“All I can tell you is that there is some bad weather coming this weekend,” said Ted Meyer, tournament director. “That could put a hamper on the fishing, but we will just have to play that by ear.”

In fact, Hurricane Isaac, a tropical storm brewing southeast of Puerto Rico, is on track to possibly cause more problems for the Republican National Convention in Tampa next week than it is anglers on the Kissimmee Chain this weekend.

Isaac is predicted to hit Florida Monday, the same day that Mitt Romney and 50,000 Republican delegates, journalists, protestors and guests arrive in Tampa for the Republican National Convention.

While it is too early to accurately predict the storm’s path, meteorologists believe the hurricane will hit southern Florida. They won’t know until later this weekend whether it will rake the east coast near Miami or crash head-on into Tampa.

Anglers are hopeful it will hold off until after the tournament since the Kissimmee Chain would be affected by either route as it is located just east of Tampa and not that far from the Florida East Coast.

“Other than the prospect of bad weather, I would say the weights will be pretty close to last month,” Meyer said. “They have been tearing it up pretty good. It took 25 pounds to win a tournament last weekend, so I believe it will take at least 25 to 30 pounds to win the tournament this weekend.”

In the July 29 Accent Marine tournament, it took more than 28 pounds just to earn a check. James Pearson and Jeff Crandon captured first place with 32.08 pounds. They anchored their 5-fish limit with the big fish of the tournament at 10.11 pounds. Dustin Bozeman and Chris Maxwell finished second with 30.46 pounds. Bobby Wooten and Chad Stewart were third with 28.93 pounds, Wesley Wise and Derek Moore were 4th with 28.66 pounds, and Scott Perry and Richard Anthony were 5th with 28.26 pounds.

The Accent Marine Tournament Trail features a 95 percent payback with 75 percent paid back at each tournament and 20 percent held for the Classic. Teams must fish at least seven tournaments to qualify for the classic.

Entry fee is $65 per boat, which includes Big Bass and the payback at each tournament goes through the top five places. All entries must be received by 5 p.m. the Friday before each tournament. Teams can weigh in six fish at a tournament. After Saturday’s tournament there is one regular season tournament remaining, September 30, with the Classic October 13-14.

 

Accent Marine Tournament Trail

Sun, Aug 26, 2012

Kissimmee Chain of Lakes

Camp Mack’s River Resort

Call 813-620-1042 or 1309

www.accentmarine.com