A good example is the Snag Proof open held on Lake Guntersville last weekend. It’s the Dog Days of Summer, hot, and the fishing had been slow. But the winners weighed in five bass at more than 15 pounds, including an eye-catching anchor fish at just under 9 pounds.

“Everybody was complaining how bad the fishing was, but when you send them out they go get them. We had quite a few big fish weighed in,” said Jamie Shay, tournament director for the Snag Proof Open.

And, predicted Shay, who is also tournament director for the Xtreme Bass Series Guntersville Division, there will be some really good catches weighed in the Xtreme series tournament on Guntersville this Sunday.

“We’ve got a lot of good fishermen in Xtreme. There will be some big fish weighed in this weekend.”

One reason, he said, is that the frog bite, which is a major late summer pattern on Guntersville, is beginning to turn on strong.

“Because of the frog tournaments being held on the lake a lot of fishermen are resorting to the frog bite since they are being made to throw it more than they normally would. And they are finding some good fish,” he said.

“Other than the frog bite on certain days there has been a good spinnerbait bite. It takes a certain kind of day, no bluebird sky or dead calm water. But if we get a little breeze, maybe some cloud cover or a little rain there can be a decent spinnerbait bite. The worm and the jig are always good here, too, especially the six hot months,” Shay said.

“But the topwater bite has been pretty decent, not just the frog. Prop baits, like Torpedos, and Zara Spooks have been working pretty well, too.”

Among teams expected to be in the group that finds good fish are those at the top of the points standings after six of the nine regular season tournaments in the Guntersville Division. A dozen or more teams are well withing striking distance of the points championship, which earns the winning team paid entry into the following season.

“We have a horse race for the points title,” said Shay. “Most of these guys are among the top money winners in other tournaments so it is always a battle when we are fishing. That’s what makes it fun.”

Only 15 points separate the top five teams and the two teams at the top of the rankings going into the seventh tournament of the year have been models of consistency. Donnie McElvoy and Hadley Coan are at the top of the standings because of five top five finishes, including one first place, and one top 10. Marshall Deakins and Brian Gregory are just seven points behind the leaders with three top fives, including one win, and three top 10s.

The points will be decided in the last three regular season tournaments. The Guntersville Division will hold a two-day championship Oct. 26-27 with a heftier purse to fish for. The winners of the side pots for the biggest fish of the year and the biggest sack of the year will be awarded at the championship, also.

“They pretty much pay for the two teams that win those. Somebody wins money even before they start their championship day,” said Shay, who, with his wife Michelle, now owns The Bait Tackle and Grill at Goose Pond.

 

Xtreme Bass Series – Guntersville Division

Sun, Aug 19, 2012

Lake Guntersville

Goose Pond Colony

Call Jamie Shay at 256-599-0132

www.xtremefishingseries.com