Sunday, June 19th, 2005
Classic End to Classic Race
As teams scrambled for a classic berth and many with an impassioned race for the Season’s Points Championship, the Duluth Bass Club closed the books on the club’s spring season on Clark Hill Lake, where, twenty-seven teams including two guest teams showed up to fish the season finale. There were little changes in the club’s overall standings, but the finish was not without the usual weigh-in drama, where teams postured and poised. Nevertheless, all the wrangling didn’t change the end result, as Gene Hacker and James Eason added to their lead to once again claim the Spring Season Points Championship.
Taking tournament honors were father and son Bill Booth and Bill Booth Sr. who did so in grand fashion by beating out the nearest competitor with a commanding two pound advantage. Their five fish limit weighed in at exactly 11 pounds even. Bill and Bill caught the majority of their fish up Little River on Ricco’s early then switched over mid-day to jig heads rigged with green pumpkin trick worms and big dead ringers to cull a few. This victory marks their second DBC win since joining in the spring of last year.
Congratulations to the Booth’s on a great Clark Hill victory!
Bryan Phillips and David McGrew grabbed the second place slot with their limit pressing the scales to 8.99. Bryan and David made their mark by working green pumpkin finesse worms on flats in 7’ feet of water.
Brothers, Michael Thomas and Alan Thomas took the third place position with a net total weigh of 8.87. One of their keepers committed suicide and that cost them one quarter of a pound and a second place finish. Michael and Alan caught their catch on green pumpkin lizards by working humps.
It was Gene Hacker and James Eason’s forth place finish that insured them the points championship with three fish of 8.18. Their sack was anchored with the tournament’s big bass weighing 4.07 caught by Gene on a spook. Their remaining catch came early either on spooks or spinner baits --- you decide.
Grabbing the final payout; father and son Randy and Albert Little’s five fish limit weighed 7.91, They caught fish on spinner baits early then switched to GP U-tail worms later in the day.
Winning Patterns: There was a top-water bite early. However, it was very short lived as rains killed much of it. You may have noted that the green pumpkin was the color of choice. Fish can be found on main lake and secondary points. Sunday it took slow presentations to get the bites.
Weather Conditions: At blastoff temps were in the mid-sixties. Forty five minutes into the tournament; light rains turned on and off through mid-morning. After which, it remained mostly cloudy until 1:30 and the sun broke through. Water surface temps were in the low to mid-eighties and the water mostly clear to light stained.
Looking Ahead: Sunday 26th DBC completes the 2005 Spring Season with the Classic at Lake Hartwell. Qualifying teams are invited to fish for the title. However, members are invited to come and fish and enter in a separate big fish side pot.
Next month kicks off the Fall 2005 Season on Lake Oconee. Team memberships are available. Our next meeting is Thursday July 14 at Bass Pro Shops. Anglers interested in joining are encouraged to contact us now to insure your place on the club’s roster.