2011 Mtn Music Kids Bass Tournament Re-Cap With Tom's Marine Tt Director Richard Mcmaster
Tom's Marine TT Director and Mtn Music Kids Bass Tournament Angler Richard McMaster re-caps what was an absolutely incredible day on Douglas Lake all for a cause that is at the top of everyone's wish list-helping Kids learn about and enjoy Bass Fishing!
2011 Mountain Music Kids Bass Tournament Weigh-In Highlights And Champions
Tournament Director Stanly Jackson says he has the best team of Volunteers in the country, and he may be right! Look at this enormous crowd plus the 2011 Champions Christie and Kelsey Millsaps-they had 3 fish that weighed in 8.89 Lbs worth $1000!!
Sportsman's Warehosue Report with CATT and Greene Boat and Motor TT Director Brett Collins-Part Two
AC Pro Staffer and Insider Brett Collins continues our look at all of his upcoming CATT Tournaments this fall as well his unbelievable payouts so far in 2011-UNBELIEVABLE! He also takes note of the incredible product now available in the store and online at www.sportsmanswarehouse.com !!
Sportsman's Warehosue Report with CATT and Greene Boat and Motor TT Director Brett Collins-Part One
AC Pro Staffer and Insider Brett Collins takes a break from running all the CATT and Greene Boat and Motor Trails to join us at the hottest (and we mean HOTTEST) store in the south for all your heavy duty tackle needs-Sportsman's Warehouse!! Check em' out online at www.sportsmanswarehouse.com !!
Mountain Music Kids Tournament On Douglas Lake Just Keeps Getting Better And Better
Twenty-one years ago fishing buddies Stanly Jackson and Joe Greenleef were having so much fun fishing they wanted to share the experience with youngsters who might not always have someone to introduce them to the sport.
So the two started the Mountain Music Kids Bass Tournament on Douglas Lake as a way of getting youngsters involved in fishing.
“I think maybe 16 or 17 kids showed up that first time,” said co-tournament director Chris Covington. Once it got started, he noted, it really took off and became a major attraction for youngsters from the area around Douglas Lake.
“About four years ago we reached 400 boats and we have about 400 boats each tournament. That's as many as the Tennessee Valley Authority will allow.” Covington said the tournament has filled up for this year.
As of Sunday when they started taking entries, by the end of the day there were 330 boats already entered. As the entries have grown, so has the participation by the local business community and by volunteers who serve on the tournament committee. Four years ago, Covington said, the tournament committee gave away the first boat in the history of the tournament.
“That was a random draw off the boat numbers. This year we will give away two boats. One will be awarded in a random draw off the boat numbers and we will hold a raffle for the other one.”
Covington said there will be plenty of food and prizes for the kids – hot dogs, hamburgers and Mayfield Ice Cream.
“No kid will leave the tournament without something. We'll have grab bags and t-shirts for them. We will pay 100 places with first place getting $1,000 and last place getting $50. Even the kids who walk across the stage and don't weigh enough to earn a check will get something – tackle boxes, rod and reel combos and other tackle.”
The day will begin about 10:30 a.m. with food and prizes and check-in. There will be a sanctioned Casting Kids Competition conducted by the East Tennessee Bassmasters and local pro angler Bobby Joe Ferguson, who won the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open on Douglas Lake in June, will be on hand to talk fishing with the youngsters and even give away tackle boxes and other prizes.
The kids tournament is a “real success story,” Covington said.
And he should know. He was one of the original 16 or 17 kids who fished the first tournament. Now 33, he is one of three co-directors for the tournament.
When Greenleef died about 10 years ago Jackson went looking for another fishing buddy and hooked up with Paul Loy. The three of them now work on the tournament year-round, Covington said.
“But it's way more than just us three. We have 20 or so people and we hold meetings once a month. Then the closer we get to the tournament we meet once a week. We've got people out getting the sponsorship. It's a group effort.”
21st Annual Mountain Music Kids Bass Tournament
Sat, Jul 30, 2011
Douglas Lake
Douglas Dam
Call Stanly Jackson or Chris Covington, 865-933-0082 or 865-607-0810
Bassmaster Weekend Series Nc Division Making First Stop Ever On Falls Lake Saturday
The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series tournament on Falls Lake Saturday will be the first time the North Carolina Division has ever fished the reservoir in the Neuse River Basin and it will be the last opportunity to qualify for anglers to qualify for the two-day division championship next month on High Rock Lake.
“This is the fourth tournament for the division and anglers must have fished at least one qualifying event to advance to the two-day tournament. You can't just join at High Rock and fish that event,” said tournament manager Gary Conner.
“The reason we are going to Falls for the first time is because the fishermen asked for it,” Conner said. “They told us, 'Hey, Falls is a good lake in the summertime,' so we are giving it a shot.”
Conner said registration will be held at the ramp from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, with the pre-tournament meeting at 7 p.m., for anglers looking to fish and get qualified for the division championship Aug. 27-28 on High Rock Lake.
While Conner said he had no BWS tournament history to draw on for Falls and had not seen results from any recent local tournaments, the advance information on Saturday’s event posted on the BWS website (www.abaproam.com) Wednesday advised that the lake can produce largemouths in the 5- to 8-pound range and smallmouths in the 4- to 5-pound range.
In five-bass daily bag tournaments, it usually takes about 20 pounds to win with the lunker topping six pounds so fishing summer patterns – shallow early and deeper later in the day – should be a good game plan.
Not only will Saturday be the last chance to qualify for the two-day championship, it could unclog the logjam at the top of the points standings in both the pro angler and co-angler divisions – or make it even tighter.
“It's very tight at the top for both the pro side and the co-angler side,” Conner said. “Rob Digh of Denver, N.C., and Tony Hatten of Huntersville, N.C., are two of only three anglers who have caught a limit in every tournament. Shane Miller, who is ranked 8th in the points, is the only other angler with a limit in every tournament.”
On the pro side, Digh and Hatten are tied with 733 points, but Ryan McMurtry of Abbeville, S.C., who won the 2010 Bassmaster Weekend Series on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville last November to qualify for the 2011 Bassmasters Classic, trails them by just five points and Brandon Gray of Bullock, N.C., is only three poinits behind McMurtry. In fact, Jason Dew of Whitesville, N.C., is within 45 points of the leaders in 10th place in the standings.
Conner said there are only three anglers on the co-angler side who have caught a limit each time and the points logjam is just as tight as on the pro side. In fact, Ben K. Dacey of Chesterfield, Va., is 10th in points and trails points leader Chad Shroeder of Dallas, N.C., by just 46 points.
Shroeder has 733 points, but Winfred Branch of Polkville, N.C., is just two points back. There is a slight bit of breathing room the rest of the way down as Robert “Shane” Holleman of Asheboro, N.C., is 11 points back of Branch and Steve Cannon of Wilkesboro, N.C., in 4th place, trails Holleman by 9 points. In 5th place, Jim Jenkins of Crumpler, N.C., is 6 points behind Cannon and only 28 points back of the leader.
Bassmaster Weekend Series North Carolina Division
Sat, Jul 30, 2011
Falls Lake
Ledge Rock
Call Gary Conner 256-230-5627
Weather Could Play Major Role In Outcome Of Accent Marine Tournament On Kissimmee Chain Sunday
David Harris and Colby Cotterill won the June tournament with 38.05 lbs!
Prior to the sixth of nine Accent Marine tournament trail qualifying tournaments out of Capt. Mack's River Resort on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Ted Meyer with Accent Marine predicted it would take 26 to 28 pounds to win.
For the seventh tournament of the series this Sunday Meyer is predicting it will take slightly less than that – 25-26 pounds.
“That is,” he said, “unless something changes. We're supposed to have some bad weather with a front coming in from the south. I just hope it does not rain on us too much.”
Rain was not a problem for the June tournament, but the heat was expected to be a deterrent.
“When it starts getting hot that is when the true fisherman stays out there and the rest of them go home,” Meyer said before the June tournament. The same could probably be said for the expected rain in Sunday's tournament.
Meyer just hopes the rain does not have any more effect on Sunday's tournament than the heat did last month when anglers far exceeded his expectations.
It took a lot more than the 28 pounds he predicted to win the June tournament – about 10 pounds more. David Harris and Colby Cotterill won June 26 with 38.05 pounds and earned $825. They also had big bass at 11.25 pounds and took home another check for $690.
But it was a tournament with heavy stringers and plenty of big bass. With four of the top five finishers weighing in lunkers over 10 pounds while the second place team of Brian Wical and Matt Hinman anchored their 33.25-pound stringer with a big bass that weighed just 9.25 pounds.
“If I had weighed in every bass over 8 pounds, there would have been at least 25 of them,” Meyer said.
That was probably the most big fish I have ever seen brought in during a one-day tournament.
“I guess everything just turned out right. It was hot on Saturday, but it was overcast on Sunday, things cooled down, and the fish just went crazy.”
Meyer said anglers will need to have a flipping stick in their hand around the grass or have a good brushpile to pull a bass or two from this Sunday.
“It took 24 pounds to win a tournament on Kissimmee last weekend, so we may get surprised and the winning weight may be in the 30-pound range, but it is supposed to be hot,” said Meyer who is hoping the weather will help as much this Sunday as it did last month.
Anglers must fish 7 of 9 tournaments as a team to qualify for the Classic. Payback is made to the top five places.
After Sunday, the series includes tournaments August 28 and September 25 with the Classic scheduled Oct. 30. Entry fee for the tournaments is $65 and teams that qualify do not pay an entry fee to fish in the classic.
Entry fees must be received by 5 p.m. On the Friday before a tournament; no entries are accepted after that deadline. The tournament payback is 75 percent, with 20 percent held for the classic purse.
Accent Marine, a Stratos dealership owned by Ted and Maxine Meyer, is located on Highway 92 East at Tampa, Fla. The dealership is also a full-service provider for Evinrude.
“If a team is fishing out of a 2009 or newer Stratos, Stratos will match the win pot up to $10,000 so they will double the purse for first place in out tournaments,” Meyer said.
For details on the Accent Marine tournaments, call (813) 620-1042 or (813) 620-1309, or email: [email protected] or [email protected].
Accent Marine Tournament Trail
Sun, Jul 31, 2011
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
Camp Mack's River Resort
Call (813) 620-1042 or (813) 620-1309
2011 BUSCH BASS BOAT Sweepstakes Winner Dwayne Johnston picks up his new STRATOS 176 XT/E-TEC PKG!!
Raleigh, NC Angler Dwayne Johnston wins the 2011 BUSCH BASS BOAT SWEEPSTAKES STRATOS 176 XT powered by a 40 HP Evinrude E-TEC delivered by the great folks at TRI-COUNTY MARINE!!
Countdown to Blastoff 2011 Week 26 Part Two
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh continues his predictions on some tournaments this weekend with one common theme-you better get a shallow bite early, otherwise it will be a DEEP pattern all day long-
Wave signs John Murray
Wave announced today that well-known Bassmaster Elite Series angler, deep water structure expert and six-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, John Murray, has been signed to their national pro staff.
“I’ve fished with Wave products for years,” Murray said immediately after his employment was announced. “I’ve caught bass shallow and deep on them from the West Coast to the East Coast and darn near everywhere in between. They’re truly professional quality lures.
“I can’t wait to get started working with their design team on new products and new colors, even though what we have now is outstanding. Actually, they’re better than outstanding. They’re the best in the business as far as I’m concerned.
“I’m really excited about this opportunity. It’s a chance to be part of the best of the best.”
For more information about Wave, visit www.wavefishing.com or call (877) 4-TikiMan (484-5468)!
Piedmont Bass Classics Results - Falls Lake - July 23, 2011
The $5,000 Summer Trail qualifier #4 at Falls showed that the heat is taking its toll with only 14 boats showing up to qualify for the Championship scheduled for August 27th at Jordan Lake. It was a beautiful day! The heat was setting in. Only 45 bass were weighed in for a total of 132 pounds. The anglers did a great job keeping their fish alive with the latter day heat being close to 95 degrees! Water temps averaged 93 and air temps ranged from 75 to 95 with winds ranging from light to 10 mph in the afternoon. Big fish for the day was 8.12 pounds. All in all, it was a tough day and it's getting tougher.
Ben Cannon & Ken Wall won with 5 bass weighing 20.55 lbs! They used mostly crankbaits & worm rigs to make up their creel. Most fish were caught on Texas and Carolina Rigs along with crankbaits in 8 to 14 feet of water.
The $5,000 Summer Trail qualifier #5 will be Saturday, August 6th at Falls Lake out of Ledge Rock Wildlife Ramp. Teams must fish 4 of the 7 qualifiers to fish the Championship August 27th, so those that have fished only 1 event still have a chance to fish the Championship if they fish the last 3 as a team.
All the information on the Summer Trail can be seen on our website: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Now here are the July 23rd results:
1st Place..Ben Cannon & Ken Wall of Apex & Asheboro...5 bass...20.55 lbs...$560
2nd Place..Jay Garrard & Trey Nichols of Durham...5 bass...16.13 lbs...$390
3rd Place..Chris King & Waymond Whitsett of Reidsville & Gibsonville...4 bass...15.67 lbs...$170
1st Place Big Fish..3rd Place Team above...8.12 lbs...$196
2nd Place Big Fish..1st Place Team above...5.79 lbs...$84
1st Place TWT..1st Place Team above...20.55 lbs...$245
2nd Place TWT..2nd Place Team above...16.13 lbs...$105
For all the information on the tournaments contact....
Phil McCarson~Tournament Director
919-471-1571.......919-971-5042
www.piedmontbassclassics.com
or email [email protected]
Mark Rose Wins FLW on Pickwick
2011 Icast Previews Continue with the new Daiwa Laguna Baitcaster Series!
AC Insider Vance McCullough gets some more great DAIWA reel insight from Daiwa's Own Bryan Yamani...
Bernie Schultz Brings Us Exciting NEW lures from Yamamoto!
Bassmaster Elite Series veteran Bernie Schultz shows us a couple of the hottest NEW offerings from Kinami Baits and Yamamoto at ICAST 2011!
Southern Championship Fishing Trail Results - Badin Lake - July 23, 2011
It was an extremely hot day this past Saturday when 13 teams came out to compete at Badin Lake. It reached 100 degrees and was humid with hardly any breeze at all. The uncomfortable conditions didn't stifle the competition any. When it came time to weigh in Bob Jennett and Derck Crumbley took 1st Place with 15.92lbs.. For that they walked away with $640. $270 went to David Drye and Robert Parrish for a 2nd Place bag that tipped the scales at 13.27lbs. Tod Haynes and Jeremy Talbert came in 3rd with 12.93lbs. It was a close competition for Big Fish, with a 1 ounce edge of the nearest competitor, and Bobby Latin and John Meritt took the title for that and took home $130 in prize money. Thanks to all who came out to compete! Cool off guys and we'll see you next time!
Tony Furr
Tournament Director
Southern Championship Fishing
2nd Place David Drye Robert Parrish 13.27lbs
Big Fish Winners Bobby Latin and John Meritt 6.01lbs
Ten Alabama Lakes In Two Weeks With Reeds Guide Service
* Guntersville Lake
Impounded 1939
We've been to Alabama's largest, man made impoundment Guntersville Lake, located near the town of Guntersville in North Alabama, situated along with three other lakes on the massive, Tennessee River System. For those of you that are first timers, there is a lot of grass on this lake with hydrilla and millfoil aquatic weeds spread lake wide. Thick, stringy grass that both bass and anglers that pursue them, love.
There are so many ways to catch these Guntersville lake summertime bass.
Our success on one trip came while fishing shallow with topwater lures in and around grass starting at dawn 5 a.m. Central time until 1 p.m.
We used zara spooks, sammies, buzz baits, frogs, soft plastic shad imitations and swim baits, spinnerbaits and floating worms, and we fished the first 3 hours of a very cloudy summer day in the low 90's catching about 20 bass up to 4 pounds. Then it slowed at 12:30 p.m. with midday 97 degrees and we headed in.
Another trip we fished deep water (of 8 -15 feet deep) along weeds, along main river drops, and rip-rap rocks, using 10 inch Texas-rigged worms, tube baits, swim baits, lipless lures and deep diving crank baits. Variety, on two trips! We only had about 8 bass on this hot summer trip, but they were nice ones up 6 pounds!
* Wheeler lake
Impounded 1936
Wheeler lake was very different. Lows 71 highs 90. Cloudy until 1 p.m. ! Shallow bass and schoolies in weedy flats all day! Most were largemouth bass caught on various topwaters like baby torpedoes, a Spittin' Image and zara spooks. Others were fooled from mid morning until we quit at 1 p.m. Very shallow bass for mid summer water temps of 89 degrees, on nothing but Zoom white trick worms and Zoom pearl colored Flukes, both fished weightless on 3/0 hooks in and around shallow weeds, in 1-3 feet of water on the lower lake.
* Wilson Lake (Impounded 1924) and Pickwick Lake (Impounded 1938)
These two lower Tennessee River lakes have been very good. Not for big small mouth bass (although we did have one smallie, about a 4 pounder), like most anglers are seeking, but for big stripers and largemouth bass! (See the recent pictures link on my website: www.fishingalabama.com at the top page are some big stripers we had this last Thursday on Wilson lake and you will see other big stripers, spotted bass and largemouth bass, some from Coosa River lake's Lay lake and Logan Martin lakes near Birmingham.) Like Wheeler, we caught both species of these bass in water less than 5 feet deep on topwater lures!
* Coosa River Lake's - Logan Martin Lake (Impounded 1964) and Lay Lake (Impounded 1914)
These two lakes only 40 miles from Birmingham, are at full pool, unlike some past summer's when mid-summer drought had both lakes down several feet. This high water holds largemouth bass shallow in the summer months. They live and feed along aquatic weeds on the lake's shorelines both during the day and at night. When coupled with cloudy, rainy weather and cooler temperatures in the upper 80's to low 90's, its topwater time! Although the lake's spotted bass will call for fishing a little deeper along the lake' s deeper wood and rock cover with finesse worms, crank baits, rattling lipless lures and spinnerbaits.
* Smith Lake
Impounded 1961
Yes, its a deep lake. Over 100 feet deep along some banks you fish. Even water as deep as 300 feet exists. Deep, clear water. Tough, summertime conditions most of the time right? Well not all bass go real deep on Alabama's deepest impoundment, Smith lake, home of the last few world record spotted bass.
We fished the lower lake's dam area, Dismal Creek and far back up in Clear Creek. Striped bass(10 pounds) and 2-3 pound spotted bass hit topwater lures, swim baits and suspending jerk baits until 10 a.m. We fished rock bluffs with jigging spoons and small Texas-rigged worms and lizards in depths of only 10-20 feet deep, catching about 20 spotted bass, some up to 3 pounds. Then clouds moved in and we fished laydown trees with white spinnerbaits, with two 4 pound largemouth's bass caught at 11 a.m.!
So as you can see on these often hot, summertime trips (and the majority of other mid-summer daytime trips to other lakes like Jordan lake, Lake Martin and Lake Wedowee, during this two week period) traveling to 10 Alabama lakes, we fooled a lot of bass on topwater lures and other tempting lures while fishing in and around these lake's shallow weeds, wood cover and rock cover! So keep in mind during the next 8 weeks there will be shallow bass and deep bass to be discovered, while fishing these Alabama lakes.
Or you can always call on Reeds Guide Service...first!
Reeds Guide Service
Only one guide service in Alabama can lay claim to, "Alabama's Oldest, Professional Guide Service." Reeds Guide Service for over 40 years. Taking anglers from all over the globe to fish for Alabama's large mouth bass, small mouth bass, spotted bass and striped bass, available year round. Discounts available. Company trips, family outings, parent and child trips, both the novice and tournament angler are welcome! See my website guide service link at www.fishingalabama.com for more info. There you will find loads of fishing information, fishing reports, fishing tips for all seasons on all lakes, fishing links, pictures and more!
Fox 6 WBRC Television
See Reed Montgomery on "Good Day Alabama" morning show with his "Ask the Angler" question and answer session on Alabama's Fox 6 WBRC TV station. Answering all your fishing questions for over 6 years! Call in with your fishing questions! Reed is on every last Tuesday of each month. His next appearance will be Tuesday, July 26 on just after 8 a.m. Central time!
Thanks and Good Fishin' !
Reed Montgomery / 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!
Davy Hite Shows a Buckeye Jig that the Bass Won't Be Able to Shake Loose!
Bassmaster Elite Series Pro and 8-time Winner, Davy Hite tells about the NEW Buckeye jigs designed so that bass can't use the lure's weight to gain leverage and throw the hook - a MAJOR breakthrough!!!
Bobby Uhrig of Mega Strike Shows the NEW Strike Back Spinnerbait!
Bobby Uhrig tells us all about the spinnerbait that bites back - Mega Strike's NEW Strike Back! He explains how this lure will increase YOUR strike-to-catch ratio!
Thrift Finding Fishing Tough For Final Flw Tour Major This Weekend On Pickwick
Bryan Thrift, 2010 FLW Angler of the Year, is having another good year in 2011!
Going into the fifth and final FLW Majors Division qualifying tournament of the year for the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, the main goal for Bryan Thrift, the FLW Tour's 2010 Angler of the Year, is just to make a check on Pickwick Lake this weekend.
Already qualified for the FLW Tour Majors Championship, Thrift would like to earn some money for his family which now includes his first child, 9-month-old Wylie.
Thrift started the year right where he left off in 2010, taking first place in the season opener March 2 on Beaver Lake and earning $125,000. He boosted his annual pay by $20,500 March 24 on Lake Hartwell, then hit a two-tournament skid where he finished out of the money before picking up a $9,930 check for 34th place at Kentucky Lake June 16.
Although he has not fished on a pace as hot as last year when he won the points championship, and he has fished out of the money in two of the five tournaments in the series so far this year, Thrift said it actually has been a good year for him.
He capped off the 2010 season with a 10th place finish in the Forrest Wood Cup last August on Georgia's Lake Lanier then picked up a total of $155,430 in three paydays so far this year, bringing his career-win total in FLW Outdoors tournaments to $849,636.
“Any time you win one it makes a good year,” he noted.
Catching enough of the right kind of fish to make a check at Pickwick might not be as easy as it sounds, Thrift admitted, although he will be in the same boat as the other anglers in the field.
“Fishing is not as good as I thought it would be,” he said late Wednesday after four days of practice. “There are a lot of schools out there, but it's hard to get one to bite.”
The problem is the fish are deep because of the high water temperatures, and they are in hiding.
“I definitely think it is going to be won out deep on the ledges,” the Shelby, N.C., angler said. “I do have a couple of shallow places where I think I can catch a few fish, but I am going to try to catch fish out deep. I don't think the tournament can be won fishing shallow.”
As he checked over his equipment Wednesday night before launching early Thursday morning for the first day of the FLW Tour Major on Pickwick Lake Thursday morning, Thrift outlined his game plan for the final qualifier.
“I'll be using my electronics to locate both structure and fish. If I find structure and there are no fish on it, I will not fish it. If there are fish down there I've been throwing an 11-inch Dimiki worm on 12-pound line with a 3/4-ounce sinker to keep it down the current. I'll be fishing it slow,” he said.
And if the fish are not biting deep, Thrift said, he will go to Plan B, which is to fish the two shallow places he found with some fish on them.
Since he has already qualified for the Forrest Wood Cup, he wants to earn some money for young Wylie's scholarship fund. And then, once he gets going in the Forrest Wood Cup next month on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Ark., he'd love another top 10 finish, “hopefully a first place,” he said.
FLW Tour Major
Jul 21-14, 2011
Pickwick Lake
McFarland Park
Music City + Kentucky Lake = Breakout Year For Bws Tennessee Central Division
“The Tennessee Central Division BWS has really come alive this year,” said Randy Sullivan, tournament manager for the division, on the eve of the series' fourth tournament on Old Hickory Lake this Saturday.
And the reason for this sudden growth spurt, he said, is because the regional championship for the division will be held Oct. 14-15 on Kentucky Lake. It does not hurt, either that the next qualifying tournament, the final regular season event, will also be a two-day tournament on Kentucky Lake Aug. 20-21.
“A lot of guys from the Nashville area like to fish Kentucky Lake so we are getting a lot of our following from there,” said Sullivan. “We've been averaging close to 75-80 boats a tournament.”
Adding to the lure of the schedule is the fact that the fish have been biting better than ever all season long, Sullivan said.
“We've had some really good tournaments. Back in May it took a lot of weight to win. Everybody was catching 70 to 75 keepers a day. That division has been one of the most productive divisions we've had as far as the number of fish caught and the weights.”
That could change Saturday as Old Hickory is not noted for producing a lot of big fish.
“This will be a different test for the anglers,” he said,”so it is going to be interesting to see how these guys make out there, where they are just going to be stretching out limits for points.”
The top of the leader board shows a logjam in the race for the top angler award, with less than 40 points separating 1st and 10th place.
Mickey Beck of Lebanon, Tn., currently leads the points, but just by a nose. John Lewis of Arrington, Tn., is snapping at his heels, just two points back. Jeff Hollingshead of Murfreesboro, Tn., is just seven points behind Lewis and David Gnewikow of Mt. Juliet, Tn., is seven points back of Hollingshead. Jack Smith II of Hopkinsville, Tn., rounds out the top five, a scant two points behind Gnewikow.
The rest of the top 10 includes: 6.Sam Boss of Paducah, Ky., one point behind Smith; 7. Gary Singleton of Dickson, Tn., with 702 points; 8. Kevin Tidwell of Bon Aqua, Tn., six points behind Singleton; 9. William Merrick of Mt. Juliet, two points back of Tidwell; and 10. Phillip Bates of Bon Aqua, with 685 points.
“This is a really competitive division,” Sullivan said. “Jeff Hollingshead won the first event this year and everybody has been trying to catch him. “David Gnewikow has been one of the premier fishermen in this area the last four or five years and he just gets stronger each year as he grows as a fisherman.”
Gnewikow has got a lot tougher, not only in the Nashville area, but on Kentucky Lake as well, Sullivan noted. He finished third on Percy Priest in March, 12th on Lake Barkley in April and 20th on Kentucky Lake in May.
“Obviously, if he catches just a few fish he will make the top 40 this year. He is definitely one of the ones to watch.”
One of the reasons so many young anglers have come on strong in recent years, Sullivan said, is because of the advancements in boat electronics.
“It may be that we are finally seeing anglers so much more informed now than guys like us when we were growing up,” he said. “We had to find the fish out deep. Now these guys can go out and turn the electronics on and see everything down there, which enables them to catch fish more quickly.
“I think we are seeing younger guys performing at a better level now more consistently because of the electronics.”
That said, he noted, anglers still have to put the fish in the live well to cash a check at the weigh-in, even when fishing is tough as it has been on Old Hickory recently.
“Somebody always finds them out there. I'd love for everybody to come by the landing at Flippers Bulls Creek Saturday and check out the weigh-in.”
In the Kentucky Lake Regional Oct. 14-15, the Tennessee Central Division will be joined by the Tennessee East Division and the Missouri, North Carolina and Alabama South Divisions.
Bassmaster Weekend Series Tennessee Central Division
Sat, Jul 23, 2011
Old Hickory Lake
Flippers Bull Creek
Call Randy Sullivan at 256-230-5633
Mitchell, Montjoy On A Roll In Santee Cooper Catt Summer Trail
Jerry Montjoy and Brett Mitchell won the June 18, 2011 Qualifier
Winning this Saturday's Carolina Anglers Team Trail Summer Division tournament on the Santee Cooper Lakes would be sweet for anybody fishing in it. It would be even sweeter if the team that wins finds a way to topple Brett Mitchell and Jerry Montjoy to win because right now Mitchell and Montjoy practically own Santee Cooper.
“They have won several – I think five – of the tournametns on Santee since 2009,” said Brett Collins, tournament director for all the Carolina Anglers Team Trail tournaments in North and South Carolina. In fact, the pair picked up this year right where they left off last year, Collins said, winning all three of the Summer Division tournaments held so far.
Mitchell and Montjoy weighed in 17.87 pounds, including the tournament’s big fish at 7.19 pounds, for first place and earned a check for $748 in the first Summer Division tournament June 4. They followed that with a limit that weighed 16.93 pounds, including big fish at 5.83 pounds, to take first place and a check for $463 in the second tournament June 18. Then on July 9, they weighed in 14.05 pounds, including the big fish at 5.55 pounds, for first place and $444 in prize money.
“Payback has increased (at Santee Cooper since we started up in 2009,” Collins said. “Brett and Jerry should top $10,000 in winnings if they keep up the pace they are on.”
Collins said he paid back more than $20,000 at Santee last year and is on track to do that again this year.
“Santee is one of the lakes I am looking at to hold the 2012 CATT Classic,” Collins said. “I'm not sure about that yet, but this past spring we had a total of 74 teams join up, which is a new high.”
Despite the heat, fishing has been good this summer at Santee Cooper, Collins said.
“It depends on which part of the lake you are fishing. Lake Marion has been better than Lake Moultrie. They are catching them on topwater, such as Spooks and floating worms. Soft plastics like Senkos are working on the deeper trees.”
Carolina Angler’s Team Trail – Santee Cooper Summer Division
Sat, Jul 23, 2011
Santee Cooper Lakes
John C Land Facility
Call Brett Collins 803-413-7521
Bernie Schultz Looks at Line choices from the floor of ICAST 2011!
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Bernie Schultz examines that critical link between angler and fish - LINE - at this year's ICAST show!
Daniel Nussbaum Shows Z-man's HOT NEW Plastics at ICAST 2011!
See the NEW punching craws and check-out the tank-tested ACTION of the new multi-species swimbaits from Z-man at the 2011 ICAST show in Las Vegas!
Countdown to Blastoff 2011 Week 25 with Robby Byrum-Part 2
AC Insider Robby Byrum continues our walk thru some upcoming events this weekend (FLW, BASSMST WKND, CATT, Piedmont Bass Classics, ect) and includes some insight on the new T-Wing Reel from DAIWA-it's one special baitcaster!!
Countdown to Blastoff 2011 Week 25 with Robby Byrum-Part 1
AC Insider Robby Byrum gets us ready for what we all know is One Hot Weekend of Tournaments on the way...we start out with how many anglers are obviously going 35-40 deep in some spots, but there are many catching some quality in less than 5 feet-Part One
2011 Icast Previews Continue with the new Daiwa LaGuna Baitcasting Series!
AC Insider Vance McCullough grabs Daiwa rep Bryan Yemani to take us through one of most affordable and high-quality baitcasters on the market-the new Laguna Series!
A Deep Tradition Of Bass Fishing In Virginia
Of all the picturesque southern states, Virginia reigns supreme with hundreds of miles of rolling, tree-lined mountains, unspoiled and unscathed by man for hundreds of years. If you listen close enough, you can still hear echoes of wars once fought but never forgotten, as they radiate throughout these imposing never-ending spectrums of grandeur. These majestic mountain ranges encircle some of the best bass fishing Virginia has to offer.
From the birthplace of eight United States Presidents (hence the nickname “Mother of Presidents”) to thousands of acres of exhilarating prime bass fishing, this sport practiced in beautiful Virginia bass boats is an integral part of this state’s deep-rooted and respected history.
Top Three Bass Fishing Virginia Lakes
Choosing which record bass fishing Virginia lake to load your bass boat in can be a difficult decision. From one of the smallest bass fishing Virginia lakes, Lake Conner in Halifax County, to the stunning 845 acre Briery Creek Lake in Prince Edward County, record largemouth bass in excess of 10lbs have been predominately found. To date, Lake Connor is home of the unbroken state record largemouth bass, which was caught in 1985, weighing in at 16lbs-4oz. A lesser known lake in Virginia is Lake Frederick, a 117 acre paradise sheltered in the magnificent Shenandoah Valley. This lake has consistently produced largemouth bass over 10lbs. Bass fishing in Virginia lakes is a matter of preference with unlimited potential on every cast.
Virginia Bass Fishing Tournaments
From August through September Virginia bass fishing tournaments are open to all fishing enthusiasts seeking adventure with complacent abilities. Raising money for charitable events, including Relay for Life, these tournaments are well known and respected by all anglers from novice to professional. Attracting thousands of avid anglers annually, Virginia bass fishing tournaments remain extremely competitive. Even if anglers don’t take home the grand prize, they’re still leaving with the greatest prize of all, which are new, long-lasting friendships. From sunrise splendor to glorious nights, bass fishing in Virginia remain a captivating and mesmerizing source of bass angler paradise.
Bass Boats of Virginia
Regardless of make or manufacturer avid anglers take great pride in one of their most beloved possessions, the Virginia bass boat. Whether homemade or custom, the bass boats of Virginia represent a long tradition of fishing on the most tranquil bass fishing Virginia lakes offered throughout this humble but astonishingly beautiful state. Where pride, integrity and ethnicity run deep, bass boats of Virginia truly emphasize a legacy that will be passed on to future generations, a legacy of heritage, resilience and endurance where “Sic Semper Tyrannis” (Thus Always to Tyrants) will forever remain.
Virginia Bass Fishing Trip
There’s no better time than now to take off from your hectic life and head to the state known as the "Old Dominion", where bass fish are eagerly waiting for your delicious bait, not to mention the endless number of Virginia bass tournaments holding a spot for you. So, load up the truck with your fishing gear and hitch up that used bass boat, to make your way to do some exhilarating bass fishing in Virginia! And don’t forget the scale, because you may just catch a record bass!
Bryan Thrift Shows Us His BEST Jig-Skipping Rod - The 6' 10" Dark Angel - at ICAST 2011
FLW pro, Bryan Thrift is among the sport's truly elite performers. Know for his dock-skipping prowess, he shows us his favorite rod for the technique at ICAST 2011!
Bobby Barrack shows us his latest SnagProof invention - Bobby's Perfect Buzz!
We're buzzin' in the SnagProof booth at ICAST 2011 with the premier frog fisherman on the planet - Bobby Barrack! He has already caught giant bass on his latest tweek to the ultra-productive SnagProof product line!
2011 Icast Previews Continue with the new Daiwa Spinning Reel Series!
Bill Liston from DAIWA continues his preview of some incredible new products for 2012 from the ICAST Show in Las Vegas with AC Insider and Pro Staffer Vance McCullough-here is the new Spinning Reel Series for 2012!!
Jason Williamson with Duckett Fishing's White Ice Rods at ICAST 2011
JWill shows these rods designed for serious competitive anglers and coming soon from Duckett Fishing.
Crispin Powley Shows Strike King's Latest at ICAST 2011!
Take a sneak peak in the Strike King both as Crispin shows us the NEW 1.0-size KVD Square Bill Crank and Strike King's Frogs!!!
Piedmont Bass Classics Results - Jordan Lake - July 16, 2011
The $5,000 Summer Trail drew another good crowd at Jordan Lake with 17 boats showing up to qualify for the Championship scheduled for August 27th at Jordan Lake. It was a beautiful day! The competition was fierce, however! Only 2.36 pounds separated 1st from 3rd. 55 bass were weighed in for a total of 223 pounds. The anglers did a great job keeping their fish alive with the latter day heat being close to 90 degrees! Water temps averaged 83 to 85 and air temps ranged from 70 to 89 with winds ranging from light to 10 mph in the afternoon. Big fish for the day was 5.43 pounds. We also had a rare tie for 3rd place.
Dennis Reedy & Jeff Thomas won with 5 bass weighing 20.95 lbs! Dennis and Jeff used 'secret lures' to make up their creel. The morning bite was the best and most fish were caught on Texas and Carolina Rigs along with crankbaits in 8 to 14 feet of water.
The $5,000 Summer Trail qualifier #4 will be Saturday, July 23rd at Falls Lake out of Ledge Rock Wildlife Ramp. Teams must fish 4 of the 7 qualifiers to fish the Championship August 27th, so those that have not fished yet must fish the last 4 qualifiers to fish the Championship.All the information on the Summer Trail can be seen on our website: www.piedmontbassclassics.com.
Now here are the July 16th results:
1st Place..Dennis Reedy & Jeff Thomas of Siler City & Broadway...5 bass...20.95 lbs...$680
2nd Place..Thomas Sheffer & Ken McNeill of Cary & Raleigh...5 bass...19.74 lbs...$405
3rd Place..(tie)Tony Woodard & Scott Smith of Four Oaks & Apex...5 bass...18.59 lbs...$140
Chuck Green & Troy Searcy of Pleasant Garden...5 bass...18.59 lbs...$140
1st Place Big Fish..2nd Place Team above...5.43 lbs...$210
2nd Place Big Fish..Chuck Green & Troy Searcy of Pleasant Garden...5.27 lbs...$90
1st Place TWT..1st Place Team above...20.95 lbs...$455
2nd Place TWT..2nd Place Team above...19.74 lbs...$195
For more information call:
Phil McCarson~Tournament Director 919-471-1571.......919-971-5042
www.piedmontbassclassics.com
or email [email protected]
Bobby Uhrig of Mega Strike demonstrates the POWER of a technique normally associated with finesse fishing!
Shakey heads deliver limits when nothing else will. NOW you can use the deadly tactic to target BIG bass with Mega Strike's e2 Shakey Head. Bobby Uhrig shows and tells how!
Elite Series Pro Bernie Schultz Gives a Peak at Rapala's Newest Hardbait Designs from ICAST 2011
Take a look at these EXCITING NEW lures from Rapala, courtesy of Bassmaster Elite Series pro Bernie Schultz, including one that he has caught fish on all season long while testing it on the Elite Series tournament trail!
Jake Gipson, Matthew Wercinzki, Back-toBack FLW COllegiate National Champs from UF Speak!
Gipson and Wercinzki recently won their 2nd FLW Collegiate Bass Fishing National Championship on Kentucky Lake. They speak about the teamwork that has made them the most dynamic duo in the colloegiate ranks and also take a minute to show us the NEW college team colors from Stick Jacket!
Elite Series Pro Bernie Schultz Shares the VMC Spinshot and Shows why it won Best of Show in terminal tackle category!
Bernie Schultz introduces the VMC Spinshot - WINNER - 2011 ICAST Best of Show in the terminal tackle category!!!
Elite Series Pro Chris Lane Shows off the NEW Guntersville Frog!!!
Chris Lane tells about the modification that has turned an already-great SnagProof Frog into the NEW Guntersville Frog - available soon from SnagProof, still made in the USA for 50 years now!!!
Elite Series Pro Ish Monroe shows us the NEW Phat Frog Colors at ICAST 2011
Ish Monroe steps into the SnagProof both to share the new colors available in his Phat Frog!
"Big Show" Terry Scroggins Shows Us the NEW Lew's Reels at ICAST 2011
Bassmaster Elite Series veteran, Terry, 'Big Show' Scroggins shows us the great NEW reels from the recently revived Lew's brand, one of the legendary companies in our sport.
Saturday's Night Tournament Could Be Game Changer In Tom's Marine Points Race
With only three qualifying tournaments left, including Saturday's night tournament on Cherokee Lake, it's getting down to crunch time for anglers trying to qualify for the Tom's Marine Team Trail Championship Oct. 29-30. It's also crunch time for teams vying for the points championship.
“The points race is really close and these night tournaments are usually game changers in the standings,” said tournament director Richard McMaster. “Gary Pilkenton and Denny Turner are leading the points, but Brian Holt and Guy Siler are close behind. And David Mullins and Brent Hoskins are right behind them.”
In fact, just over 100 points separates the top five teams, but with a tournament win worth 300 points, nobody will be safe until the final tournament weigh-in, McMaster said.
“Making up 30-40 points is easily done. One bad tournament can cost a leading team, especially if they only caught two or three fish and one of the other teams weighs in a good catch. They would be right on top of each other.”
The wild card in the points race at this point is the weather. It's summer and it is hot.
“It's been hot and I feel like it's going to be hot again this weekend,” McMaster said. “But the fishing has not been as hot as the weather.”
Fishing has been kind of slow on Cherokee Lake this hot summer, he noted.
“The fish are hiding in their deepest holes, making it hard to get to them.”
Because fishing has been so slow, McMaster predicated 15 pounds would be a good bet to win the tournament.
“But, really, the way I look at it, that suits everybody. Everybody has a chance. If they get lucky and catch one of two good fish, somebody who has never won could win Saturday.”
Even though the weather has been blistering hot, it does cool down some at night, so fishing should be fairly comfortable, McMaster said.
“We've also got a full moon this weekend. The winning bag will probably come on nighttime spinnerbaits, I imagine.”
The series is loaded with incentives, he noted, making it very attractive for anglers. Among new angler incentives 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.
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.
Even with all the incentives and the hefty payback, entries are down slightly this year, McMaster noted.
“We've been averaging 150 boats a tournament, which is down a little from last year, but we expected that with the economy like it is.”
The remaining schedule includes: 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 2011
Sat, Jul 16, 2011
Cherokee Lake
25 E Bridge Access
Call Richard McMaster 423-748-3240
www.tomstrail.50webs.com/2011schedule.html
Bite Should Be Good For Watson's Marine Tournament On South Holston Lake
Despite the sweltering weather, fishing has actually been pretty good on South Holston Lake as anglers prepare for the second of three Watson's Marine Tournaments for the summer.
“It has not been outstanding, but the fish have been biting pretty good at night,” said Rex Pendergrass with Watson's Marine, a leading bass boat and tackle dealer in Bluff City, Tenn., serving East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. “There was a tournament there this past weekend and it took 18 pounds for five fish to win it.”
Pendergrass said some anglers have been catching fish on root beer colored jigs worked 15 to 25 feet deep. Some have been catching fish on deep crankbaits, like the Norman DD22, and some have also been catching some bass out of deep brush on 10-inch worms.”
Watson's Marine holds three summer night tournaments on three different lakes. The Watson's Marine Triton Boats Open Tournament July 23, second of the series, will be held out of Observation Knob Park on South Holston Lake from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., and the third tournament, the Watson's Open Tournament, will be held Sept. 3 on Watauga Lake out of Fish Springs Dock from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The entry fee and payout schedule is the same for all three tournaments, Pendergrass said. Entry forms and rules are available at the dealership.
“These tournaments are kind of a customer appreciation thing,” Pendergrass said, “but they are open to anybody. You don't have to pay anything to join, just show up and fish and have a good time. The entry fee is $60 and they can pay at the ramp.”
Watson's Marine, a full-service marine dealer offering Ranger and Triton boats, and Mercury, Evinrude, and Yamaha Outboard engines, plus the area's best selection of fishing tackle and marine accessories, has been providing a summer night fishing series for local anglers for almost two decades.
Watson's Marine Triton Boats Open Tournament
Sat, Jul 23, 2011
South Holston Lake
Observation Knob Park
Call Aaron Greene 423-538-5332
2011 ICAST New Product Showcase Spotlights with AC Insider Vance McCullough
AC Insider and Pro Staffer Vance McCullough takes us up close on the new DAIWA T-Wing Baitcaster as well as a major refinement to the Snagproof FROG!!
2011 ICAST New Product Showcase Preview with AC Insider Vance McCullough
AC Insider and Pro Staffer Vance McCullough helps us re-cap one impressive NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE to kick off this 2011 ICAST Show from Las Vegas!!
Countdown to Blastoff 2011 Week 24 with Rob Digh-Part 2
AC Pro Staffer and Insider Rob Digh continues his preview of fishing some HOT tournaments this weekend....it better be shallow and early if you want some fish to compete-Part Two
Countdown to Blastoff 2011 Week 24 with Rob Digh-Part 1
AC Pro Staffer and Insider Rob Digh joins us to preview what promises to be a very HOT week of action on the water and how many of the anglers heading out will have to fish in order to stay in the hunt-Part One
FLW Tour Stop # 5
I stopped at Kentucky Lake on my way home from the Red River for pre practice. I found a good number of fish had already moved out to the ledges for their summer time pattern. I spent all my time out deep with crankbaits and 3/4 oz football jigs with good success. Already having a game plan, I narrowed down my areas in the three official practice days. The tournament went well. I caught plenty of fish with a total of 29 lbs 8 oz which was good enough for 31st place. I received a good check and some good points. Thanks to Anglers Channel, Ranger boats, Yamaha, Denver Marine, Visit Lake Norman, The Great Outdoors, G-Loomis and Earnest Langley.
Thanks
Brent Long
Wolak Taking A Business Approach To Practice For Northern Open On James River
Having worked in business before becoming a professional angler, Dave Wolak takes a business approach to fishing tournaments.
And he has a business plan to follow in preparing for the inaugural 2001Bassmaster Northern Open tournament on the James River out of Richmond the weekend after July 4. Surprisingly, a major part of the plan has very little to do with actual fishing.
“The James is a big area and there is a lot of water to cover,” said Wolak who has little experience on the famous Virginia bass fishery. “I am heading there Sunday and when I get there I will ride around a lot, burn both tanks of gas in my Ranger Boat. I want to get a good look at everything instead of just going fishing.”
The eagerness to get fishing in relatively new waters without thoroughly checking things out often creates problems for some anglers, Wolak said.
“I think that is a big problem for some people who get caught up in the groove of fishing something when it could be a lot easier elsewhere if they knew it was available,” he said. “I plan to just hone in on an area and dissect it when I decide where I am going to fish.”
Although he only caught a couple of fish in his only previous experience on the James, Wolak said he really likes fishing river systems and has done well on them in the past.
“I have done quite well on the Hudson River, for instance. I had a top five finish (4th) in a Bass Open and a second there in another tournament. I like fishing current and I like fishing shallow and that's what rivers tend to be – shallow with current.”
Wolak is hoping to do as well in the opens this year as he did last year and he admits there is a sense of urgency this time. He qualified for his fifth Bassmaster Classic this year by winning the Northern Open on Lake Champlain last July, then sat out the final two Northern Opens to give some other anglers a better chance at making the classic.
“I just missed making the 2012 Classic through the Elite Series this year,” he said, “so I need to win one of the opens to get into the Classic.”
Wolak finished just outside the cutoff in the Elite Series points standings due to a few small problems that arose throughout the season, he said.
“The points are so tight, so the littlest bit of poor execution or poor judgment, or if you don't make the right move at the right time can really hurt you. So, if you have a couple of little mishaps that proves itself in the points and that is what happened this year. I missed a fish here and there and I missed a couple of cuts buy just a little bit, just little things like that.”
The opens are a welcome relief after the grind of the Elites, he said, because they allow him to get back into his comfort zone.
“If I am up north I am having a lot of fun and enjoying being around my friends,” said the Pennsylvania native who now lives in Wake Forest, N.C. “After the Elite season I still have a lot of fishing to do.”
Bassmaster Northern Open
Jul 7-9, 2011
James River
Bass Fishing Booming Because Of Growing Grass As Chattanooga Bass Association Readies For Night Tournament
This may be a record hot summer, but as hot as the weather is the bass fishing in Lake Chickamauga may be even hotter. And it's all because of the growth of hydrilla in the lake, said Justin Medley, tournament director for the Chattanooga Bass Association.
“We had a night tournament in early June and there were two bags weighed in over 30 pounds out of 52 boats,” Medley said, adding that seven fish over 8 pounds were weighed in that tournament.
“What was pretty cool was that one of our youth division teams, Jim McClanahan and Colby Truelove, weighed in a bag over 28 pounds. That was the heaviest weight ever to come from one of our youth division teams and it earned them a free entry into this coming weekend's tournament,” Medley said. McClanahan and Truelove also had the heaviest largemouth of the tournament at 8.23 pounds.
“The grass is starting to grow and do really well and the guys are catching fish around the grass, especially during the night tournaments. Steve Kite and Daniel Lewis won that tournament with 31.10 pounds and they caught their fish around the grass in 6 to 10 feet of water.”
Then there was the night tournament out of a state park on the lake Thursday evening, he noted.
“It was a three-fish tournament and it was won with 19 ½ pounds, with a big fish of 9.48 pounds. We are expecting a really good bite in our tournament next weekend.”
That will be the sixth of 10 tournaments on the Chattanooga Bass Association schedule this year, Medley noted, and he expects the winning weight to be between 25 and 30 pounds.
“We expect a really good bite next weekend. Most of the guys will be targeting shallow grass with spinnerbaits and soft plastics,” Medley said.
The tournament will run from 8 p.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday, he noted, which gives anglers plenty of time to cover all their spots.
“Night fishing has been really good, especially for fish over 5-6 pounds,” Medley said. “The winners will take home $2,000 for first place.”
The tournament will give points leaders a chance to solidify their positions and also give some anglers the opportunity to move up, Medley said.
“There are four months left so the points title is still anybody's game. All these guys are fighting for the Sportsman's Warehouse Points Championship and the $1,000 bonus and free entry fees for the 2012 season.”
Medley noted that anglers can drop two of their lowest finish tournaments so there is still a lot of fishing and jockeying for position to do before the title can be claimed.
The father-son duo of Rogie and Alan Brown are leading the points but Kite and Lewis are just 9 points back and there are a good many teams withing striking distance behind them.
The CBA operates from February through November with Lakes Chickamauga, Nickajack and Watts Barr open for each tournament. All teams launch out of Chester Frost Park on Lake Chickamauga and they can lock through to Nickajack and Watts Bar.
First place in each tournament is guaranteed $2,000 and the remainder of the payout goes to one in every five entries. Anglers who do not win cash money will receive prizes.
Entry fees for the tournaments are $120 per boat which includes Big Fish. To accumulate points throughout the season and be eligible for season prizes such as Big Fish and New Team anglers must pay a one-time process fee of $50.
Medley noted there are several manufacturer's bonus programs which also pay prize money to winning anglers who use their boats or tackle, including Ranger Cup, Triton Gold, Bullet Boats Rewards, Bass Pro Shops Tournament Rewards, Nuclear Rods Big Fish Rewards, and the Nichols Outboard Engineering Big Bass Bonus.
“Another membership incentive is Tow Boat USA which will pay $100 to the highest finishing Tow Boat member in each tournament and $500 to the highest finishing member in the year-end Classic. Tow Boat is also sponsoring the Classic,” Medley said.
The CBA's remaining 2011 tournament schedule includes: July 9 Night, July 23 Day, August 6 Night, August 20 Day, September 17, and October 1, with the 2011 Classic on October 29-30.
Chattanooga Bass Association
Sat, Jul 9, 2011
Chickamauga Lake
Chester Frost Park
Call Justin Medley 423-667-5054
Sportsman's Warehouse 4th of July Report
Sportsman's Warehouse fishing manager Justin Kijak joins us to preview one of the busiest weekends of the year and that means if you left something back at the house, there's one easy solution-come by Sportsman's Warehouse!!
AC Pro Staffer and Motormate Pro Dearal Rodgers Demo's this hot product on his E-TEC 250 HO!
Anglerschannel.com and Motormate Pro Staffer Dearal Rodgers demo's how easy this product is to use on his Evinrude E-TEC 250 HO-it really is amazing!! Find a dealer near you at www.motormateusa.com !!
