Total Year Standings
Total Fish Caught 173
Total Dead Fish 2
Total Limits 19
Big Fish 4.00
Total Fish Weight 224.31 lbs

Tournament Results

The Hawg Hunters fished their January tournament out of Steele Creek Park near Mobile, Alabama.  We had 20 members and 1 guest fishing.  Temps were mild ranging from 62 early and climbing to near 70 as the day progressed.  Skies were mostly cloudy and the winds were strong mostly from the south at 15-25.  We had a falling tide for the first half to the day. Water clarity varied depending on where you fished.  Some creeks were clear, and the main river was stained.

Steve Meadows and I drew out as partners.  He and I decided to make a long run to the lower the east side of the delta.  We started out trying to fish a main river bank but the wind and current were just too tough.  We then went to a small marsh creek where I had found fish several times recently.  In short order we started getting bites.  We stayed the rest of the day in that small creek.  We had bites literally all day.  We kept a running count of the fish just for fun and by days end we had boated and released 50.  I managed to catch a total of 8 keepers and Steve caught 3 keepers.  We each had keepers come unbuttoned before we could put them in the boat.  We caught fish mainly of soft plastics in green pumpkin, watermelon seed, and junebug.  Steve also caught 4 on a white crank bait, and I caught 4 on a white spinner bait.  Even though all our fish were small “delta squealers” we had fun because we got so many bites and the action never stopped.

At the scales there were lots of fish.  But, like the ones Steve and I had found, all were small. Lee Brannon took first place with a limit weighing 7.63 lbs, and he also had big fish @ 2.17lbs.  Most of his fish came on soft plastics and he also fished a delta marsh creek.  I finished 2^nd with a small limit at 5.84 lbs. Almost all of my fish came from a small marsh creek on soft plastics and spinners bait.  Third place went to Jeff Weaver.  He had a limit @ 5.81 lbs. He caught most of his fish on soft plastics.  Fourth place was Jim Bailey Sr. with a limit @ 5.50 lbs.   He caught his fish also on soft plastics in delta marsh creeks.

As in years past, the delta has proved to be very productive in the winter months, and usually the fish are small, but fun to catch.  If you want to have fun catching numbers, now is the time to fish the Tensaw delta area.  We had no major “mess ups” that would qualify anyone for a slammer nomination, but then Frank Kelly did go as a non-boater.   For any who may have questions, the sand bar is still there at the mouth of Game Warden Ditch.  I saw it clearly the other day when the tide was out as I rode down the river.

Next month our tournament is on Fish River.  It is only about 45 minutes from Pensacola, and it can be very productive in the winter time, the same as the Tensaw delta.  Make your plans to attend the meeting and fish the tournament.  The February tournament should be a fun time if the bite holds as usual for this time of the year.  Until next time, Keep your hooks sharp!

John