THE GUNTERSVILLE STORY

 

The Duluth Bass Club had it's spring season's two day tournament at Lake Guntersville al.  The weather was great for both Saturday's and Sunday's tournament days.  Anglers enjoyed two of the nicest  weather days we’ve seen this year.  In addition,  the wind was not much of factor this go around other than making you change to other baits.  

Weekend stats for the 26 teams are as follows: Day-one 93 bass were weighed with a 3.40 lb per fish average with a total creel of 316.16 lbs.  Day-two 96 bass were weighed with a 3.35 lb per fish average with a total creel of 321.50 lbs.  There were 10 bass over six pounds and count was lost of five pounders but there were somewhere over 25 of them.

Twenty six teams participated to catch 43 bass for a total creel weight of 92 pounds for two days.  .  It was a great two day fishing adventure.  We have several teams which  posted over 20lbs limits both on Saturday and Sunday.   

 

Their were several different patterns used this weekend to catch fish.  Anything from a shaky head to a creepy crawler.  Humps and new grass patches again proved to be the areas holding big fish.  But you couldn't count out the "fishing docks" which also produced some nice fish.   The dock talk indicated major baits used were rattle traps, mag worms, jerk bait, chatter baits and spinner baits which finished up the field.  Worm colors ranged from green pumpkin,  watermelon seed,  blueberry and purple.  We even had a couple fisherman that had trouble trying to identify a bass - one caught drum and the other caught a catfish.

Special thanks to our new sponsor Deep South Rods.  They provided each club angler a one time special purchase and much of the club was sporting these premium rods.  And thanks to them each tournament one fortunate person will win a Deep South Rod valued at $180.00.  This month’s winner was Rick Morris, congratulation Rick!  Dock talk produced much praise on these rod, overwhelmingly patrons agreed fishing Deep South Rods made a big difference feeling light strikes in thick grass.  

As things played out over the two days it became intense on the leader board.  On day one Michael Thomas and Mike Haddad lead the way with 20.07.  Robert Turner and Rick Morris were fishless with just 45 minutes left to go.  With a tip from the Little’s and a stroke of luck they positioned themselves in 2nd with 19.82; all within 20 minutes and eyesight of the ramp, proving just what can happen on this lake.   Billy and Mark Anglin were in third with 18.60.  Randy and Albert Little sat in fifth with 18.25.  Despite Sunday’s shortened fishing day, spectacular catches were seen coming across the scales.  Billy and Mark Anglin finished in fifth with a two-day total of 35.22.  Robert Turner and Rick Morris slipped into fourth with a total of 35.54.  Michael Thomas and Mike Haddad fell to third totaling 35.10.  The big surprises and coming out of nowhere was Tommy Akers and Scott Barnes who were in 10th place on Saturday had the biggest stringer of the tournament on Sunday of 22.98 and finished second with 37.50.   Capturing tournament honors was Randy and Albert Little with their 20 plus pound sack on Sunday and gave them a two-day total of 39.98, a new two-day record for the club.  Congratulations Randy and Albert on a fantastic club win!

 Saturday winner was Michael Thomas and mike Haddad (alt) a with weight of 20.07.  Sunday winner was Tommy Akers and Scott Barnes with a weight of 22.98.

On his third cast Saturday morning with a spinnerbait, Rick Cotten caught the big bass for the day, it pressed the scales at 8.02.  Even though only a couple of fish have been caught bigger in 21 years of club history, Rick wasn’t confident it would hold up, not the way things were shaping up.  And his concerned was justified.  Sunday Dale Tomazin hadn’t even put the trolling motor in the water on their first stop when his 13 year old partner and son reared back on a 8.40 lb. largemouth on his first cast.    Mike Childs landed his large bass on lipless crankbait early sunday morning.

Big Fish for both Saturday and Sunday as follows:

     1st - Travis Tomazin     8.42

     2nd - rick cotton          8.02

     3rd - mike Childs         6.95

 

I think the club enjoyed the get together at the end of the day at the local place of lodgings.  A lot of fun talk took place Saturday night.  It is great to see members of the club enjoying each other company after a hard day of competition.

 

Next Month DBC travel to Clark Hill on Sunday May 18.  May’s meeting is the Tuesday May 13 at Bass Pro Shops. Team registration begins at 6:00 PM and the meeting start promptly at 7:00 PM.   Teams interested in joining feel free to come on by or drop us a line.  Anyone is welcome to come fish as guest for the big fish pot, come check us out.