This week’s update proves that there is more than one way to catch a bass. As far as presentations, we cover the top (Rapala Skitter Pop), middle (Senko wacky rig) and bottom (Texas rigged worm) of the water column to fool some fish. In addition, we got to our bass vis kayak, biking, and hiking. Do these guys know how to have fun or what?

Weight: 3-1
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: July 22
Location: Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Rapala Skitter Pop

Weight: 3-5
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: July 23
Location: Snakeden Hollow
Lure: Rapala Skitter Pop
Top 5 Weight: 15-10 (3-8,3-5,3-1,2-15,2-13) culls 2-13 and 2-13

Weight: 2-7
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: July 22
Weather: Partly cloudy/calm
Location: Knox County public strip pit
Lure: Senko wacky worm (cream/green laminate)
Structure: Weed pocket
Angler Comments: Casting into deeper, open water troughs adjacent to weedy flats was winner on several catches with this being the biggest of the bunch.

Weight: 2-5
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: July 23
Weather: Partly cloudy/calm
Location: Hennepin Canal
Lure: Texas rigged 7.5” Yum Ribbontail Worm (plum)
Structure: Trough
Angler Comments: A quick evening trip in search of a birthday bass was a success with this catch after about fifteen minutes of casting.
Top 5 Weight: 20-15 (5-3,4-10,4-2,3-9,3-7)

Another quality week of catching but it looks like a heatwave is on the way. We’ll see if has more of an effect on the fishers than the fish. Talk to you later. Troy

The area fishing holes may feel like bath water these days, but the fish still call them home. And while heat and humidity can be a factor for anglers, you’ll never catch those fish sitting in your living room. A shout out to one of our participants for getting out there and adding a couple catches this past week including a first for 2023.

Weight: 0-14
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: July 6
Weather: Partly cloudy afternoon skies
Air Temperature: 70s
Water Temp: 82F
Location: Knox County public water
Lure: Wacky worm
Angler Comments: The fish hit while casting to shoreline structure. Not many hits in three hours of fishing from 2:45pm-6:00pm. Caught one other bass smaller than this one. Few other hits.
Top 5 Weight: 7-2 (2-4,1-15,1-3,0-14,0-14)

Other Species – Channel Catfish

Weight: 2-3
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: July 6
Weather: Partly cloudy afternoon skies
Water Temp: 70s
Location: Knox County public water
Lure: Beetlespin
Angler Comments: The catfish hit on my first cast after pulling into a cove. The fish took the lure right after it hit the water and put up a good fight.
Top 5 Weight: 2-3 (2-3)

Thanks to John for the Top 5 submissions and adding some variety to our list. I would also like to thank John for his research on different area fishing hole in recent years. His input and catches prompted Brent and I to take a shot at a spot we had not visited for twenty years. Stay tuned for that adventure in an upcoming fishing report. Talk to you later. Troy

This week’s update is as easy as 1-2-3. As in bass in the one-pound, two-pound, and three-pound range for a trio of anglers. And, once again, we get a map of one catch which is always a winning addition.

Weight: 1-3
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: June 21
Weather: Early morning sun with east wind.
Air Temp: In the 60s
Water Temp: 77F
Location: West Central Illinois public water
Lure: Wacky worm
Angler Comments: Not many quality hits in the three hours I fished. Hooked a fish on the fourth or fifth cast of the day but he got off. Finally got some quality hits in a shady area in three to four feet of water.
Top 5 Weight: 6-4 (2-4,1-15-1-3,0-14)

Weight: 2-0
Angler: Brent Jackson
Date: June 24
Location: Knox County private strip mine
Lure: Senko wacky rig
Top 5 Weight: 14-14 (3-8,2-15,2-13,2-13,2-13)

Weight: 3-2
Angler: Troy Jackson
Date: June 24
Weather: Sunny/breezy
Location: Knox County public strip mine
Lure: 5” Yamasenko wacky rig (natural shad)
Structure: Weed pocket
Angler Comments: Probing weed pockets with a Senko wacky rig produced all of my bass on this outing, including this Top Bass of the day.
Top 5 Weight: 20-15 (5-3,4-10,4-2,3-9,3-7)

Good stuff as summer started right off with a taste of the dog days as temperatures hit the nineties. As evidenced by the details of the catches above, you just can’t go wrong with the good, old wacky rig. Plenty of reports and additional fishing stuff to come as time permits. Talk to you later. Troy

The Top 5 Updates continue with this week’s submission including a little something extra. Not only do we get the standard picture and data, but also a detailed description of the setup including a map. Read on for a cool fishing report.

Weight: 2-4
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: June 8
Weather: Early morning sun with 60-degree air temperature
Water Temp: Not Available
Location: West Central Illinois public water
Lure: Black and silver shallow running Rapala
Angler Comments: There is a narrow area of shallow water across the entrance to an inlet off the main lake. The shallow water is only one to two feet deep. There is deep water on the inlet side and lake side of the shallow water. If the lake water level were to drop the inlet would be cut off from the main lake. The shallow water has numerous bluegill nests, and a lot of bluegills were present. Bass were coming up from the deep water on the lake side and harassing the bluegill population. Earlier in the morning I hooked a heavy bass on a silver and black floating Rapala cast into the bluegill nest area. The fish immediately headed for the deep water weed beds. He was able to use the weeds to get away. Later in the morning I returned to the spot and could see several large bass in the deep clear water. I threw wacky worms, spinner baits, shallow running Rapalas and paddle tail plastics toward the bass in the deep water, but they showed little interest. Finally, a bass took the Rapala and headed for the weeds. I was able to keep him from wrapping the line around the weeds and landed the 2 lbs. 4 oz. fish.
Top 5 Weight: 5-1 (2-4,1-15,0-14)

Thank you, John, for your catch and the detailed rundown of how you got it done. I may take a page out of your book for an upcoming post of my own. We’ll see how my attempt at an illustration goes as I may be in touch for more of your artistry. I also have a plan to get a few more submissions for next week’s Top 5 Update. Stay tuned and talk to you later. Troy

Welcome back to Top 5 veteran angler, John Kirkemo, as he adds his first submissions of 2023. He and a young fishing partner took on Snakeden Hollow’s McMaster Lake last week on a balmy evening and had a good outing.

Weight: 1-15
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: May 31
Weather: Partly cloudy with air temperatures in the 90s
Water Temp: 79-83F
Location: McMaster Lake
Lure: Wacky worm

Weight: 0-14
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: May 31
Weather: Partly cloudy with air temperatures in the 90s
Water Temp: 79-83F
Location: McMaster Lake
Lure: Wacky worm
Angler Comments: Fished from 4:15pm to 7:45pm. Most fish were caught before 6:00pm while the sun was still high. Not much action after 7:00pm. Only one other power boat on the lake and only a few shore fishermen.
Top 5 Weight: 2-13 (1-15,0-14)

Well done, John, as that crystal clear lake can be a challenge, especially on a sunny, summer-like afternoon. Great to hear a report from that unique fishing hole. More fishing stats and notes in the works. Stay tuned and talk to you later. Troy