Pensacola Hawg Hunters
Bass Club
Founded In
1975


John Buck
"John's Club Report"
Covering The Pensacola Hawg Hunters
Email: John Buck

Escambia River Standings
Total Fish Caught
31
Total Dead Fish
0
Total Fish Weight
33.65 lbs.
Total Year Standings
Total Fish Caught 82
Total Dead Fish 0
Total Fish Weight 95.90 lbs.

Escambia River
December 15, 2001


The month of December found the Hawg Hunters fishing out of their back door on the Escambia River. We launched out of Swamphouse Landing. Temps were surprisingly mild, 60-65 and the water temp was in the same range. We had some clouds early but they gave way to clearing skies as the day progressed. Winds were light and the water was slightly stained but still had good visibility for the Escambia.

My partner for the day was Lee Brannon. Lee and I fished together November a year ago on the Tensaw during a monsoon. We both hoped for better conditions and results today. We had both found a few fish during pre-tournament trips so we agreed on a basic plan and started fishing.
I had found a few fish on East River and Sullivan’s Ditch a few days earlier so we started out there. Things were pretty slow for us until about 8:00 AM. Lee threw a worm against a log and pulled out a keeper. A short time later, I was able to pull in a keeper on a little stump next to the bank.
I hit a small run of bites, the key word being "small" as I caught several non-keepers in the next few hours. We moved over to the main river run when the tide turned and started moving in.
We still had out flowing water there. I was able to pick up another keeper and 3 flounders on this bank. When the croakers moved in we decided to move up stream. Once we settled in on an upstream bank (near the power plant), we caught several more short fish, but Lee also caught his second keeper.
We stayed there until it was time for us to head in to the weigh-in. I caught 12 bass for the day but only 3 would keep. All my fish came on a junebug worm fished with a small sinker in the flowing water.
Lee caught several fish also but managed only 2 keepers. All of his fish came on a black worm.

Back at the weigh in we were all greeted with a surprise as Jack Maher was there to watch the proceedings. Jack has been under the weather lately and it was really great to see him out and about.

The oldest member Wally "He Coon" Casiano was grinning like a possum eating persimmons so I knew he had a fish or two. Indeed he did as he weighed in 3 fish weighing 3.25 lbs to take 3rd place honors.
In his usual perch above the scales was Gunny Mills. Gunny had found 3 fish also that weighed 3.50 lbs and that was good enough for 2nd place. Brian Metcalf came to the scales with 4 fish to take top honors with 4.60 lbs. Fred Raby won the lunker honors with a giant bass that weighed 1.90 lbs. The guys that finished in the top 3 caught most of their fish on jerk baits and Fred caught the lunker on a crank bait.

This tournament wasn’t too bad being on the Escambia. We did fill all 15 places and that is good for us on this river. We even had a guest fish with us and he also caught a keeper.
All totaled 31 fish were weighed in and all released alive.

As this year draws to a close I want to thank Jim Bailey for allowing us to use Hook1.com for our postings and newsletters. I know that he puts in countless hours getting all the articles etc. posted. Those of us who have the opportunity to write have the easy jobs.
Thanks Jim for all you do for ALL fishermen. I also want to thank those of you who take the time to read these reports and also for your comments and emails.

Our next tournament is once again on the mighty Tensaw River our of Cliff’s Landing. I wish you all a Safe and Happy New Year……remember…


Keep your hooks sharp!!!


Creek Chub

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