John's Club Report for September 2013

John Buck

John's Club Report
Covering The Pensacola Hawg Hunters
2013 Season

Email: John Buck

Founded In 1975

September Tournament
Total Fish Caught 124
Total Dead Fish 4
Total Limits 15
Big Fish 4.42
Total Fish Weight 209.75 lbs

Total Year Standings
Total Fish Caught 650
Total Dead Fish 10
Total Limits 57
Big Fish 6.41
Total Fish Weight 1003.10 lbs

*** Tournament Big Fish ***
Lee Brannon
4.42 lbs

Lake Mitchell/Lay Lake

Higgin's Ferry/Dam Landing

*** Big Fish Of The Year ***
Don Janhke
6.41 lbs

*1st Place* Lee Brannon *10 Fish 20.64 lbs*	*2nd Place* Mack Cramer *10 Fish 18.00 lbs*	*3rd Place* John Buck *10 Fish 17.61 lbs*	*4th Place* Dave Dyess *10 Fish 17.27 lbs*

Place	Name	Fish	Weight
1.	*Lee Brannon*	10	20.64
2.	*Mack Cramer*	10	18.00
3.	*John Buck*	10	17.61
4.	*Dave Dyess*	10	17.27
5.	*Tony Boyett*	9	16.86
6.	*Jere Jaillite*	8	16.72
7.	*Dave Bock*	10	15.91
8.	*Buddy Yates*	8	14.97

Tournament Results

Also Fished:
Hooyah!
Everyone Caught Fish BOTH Days!

Place	Name	Fish	Weight
9.	*Jeff Weaver*	9	12.47
10.	*Bryan McCarthy*	8	11.00
11.	*Bob Jones*	7	10.83
12.	*Bill Myrick*	6	10.10
13.	*Ron Bridges*	5	8.77
14.	*Roger Helm*	5	7.00
15.	*Jeremy Burkart*	4	6.22
16.	*Don Jahnke*	5	5.38

TOURNAMENT REPORT

Lake Mitchell
& Lay Lake

September 21 & 22, 2013

Higgin's Ferry
& Dam Landing

The September tournament was a special tournament in that we fished 2 different Lakes. On Saturday, we fished Lake Mitchell, and on Sunday, we fished Lay Lake. Both of these lakes are on the Coosa River, and are located near Clanton, Alabama. On Saturday, we had torrential rains for most of the day. We were fortunate that we had only wind and rain and not lightning. Water clarity was good with visibility about 3-4 feet. Water temp was in the mid 80’s. On Sunday, we had high blue skies with north winds and cooler temps in the morning. Water clarity was about 2-3 feet and the water temp was in the low 80’s. This was really a recipe for bad fishing but we had truly remarkable days this time with everyone catching fish.

I drew out with Jeff Weaver and I was very happy with that because not only is Jeff a really good fisherman, but the past 4 consecutive months his non-boating partner has finished in the top 4 in each tournament. I did not want to break that run. We found lots of fish early on Saturday fishing docks in creeks near deep water. We basically caught all of your fish on june-bug trick worms. By 8:30 I had a limit and I culled 2 more by 9 am. That was it for me. Jeff had 3 in the boat. We fished hard all day and found another bite later in the afternoon and Jeff caught his limit and culled one.

At the scales after Day 1, Tony Boyette took the lead with a nice limit @ 10.89 lbs. In 2nd place was Buddy Yates with 5 fish @ 10.2 lbs. 3rd place in day 1 was Mack Cramer with 5 fish @ 9.77 lbs. Mack also had the lunker @ 3.11 lbs. Rounding out the top 4 was John Buck with 5 fish @ 9.67 lbs. We had 10 guys with limits so the places were really stacked tight. Because the weights were so close no one was safe going into Day2.

We really had a nice time at the fish fry at the hotel. A special thank you for all who helped and especially to Lee and Dave for their efforts to take care of getting it together. The mullet was delicious and the guys who did the cooking are to be commended, I know Ron and Billy did some cooking but if there were other I apologize for not mentioning your name. Thanks also to those who helped in the clean-up. That is always a chore and to those who transported the gear back and forth. I think that was mainly Jere and Dave. It was nice to see Neil Springstead with us again and I hope he can find room in his schedule to participate with us again. Also a very very special thank YOU goes to Brenda Weaver (Jeff’s better half and boss). Brenda made some delicious brownies which we devoured for desert.

Day 2 started with steady north winds, high blue skies, and temps in the upper 50’s. Maybe the coolest day since April. Surprisingly the fish did not shut down and we really caught a lot of fish and again all members caught fish. Jeff and I started fishing with worms around grass edges of main lake points and islands. We both managed a couple of small keepers early then it just seemed to get tough. We moved up the lake a bit and fished a cove I like with deep banks and I caught a nice spot of a secondary point and the a bit later Jeff caught a keeper on another secondary point. We decided to go outside the cove and fish some bluffs on the main lake and Jeff decided to take a break and eat and I caught 3 nice keepers before her could finish. We fished around the point of another cove and Jeff caught his 4th keeper and then it was time to head in. For the 2 days we caught all of our fish on worms and the vast majority came on june-bug trick worms.

As usual in Day 2 those who have the lead from Day 1 struggle to hold it. This was the case one again as Lee Brannon came to the scales with a beautiful limit @ 12.73 lbs and also a 4.42 lb lunker to take the lunker pot. Mack Cramer stayed steady and took 2nd place for the tournament with a total weight of 18.00 lbs. John Buck was 3rd place with a total weight of 17.94 lbs. Dave Dyess took 4th place with a total weight of 17.27 lbs. Most of the fish were caught on soft plastics in dark colors. However a few guys got so top water bites early in the day.

Congratulations to Jere Jaillite. Jere sewed up “Fisherman of the Year” honors as nobody can catch him if he shows up for the meeting and tournament. He has been so very consistent all year. He did however garner a special nomination for the slammer as he attempted to launch his boat without untying it from the trailer. When he realized his error he attempted to put the boat on the trailer but got it a bit crooked. Then as he climbed to the trailer to unhook the strap, he dropped his cell phone in the water and did not know it. Funny thing as Jeff and I started to load our boat Jeff said “look there is a cell phone on the bottom. I bet that person does not even know he lost it here” Well that was true, but yes Jere we did see in in the water. Even though I think you made a great try to capture the Slammer and the FOY honors in the same year, I do not think your efforts will top those of Billy Myrick for the slammer this year. Better luck next time Jere. There is always next year. Overall this tournament was maybe the best tournament we have had all year because everyone caught fish both days and we also had a great time at the fish fry.

Next month is our annual fish-off tournament and it will be held on the Apalachicola River. It is one of the best rivers for bass in the state and I think we will have a great time there. We will also have our annual “President’s dinner” and the menu will be NY Strips, baked potatoes and salads. Everyone should try to attend and fish this tournament and another feature of this outing is that the tournament will pay 10 places. Make you plans now so you will not miss this fun time.

Until next time…Keep your Hooks Sharp!
John