Texas Transplant
Well-Known Member
Well, I fished my first tournament for the year this past Saturday at Lake Murray (near Columbia, SC). I'm not sure where I placed, but I put some fish in the back of the boat.
It was the first SC Federation Tournament, with around 42 boats on tap. Weather was just plain nasty. It stayed in the low 40's all day long, with a 3-5 mph breeze after mid-morning. And by the way, it rained the entire day. As I left my motel, it was dry (4:30AM), but by the time I got to check-in, it was sprinkling, then raining. Never stopped the entire day.
I drew a good partner/boater, who had been practicing and was on fish. Also, fished a style that I enjoyed. I put the first two in the boat early, using a Lucky Craft pointer minnow - Ghost color (actually it's clear). Most of my fish were up really shallow, near the bank. Partner started putting fish in the boat on a yo-zuri rattlin' vibe (rattle trap type), in blue/chrome. After he put his fourth in the boat, I borrowed one.
Couldn't get the bass to hit any of my other crankbaits or rattle-traps. I liked the yo-zuri for it's a little heavier (5/8 oz), and you can cast it a mile.
Our pattern, was dragging either the jerkbait or the rattle trap over the tops of grass, in 15-20 feet of water. Hardest part was that only about 1 of 4 casts, didn't result in a lettuce sandwich coming back to the boat.
I was cold and wet (somewhat), so I left not too long after I weighed in. My three went about 5.5 lbs total, and my partner had 5 for about 11.5 lbs. I won't know where I placed till later in the week, but judging on the weights and zero's being put up, I may wind up in the top 20-30 points wise. Good start for the year.
Only problems I had with the weather was that while running, I would get some rain hitting on my lower face/neck, then dripping down my chest. I was somewhat 'damp' later in the day. Also, need better footwear or covers. My feet were just cold/wet by the end of the day.
I would have paid good money for a 100 mph suit on Saturday. Partner had a Cabelas suit on. It looked pretty good.
Fishing Lake Greenwood (SC), with my local club this Saturday. Forecast is for warmer conditions, but may be wet again.
Tex
Tex
It was the first SC Federation Tournament, with around 42 boats on tap. Weather was just plain nasty. It stayed in the low 40's all day long, with a 3-5 mph breeze after mid-morning. And by the way, it rained the entire day. As I left my motel, it was dry (4:30AM), but by the time I got to check-in, it was sprinkling, then raining. Never stopped the entire day.
I drew a good partner/boater, who had been practicing and was on fish. Also, fished a style that I enjoyed. I put the first two in the boat early, using a Lucky Craft pointer minnow - Ghost color (actually it's clear). Most of my fish were up really shallow, near the bank. Partner started putting fish in the boat on a yo-zuri rattlin' vibe (rattle trap type), in blue/chrome. After he put his fourth in the boat, I borrowed one.
Couldn't get the bass to hit any of my other crankbaits or rattle-traps. I liked the yo-zuri for it's a little heavier (5/8 oz), and you can cast it a mile.
Our pattern, was dragging either the jerkbait or the rattle trap over the tops of grass, in 15-20 feet of water. Hardest part was that only about 1 of 4 casts, didn't result in a lettuce sandwich coming back to the boat.
I was cold and wet (somewhat), so I left not too long after I weighed in. My three went about 5.5 lbs total, and my partner had 5 for about 11.5 lbs. I won't know where I placed till later in the week, but judging on the weights and zero's being put up, I may wind up in the top 20-30 points wise. Good start for the year.
Only problems I had with the weather was that while running, I would get some rain hitting on my lower face/neck, then dripping down my chest. I was somewhat 'damp' later in the day. Also, need better footwear or covers. My feet were just cold/wet by the end of the day.
I would have paid good money for a 100 mph suit on Saturday. Partner had a Cabelas suit on. It looked pretty good.
Fishing Lake Greenwood (SC), with my local club this Saturday. Forecast is for warmer conditions, but may be wet again.
Tex
Tex
