Fished tournaments the past two weeks on Hartwell. Two weeks ago fished a benefit tournament for a family who lost their home in a fire. Big 20 pound sack took first place and then it fell to 13 and down. We finished 5th I think with 12.51. We were .15 out of the money. We caught quite a few fish but could not get the big bite we needed. Focused on wood cover on the main channel flipping jigs and plastic. Caught fish on Arig as well in some ditches.
Yesterday we fished the second CATT tournament. Fished same pattern and caught fish but once more could not get a big bite. Had a couple of snafus that might have cost us a little weight but those things happen. Had 10.10 as I recall and 15 won and there were lots of 12 pound bags. Been close but haven't been able to seal it yet. Back at Hartwell this coming weekend. Planning to practice this Friday and hope to be able to expand our area. Will report back next weekend. Good fishing!!
Treble Hook in Thumb
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Fished solo at Hartwell today and ended up with a treble hook in my thumb. Not the first time this has happened and I tried to explain the process I used to remove it on video but, after reviewing the video, it was apparent I did not do a very job so I am going to explain the process here. Hopefully this will help someone down the road who is not familiar with this method.
The first step is the most difficult - removing the hook from the fish. You have a death grip on the fish with your free hand while trying to take the hook out with the hand that is impaled with a hook.
Once the fish is free, the next step is to cut the split ring on the hook attached to you to free the hook from the crankbait. Next, cut the two free hooks close to the shank, leaving you with a single hook in your hand.
At this point I got a length of fishing line (25lb) and tied the two ends together securely to prevent slippage. I took the line and placed it through the steering wheel, leaving a portion below the wheel. Next, I placed the line between the hook and my skin and pushed down firmly on the hook eye with my free hand. Once I got to this point I quickly jerked my hand downwards away from the steering wheel and the hook popped out painlessly.
I have used this method before when my myself and have used it several times on other folks. It has always worked flawlessly.
Lake James Tournament
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Fished our club tournament on James yesterday. Ended up with 11 something, all smallmouths, which was good enough for second. Only caught one largemouth the entire day and it was the smallest fish of all. Here are a couple of videos from the day. Water temp was 53-54.
Turning my attention now to Hartwell and Murray for the next two months.
Hartwell CATT November 16
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Fished the CATT at Hartwell this past Saturday. Based on practice I felt like I could catch 10 pounds with no problem but needed a big bite to do much better. I was getting bites in specific places, lots of them on docks, along a 20 mile stretch of the river. I felt like my best shot was fishing rock early and docks later.
I started out on a rocky place I have caught quite a few big fish on over the years and the third flip my line jumped and I set the hook. It felt like I was hung in a rock because there was no movement at all. I knew I had had a bite and hoped the fish was just behind something so I kept the pressure up. After a few seconds the line started swimming off. I knew it had been a long time since I had set the hook on something that heavy and I immediately went for the net, which is unusual when I am jig fishing. After 30 seconds I knew I had a giant - 2 minutes later I found out it was a catfish between 40 and 50 pounds. Biggest fish I have ever caught - I got him to the side of the boat and just cut the line. I didn't want to have to deal with all that slime.
I spent 2 hours in the rocky areas and caught 4, missed about 6, and caught a couple of shorts. At that point I started running my places heading back down. Big mistake - I never had another bite. I should have stayed where I was and kept working but I had no doubt in my mind I would catch at least a full limit off docks and maybe a good one off a crank bait place.
This was a situation that practice hurt me. I had more bites in the area that I started in than I had been having but none in the places I had been getting bit real good. Not really sure what happened other than the sun didn't shine bright to tighten the fish to the docks. Never saw a bream or anything.
Looking forward to getting back down there. We have three more tournaments to fish at Hartwell between now and the end of January. I am meeting a buddy there Saturday to fun fish and do some electronic scouting and then plan to fish Lake James a couple of days next week while I am off and then have a tournament at James on the 30th.
I started out on a rocky place I have caught quite a few big fish on over the years and the third flip my line jumped and I set the hook. It felt like I was hung in a rock because there was no movement at all. I knew I had had a bite and hoped the fish was just behind something so I kept the pressure up. After a few seconds the line started swimming off. I knew it had been a long time since I had set the hook on something that heavy and I immediately went for the net, which is unusual when I am jig fishing. After 30 seconds I knew I had a giant - 2 minutes later I found out it was a catfish between 40 and 50 pounds. Biggest fish I have ever caught - I got him to the side of the boat and just cut the line. I didn't want to have to deal with all that slime.
I spent 2 hours in the rocky areas and caught 4, missed about 6, and caught a couple of shorts. At that point I started running my places heading back down. Big mistake - I never had another bite. I should have stayed where I was and kept working but I had no doubt in my mind I would catch at least a full limit off docks and maybe a good one off a crank bait place.
This was a situation that practice hurt me. I had more bites in the area that I started in than I had been having but none in the places I had been getting bit real good. Not really sure what happened other than the sun didn't shine bright to tighten the fish to the docks. Never saw a bream or anything.
Looking forward to getting back down there. We have three more tournaments to fish at Hartwell between now and the end of January. I am meeting a buddy there Saturday to fun fish and do some electronic scouting and then plan to fish Lake James a couple of days next week while I am off and then have a tournament at James on the 30th.
Fall Fishing at Hartwell/Shoutout to Anglers Choice
Sunday, November 10, 2019
I have enjoyed the last two Saturdays fishing at Hartwell. By far my favorite lake. The bite has been okay but I am struggling to find quality fish. Looking at the results of the BASS Nation tournament this past week I am not the only one!
The water temp was 70 two Saturdays ago and yesterday I fished water from 53-60. I anticipate the water will cool further this week with the cold front coming in...I would like to see it in the mid 50s in the area I am fishing in the CATT tournament next weekend. I feel like those bigger fish will move to where I have been fishing for them.
Thanks to Anglers Choice for their willingness to go the extra mile. Got a text from Andy week before last and he was looking at the data from my Vesselview Mobile and was able to tell what service my 4 stroke Mercury needed. I have put over 160 hours on the motor in the first year - I ran it for the first time one year ago today. I don't believe lots of dealers would be taking the time to check on their customers to this extent. Great job! If you are in need of a new/used boat, UTV, or Camper, be sure to give the folks at Anglers Choice a shot at your business. Customer service is just as important as the initial deal, and these folks are among the best.
The water temp was 70 two Saturdays ago and yesterday I fished water from 53-60. I anticipate the water will cool further this week with the cold front coming in...I would like to see it in the mid 50s in the area I am fishing in the CATT tournament next weekend. I feel like those bigger fish will move to where I have been fishing for them.
Thanks to Anglers Choice for their willingness to go the extra mile. Got a text from Andy week before last and he was looking at the data from my Vesselview Mobile and was able to tell what service my 4 stroke Mercury needed. I have put over 160 hours on the motor in the first year - I ran it for the first time one year ago today. I don't believe lots of dealers would be taking the time to check on their customers to this extent. Great job! If you are in need of a new/used boat, UTV, or Camper, be sure to give the folks at Anglers Choice a shot at your business. Customer service is just as important as the initial deal, and these folks are among the best.
Russell
Sunday, October 6, 2019
Fished club tournament on Russell yesterday. Weather was not what I expected - lots of wind and heavy cloud cover all day with the temperature dropping as the day went along. Ended up with between 12 and 13 pounds and was fortunate to win the tournament and big fish. Here is a video of my preview of my strategy before blast off as well as video of 5 of the 6 fish I caught. Big thanks to Anglers Choice for their work this week taking care of a couple of things I wanted changed on my boat. I appreciate their commitment to their customers!
BFL Recap
Friday, September 27, 2019
Fished the BFL Super Tournament last weekend. Things have been quite hectic this week and I have not had time to share how things turned out.
I practiced on Friday and found another couple of deep spots offshore that held fish that would hit a jig. I made the decision to start on two of the deep places close to the blast off area, then hit a couple of lines of docks, and then run down the lake and hit the other deep spots and then spend the rest of the day of docks.
I blasted off boat 66 and ran to the first spot. First cast I got bit and set the hook, breaking my rod in the process. Fortunately I was still able to land the fish, a good keeper. I missed another fish on this spot and my co-angler caught a keeper. I was glad to see that because he was in 11th place going into the tournament and one fish should put him in the regional.
Ran to my second spot and missed 2 more on the jig. For whatever reason they were not getting it like they had been. I then idled to the docks close by and on the second one I caught a 3.11 largemouth which ended up being the big fish for the tournament. I caught another keeper here and then ran down the lake.
I was not able to get bit deep down but was able to catch 3 more fish on docks and was able to cull up 2 tenths with the last one. I weighed in at 3:45 and had an even 10 pounds which put me in the top 20 percent and qualified me to fish day 2.
Day 2 was tough for me. Caught several fish but they were small - ended up with only one keeper and finished dead last for the second day but still got a check for making day 2.
I was fortunate to have two great draws who were good fishermen and a pleasure to fish with.
After all was said and done I finished the year in 47th in the points, missing the Regional by two spots. I really thought if I made day 2 I would make it. The bottom line is the zero in the first tournament of the year put me in a hole that was tough to get out of.
I enjoyed fished the BFL this year but I do miss the team tournament format. I have talked with an old friend and we may fish the Palmetto Boat Center trail next year. I like the lakes and the championship time and location. I hope we can nail down a decision soon.
Cannot say enough for the support I have received this year from Anglers Choice Marine and RV, Ranger Boats, and Mercury Outboards. It has felt great to be competing again on a regular basis and I am so thankful to the Lord for restoring my health to the point I felt like it this year.
I think I will spend the fall fishing club tournaments, the Clark Hill Big Bass tournament, and a couple of open tournaments.
Looking forward to working at Anglers Choice in the morning for a while and help them out with Customer Appreciation Day.
I practiced on Friday and found another couple of deep spots offshore that held fish that would hit a jig. I made the decision to start on two of the deep places close to the blast off area, then hit a couple of lines of docks, and then run down the lake and hit the other deep spots and then spend the rest of the day of docks.
I blasted off boat 66 and ran to the first spot. First cast I got bit and set the hook, breaking my rod in the process. Fortunately I was still able to land the fish, a good keeper. I missed another fish on this spot and my co-angler caught a keeper. I was glad to see that because he was in 11th place going into the tournament and one fish should put him in the regional.
Ran to my second spot and missed 2 more on the jig. For whatever reason they were not getting it like they had been. I then idled to the docks close by and on the second one I caught a 3.11 largemouth which ended up being the big fish for the tournament. I caught another keeper here and then ran down the lake.
I was not able to get bit deep down but was able to catch 3 more fish on docks and was able to cull up 2 tenths with the last one. I weighed in at 3:45 and had an even 10 pounds which put me in the top 20 percent and qualified me to fish day 2.
Day 2 was tough for me. Caught several fish but they were small - ended up with only one keeper and finished dead last for the second day but still got a check for making day 2.
I was fortunate to have two great draws who were good fishermen and a pleasure to fish with.
After all was said and done I finished the year in 47th in the points, missing the Regional by two spots. I really thought if I made day 2 I would make it. The bottom line is the zero in the first tournament of the year put me in a hole that was tough to get out of.
I enjoyed fished the BFL this year but I do miss the team tournament format. I have talked with an old friend and we may fish the Palmetto Boat Center trail next year. I like the lakes and the championship time and location. I hope we can nail down a decision soon.
Cannot say enough for the support I have received this year from Anglers Choice Marine and RV, Ranger Boats, and Mercury Outboards. It has felt great to be competing again on a regular basis and I am so thankful to the Lord for restoring my health to the point I felt like it this year.
I think I will spend the fall fishing club tournaments, the Clark Hill Big Bass tournament, and a couple of open tournaments.
Looking forward to working at Anglers Choice in the morning for a while and help them out with Customer Appreciation Day.
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