TOURNAMENT REPORT

We had our tournament at Miller’s Ferry, located about 2.5 hours away on the Alabama River. We launched at Ellis Landing.  We had 20 members fishing and no guests. The weather was cool and nice early with high blue skies but it got hot by late morning.  The water has a slight stain in the main river and most of the creeks had a heavy stain. As the day wore on, with much boat traffic most of the banks on the main river got really muddy from the wash.

My partner was Billy Myrick.  We pre-fished the day before the tournament ad found some nice fish in the coves in the lower end of the lake. When we got there on tournament day, the fish had stopped biting or either they left because we could only manage a few small keepers.  There was nothing of the quality we found the previous day.  We tried to make the pattern work all day but just could not get it going.  We both ended the day with 3 small keepers and many shorts fish.  All of our fish came on dark worms (junebug, black, green pumpkin, black grape). 

When we got to the weigh-in we did learn that many guys did find a good bite.  Fish seemed to be biting in creeks and coves as well as the main river.  To learn that just added to the frustration that Billy and I  both felt.  We really worked hard for very little results.  Taking the win was Mack Cramer.  He had a pretty limit for 12.85 lbs.   He said all his fish came on dark worms too from the main river.  Congratulations on a good bag of fish and for the win.  2nd place went to Buddy Yates with 5 fish for 10.39 lbs.  I am not sure what he caught his fish on but my guess is flukes and worms.  Nice sack of fish Buddy.  Anytime you can average  over 2 lbs per fish in our waters, I think you are doing well.  Jere Jailitte took the 3rs spot with 4 fish @ 9.7 lbs. He anchored his catch with a beautiful 6.02 lb lunker.  Better keep an eye on this guy or he will slip up on you and take FOY honors before you know it.  Rounding out the 4th place was Lee Brannon with a limit @ 9.32 lbs.  I think he got his fish on dark worms also.  Lee played the role of “Good Samaritan” for Jeff when Jeff had a boat problem. Good job Lee at least you kept Jeff in control for most of the day.

Overall it was a good tournament and we had good club participation. I hope we can continue with this good turnout for the remainder of the year.   Our next 3 tournaments will be our “short” tournaments , ending at 2 pm.  They all are located near by and require minimum travel to fish. These are good times to  try to gain a few points  and not  use up an entire weekend.  Be reminded that  as the next few month approach the weather will require careful monitoring of both the fish  and fishermen.  Drink plenty of liquids in preparation for the heat. Drink extra water several days in a row before the tournament.  That is the only good way to be fully hydrated before being out in the heat.  For the fish keep your livewells running the entire day from morning until release.  Also please do not  try to hurry to get your fish in the weigh in line  and just stand there with a bag of hot water and weak fish while you wait your turn at the scales.  Just look and try to pace it so you do not kill the fish.  Remember just because you have water in the bags does not mean they have oxygen.  I know that sometimes  you cannot  help it if a fish dies, but with a little extra thought and care I think we can keep it to a minimum.  At least we can try. It just seemed to me that there were a lot of fish released at the tournament that maybe  would not make it  even though they were breathing when they were released. Oh well ..enough of my “soap box”.

Hope to see you in June at the meeting and at the tournament. Until next time..
 


Until next time… Keep you hooks sharp!
John