Fish For Life Foundation Holds Free Tournament For Anglers On Clarks Hill Lake
Saturday will be payback for Clarks Hill anglers who regularly come out to fish for a variety of causes with the first annual Clarks Hill Fish for Life Foundation Anglers Appreciation Day Open Team Bass Tournament out of Wildewood Park with no entry fee.
“This is going to be a day of appreciation for the anglers who have always been there for years supporting all the fund-raising events at Clarks Hill,” said John Boy Long, who founded the Fish For Life Foundation in honor of his mother who died of cancer. “It's just a payback for all they have done in the past.”
Anglers will pay no entry fee and the top five teams will share in the $2,500 guaranteed purse, with the winning team earning $1,000 for first place.
A mandatory pre-registration meeting for all entrants will be held at Academy Sports and Outdoors, 4210 Washington Road, in Evans on April 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. Drawing for boat positions will be held at 7. Entrants residing more than 75 miles away can obtain registration forms by calling (706) 830-6439, or (706) 833-8135.
The event will also raise money through donations and raffles for the Clarks Hill Fish For Life Foundation, which recently received 501c3 status as non profit organization, Long said. The foundation was established in 2010 to raise funds to help find a cure for cancer. The primary beneficiary of Fish for Life is the American Cancer Society and Columbia County, Ga.
Sponsors of the Anglers Appreciation Tournament include Aaron's, E3Sports Apparel, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Power Pole, Milton Ruben Toyota, Weinberger Furniture, Ben Dreamin Outdoors, Columbia County, Lincolnton Marine, Cliatt Crossing, Giffin Plumbing, Pair of Jacks, Southern Anglers Challenge, AnglersChannel.com, Ray Diamond Glass Co., Walmart, Broadway Bait and Tackle and the Coca-Cola Co.
“We have applications out all the way up into South Carolina and North Carolina and I have got a lot of calls on the tournament,” Long said. “We could have a 200-boat field Saturday. And then, as soon as this tournament is over, we will begin a big drive for the annual Fish for Life Open Team Bass Tournament May 21.”
That is the tournament Long began two years ago to honor his mother Jean Thompson Gallagher who was battling cancer at the time. She found the strength to attend the weigh-in at the 2009 tournament, but died a short time later.
“We also hold it in honor of some local guys who are fishing right now with cancer. We had one angler who was given six months to live and he is cancer free now. Also, this year we are working with the Childrens Medical Network at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and part of the proceeds will go to them.”
Long said the Fish for Life Tournament in May will be set up basically the same as last year. There will be a $75 entry fee with first place guaranteed $5,000 and a $1,000 prize for big fish.
“It will be a family event with a kids fishing rodeo,” said Long. “Last year we had 98 kids fishing from the bank and we gave a $1,000 prize to the kid who caught the biggest fish. It was the biggest one-day event held out of Wildewood Park since it was established.
When not holding tournaments to fight cancer and other causes, Long competes in bass tournaments himself and he is the new Georgia State Bass Federation Champion. Long won the individual title in the Georgia Bass Federation Top Six challenge on Lake Hartwell April 4-5 and will lead the state team to the TBF Southern Division Tournament May 29-June 3 on Green River Lake at Cambellsville, Ky.
Fish For Life Open Team Tournament
Clarks Hill Lake
Wildewood Park
Sat, Apr. 23, 2011
For more information, call John Boy Long at 706-833-8135
Chickamauga FLW Tour Major #3
Well, I'm finally home from the FLW Tour Major, Lake Chickamauga event. It was a great time, but I've hardly been able to catch my breath. I got home Sunday night, then back to work Monday morning around 7:00 am. Not complaining, just explaining...my late blog that is.
Ok, about the tournament. I finally had a good practice. I, like everyone else found that the fish were spawning heavy during practice. On day 1 of practice, I ran up the river and fished. Boy did I have fun, I found numerous areas full of nice sized fish. The fish would bite pretty easy also, so I figured the river would draw a crowd. On day 2 of practice, I fished down the lake. I also got plenty of bites there throwing a spinnerbait and a jig to shallow cover. After day 2, it was evident that they were drawing down the water really quick. For day 3, I decided that I better go check my river fish because of the drawdown. Good thing I did that because the bushes and grass I had caught fish in were high and dry. I've never seen a lake get pulled down so quickly...amazing. The falling water kind of helped me a little because after practice, I was already planning to fish off the bank. I wanted to target the female bass holding out a little deeper in the spawning areas. On day 3 of practice I found my primary area. It was a big flat with a creek channel running around it. The bass were spawning in laydowns and there was tons of fish. You could go down the bank with a spinnerbait and have 15 lbs pretty quick.
Day 1 of the tournament was no surprise, the water had changed drastically (lower) and I had about 5 boats in my area. One was Brent Ehler. OK, I'll go ahead and admit it, that's a little intimidating to be sharing water with that guy. That's when you realize that you are not co-angling anymore...pretty cool stuff. I went down the bank with a Buckeye Lures 1/2 oz. spinnerbait and had about 12 lbs. Once I got to the end, I new I didn't want to go flipping behind those 5 pros slinging everything known to man at them, so I came up with a different approach. Looking at the bank, the only thing not getting fished was the tips of those trees, where the other guys boats were sitting. I told my co-angler that we were going to fish out deeper. We moved the boat and we each caught a keeper right away. That turned out to be a key decision as we both caught them good for the rest of the day. I weighed in 19-2 on day 1 and then 15-15 on day 2 in the same area fishing the same pattern. I fished a Zoom Ol' Monster worm in Plum. Never dreamed I would catch them that way...never say never in bass fishing.
I made the cut and was able to fish Day 3. I ran to some crankbait fish I found in practice, trying to hit a home run. I hit into a double play and it didn't work out too good, although I did catch a 3lber. When I got back to my primary area, the whole thing was completely muddied up. Also, there was about 40 mph winds crashing in on the laydowns, you couldn't even hold the boat. I adjusted to flipping and only caught 8-9. Looking back, I think I could have done a better job on day 3 with some proper planning, but hey, I'm still learning. Thanks for reading...off to Table Rock!
Thank you, Ranger Boats, Evinrude E-Tec, Buckeye Lures, Anglerschannel.com, Snag Proof, and Costa Del Mar
Dearal Rodgers (www.dearalrodgers.com)
Santee Cooper Open Team Tournament Only 1 Week From This Sat!!
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh shares with us why he thinks the anglers will have a field day on Santee on Sat, April 30th-and why Santee has a brighter future than ever before!!
2011 Stratos 210 Overview with Pro Staffer James Watson
Stratos Pro Staffer James Watson takes us on a thorough walk-around of the awesome new Stratos 210......take a look and then call your Stratos Dealer!!
Father-Son Tandom Enjoy The 2011 Kyle Page Event
The Key family take some time to talk about their day on Lake Murray and how much they enjoyed competing in the Kyle Page event!!
Piedmont Bass Classics Results - Kerr/Buggs Island - April 16, 2011
Great turnout on a day the weatherman was calling for some dangerous weather!!...43 boats! Luckily at Kerr, we didn't get any bad weather until right at the end of the weigh-in. We had, what I would call, a thunderstorm at that time. We all heard what had happened to other areas in the State on the way home, and our hearts and prayers go out to the ones affected. Michael Hatley, one of our 1st place winners, found out after the event, that his girlfriend had lost her Father to the tornado in Fayetteville. Our prayers are with that family. It was a rough day for the State and we were very lucky not to have been affected that much at Kerr.
135 bass were weighed for a total of 360 pounds. Mortality: 3 bass. Water temps ranged from 57 to 58 and air temps ranged from 55 to 70 with winds ranging from light to 25 mph gusts. Big fish for the day was 4.54 pounds. 3 others over 4 pounds were also weighed.
1st Place team of Michael Hatley & Tanner Phillips, caught most of their fish in a 'secret spot' fishing in 1 to 4' of water, using Senkos. Bass were hitting almost anything that was thrown at them. Evidently, the fronts coming in got the fish in a feeding mood. Everyone caught fish and I'm glad to report that these fish looked a lot healthier than last year. They had some meat on their bones and were very strong looking. I hope the 'bass sickness' is just about over in this great lake!
Once again, I want to thank our sponsors. Without their support we could not be offering the $5,000 Trail. The next PBC tournament will be at Falls Lake on Saturday April 30th. This event will be the 5th Qualifying tournament of the Piedmont Bass Classics $5,000 Bass Tournament Trail. Also on the 30th will be the 3rd qualifying tournament for our new 'Adult/Youth Future's Trail & the 22nd Annual Tobacco Bass Invitational tournament. I hope to see all of you at Falls on the 30th! Now here are the April 16th results:
1st Place..Michael Hatley & Tanner Phillips of Chapel Hill & Pittsboro...5 bass...16.41 lbs...$1,000
2nd Place..Matt Harrison & Alan Thomerson of Creedmoor...5 bass...15.78 lbs...$560
3rd Place..Jesse Soles & Ron White of Aberdeen...5 bass...14.36 lbs...$450
4th Place..Lee Williams & Tim Penhollow of Durham & Greensboro...5 bass...14.28 lbs...$360
5th Place..Glenn Elliott & Stump Bledsoe of Fayetteville & Hope Mills...5 bass...13.42 lbs...$300
6th Place..Paul & Russell Rigsbee of Timberlake...5 bass...13.30 lbs...$275
7th Place..Bobby Houser & Mike Stephenson of Raleigh & Durham...5 bass...13.24 lbs...$225
8th Place..Chadd & Jay Eriksen of Raleigh...5 bass...12.69 lbs...$170
9th Place..Johnny Wilder & Mike Harris of Stem & Oxford...5 bass...12.12 lbs...$100
1st Place Big Fish..1st Place Team above...4.54 lbs...$602
2nd Place Big Fish..2nd Place Team above...4.49 lbs...$258
1st Place TWT..4th Place Team above...14.28 lbs...$525
2nd Place TWT..5th Place Team above...13.42 lbs...$225
The 2nd Qualifier for the Adult/Youth Future's Trail was won by Thomas Clifton & his Father Jeff of Rolesville...2 bass...4.70 lbs. Their big fish weighed 2.84 lbs. They won $80.
For more information and pictures, go to our website:
www.piedmontbassclassics.com
or call Phil McCarson at 919-471-1571 or 919-971-5042
We are taking a break for Easter Weekend. Relax and spend time with your loved ones and remember the One that died on the cross for our sins. I'll see you on the 30th...Phil
The Adult/Youth Future's Trail was won by Thomas & Jeff Clifton
2011 Mskp Kyle Page Champions Chad Hastings And Peyton Frick Win $5000 With Their 20.61 Lb Sack!!
Kyle Page Champions Chad Hastings and Peyton Frick show hold up their winning stringer on stage Sunday afternoon along with many other anglers who had solid days on Lake Murray-
It takes 29.70 to win Accent Marine Tourney on Kissimmee Chain!!
Accent Marine held their fourth tournament of the season, April 17, 2011, at Camp Mack on the Kissimmee chain. The weather heat wise was great, probably the last one that the temperature is nice until Oct. May have been a little breezy for the fishermen. It was a great day on the water. 151 fish weighed in, with a total weigh of 514.90. 20 limits brought to the scales.
Next tournament is May 22, 2011.
The Florida Stratos Tournament is April 30-May 1, 2011 at Camp Mack. All Stratos and Javelin Boats are eligible to fish this tournament.
ACCENT MARINE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
April 17, 2011
1st Place - Wayne Yohn & James Watkins - 29.70 lbs - $912.00
2nd Place - Clay Garrett & Jeff Baker - 27.85 lbs - $759.00
3rd Place - Brian Wical & Matt Hinman - 27.30 lbs - $608.00
4th Place - Larry West & Kenny Trimble - 25.80 lbs - $455.00
5th Place - Larry Meredith & Lance Meredith - 24.80 lbs - $304.00
Big Bass - Brian Wical & Matt Hinman - 9.00 lbs - $760.00
2nd BF caught by Roland Smith
Kenny Trimble hold up his 8.05!!
Angler's Choice Team Tournament
Dennis Reedy and JT Atwell beat 150 other boats with a 5 fish limit of 15.15 Lbs including Big Fish of 5 lbs for a total pay day of $3800.
2011 Tom's Marine Tt Douglas Lake Champions Robby Cardwell And Kelley Millsaps
Extreme determination and concentration were paramount Saturday on Douglas Lake as 156 boaters battled all day long-Robby Caldwell and Kelley Millsaps prevaid with 5 fish for 17.01 and took home $4000!!!
2011 Tom's Marine Tt Douglas Lake Weigh-In Highlights
Considering the winds were blowing 30 mph plus all day, these highlights are even that much more remarkable-there were 120 limits weighed out of 156 total boats!!
2011 Airport Marine Logan Martin Champions
AC Pro Staffer Reed Montgomery grabs the Airport Marine Logan Martin Champs Ricky and Becky Smith after their 16.95 Lb limit this past Saturday!!
Fishing Getting Better And Better In Time For Tom's Marine Team Trail Tournament On Douglas Lake
Gary Pilkenton and Denny Turner won the first Tom's Marine Team Trail Tournament of 2011!
Gary Pilkenton, who with his teammate, Denny Turner, finished fourth in points in 2010 on the Tom's Marine Team Trail, has served notice that this is his year on Douglas and Cherokee Lakes.
Pinkelton and Turner won the first Tom's Marine Team Trail of 2011 March 26 on Cherokee Lake and they won the April 2010 tournament on Douglas Lake. On April 9 Pilkenton finished second in the WalMart BFL Tournament on Douglas Lake by a scant 2 ounces.
“Gary was one of the two anglers who weigh in 20-pound stringers so he is looking to be the one to beat,” said Richard McMaster Tom's Marine tournament director. “They are definitely on the fish.”
Pinkleton and Turner have another team nipping at their heels. Lee Varner and Travis Anderson have been strong last year and so far this year, having finished second in the first tournament March 26 by less than a pound. Varner and Anderson, who won the March 2010 tournament, finished fourth in the points in 2009.
McMaster said fishing is beginning to really pick up on Douglas Lake in time for the Tom's Marine Tournament this Saturday. It took 11 pounds to even get a check in the BFL tournament a week ago.
“I fished a tournament Saturday and won it with 14 pounds. The fish are going into the spawning flats and some fish are already being seen on the beds so there probably will be some sight fishing Saturday.”
Other than sight fishing, McMaster said the main baits probably will be Rat-L-Traps, Carolina rigs and Texas-rigged lizards and there will be some flipping in the bushes and flooded willow trees.
“After the recent rains the water level is up 8 to 10 feet and because of those rains there is a lot of trash in the water so I can't stress enough that fishermen need to be careful on the water Saturday. I am really concerned about people hitting floating logs and other stuff in the water.”
McMaster said the first tournament March 26 was a huge success, with 166 boats entered.
“I was really tickled with that turnout, considering the economy and gas prices. I'd love to see an increase in boats for the second tournament, but usually the second tournament has a few less boats. Anything over 150 boats will be absolutely great with these tough economic times we are going through.”
The Tom's Marine Trail has plenty of incentives to bring the fishermen out, he noted.
“I want to thank Ranger Boats for being involved in the trail. Without Ranger Boats and the Jefferson County and Morristown Chambers of Commerce the tournament trail would not be possible.”
Among new angler incentives for this year are:
- Tom's Customer Cash. Anglers who win one of the trail tournaments this year while fishing in a 2006 or newer model Ranger purchased from Tom's Marine will win an additional $500.
- Porter's Tires and Yokohama. Any team with Yokohama tires on their tow vehicle that wins a Tom's Marine tournament this year will get a $100 bonus.
- Lunker Sauce Catch Program. The angler who catches the tournament lunker and has Lunker Sauce in his boat wins $100 extra.
- Ranger Cup and Tom's Marine. A registered Ranger Cup winner in a tournament will earn an additional $1,000 or the highest finishing non-winner will get $250.
- Lowrance Electronics. If they are already running Lowrance Electronics on their boats, the top two finishers in each tournament will be eligible to buy new Lowrance Electronics for their boat at special VIP pricing.
“Yokohama Tires and Porter's Tire Store are new sponsors this year and they have really helped improve our incentives for 2011,” McMaster said.
In addition to the Ranger Cup, the trail also offers these manufacturers' programs: Stratos 2X, Triton Gold, Skeeter Real Money and Bass Pro Shops Tournament Rewards.
Entry Fee is $110 per regular tournament with $10 of that going to lunker pot. At least 90 percent of entry fees and 100 percent of the lunker pot is paid back at ramp at each event. Both a lunker largemouth and lunker smallmouth prize will be given at each tournament. If no smallmouth are caught 1st and 2nd largemouth will be paid equally.
Following this Saturday, the schedule includes: May 7, Douglas Lake; May 28, Cherokee Lake; June 18, Douglas Lake (night tournament); July 16, Cherokee Lake (night tournament); Sept. 10, Cherokee Lake; Oct. 1, Douglas Lake; and the Classic Oct. 29-30, one day on Cherokee Lake and one day on Douglas Lake.
Tom’s Marine Team Trail
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Douglas Lake
Shady Grove Access
Fishing Great, But Water Level Extremely Low For Mcdonald's Big Bass Splash On Sam Rayburn
Catching fish is not going to be a problem in the McDonald's Big Bass splash Friday-Sunday on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas, but getting to a favorite fishing spot might be.
“Fishing is phenomenal so it's not problem to catch fish,” said McDonald's Big Bass Splash organizer Bob Sealy. “But the lake is 7 ½ feet down and I have a concern for people who have never been on this lake before, and even for the ones who are pretty familiar with it. There are certain areas throughout the lake they really need to pay attention to. There are some long points that are really shallow.”
To stress his concern Sealy listed several areas around the lake where anglers should use extreme caution:
“On the South End two of the most popular places to fish are Needmore Point and Farmers Flats. Then going up past Bill Creek into Easley Flats. In those particular areas on the South End at normal pool you are looking at an average depth of 5 to 7 feet. Now you can be talking a foot or less.”
“Then, from the dam up to the main lake, in the mouth of Norris Creek there are some peninsula points that shallow up. At the mouth of Coleman Creek out to the main lake on the north side it shallows up. And then from Caney Creek Flats to McGee Point, those flats have shallowed up and that peninsula at McGee Point goes 300 yards out and gets so shallow they can't run as close to the bank as they normally do.”
“Going up into the Veach Basin area there is heavy timber in the mouth and you need to stay at least 800 yards away from that timber and enter Veach Basin on the north side. Don't try to go through the timber or around that island. There are some big trees under the water and now they are only six inches under the surface.”
“When you get up behind the black forest on the northwest side of the lake, Peckerwood Point shallows up. Also be careful in the mouth of Indian Creek near the Highway 147 Bridge. It shallows up from Indian Creek to the mouth of Harvey Creek and around all the islands there.”
“Basically, we are talking about fishermen putting in early in the morning when it is still dark so they need to pay attention to their depth finders,” Sealy said.
As long as the anglers pay attention to their safety, he said, they should enjoy phenomenal fishing.
“We are probably going to see some of the best weights we have seen in 10 years. The fishing is really on. For the most part the spawn is over, but they can catch them from a foot of water out to 20 feet of water,” Sealy said.
“There is no particular pattern working better than any others. In the last two to three weeks it is nothing to catch 25-30-40-45 fish a day. They just don't have a lot of areas to hide in. There are no bank lines or deep heavy brush for cover.”
Sealy said a lot of fish will probably be caught in 3 to 8 feet of water on a variety of lures.
“Some of the better fishermen have been catching fish on swimbaits around grass in 2 feet of water. If you find some timber a lot of fish are being caught on jigs and Texas rigs close to the trees. The Carolina rig is working in the deeper water and wacky worms are also catching fish. I have been catching most of my fish on a KVD square-billed crankbait in 2 to 5 feet of water – and some good fish at that.”
The tournament will pay out $580,000 in cash and prizes, with $155,400 in hourly payouts. Twelve places will be paid in cash every hour, beginning with the 6-7 a.m. hour and continuing through 1-2 p.m. hour. The payout will include $1,000 for the heaviest bass of the hour, $900 for second heaviest on down to $225 for the 12th heaviest.
First place overall is a Triton-Mercury Sportsman Package towed by a 2011 Dodge truck. Second place will include a Dodge truck and a Legend Bass Boat and Mercury motor.
Registration will be open 2-8 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday at Umphrey Family Pavilion and 5-6 a.m. each morning of the tournament at the pavilion.
The McDonald's Big Bass Splash on Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas, benefits the Ronald McDonald House and Select McDonald's Charities. This event is sponsored by Owner/Operator: Jerry Eveland; McDonald's of Jasper & Woodville, Texas, and The Jasper Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce, Jasper, Texas.
McDonald’s Big Bass Splash
April 15-16-17, 2011
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Umphrey Family Pavilion
Mskp-Kyle Page Tournament On Lake Murray Targets Aid For Three Local Families At $10,000 Each
The 15th annual Kyle Page-MSKP Open Team Bass Tournament will be held on Lake Murray Sunday, with the goal of aiding three local families with $10,000 each.
In the past 14 years the Kyle Page Tournament has raised more than half a million dollars and provided financial assistance to more than 50 local families who have children with special medical needs.
The first “Kyle Page Open Team Bass Tournament” was held in 1997 to benefit the Page family. The tournament was a huge success raising over $10,000 for Kyle's family after he was born with spina bifida, a birth defect of the spine.
After seeing the success of the tournament and the outpouring of the community, Kyle's dad, Joel Page, a local bass tournament fisherman, asked to continue the tournament to raise money for other families in need of assistance. Joel died last year, but the tournament is going on into the future through the help of The Gist Corporation and friends.
“We've got a bunch of families who need assistance,” said Dee Castine with the Gist Corporation. “For this year we narrowed it down to three families, one in Newberry, one in Irmo and one right there in Chapin. Our goal this year is to raise at least $30,000 so we can give $10,000 to each of those three families”
Entry fee for the tournament Sunday is $150 per boat, which includes big fish, and first place is guaranteed $5,000 by an anonymous donor. The lower paybacks will be determined by the number of boats entered, Castine said.
“This time last year we had 75 boats pre-registered and 154 registered the morning of the tournament. But this year I only have 39 registered at this point (Monday), so I am hoping for at least 150 boats to show up and register Sunday morning.”
Registration will be open at the launch ramp starting at 4:30 that morning, she said. In the meantime, anglers can register by mailing in their registration or stopping by her office at 1839 Chapin Road to register. Registering at the office would be preferable, she said, especially towards the end of the week.
“I'd hate for the registration to get crossed in the mail and us not get it in time for the tournament.”
Castine urged fishermen and others to come out and support the tournament.
“Skeeter Boats has come back on board as a sponsor this year, as has Sportsman’s Warehouse, and Dick's Sporting Goods jumped on board this year. We can always use more support. We have more families out there.”
Castine said a concert will be held in Chapin Saturday, with bands playing all day. All the proceeds will go to the MSKP Foundation. For details call her at (803) 345-0039.
Send contributions to the MSKP Foundation at: PO Box 398, Little Mountain, S.C. 29075.
MSKP-Kyle Page Foundation Tournament
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Lake Murray
Dreher Island State Park
2011 Sportsman's Warehouse April Report and the $5000 Guaranteed 1st Place Kyle Page Tourney!
Sportsman's Warehouse Fishing Mgr Justin Kijak gets us ready for one of the premier Tournaments of the year on Lake Murray-the 2011 MSKP Kyle Page Foundation Bass Tournament this coming Sunday April 17th!!
Fishing For a Prayer Benefit Tournament - High Rock Results - Apr. 9, 2011
This past Saturday's "Fishing for a Prayer" benefit tournament at High Rock Lake had a good turnout with a total of 33 teams coming out to try their luck. Southern Championship Fishing was proud to host the event that benefitted 6-year-old Angel Thompson. Angel, who suffers from complications stemming from a brain tumor, felt well enough to join us at the weigh in! She did a fantastic job helping weigh in some of the fish too! Despite the chilly and windy conditions on the lake, Justin Goodyear and Chad Poteat took 1st Place with a 26.22 lb. bag and took home the $1,000 guaranteed pot. A 23.48 lb. bag brought in by Joey Musgrave Jeff Young took 2nd Place, walking away with $500 in prize money. Michael Coley and Jacob Coley wrangled up 23.04 lbs.. good enough for a 3rd Place finish. They Coley's also won the $330 Big Fish Pot with a massive 7.26 lb. hog. 4th Place went to John Barringer and Jason Hathcock. They came to the scales with 20.66 lbs. Coming in just a few ounces less.. at 20.36 lbs. were the 5th Place finishers Jeremi Beathy and Rob Wright. The pair were also very close to a Big Fish win with a 7.24 lb. bass. Coming in 6th, with 19.40 lbs., was Kyle Whisnant. Thanks so much for everyone who came out to fish and watch the event. We'd also like to thank eveyone who donated a little extra to Angel and her family... Through your generosity we were able to give them more than $2,300 to help with medical expenses. We hope to see you all again soon!
2nd Place Joey Musgrave Jeff Young 23.48lbs
Piedmont Bass Classics Results - Falls Lake - April 9, 2011
Is summer ever gonna get here? Air temps ranged from 48 to 58 degrees, water temps averaged 60 and the wind blew steadily 10 to 15 mph all day. For our 4th open of 2011, we had a 18 boats show up to take on Falls. Dale Bolick & Johnny Ellis of Wendell won with 5 bass weighing 20.83 lbs. The most popular lure for the day seemed to be plastics, c-rigs, t-rigs & trick worms. 58 bass were weighed in totalling 176 pounds with no dead fish. I want to thank all of our anglers and our sponsors for supporting this trail!
Story of the day: Bass were caught on mostly plastics, but spinnerbaits and crankbaits in 2 to 8 feet of water off main creek points with rock & timber cover also did the job.
The next tournament will be at Kerr Lake on April 16th out of Flemingtown Landing Wildlife ramp. This event will be the 4th in a series of 7 qualifying tournaments for the 'Piedmont Bass Classics $5,000 Bass Tournament Trail'. I hope to see all of you on the 16th at Kerr! Now here are the April 9th results:
1st Place..Dale Bolick & Johnny Ellis of Wendell...5 bass...20.83 lbs...$700
2nd Place..William Blanton & Gary Sellers of Fayetteville...5 bass...19.15 lbs...$390
3rd Place..Jay Garrard & Mark Herndon of Durham & Bahama...5 bass...15.77 lbs...$250
4th Place..Matt & Mark Harrison of Creedmoor...5 bass...15.04 lbs...$100
1st Place Big Fish..4th Place Team above...5.27 lbs...$252
2nd Place Big Fish..1st Place Team above...5.22 lbs...$108
1st Place TWT..1st Place Team above...20.83 lbs...$245
2nd Place TWT..2nd Place Team above...19.15 lbs...$105
2011 Progressive Weekend Wrap Up Show Part 2
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh continues our look back at one tremendous weekend across the region including a sneak peek at the Kyle Page coming to Murray this Sunday, April 17th-part 2
2011 Progressive Weekend Wrap Up Show Part One
April 11th Progressive Weekend Wrap Up with AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh.......looking back at some phenomenal weights this past weekend on Santee, Chickamauga, and more-Part One!
Art Waldo Wins The Bfl Volunteer Div. On Douglas Lake.
Shallow bites were the key for a big sack and the win for Art. He won by 2 ounces over Gary Pilkenton. Fishing shallow fishing was the deal for catching fish. There was 114 boats fishing the BFL today. Fishing was still alittle tough on a lot of the fisherman.
Catt Lake Wylie Champs Jimmy Bumgarner And Boots Wilson Tops The Scales With 17 Plus!!
CATT Lake Wylie Champs Jimmy Bumgarner and Boots Wilson haul in 17.07 worth $760-they had to go deeper after little success shallow this morning-click on the video for the full story!!
Flw College Fishing National Championship Underway!
Sonar represents UCF on Kentucky Lake - photo courtesy FLW Outdoors
The best collegiate bass clubs are battling for the FLW College Fishing National Title this week on Kentucky Lake. Action began today. Above is a cool photo of Miles "Sonar" Burghoff as he fishes solo this week - his partner could not make the trip. Sonar caught enough to begin in 18th place.
Defending national champs, Jake Gipson and Matt Wercinski had all hands on deck. The duo, fishing for the Florida Gators, are currently 5th with 12 pounds, 8 ounces. after tomorrow's (day 2) round, only the top 5 teams will compete on Saturday.
Matthew McClellan and Tyler Fisher from the University of Texas-Tyler currently hold top honors today with 15 pounds, 4 ounces.
LSU, winners of the recent Bassmaster Collegiate Classic in New Orleans, are 2nd with 14-14.
Tiny Christopher Newport University holds down 3rd with 14-11.
More at FLWOutdoors.com.
13 Lakes in 30 Days - Alabama Lakes Update
I would estimate that I have boated or seen at least 1000 bass (so, who's counting?) in the past month ! Incredible! But this took me, my truck and my boat, traveling thousands of miles and guiding on 13 of Alabama's lakes (some lakes several times) in the last 30 days, to produce such an astounding number of bass, to even lay claim to such a feat.
From the Tennessee River Lakes, Guntersville, Wheeler, Wilson and Pickwick lakes. To the six Coosa River Lakes; Weiss, Neely Henry, Logan Martin, Lay, Mitchell and Jordan lakes. To the Tallapoosa River Impoundment's; Lake Wedowee and Lake Martin. Then, all the way south to the Chattahoochee Impoundment Walter F. George reservoir, better know as Lake Eufaula on the Alabama / Georgia, state lines.
As owner of Alabama's oldest, professional "bass fishing only" guide service, I have guided for largemouth bass, spotted bass and smallmouth bass on these lakes recently.
So here is short update on the current conditions (water temp, lake levels, etc.) of each of these Alabama lakes. The type of spring, "spawning mode" the bass on each of these lakes are currently displaying and what size of bass we have seen recently, including the best lures and techniques for targeting these bass on the first week of April...a time of change for both the bass and the determined springtime anglers that pursue them!
TENNESSEE RIVER LAKES / GUNTERSVILLE LAKE
Guntersville lake is currently down 1 1/2 feet. Water Temperature is in the low 60's but it will reach 70 degrees by this weekend! Most bass are bedding.
See: www.fishingalabama.com for a Guntersville Lake link titled, " 11 pound largemouth bass / Guntersville Lake." There you will read a report of two mid-March trips, one two-day trip that produced several 5-8 pounders and 2 - nine pounders, and one 3-day trip in which a lady caught an 11 pounder on the last day! In all, total - we saw over 200 bass caught in a total of 5 days while fishing with lipless lures, shallow diving crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzz baits and lures on bottom like creature baits and worms.
* Don't believe everything you read about Guntersville Lake. Sure, some info is good, reliable information. But. There are now over a dozen guides on this lake, (some, just out of work anglers), that send out reports only, no pictures, no names, some are ridiculous, reports of 50-100 bass a day! Even on some of our recent trips we have struggled with only 10 bass a day and no big ones! But, I always have Big Bass pictures and notable clients testimonials...for anyone that asks for them.
To date, this year we have seen several 7 & 8 pound bass, three-9 pound bass, one ten pound bass and an 11 pounder. Heard this from any other source?
WHEELER LAKE
Wheeler Lake is currently down 2 1/2 feet. Water temps are in the low-60's, but could rise to 70 degrees by this weekend with mid-80's air temps predicted state wide!
I have seen no bedding bass on Wheeler Lake. Bass will be bedding in mid-April to May and the lake will be back to full pool. Most lures we have had success are shallow diving crankbaits, rattletraps and red eye shad, suspending jerk baits and some topwater bites (that will increase this week!) on spooks and buzz baits around wood cover in creeks and the Elk River. Tube baits, worms, creature baits, jig combos and Texas-rigged lizards will be good bedding bass lures this coming week!
WILSON LAKE AND PICKWICK LAKES
Wilson lake is down 2 feet today. Water temps are in the low 60's. / Pickwick lake is down 1 3/4 feet below full pool, water temps are in the low 60's. By this week the water temps could rise close to 70 degrees on these lakes. Both lakes will "traditionally" be back to full pool by the end of April. Largemouth bass will be bedding in the next week or so, on into early May. Smallmouth bass on these lakes should be bedding this week as well!
We have fished the dams, rock bluffs, deep mid lake structure, and creeks with as many as 20-30 bass a day! Also drum, stripers, white bass, catfish, crappie and other fish!
* Drifting below dams can be feast or famine on each daily outing. Always try lures bumped on bottom like spinnerbaits, tube baits, jig combos, Texas-rigged worms, lizards, creature baits and smaller grubs, curly twin tails and shad imitations fished on light line and with jig heads. Creeks on these lakes should show a tremendous topwater bite in April and May around new growing aquatic weeds and wood cover!
COOSA RIVER LAKES
WEISS LAKE - Weiss lake is currently at Full Pool. It should remain full pool, for it is usually brought up in mid April. Water temps are in the mid 60's and should be 70 degrees by this weekend.
NEELY HENRY LAKE is down 1 foot with water temps in the low to mid 60's.
LOGAN MARTIN LAKE - Logan Martin Lake is down 2 1/2 feet and rising. Water Temps are in the mid 60's.
LAY LAKE - Lay lake is 1/2 foot below full pool. Water temps in the mid 60's.
MITCHELL LAKE - Mitchell Lake is at Full Pool. Water Temps are in the mid 60's.
JORDAN LAKE - Jordan Lake is down 1/2 foot. Water Temps in the mid 60's.
All of these Coosa River Lakes should display water temps close to 70 degrees by this weekend, with predicted highs in the mid 80's. Largemouth bass are bedding on some Coosa River lakes and will all be bedding by the end of April, when all of these Coosa River lakes will be at or near full pool and new growing aquatic weeds show bass very shallow and very aggressive for the next 6 weeks. Post spawn spotted bass and largemouth bass will be hitting topwater lures, as these bass come off the beds and they are hungry and aggressive! All throughout April and May...it only gets better!
TALLAPOOSA RIVER SYSTEM
LAKE MARTIN AND LAKE WEDOWEE
Although both of these lakes are currently down, with Lake Martin 1 1/2 feet below normal full pool lake levels and Wedowee Lake 3 feet low, they will both be close to full pool by the end of April. Water temps are in the mid 60's, but will rise to 70 degrees this week on both lakes.
There are very little aquatic weeds on these lakes, but wood cover and rocks will show bedding bass in April and post spawn bass by May. Topwater lures, finesse fishing on Martin and jig combos on Wedowee are good lures for bedding bass and for smaller spotted bass in schools on rocky points and rock bluffs.
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER SYSTEM
LAKE EUFAULA
Lake Eufaula is down 3 1/2 feet. Water temps are in the mid-70's. Bass have bed!
Post spawn bass on Lake Eufaula will be very active in April and May! Weedless lures like frogs around grass are deadly lures these months for big bass! Bass will also hit buzz baits, spooks, Sammie and other topwater lures like baby torpedoes and other prop-baits, including topwater lures like pop-r's fished along weed edges and other shallow water lures around weeds like floating worms, soft jerk baits, lizards and weightless lures like Yamamoto's Senkos, are all good too!
Spinnerbaits and shallow diving crankbaits, suspending jerk baits and swim baits, will continue to produced numbers of big, post-spawn bass. As bass come off the beds look for them along creek flats, creek and main lake points, and any rip-rap rocks like those found around bridges, causeways and the dam area. New growing aquatic weeds like Lilly pads, milfoil and hydrilla weeds will hold shallow bass all throughout the months of April and May!
REEDS GUIDE SERVICE / ALABAMA'S OLDEST
Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first! Sure, I've got days open all this month, next month and on into the summer months...we all do. But why experiment? Go with Alabama's oldest, professional, "bass fishing only" guide service and you will be glad you did... Call (205) 663-1504 or e-mail me [email protected] today to reserve your springtime fishing trip!
* See my website www.fishingalabama.com for more info for bass fishing on all of Alabama's Lake's for every season!
Thanks and Good Fishin'!
Reed Montgomery / Outdoor Writer
Owner / Reeds Guide Service
Alabaster, Alabama (205) 663-1504
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
" Over 40 Years Guiding, Fishing and Exploring Every Lake in Alabama For Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Striped Bass "
Always Call on Reeds Guide Service...first!
Alabama's Oldest Professional, Freshwater Fishing Guide Service!
Spawn A Week Off, But Fishing Good For Chattanooga Bass Tournament On Chickamauga
Fishing will be very good for the Chattanooga Bass Association’s third tournament of the year on Lake Chickamauga Saturday, but not nearly as good as it probably would be if the tournament were held a week later, according to competitor Chris Coleman.
“Fishing has been really good. The fish were into heavy pre-spawn the last couple of months and they will catch some big stringers in this tournament,” said Coleman who served as CBA president the last two years.
“There was an ABA tournament last weekend and there were some heavy stringers and a lot of really big fish caught. There was a 10-pounder and two over 9 pounds. But the weights dropped off pretty quick.”
Coleman, who is ranked sixth in the CBA points standings with teammate Jim Cross after finishing 20th in the February 26 tournament and 10th in the March 12 tournament, said the problem for this weekend is the moon phase.
“The water temperature will be up by this weekend, but the spawn will probably be towards the end of next week when the full moon occurs. There will be a major spawn then if conditions stay like they are and the water temperature gets up a couple of degrees.
The fish will still be scattered by Saturday, Coleman said.
“I was on the lake both days this past weekend and the fish were just cruising around, not in a feeding mood. They are thinking about the spawn but they are not feeding. They are hard to catch when they are running around like that and not locked onto anything.”
Steve Kite and his teammate Daniel Lewis are currently leading the points after two tournaments, having finished third Feb. 26 and fourth March 12.
“Steve is one of the older fishermen on the lake and he has a lot of knowledge,” said Coleman. “He's really consistent and he's had 20-pound stringers in the first two tournaments.”
Coleman pointed out that the Chattanooga Bass Association format of 12 tournaments throughout the season has been extremely successful because of the participation of local and national sponsors.
“The entry money covers payback at the tournaments and the Classic every year is 100 percent funded by sponsors – and CBA has more than 70 sponsors this year.”
That has bred success for the trail, he noted, with tournaments this year setting current records for participation.
“We had over 100 boats in the first tournament and 98 in the last one. It's been 10 years since I can remember a CBA tournament with 100 boats, but it's because the fishing has been so good and the payout has been so good the last couple of years,” he said. “I think the purse in the classic the last couple of years exceeded $60,000 and everybody in the classic last year left with a check, even if they did not catch a fish.”
Chattanooga Bass Association
Lake Chickamauga
Chester Frost Park
Saturday, Apr. 9, 2011
Call Justin Medley 423-593-7703
2011 Countdown to Blastoff Week 12 Part Two
AC Insider Robby Byrum helps us continue to go through all of the upcoming Tournaments including the CATT Trail on Wylie and what you will need to throw if you want to cut a CHECK-Part Two
TBF of SC SANTEE Results!!
Big Bass & Big Winds at Santee
The Bass Federation of South Carolina held it’s 3rd points tournament of the year at Santee Cooper this past Saturday April 2nd. Santee has been hot with many tournaments won with limits of 30 lbs. or so. Most of the TBF anglers were anticipating the same type of day . They were greeted however with winds gusting over 30 miles per hour and
anyone that fishes this lake knows how treacherous it can be.
This changed many game plans keeping many away from the areas they would have liked to fish. Santee still gave up some nice bass though with the big story mainly among the co/anglers. Two of our younger anglers have recently moved up from the TBF Juniors program and showed they know how to get it done, out fishing their older counterparts.
Co/angler Shane Cantley of Camden brought in the heaviest bag of the day. His 4 largemouth weighed in at 16.67 lbs to take 1st place in his division. His big fish was 5.04 lbs. this earned Shane a check for $577. In second also just having joined us from the Juniors is DJ McEachern with 3 bass for a weight of 10.72 lbs. and big bass of the day at 6.16 lbs. DJ received $346 and $128 for his big fish. Third place co/angler was Nate Nienhius of Lexington at 10.05 lbs. and $230 for his efforts.Co-Angler Champion Shane Cantley
The boaters also brought in some nice bass although there were no 5 bass limits at all.
1st place honor went to Robert Rikard of Lexington with 3 bass weighing in at 11.89 lbs.
Roberts largest was 5.78 lbs. 1st place paid out $961 . Finishing 2nd was Bernie Dreher
With 4 bass weighing 11.16 lbs. and earning Bernie $577. Buddy Walden, owner of Buddies Marine Service would come in 3rd with 11.12 lbs. and earning him his first check with TBF of $385. Way to go Buddy. Big bass in the Boater division went to Rich Gerken of Prosperity with a 6.20 lb largemouth and a check for $213.
Big Bass Winner Rich Gerken with a 6.20 Lb Catch!
There were 19 boats at this tournament making the payout amounts noteworthy.
The Bass Federation of South Carolina has a reputation for running quality tournaments, as well as a Junior Angler program. For more information please visit www.tbfofsc.com
Piedmont Bass Classics Results - Falls Lake - April 2, 2011
Steven Woodlief & Ted Boyette won with 26.10 lbs!
Great turnout on a day the weatherman was calling for wind gusts up to 50 mph!!...65 boats! It was the toughest day for our anglers and weighin crew that I've experienced in 27 years. The winds were just plain 'brutal'. However, 137 bass were weighed for a total of 389 pounds. Mortality: 3 bass. Water temps ranged from 50 to 55 and air temps ranged from 39 to 67 with winds ranging from light to 50 mph gusts. Big fish for the day was 7.42 pounds. 3 others over 7 pounds along with several 6 pound bass were also weighed.
1st Place team of Steven Woodlief & Ted Boyette, caught most of their fish in the clearer water down river towards the Falls Dam. Boyette said most of their fish came on 'Carolina Rigs' in 8 foot of water off points. Evidently, all the rain brought cooler water in the lake and backed the fish off the banks. The bass are still in the pre-spawn mode. Warmer weather will definitely set these lakes in our area on fishing-fire!
Once again, I want to thank our sponsors. Without their support we could not be offering the $5,000 Trail. The next PBC tournament will be at Falls Lake on Saturday April 9th. This event will be an 'Open Fun' tournament. Also on the 9th will be the 1st qualifying tournament for our new 'Adult/Youth Future's Trail and an 'Open Crappie' tournament.
The next 'Piedmont Bass Classics $5,000 Bass Tournament Trail' event (qualifier #4) will be at Kerr Lake April 16th. I hope to see all of you at Falls on the 9th!
Now here are the April 2nd results:
1st Place..Steven Woodlief & Ted Boyette of Wake Forest & Kenly...5 bass...26.10 lbs...$1,248
2nd Place..William Small & Lee Williams of Creedmoor & Durham...5 bass...19.20 lbs...$780
3rd Place..Paul & Russell Rigsbee of Timberlake...4 bass...15.37 lbs...$520
4th Place..Mark Herndon & Jay Garrard of Bahama & Durham...5 bass...14.15 lbs...$468
5th Place..Scott Gatton & Jamie Baynard of Cary & Clayton...5 bass...14.09 lbs...$416
6th Place..Billy Bledsoe & Henry Thomason of Fayetteville...5 bass...13.71 lbs...$364
7th Place..Claiborn Cox & Mike Carden of Timberlake...5 bass...12.55 lbs...$312
8th Place..Geno McCree & Phillip Johnson of Durham...5 bass...11.81 lbs...$260
9th Place..Tony Fofi & Dave Murdock of Fayetteville...5 bass...11.73 lbs...$208
10th Place..Bobby Houser & Mike Stephenson of Raleigh & Durham...5 bass...11.18 lbs...$208
11th Place..Richard Linton & Marc Peck of Pikeville...5 bass...10.14 lbs...$156
12th Place..Jesse Soles & Ron White of Aberdeen...3 bass...10.08 lbs...$156
13th Place..Chip Baty & Doug Farr of Linden & Fayetteville...5 bass...9.63 lbs...$104
1st Place Big Fish..1st Place Team Above...7.42 lbs...$840
2nd Place Big Fish..Billy West & Tracy Sykes of Knightdale & New Hill...7.35 lbs...$360
1st Place TWT..1st Place Team Above...26.10 lbs...$735
2nd Place TWT..2nd Place Team Above...19.20 lbs...$315
For more information call Phil McCarson at 919-471-1571 or 919-971-5042 or visit the website: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Second Place team William Small and Lee Williams had 19.20 lbs!
Morristown Marine Team Trail Results - Cherokee Lake - April 2, 2011
There were 138 boats that showed up on Saturday for our 2nd tournament of the 2011 season. Wayne Coppage and Darby Dye were able to come through with the win by bringing 19.98 lbs to the scales. They won by just .47 ounces over the 2nd place team! First place was good for $3,000!
In second was the team of Steve and Jim Miracle with 19.51 lbs, good for $2,000. Benny Roberts and Todd Nidiffer took 3rd place with 17.81 lbs. They took home $1,000.
The team of Brent and Chuck Hoskins won the Big Largmouth prize with a 5.89 lb fish, good for $675. Also winning $675 for the Big Smallmouth prize was the team of Bobby Cardwell and Pete King. They caught a nice 6.37 lb smallie.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
4th - Bobby Ferguson and Dean Cutshaw - 17.35 lbs - $725
5th - Dexter Goins and Greg Vinsant - 16.91 lbs - $650
6th - Charlie Rasch and Gary Pilkenton - 16.76 lbs - $625
7th - Larry Neal and Ben Boggs - 15.50 lbs - $600
8th - Benny Neal and Marty Stewart - 15.45 lbs - $575
9th - Bill Humbard and Greg Warren - 14.99 lbs - $525
10th - Ken and Brian Vicchio - 14.97 lbs - $500
FOR COMPLETE RESULTS, YOU CAN CLICK HERE OR CLICK THE LINK BELOW!
 Bobby Cardwell and Pete King won the Big Smallmouth check |
 Brent and Chuck Hoskins won the Big Largemouth prize |
2011 Paa Update From Director Danny Blandford
PAA Director Danny Blandford takes a few minutes to get us up to speed as to how the PAA is doing and what tremendous strides they have made the past 18 months--
2011 Paa Day 2 Highlights Part One
We grab several of the big boys as they leave the stage on Day 2 including current 6th place angler Todd Auten!
FLW tour major, Lake Hartwell
Since I live close to Lake Hartwell, I spent six days pre-practicing before off limits in February. I tried to find as many staging areas as I could for normal March conditions but our continual warm up since February warmed the water temps up so fast that the fish went from winter time pattern, to spawning. So I spent my three days of practice searching for spawning fish. I found enough to get me through the tournament. Day one I had a limit that weighed 14lbs 15 oz. Day two I had four fish at lunch time then my engine blew. The four weighed 10lbs 9 oz. I finished 40th, less than 4lbs out of the top 20 cut. It was an overall good tournament, 40th place paid $10,500. I caught my site fish on a 6 inch zoom white lizard. Home for two weeks then onto Lake Chickamauga TN. Check back in three weeks for that tournament update.
Countdown to Blastoff 2011 Week 11 from Sportsmans Warehouse-Part Two
AC Pro Staffer Brett Collins continues to help us weed thru all the big tournaments coming to our area this coming weekend including 2 CATT Tournaments on Wateree and Murray, where he has paid out almost $75,000 YTD!! Part Two
Countdown to Blastoff 2011 Week 11 from Sportsmans Warehouse-Part One
AC Pro Staffer, Greene Boat and Motor TT Director, and CATT Director Brett Collins joins us at Sportsmans Warehouse to look ahead at another MONSTER list of tournaments coming our way this weekend-Part One!!
Cherokee Lake Bass Turning On Just In Time For Second Morristown Marine Trail Tournament
Charlie Rasch and Gary Pilkenton won the Mar 12 tourney on Cherokee
Charlie Rasch is on a roll in the Morristown Marine Tournament Trail.
Fishing solo, Rasch won the 2010 Morristown Marine Classic last Nov. 13 on Douglas Lake and took home a $30,000 Skeeter-Yamaha bass boat for first prize.
Rasch then teamed with Gary Pilkenton to win the first Morristown Marine Skeeter/Yamaha Elite Series tournament of the 2011 season March 12 on Cherokee Lake. The pair weighed in a limit at 15.89 pounds and won $3,000.
“The bite for that tournament was a little bit off and we did not have a lot of limits weighed in,” said tournament director Sam Phillips. “The wind was blowing really hard then, so we are looking for a little better tournament this weekend.”
Phillips said the Cherokee bass are “turned on” in time for the tournament.
“We've had rain here this week, but Saturday there is supposed to be just a few showers and the rain will move out. Hopefully, we will have overcast skies and fishing will be great.”
The area down the lake appears to be the current hot spot and smallmouth bass seem to be the species that are really turned on right now, Phillips said. “We've been getting a lot of rain so I am sure it's muddy up the river and they have been puling water, drawing the lake down, so it seems like the fishing is better from the mid to lower lake where the water is a little more clear. That is where the big bites are coming from,”
Phillips said anglers are catching the bass on crankbaits, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits, that kind of fishing.
“But it won't be all smallmouth. The bass have not moved up to spawn yet, but they are maybe a week or so away from what I am hearing,” he said.
“We had a real good turnout in the first tournament with 145 teams and there are a lot of anglers out practicing this week for the tournament this weekend,” he said. “We paid back over 100 percent at the ramp the first tournament and we hope to pay back over 100 percent this week, too.”
Phillips noted that first place gets $3,000 and the payback covers one place for every six boats. New for this year, he noted, is the addition of Abu Garcia as a big fish sponsor. Abu Garcia will give several rods to the big fish winners at each tournament.
“And, at the Classic in November, we will give a 2011 Skeeter ZX200 with a new 200 Yamaha SHO 4-stroke engine to the winners,” he added.
Manufacturer bonus programs for the trail include Skeeter Real Money, Stratos Double Your Winnings, Triton Gold, Phoenix First Flight Program and the Morristown Marine Boat Bucks plan.
“In the Morristown Marine Boat Bucks program, if your buy a boat or motor here, new or used, any brand, we will pay an additional $500 on top of what you win,” Phillips said.
Entries are accepted at Morristown Marine the week of the tournament and anglers who sign up by 6
p.m. on Friday get two draws for starting position and can keep the one they want. Entries will also be accepted at Hookers & Hunters Bait and Tackle from 1 to 6 p.m. on Fridays prior to the tournament
After 6 p.m. teams get only one draw for starting position and entries will be accepted at the ramp the morning of the tournament.
The 2011 schedule includes: April 2, Cherokee Lake, Boat Launch Road; April 23, Douglas Lake, TVA Dam; May 14, Cherokee Lake, Boat Launch Road; Sept. 24, Douglas Lake, TVA Dam; Oct. 22, Cherokee Lake, Boat Launch Road; and Nov. 12. Morristown Marine Classic, Cherokee Lake, Boat Launch Road.
Morristown Marine Team Trail
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Cherokee Lake
Hamblin County Marina-Boat Launch Road
Contact: Sam Phillips 423-677-3004
Bass Fishing On Lake Eufaula Getting Better And Better Just In Time For Bama Division Bfl
Capt. Sam Williams of Eufaula, AL
Although the weather has been crazy, fishing is getting better and better just in time for the FLW Bass Fishing League Bama Division Tournament Saturday on Alabama's Lake Eufaula.
“Fishing is getting hot. Day by day it is getting better,” said guide Capt. Sam Williams of Eufaula. And not just for bass, either, he noted.
“Crappie fishing is getting better. We are catching some big crappie, just not a lot of numbers yet. People are starting to catch some big catfish, also. It's just a little bit too early for panfish, although a week and a half ago a fellow here got on a big bed of shellcrackers.”
Despite the cold, rainy weather, bass fishing has begun to take off, too, he said.
“I had a guy in the store this morning who caught a 6-pounder,” said Williams who noted that it took 14 pounds to win a big tournament out of Lake Point State Park two weeks ago, but it took 22 pounds to win a tournament last weekend.
“The bigger bass are just starting to do a little bit of moving and they will be moving in once the weather warms up. The barometric pressure has been going crazy. After the last full moon they pulled off the beds,” he said.
Williams had some advice for anglers planning to fish in the Bama BFL Tournament Saturday.
“They are talking about people fishing all the way down to the dam. You have to be extra cautious down there because the river gets so wide. The wind gets up, especially out of the north and south. People need to fish north of the railroad trestle to be safe,” he said.
“We've got more storms coming through this week and the water is going to be dirty. Rat-L-traps are really hot right now,” he said, “but schooling fish are not busting shad out of the water. You will be working the shoreline and hear a swirl behind you. Throw at the swirl. I had a guy who fished last Wednesday and he caught 20-something bass, but he never saw a shad bust out of the water.”
Up to 400 boaters and co-anglers are expected at Lake Point State Park on Lake Eufaula Saturday for the second of five stops in the Bama Division 2011 schedule. Based on entries, first prize could be as much as $9,500 for the boaters and $3,000 for co-anglers.
Williams, a full-time guide on Lake Eufaula, is also the founder and tournament director for the annual Lee King Benefit Tournament which will be held Saturday, June 11, out of Lake Point State Park. The Lee King Foundation, which holds the tournament and other fund-raising events, is named for Lee King, a local teenager afflicted with Niemann-Pick disease, a rare terminal degenerative disease for which there is no cure. Children with the disease have only their childhood to live a lifetime and King died last month at the age of 20.
“We lost Lee the last Saturday in February,” Williams said. “We are goi9ng to keep the tournament going in his behalf and we hope to get up to 200 boats this June.”
For information on fishing Lake Eufaula or on the Lee King Benefit Tournament, contact Williams at (334) 687-6266; (334) 355-5057 (mobile); or (334) 687-4000 (store). Check out his guide service at : http://www.hawksfishingguideservice.com/.
FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) - Bama Division
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Lake Eufaula
Lake Point State Park
Progressive Bass Weekend Wrap Up Part Two
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh continues looking back at some of these huge events last weekend including the Tom's Marine TT and how the slot limit on Cherokee almost guarantee's quality SM if you land em'-Part Two
Progressive Bass Weekend Wrap Up Part One
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh joins us to look back at some fantastic Tournament fishing this past weekend including his win at the Bassmaster Weekend Series on Norman-Part One
NC Western Region Tournament Top 30
CATT LAke Wylie Winners
Clay Williams and David Redman brought in a 5 bass limit of Lake Wylie bass totaling up at 18 lbs 11 ozs to take 1st Place this past Saturday at Buster Boyd Bridge. They weighed in a 4 lb 3 oz bass taking 2nd place Big Fish and they also won the BONUS $. All total they collected $1,128.00.
Tim Chapman and Marc Leech finished in 2nd with a limit weighing 16 lbs 1 ozs and they received $360.00.
3rd place went to Brian and Hunter Key with 16 lbs 5 ozs and they brought in the 1st place Big Fish at 4 lbs 14 ozs. All total they took home $477.00.
James Buchanon and Warren Wylie took 4th with 15 lbs 14 ozs and took home $140.00.
Jay Adams and Greg Clayton came in 5th with 15 lbs 13 ozs and received $110.00.
6th place went to Jim and Zach Davis with 14 lbs 5 ozs and they collected $100.00.
Next Lake Wylie CATT is April 9th at Buster Boyd Bridge.
Brett Collins
CATT LLC
CATT Wateree Mar 26 Lots of bass!
We had another solid field at Lake Wateree this past Saturday with 47 teams shrugging off the forecast of rain and when we got done with the weigh in it was no doubt why they were there. The bass are absolutely eating everything in sight! 14 lbs barely got you in the top 20 and over 17 lbs took the last money paying place. With the Wateree Final coming up next week it should be another weekend of good bags of bass brought in.
This coming Friday we will meet at the Vengeance Tackle store location at 2619 Liberty Hill Rd Hwy 97 in Camden. We will cook hot dogs and burgers starting up at 5:30 pm. We should be done by 7:30 to give everyone plenty of time to get back home and get ready for the Final the next day. One member of your team must be there to take part in the Calcutta. Email me or call to get more details. This is not a mandatory meeting.
Greg Sigmon and Tracy Pope were the only team to break 20 lbs so it was easy to know who had won by the time we wrapped up the weigh in. They weighed in 5 healthy bass at 21.58 lbs taking 1st place and they also weighed in a 5.97 lb bass taking 2nd place Big Fish. As it almost always seems to be the case the winners are in the BONUS $ and Greg and Tracy added another $580.00 to their total winnings. With everything totaled up they took home $1,721.00!
Ron Catoe fishing solo took 2nd place with 5 bass weighing 19.15 lbs and he took home $500.00.
David Ethridge and Mike Catoe took 3rd with a limit weighing 18.99 lbs and received $350.00 pushing their total CATT winnings over $11,000.00!
Scott Floyd and Bob Weaver brought in another heavy bag weighing 18.84 lbs and finished in 4th and they collected $260.00.
Ken McFarland and Darryl Watson came in 5th with a limit weighing 18.43 lbs and received $165.00.
6th – Chad Gainey & Cleve Yarborough 18.24 lbs $130.00
7th – Barry Holloman & Joey Bramlett 17.62 lbs $120.00
8th – Sam Dowey and Tommy Moak 17.32 lbs $115.00
Sam and Tommy win the points and will fish the Final free of charge and take #1 blast off position.
9th – Larry Hastings – Jack Gilmore 17.21 lbs $90.00
1st place Big Fish went to Mark & William Richardson with a fat 6.47 lb hawg and they received $329.00.
Next up at Wateree is the Spring Final with 85 teams eligible to enter. If at least 60 teams enter the Final payback will top $10,000.00!
Brett Collins
CATT LLC
Youngblood's 8-pounder Wins KVD Big Bass Classic on Table Rock
Branson, MO., March 28, 2011 -- The second stop of the 2011 Oakley Big Bass Tour was held on Table Rock Lake this past weekend as Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge played host for the 2nd annual Kevin VanDam Big Bass Classic. The tough weather condition trend carried over to Table Rock as strong storms ushered in the event weekend. Despite the weather, anglers were not deterred and a record number of big fish were brought to the scales on day one. “We had a record number of anglers competing this year and they definitely battled the elements on both days,” said Louis Wellen of Oakley Sports Marketing. “The quality of the fish weighed on Saturday was very impressive given the conditions,” added Wellen. Saturday’s competition ended with Wayne Youngblood in the lead with an 8.70-pound bass he brought to the scales in the 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. hour.
Despite an improvement in the weather conditions, the fishing on Sunday proved to be more difficult and Youngblood’s lead wasn’t challenged, as none of the day’s fish broke the 8 pound mark. Wayne’s big bass earned him 2011 bragging rights along with a Nitro Z9 powered by a250hp Mercury Pro XS and a Power Pole. The grand prize, coupled with the additional hourly checks earned by Wayne, brought his two day total cash and prize payout to just over $46,000.
“We would like to thank Kevin as well as Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge for their first class hospitality. This was an outstanding event,” Wellen added. The next stop on the 2011 Oakley Big Bass Tour schedule is Jamie McMurray’s Carolina Big Bass Classic on Lake Norman, April 30th & May 1st. For more information regarding upcoming events please visit www.oakleybigbass.com.
Wayne Youngblood wins the KVD Big Bass Classic
About the Oakley Big Bass Tour:
The Oakley Big Bass Tour is a premier big bass tournament series open to all amateur anglers. The tour provides anglers of all skill levels with an exciting tournament format and event experience on some of the nations best bass fisheries. Since it was established in 2007 the tour has focused upon the promotion of bass fishing and bass conservation at the grass roots level. The 2011 Oakley Big Bass Tour features the following six tournaments: Lake Conroe Big Bass Classic, Kevin VanDam Big Bass Classic, Jamie McMurray's Carolina Big Bass Classic, Blue Ridge Big Bass Classic, Kelly Jordon Big Bass Classic and the Gerald Swindle Big Bass Classic. For more information regarding tour events please visit www.oakleybigbass.com or call (877) 958-TOUR (8687).
Piedmont Bass Classics Results - Jordan Lake - March 27, 2011
Most of the bass caught today were on jerk baits and Rat-L-Traps. 33 bass were weighed in totalling 118 pounds. All fish were released alive!
The next tournament will be at Falls Lake on Saturday, April 2nd out of Ledge Rock Wildlife ramp. This event is the 3rd in a series of 7 qualifying tournaments for the 'Piedmont Bass Classics $5,000 Bass Tournament Trail'. If you want to fish in the Championship, June 18th, and have not fished as of now, you must fish as a team in the next and final 5 qualifying events. I hope to see all of you on the 2nd!
Now here are the March 27th results:
1st Place..Tony Fofi & Dave Murdock of Fayetteville...5 bass...21.91 lbs...$625
2nd Place..Ryan & Paul Rigsbee of Apex...5 bass...21.04 lbs...$335
1st Place Big Fish..1st Place Team above...7.71 lbs...$168
2nd Place Big Fish..Alfio Romano & John Kane of Willow Springs & Garner...6.28 lbs...$72
1st Place TWT..1st Place Team above...21.91 lbs...$140
2nd Place TWT..Todd Gibson & George Lambeth of Thomasville...19.63 lbs...$60
For more information call Phil McCarson at 919-471-1571 or 919-971-5042 or visit the website: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Thanks for fishing!
Phil
Lake Hartwell FLW Tour Major Re-Cap
I just made it home from the Lake Hartwell FLW Tour event and finished 53rd. I was 4 ozs away from $10,000 and that hurt a little bit. Overall, I can't complain. Again, I was on basically nothing in practice and had to figure it out as I went. On the third day of practice I caught a few fish that were suspended in the clear water. I could have probably had around 10lbs. I also marked some on beds and figured I could catch some of those if I had to. Well, on day one, the wind blew 30+ right into the areas I had marked. The water went from crystal clear to muddy and I had to completely abandon the area. I went back toward the landing and scratched out 9lbs, good for 102nd place. On day 2, after the reports of all the bed fishing, I decided to hunt for beds. I caught my first fish on the bed around 9:30. Around 10:00, I was casting a senko while I was looking for beds and caught a 3lber. On my very next cast, I caught a 4lber on the senko. I looked up and noticed that I caught those fish on a spawning bank in the little bit deeper water. About 11:30, I got to thinking, I wonder if the fish that I found in practice could be caught that way? Although the water had muddied up, I didn't need to see them to fish the senko. I ran the 10+ miles to them and caught 3 big ones before the end of the day. That decision resulted in over 14lbs, moved me from 102 to 53 and got me $4,000. Amazing how little decisions make a world of difference. Best thing is, I'm 41st in the standings. I'll take it for 2 tournaments where I could not fish my strengths at all. Two weeks of rest...I mean...work, then it's off to the next one! Ya'll take care, Dearal
Thank you, Anglerschannel.com, Buckeye Lures, Snag Proof, Evinrude E-Tec, Ranger Boats, Costa Del Mar, Marshall's Marine
www.dearalrodgers.com
Tracy Adams And Jason Quinn Comment On Day 3 Of The Bassmaster Open On Lake Norman
Tracy Adams and Jason Quinn comment on what they did on this final day and how impressed they were with Champion Fletcher Shryock's incredible bag and success on Lake Norman!
Fletcher Shyrock Seals The Bassmaster Open On Lake Norman With A 7-9 Kicker!!
Ohio Native Fletcher Shryock caps off an incredible week with back to back 17 plus LB bags and 49-9 over three days to win the second Southern Open of the 2011 season!!
2011 Bassmaster Open Day 2 Lake Norman Highlights Part Two
Just after coming off stage, we grab current 2nd place angler Tracy Adams to talk about his second solid afternoon with one more round to go!!
2011 Bassmaster Open Day 2 Lake Norman Highlights Part One
Fetha-Styx pro Andy Montgomery and Brandon Card join us after weighing in some of the better bags of Day 2 on Lake Norman
Hite Expects Lake Norman Fishing To Be As Good As It Gets For Bass Southern Open
Elite Series Pro and 1999 Bassmaster Classic Champion Davy Hite
Davy Hite, the 1999 Bassmaster Classic champion, got about 5-6 hours of practice on Lake Norman Monday afternoon for the Bassmaster Southern Open which begins Thursday and he liked what he found in that short time.
“With just a few hours on the water, it's hard to say how the tournament will go, but I think it will be a good tournament,” said the long-time pro from Ninety Six, S.C. “The water temperature is about 56 to 60 degrees, depending on where you are on the lake, so I think a lot of fish will be caught a lot of different ways this week.”
Hite has come to the first Southern Open focused on his main goal this year – to qualify for the 2012 Bassmaster Classic.
“As always,” he said, “you want to have a good start for the season. Having won a couple of Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles, that is something that is an ultimate goal every year, but I try to make it a realistic goal. With competition the way it is you can't have a single bad tournament and have a chance at Angler of the Year.”
His hopes to make a run for the AOY title this year in the Elite Series went down the drain last week in the second Elite tournament of the year when he finished well out of the money.
“Florida has never been good to me,” Hite said. “I had a decent finish on the Harris Chain of Lakes, 33rd. I'll take that finish any day of the week in Florida. Then last week on the St. Johns River I had a bad finish that eliminated my chances to have a shot at Angler of the Year.”
The goal now is to stay focused, he said, on making the Classic next year.
“Realizing I had a decent first tournament and the Classic is a goal I shoot for every year, I certainly plan to qualify for it this year. I just barely missed it this past year.”
There are two main ways for a pro angler to qualify for the Classic – through the Elite Series, based on points, and through the Opens, which is why Hite and many other anglers are fishing both series now.
Besides the opportunity to earn as much as $192, 500 by winning an Open tournament, the Pro Division winner of each Open tournament also gets a berth in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic.
With that goal in mind, Hite plans to pick a different section of the lake to scout on Tuesday and then he will spend the half-day of practice Wednesday zeroing in on his plan for fishing the tournament.
“I will probably try to target largemouths, but from what I've seen so far I don't know if you would be able to catch a limit of those. So, I probably will target a little bit of both to make sure I get five fish each day. It would be really good to get a quality largemouth to help with the weight.”
Hite said the bass are up in pre-spawn and likely will be shallow by tournament time.
“I think they will be caught on shallow crankbaits, jigs, Shakey Head Worms, all those sorts of things. But it all depends on the weather over the next few days as to how far along these fish will progress. We had some good 80-degree weather this past weekend, but things cooled off Saturday night and it's supposed to be fairly cool the next few days.”
If the water temperature holds and even edges up slightly, it could make for a really good tournament, Hite said.
“Lake Norman is not known for big stringers, but it should fish about as well as it can this week.”
Bassmaster Southern Open
March 24-26, 2011
Lake Norman
Blythe Landing
Thrift Still Running Full Speed For Flw Tournament On Lake Hartwell
2010 FLW Tour Angler of the Year Bryan Thrift
Coming off a win in the opening tournament of the FLW Tour this year on Beaver Lake, Bryan Thrift has no intentions of slowing down.
“Beaver Lake was exceptionally good,” said Thrift whose $125,000 prize money boosted his career winnings to well over $800,000 in FLW Outdoors tournaments. “That was one of the last places I thought I would have a chance to win at because it is a deep clear lake. That just shows if you fish hard and stay at it, that is the main thing. You just have to stay at it and fish.”
That win came on top of a stellar year on the FLW Tour for the Shelby, N.C., pro, one that started out with a deep personal loss.
“I lost my father in January last year. It was definitely difficult to travel without him. He traveled to all the tournaments with me. It was especially hard going into that first tournament without him.”
The loss obviously spurred him to fish even harder – and smarter. Thrift finished fourth in the first tournament of 2010 on Table Rock Lake and he completed the season with five top 10 finishes, including first place on Lake Norman, his home water.
While 2010 started off on a sad note, 2011 began with high hopes.
Thrift and his wife, Allison, are the proud parents of a new baby boy, Wylie Thomas Thrift, giving him increased incentive to succeed in the tournament world.
The 2010 Walmart Angler of the Year is the hottest pro on the circuit, having now posted seven top-10 finishes and two wins in the last eight events dating back to the 2009 Forrest Wood Cup. He was ranked fifth in AOY standings in 2008 and 2009 and he finished 9th in the Forrest Wood Cup in 2009 and 10th in 2010.
“I want to catch them everywhere I go. That’s my goal,” he said. “Last year was really good. Everything just seemed to work out. The consistency came because it all falls back on working and hard and fishing hard. You have to put the time in and fish as hard as you can.”
Until Sunday's opening day of practice Thrift had never been on Lake Hartwell, scene of the second FLW Tour Major of the Year this week, but he planned to approach it very much like he would if the tournament was back on Lake Norman.
“This is about the same week I won last year on Norman and Hartwell will probably fish a lot like Norman. There are a lot of red clay points and I hope I can pattern it like Lake Norman,” he said. “It's springtime and I know a lot of the lakes around here the fish are biting good. The fish should be moving up so I will run a lot and fish shallow.”
His strategy in practice will be to burn a lot of gas and try to determine what the fish are doing, he said.
“I like to cover a lot of water and find five that want to bite.”
Like Norman, Hartwell harbors two major populations of bass – largemouths and spotted bass. Thrift said he will not specifically target one species.
“I'll just be targeting bass, everything but striped bass and white bass. I don't care if I catch a smallmouth – as long as it is a bass.”
FLW Tour Major #2
March 24-27, 2011
Lake Hartwell
Portman Shoals Marina
2011 Countdown to Blastoff Week 10 Part Two
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh helps us continue to weed through the maze of Tournaments all over the Region this weekend including Tom's Marine TT on Cherokee and HD Marine heading to West Point-Part Two
