Total Year Standings
Total Fish Caught 436
Total Dead Fish 11
Total Limits 35
Big Fish 6.27
Total Fish Weight 648.72 lbs

Tournament Results

June found 21 intrepid Hawg Hunter’s blasting off from Cliff’s Landing on the Tensaw River.  Unfortunately, John Buck was not among the 21.  Seems John, Dave Dyess, Frank Dodge, and some of their friends decided to forgo the June heat and go Small Mouth fishing in Canada.  When John returns next month he can tell you how he did, but until then he asked me to take his place doing the monthly fish report. 

Wednesday night at the club meeting, I drew out Randy Cole for my partner and was happy to be fishing with Randy again.  Randy and I first fished together at his guest tournament which was more years ago then either one of us would like to admit.  Sufficeit to say that in my case it was three boats ago.  Randy’s a good fisherman and a pleasure to spend a nice summer day with. 

Two weeks prior to the tournament, Northwest Florida and South Alabama experienced rains of biblical proportions, with no less than 21.7 inches of rain falling on West Pensacola alone.  To assess the water conditions, Frank Kelly and I went to the Tensaw River the week before the tournament.  We found the river to be fairly high and muddy.  However, since it showed signs of clearing I felt sure that Randy and I would be able to find fishable water in the back of some of the creeks. 

At blast off, Randy and I headed to the back of Big Briar Creek and did find some clean water.  We also found muddy water and some stained water.  What we didn’t find were hungy and aggressive fish.  After about an hour I was able to pull in one twelve inch fish, and although I didn’t know it at the time, that was to be the high light of the day.  Randy and I continued catching fish, but unfortunately, neither one of us could muster another keeper. 

Giving up on Briar Creek, we spent time in Maple Creek and on the main river with equal success.  When 1:30 finally arrived, neither Randy nor I, regretted the end of the fishing day.  With temperatures approaching the mid-nineties, I was more than ready to wave the white flag of surrender. 

At weigh-in, it became apparent that we weren’t the only ones who had trouble finding fish that were looking for a free boat ride; however, as usual some people were able to overcome the fishing conditions.  Rick Howard, fishing out of the back Tony Boyett’s boat, found 5 fish weighing 6.29 pounds which was good enough for first place.  Tony, not to be out done, found 5 fish weighing 5.39 pounds for second place and Buddy Yates found 3 fish weighing 5.30 pounds for third place.  Rounding out the top four was Kevin Simmons with 2 fish weighing 4.33 pounds which also include the tournament lunker at 2.72 pounds.  If I’m not mistaken this is Rick’s first tournament win.  Congratulations Rick, It was a tough tournament and a good win. 

Next month we journey to the Black Water River for our July tournament.  I’m willing to go out on a limb right now and say that I believe that the weather will continue to be HOT.  Until then keep your hooks sharp and your lines tight. 

Jere Jailitte