7-29-2006 Benefit Tourny - How not to win!

[MrWiskers]

The Situtation:

Fish a lake that you have never fished with only 6 hours total practice in the end of July.

Practice (6 total hours all around Grasshopper):

I managed to fnd fish on main river bluffs and grass lines. I went 3 days this past week for 2 hours per day. Each day I was able to catch keeper fish and I had high hopes of doing well in the tourny.

The Tourny Plan:

Step 1: Fish mail lake bluff point and catch a nice smallmouth and/or a few keep spots early
Step2: Fish pocket just beside mail lake bluff point that is full of grass (the nice leafy kind) for 1 or 2 keeper largemouth.
Step3: Repeat step 2 in two other pockets full of grass.
Step 4: Finish limit with more main lake bluff spots if necessary.

Results:

Step 1: No fish. These were guaranteed during my 6 hour practice.
Step 2: One 12" largemouth and one 10" spot. Caught 2.25 lb largemouth in this pocket is about 5 minutes in practice and left if alone. At this time I knew we were screwed as my plan centered on catching some quality largemouth out of the grass early on topwater.
Step 3: Caught 13" largemouth. Confirmed without a shadow of a doubt we were screwed.
Step 4: Caught a few short (very short) spots and one smallie. Drank a Mtn Dew and ate some crackers. Rain started so we ran to Nuke plant and caught one more short spot.

What can I say. The weather completely destroyed all of my patterns as I was targeting active fish in the grass and buffs. Craazyaboutbass and I did manage to put 7 bass in the boat and he lost a couple more but nothing would measure. I caught the two largest largemouths on a torpedo fishing the grass lines. We did make the 15 mile run to Grasshopper and if I had it to do all over again I would have fished the marina at the launch site. The skipjacks were busting the little threadfins everywhere. I almost started fishing for them for catfish bait.

The highlight of the day for me was meeting the other members of the forum and putting a face with the names. Hopefully I will get to fish in one of the upcomming events and get to know more of the members.

Soooo... tomorrow I start practicing for the Catbattle next weekend. I can get back to fishing some water I know for some fish I can usually catch. Ahhhhh life is good!

 

[fisherpal2k]

Good report Mr. Whiskers. It was nice meeting you today and I hope you had a good time. Don't get discouraged over not catching any. Last tourny was at nite and I had a few fish lined up and then blanked it. Like Jmax I am gonna have to learn how to catch fish in a tourny.emoLaugh Pointer did an excellent job of carrying me today and it was fun. I told him I was a good net man!emoLaugh

 

[MrWiskers]

fisherpal2k - 7/29/2006 8:56 PM

Good report Mr. Whiskers. It was nice meeting you today and I hope you had a good time. Don't get discouraged over not catching any. Last tourny was at nite and I had a few fish lined up and then blanked it. Like Jmax I am gonna have to learn how to catch fish in a tourny.emoLaugh Pointer did an excellent job of carrying me today and it was fun. I told him I was a good net man!emoLaugh

My main problem today was not knowing the lake. I knew my patterns were busted early but I did not have a backup plan due to lack of practice time and knowledge of the river. We still caught some fish so it was not too bad. I hope to have better luck next week in the Catbattle as I know the Nick pretty well and I have plenty of backup plans. It was good meeting all of you as well. I plan to fish more of these tourny's but will probably wait until next spring as I need a lot more practice on the Chick.

 

[MrWiskers]

I forgot to mention that I also caught a 2 foot gar on a torpedo. I saw the fish come from 5 feet away and run the bait down. I landed the toothy critter too which is not easy as they are hard to hook. The new Gamakatsu trebels worked great.

 

[Jmax]

Nice report Mr Wiskers, I would not worry about not winning. I believe if you were to look at all the results of each Tx we have had, there is not one repeat winner. A couple repeats in the money but not the First Place spot. I kind of like that anyways and it keeps everyone feeling like they have a shot. I would not give it up, just keep on trying and your day will come.emoThumbsup Jmax

 

[MrWiskers]

Jmax - 7/29/2006 10:00 PM

Nice report Mr Wiskers, I would not worry about not winning. I believe if you were to look at all the results of each Tx we have had, there is not one repeat winner. A couple repeats in the money but not the First Place spot. I kind of like that anyways and it keeps everyone feeling like they have a shot. I would not give it up, just keep on trying and your day will come.emoThumbsup Jmax

Thanks Jmax. Since I live 2 miles from the Wolftever ramp I may start haunting your pet fish.emoPoke

 

[jon the fisherman]

It was nice meeting you today, and don't sweat not catching any keepers...we will catch some on the Bar.emoThumbsup emoToast

 

[Skeeter]

Well being this is the "How not to win" topic let me chime in. Started the day off good with a swift ride to the Ware branch area. Fished all the sloughs in that area with a good amount of fish but no keepers. Ended up with a 12 1/2 spot on the block wall. Then ran to Chesterfrost and fished the island in front of the ramp with no bite. Left there and went to WT for my backup plan but there wasent none there either. So i went to my last spot where i caught some last weekend but same as all the rest there was nothing there.


I still had fun and always do. Although i did see something really interesting than i cannot share here but i can say it proablly imbarrased her as much as it did me emoRedface

Sorry i had to jet but work called and i had to go in for a couple of hours. Glad i got to meet some new faces and learn a few new areas too!