B” or beyond in my lure selection. In addition, many of my early season outings are quick hit trips to the Hennepin Canal which is a slimy mess nearly year-round, and those conditions can make bottom dragging presentations frustrating. For 2026, I am sure I will dabble with a jig as usual, but it will likely not be in heavy rotation on the end of a line.

Another lure on the way tomorrow so talk to you later. Troy

1st Day of 2025 Lures – Swim Jig

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Swim Jig
1 bass vs. 0 bass in 2024
Lure: Jonn Graham Warrior Swim Jig with a Big Hammertail trailer (bluegill)
Top Bass: None at 12” or better

Comments
My lone bass on a swim jig came late in the year on October 26 on the Hennepin Canal. During the summer I had spoken to a pair of anglers who had noted success in tossing swim jigs and figured that I needed to give one a go before my 2025 Canal adventures closed. A handful of casts paid off as I crawled the lure amidst the fading weed growth in an aqueduct.

History
Despite glowing reviews on the effectiveness of swim jigs over the years, I have yet to commit. In fact, I have only landed a dozen bass on a swim jig dating back to 1997 with catches in 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2025. This particular swim jig was from a batch that I purchased many years ago from Jonn Graham’s booth at the now defunct Elmwood All Outdoors show.

Video
The video of my lone catch presents a unique approach in what I call “perch fishing on The Canal.” In this case, “perch” refers not to a fish species, but a seat of sorts atop an aqueduct guardrail. The height of the protective barrier makes it tough to present a lure effectively from a standing position. Instead, I have taken to climbing the guardrail and locking my legs into the beams for stability. It works like a charm and gets rather exciting when a quality bass is on the line. In such instances, I must climb down and walk the fish to a landing point beyond the barrier. This fish was not one of those instances.

 

Last Cast
I am a creature of habit who relies heavily on his “confidence lures” and there just hasn’t been a need for swim jigs in my arsenal. As such, I don’t anticipate them getting much action in 2026.

Next lure on the way tomorrow so talk to you later. Troy

12 Days of Lures – Intro

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Winter has a grip on my neck of the woods well in advance of the actual season arriving. As such, I am confident that no more bass will be added to my fishing log for 2025. Therefore, I have elected to start my 2025 fishing wrap-ups ahead of schedule instead of waiting until after the New Year.

In doing so, it allows me to incorporate the old “12 Days of Christmas” approach with a bit of a fishing advent calendar mixed in. For this project, the countdown will consist of twelve lure types as that was the tally on how many fooled the 359 bass I landed in 2025. (Note: several lure types contained multiple lures within the designation, and they will all be included).

So, stay tuned for the lure recap from the first day to the twelfth day working up from the lures that caught the least bass to the Top Lure of 2025. The posts will feature stats, comments, history, catch video, and a parting shot. Tune in for the next twelve days. Talk to you later. Troy

Lake Storey Report – November 4

Posted on by Troy Jackson

I was able to get away from work last Tuesday, the warmest day of the week with afternoon temperatures pushing sixty after a cool morning. The aim was to land a November bass to meet my annual goal. The wind was a challenge, but Lake Storey came through with a batch of late season bites.

10:14am – Mission accomplished at 1-8 (14″) on a spinnerbait, Top Bass of the day

Stats
Date: November 4
Location: Lake Storey, Knox County, IL
Time: 9:50am-3:20pm
Totals: 5 bass
Weather: Sunny to partly cloudy/very windy, 52-63F
Water temperature: 51-52F
Lure: War Eagle spinnerbait (chartreuse/white) – 5 bass
Top Bass: 1-8 (Spinnerbait)
Top 4 Weight (only 4 at 12” or better): 5-5 (1-8,1-7,1-4,1-2)

Winning lure

Tune of the Trip
Against the Wind – Bob Seger (1980)
“I found myself seeking shelter against the wind.”
The wind was a beast on this day and coupled with a broken thrust pad on the trolling motor, boat control was tough. I did find brief shelter from the wind down below what I still call “Lakelawn”, and the area produced three of my five bass.

11:24am – Top Bass #2 at 1-7 (14″) on a spinnerbait

Notes and Nonsense

Wind for the Win – Wind can help to position the bass and windblown cover is a prime target. The downside is boat control as I don’t have any of the fancy (and expensive) accoutrements such as Spot-Lock on the trolling motor or a Power Pole anchor system on the transom. As such, I focused heavily on casting a spinnerbait trying to hit cover from as many angles as possible before the wind blew me off the spots. The goal of a November bass came after twenty-five minutes on the water with my first cast to a stump on a point getting pounded by the wind.

11:47am – Top Bass #4 at 1-2 (12.5″) on a spinnerbait

Missing Muskies – I spent just over fifty-six hours chasing bass on Lake Storey from August 31 through this outing and never saw a muskie. Typical years, with even fewer hours on the water usually result in a sighting or two and if I am lucky, a catch. I did have an odd swirl on a spinnerbait earlier this fall that looked longer than a bass but no confirmation on the species. In addition, I broke off two spinnerbaits on hooksets (including one on this outing) so maybe I had some close encounters that were not visually verified. Or maybe it takes a little imagination to categorize those incidents as muskie misses.

My November notes compiled for reference before I hit the water

November Numbers – While I have long pursued a November bass to end my year, selecting Lake Storey as my destination is not a common occurrence. Looking back over the logs, I observed that Lake Storey posted a November bass in 2008, 2022, and this year. Evaluating the data from those years prior to this outing, I found that I had a Lake Storey November All-Time Top 5 that weighed 9-15 (2-9,2-8,1-13,1-10,1-7). So, as I set out on this trip, not only was I looking for a November bass but shooting for one that weighed in a 1-8 or better to push that Top 5 into double digits. Well, I didn’t make it by much, but the first bass of the day got the monkey off my back as it was right on the mark at 1-8. It would prove to be the Top Bass of the outing and that was just fine as it checked off two goals on one cast.

12:18pm – Top Bass #3 at 1-4 (13.5″) on a spinnerbait, last bass of 2025???

Time will tell if these are the final bass for me in 2025. Daylight is gone at the end of my workdays, and the temperatures are set to drop considerably this week. But it looks like a warmup next weekend, so never say never. Talk to you later. Troy