John Buck 		John's Club Report
Covering The Pensacola Hawg Hunters
2011 Season

 Email: John Buck
Founded In 1975
May Tournament
Total Fish Caught 60
Total Dead Fish 13
Total Limits 9
Big Fish 3.54
Total Fish Weight 88.80 lbs

Total Year Standings
Total Fish Caught 479
Total Dead Fish 13
Total Limits 58
Big Fish 6.96
Total Fish Weight 826.83 lbs

*** Tournament Big Fish ***
Jeff Weaver
3.54 lbs

Miller's Ferry
Ellis Landing
*** Big Fish Of The Year ***
Ron Bridges
6.96 lbs
1st Place
John Buck
5 Fish 9.41 lbs		 2nd Place
Don Jahnke
5 Fish 8.52 lbs		 3rd Place
Jeff Weaver
5 Fish 8.41 lbs		 4th Place
Dave Bock
4 Fish 7.86 lbs

Place Name Fish Weight
1. John Buck 5 9.41
2. Don Jahnke 5 8.52
3. Jeff Weaver 5 8.41
4. Dave Bock 4 7.86
5. Steve Meadows 5 7.70
6. Dave Dyess 5 7.40
7. Buddy Yates 4 7.18

Tournament Results

Also Fished:
Jere Jaillite

Place Name Fish Weight
8. Lee Brannon 5 6.18
9. Billy Myrick 5 5.99
10. Ron Bridges 5 5.68
11. Frank Kelly 5 5.67
12. Frank Dodge 4 4.61
13. Bob Jones 2 3.08
14. C. J. Scott 1 1.11

TOURNAMENT REPORT

Miller's Ferry
 May 21, 2011
 		Ellis Landing

The Hawg Hunters fished Miller's Ferry out of Ellis Landing for the May tournament. The weather was cloudy and nice early and by late morning the sun came out and got hot. Blue Bird skies appeared about 10 am also. The water level was a bit high but the main river was in good shape and the color was good. The flats and many creek areas were very muddy and stained. Water temps ranged from 76-80 during the day. We had 15 members fishing the tournament.

We had an odd number fishing this time and I was drawn out as the solo boater. I started out going down the main river to a favorite creek of mine, but before I got there I saw a pretty bank that I had not fished before and could not resist the temptation to give it a try. Good choice! I started with a buzz bait and had 3 strikes on the first cast and all hit behind the bait. I threw again and had another miss. I tried to slow it down but still they missed it again. So I switched to a horny toad and bam..hook up on the first cast. I caught
7 fish in the small grass point in about 15 minutes. I had a limit in the livewell at 6:30 am. They were small but a limit just the same. From there I went to the next small patch of grass and caught 5-6 more. Then I went back to the first bank and caught several more and then I decided to go to my favorite creek. As soon as I got there I caught another keeper. I threw the horny toad all morning until 10 am when the sun came out. After 10 am I caught only 4 more fish 2 keepers and 2 shorts and never culled from my earlier limit.
All total I caught 17 keepers and 8 shorts. All but 2 came on the horny toad.

At the scales almost everyone had fish to show. I managed to get the win with a limit @ 9.4 lbs. Don Jahnke came in 2nd with a limit @ 8.52 lbs. Rumor has it that he was throwing a horny toad also. 3rd place went to Jeff Weaver with 5 @ 8.41 lbs. Jeff also had the lunker at 3.54 lbs. Not sure what he caught them on but my bet is that he fished a worm all day. 4th place went to Dave Bock.
He had 4 fish @ 7.86 lbs. I do not know what he caught his fish with, but I know he likes to throw crank baits.

For the record we had 9 limits weighed in. It seems that the small fish were really biting early, but the big bite was really difficult to find. Most fish were caught on horny toads, worms, and flukes. I think the main colors were the same as we usually have..junebug, green pumpkin for the worms and toads, and maybe any shad color for the flukes. Most fish were near the grass (pepper grass).

We had a few dead fish at the scales, and I think we can do a better job of keeping attention to them. I know I can. Sometimes they die no matter what you try but in the hotter weather remember to run the livewells all day, use "catch and release" and keep the water cool. Handle them as little as possible when you are landing them and get them in the well quickly.

Next month we begin our "short" tournament days and end at 2 pm. This will be in effect thru August. This is really better for the fish and for us fishermen also. The tournament will be on Tensaw River out of Cliff's Landing. Remember to drink plenty of liquids (mostly water not alcohol) for a day or two before you go fishing to get your body really hydrated and take plenty of water with you when you fish. The heat can get you before you realize it.


 Keep your hooks sharp!!
John