Philipsburg Bassmasters 4th and 5th Tournament of Season: July 21,22 (Allegheny River, Pool 9) and August 4, 2012 (Kinzua Dam)

We had our 4th club tournament on Julys 21 and 22 at East Brady (Allegheny River, Pool 9).  This was our biggest even thus far with a total of 11 club members coming out and fishing this tournament.  It was a 2 day tournament in which Saturday night we fished from 4-8:30 and Sunday morning was 6-12pm.  

We launched Saturday evening and I went to the spot where I usually start.  I started fishing under a bridge and about 1 hour into it I got my first keeper.  I decided I was dropshotting for smallmouth all evening and it seemed to pay off.  I couldn't find any schools of smallies but I was able to hit a couple spots where I found 1 smallmouth here and there.  I worked myself back up river towards the launch and I ended up in catching 4 keepers for the evening.  My biggest fish for the evening turned out to be a smallmouth that weighed 1.94lbs.  After day 1, my total of 4 fish for 5.59lbs put me sitting nicely in second.  Only one other angler had 4 fish for the evening and I was sitting only ounces behind him.
I hit pretty much the same spots the next day and everyone else reported having a difficult time catching fish.  I ended up with one keeper smallmouth for 1.04lbs which kept me sitting in second place for the tournament.  It was a good time to say the least and I enjoyed fishing the Allegheny River.

 On 8/4 the club fished at Kinzua Dam which is one of my favorite places to fish.  I fished around the Bridge all day throwing mostly Optimum Baits Wacky shads and AA Worms Straight Tails and absolutely smacked the bass.  I love these baits and you definitely need to try them!  I caught 4 keepers for the day cycling back and forth between 3 spots.  I didnt hit my fall spots yet because the fish are still relatively deep.   I ended up taking 4th place with 5.76lbs topped off with my 2.52lb lunker smallmouth.  Next tournament is August 11th at the 3 Rivers in Pittsburgh!  See you there!