Philipsburg Bassmasters 7th Tournament of 2012: Lake Raystown (September 9, 2012)

Today was my club's 7th tournament of the season and I did not have high expectations for this one.  There was a Jim's Anchorage tournament today so I knew that with my small boat, that I was not going to make a long run for the fear that someone would be in my spot after running for 30 minutes to get there.
I started out fishing up in Snyder's Run but did not have any luck.  I decided to make a run to near Seven Points and made a quick stop to a rocky point with a steep cliff near it.  That quick stop ended up being where I fished all day!   They were eating my Power Team Lures Finicky Tickler like it was candy!   That Hog Tonic scent really attracts the bass!  I caught 4 keepers off a dropshot fishing along steep banks.  Whenever I would come up on a tree I would throw a senko into it and usually get at least a nibble (darn bluegills). 

I caught my kicker fish which was only a 2.54# largemouth on a senko.  Around 12 o'clock I caught my 6th keeper on a dropshot on the point where I started and ended up culling a 12oz fish.

I ended up finishing with 7.54lbs with 5 fish.  One of my fish died so I had to take a 1/2lb penalty.  I ended up taking 1st place for the day which was really a surprise.

I can't praise Power Team lures enough for the exceptional quality of their baits.  I am happy to be on their pro-staff and their baits alone helped me win today.  I don't think I could have had the success I had using any other bait.  A couple guys in the club weighed 3 fish but no one else brought in a limit today.   Everyone reported catching fish and I had 76 degrees for water temp on this September morning.

Next tournament is September 22 in which I will not be attending.  A buddy of mine is getting married and I am in the wedding!  Should be a fun one. 

I am heading out to Colorado this coming Saturday for a nice getaway with my wife and her family.  Going to do some fly fishing out there in which I will try and post some pictures.

My next tournament I will be attending is September 29 at Curwensville Lake in which my Club is hosting.  Guaranteed 1000$ payout if you are interested please contact me!

Next club tournament I will attend is October 4 at Lake Chataqua in New York.  Should be a blast!
Tightlines!

Philipsburg Bassmasters 6th Tournament of 2012: Sayers Dam August 25, 2012

Well I just finished up my 6th club tournament of the summer which was held at Sayers Dam.  I have never had much luck fishing Sayers in August so I did not have high hopes coming into Saturday.  I went up during the week one day and only managed to catch 2 11 inch fish in the very stained water. 

Saturday was no different with the water conditions as it was still very stained and there was a lot of junk floating around as well.  

I figured I would do what I have been doing all year which is dropshot but that did not seem to pan out.  Topwater in the morning also did not produce.  The trusty senko as well as a Power Team Lures Sick Stick did the trick for me.  I caught about 7 fish on either one of them.  The PTL Sick Stick is absolutely SICK on a wacky rig!   

I ended the day with 3 fish for 3.00lbs.  Good enough for a very surprising 3rd place finish!  My next tournament is September 8 at Raystown Lake.  Should be a fun one!

Tight Lines!

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!