Total Year Standings
Total Fish Caught 403
Total Dead Fish 10
Total Limits 33
Big Fish 6.27
Total Fish Weight 604.45 lbs

Tournament Results

The Hawg Hunters held their May tournament at Miller’s Ferry on the Alabama River.  We had 14 members fishing and no guests.  The water was about normal pool and they pulled water all day during the tournament.  Water clarity was generally good in most places and surfaces temps ranged from about 75 in early morning up to near 85 at midday.  We had mostly clear skies with a north wind around 10 mph.

My partner was Billy Myrick and we went up a day early to scout.  We found a decent bite in some creeks in the lower lake area and felt good for our chances on Saturday.  Saturday we arrived at our first stop and fished hard for about 45 minutes before either of us got a hit.    We could not get any bites on top nor crank baits early.  The only thing we had any luck on was worms.    Billy managed two decent fish that morning, one on a worm and the other on a rattle trap.   I missed several and broke off a couple and that was my morning.  We fished hard in many areas in the lower end but just did not execute well and made bad decisions.  It was just one of those days for us.  In the afternoon we moved up the lake to a cut bank on the main river, and I got on a bite with crank bait and caught 12-13 in about an hour but only 2 small keepers.   We finished the day hot, tired, and frustrated with our performance.  Billy was patient with my frustration, and we did have a good time together even if our fishing was not so good this time.

At the scales we found that most had  nice bags of fish.   Taking first place for the second straight month was Brian Nall with a nice limit @12.02 lbs.  He also had a beautiful kicker @5.03 lbs.  He caught them on a crank bait from the back of the boat.  Great job Brian!!  In 2^nd place was Tom LaBelle with 3 nice fish @ 9.60.  That’s a nice average!  3^rd Place went to Jere Jailitte with a nice limit at 9.25 lbs.  He caught most of his fish on a lizard.  Great job with those fish Jere!  Buddy Yates took 4^th place with a limit @ 9.01 lbs.  He fished in the lower portion of the lake also, and I think he used soft plastics mostly. Nice bag Buddy.  Carlito… wow..you survived!! Not any hooks in your face!!!  There is a controversy for the lunker regarding the penalty for a dead fish, but no matter how it turns out Don Jahnke and Brian Nall both brought in fish over 5 lbs and both caught them on crank baits.  Really nice work guys.  I’m sure the eboard will clarify the interpretation of the rule.

On a different subject, I understand that Lee Brannon has a new culling system.  It seems that Lee caught a limit, and then he caught his 6^th fish and culled.  Now Lee, being the sportsman that he is, decided not only to cull the smaller fish but also the next smaller fish too, leaving only 4 in the well for the weigh-in.  I am not sure I understand that logic, but hey he beat me!  On a second thought…..mmmmm..could this warrant a “Slammer” consideration?

Nest month we fish our first short tournament of the summer. Times will be safe daylight until 2 PM.  We will fish the Tensaw River out of Cliff’s landing on June 23.  I will miss that tournament as Dave Dyess, Frank Dodge, myself and 3 others are going to Canada that time to fish for smallmouth bass.  We’ll think about you as the days up there reach 68 – 70 for highs.  Please remember to prepare for the heat for yourself and for the fish you catch.  Hope to see everyone at the meeting.  Until next time…keep your hooks sharp!

John