I practiced for this event in late February with the help of Bill Mc Naught (who was in the NH federation before he moved south). I met Bill through my friend Greg Le'Heureux. Bill lives about two hours north of Lake Wylie and was extremely accommodating. He allowed me to drive not only his brand new Z20 Ranger but, also his 2007 Toyota Tundra during my practice time in North Carolina. I practice with a newcomer to the federation, Jason Hills (he's always good for a few laughs). We stayed in Fort Hill, South Carolina which is about a 15 minute drive to the Buster Boyd launch area.
Practice time was at a premium and I thoroughly covered water recommended by the 2007 TBF National Champion (Dave Andrews). The weather was gorgeous the first afternoon we got on the water, and then turned cold and raw. You should've seen us huddled under a dock when the skies opened up with rain and bolts of lightning. Water temps ranged from 50-62 degrees depending on how close you got to the hot water discharges. The fish, I deduced were still in a winter pattern, but a few did migrate shallow (6-12 feet). Jason and I had a ball even though the fishing was marginal. The biggest fish was about five+ lbs. Jason said it was bigger (he is still a rookie). Our last practice day, we had a little competition between us, which he won.
I spent the next month and a half back home prepping tackle and gear for this event. I also did research on fishing reports/blogs/message boards/weather sites. I was feeling confident and received many messages from members in the federation wishing me luck.
I arrived in Charlotte for the 2008 TBF National Championship on Tuesday (April 22) with anticipation. I was met directly at the airport by TBF staff who escorted me on a shuttle that brought me to the Hotel. There I met Alan and Betty Denise who graciously lugged my rods/reels south. After checking in, I had time to visit the boat yard. It was a bit surreal for me to see 30-40 wrapped trucks and boats. That's when the realization sank in, "this is big!" Later in the afternoon, we were called to the Hotel's atrium where sponsors generously gave each angler some product. I was thrilled to receive a Suspenders life vest (I've always wanted one) along with the other gear. We angler's began to mingle in the atrium and the guys I met, were very cordial. Peter Maclellan (the Massachusetts TBF president) and I shared a few laughs before the opening night banquet. The banquet food was delicious and I was ready for the post-banquet meeting. This is when we would learn the rules and our first day's partners. The first day partner would also be our practice day partner. I drew boat number 3 and Wayne Crowder from Utah.
Wayne and I drove our wrapped Chevy truck and Z20 Ranger boat to Copperhead State Landing, which was 20 minutes from the hotel. The air was 55 degrees and expected to top out at 70 degrees later that day. The water at the launch was 60 degrees and bubbling with baitfish and an occasional "splash". I was excited to get out to the first area and fish some top water. Wayne and I went out of copperhead about 10 miles north to Paw Creek. I was interested in one stretch of bank located in February's practice. The water was actually 62 degrees here and the bank had good substrate and cover. The top water bite was good as we immediately boated about five keeper fish between us. I threw a Sammy and Wayne chucked a Pop-R. The bass however, were the minimum length (14") for this tournament. As we were getting ready to leave, a larger fish boiled on the Sammy. I quickly reeled the lure in and put that in memory. I believed it was protecting a bed. We systematically began fishing the creeks south with mixed results. And we began to notice more fish on beds the further south we went. I began to make mental notes of the location of the bigger fish. When we got to the dam, by mid afternoon, there were many more spawning fish. Wayne and I decided to see what mood these fish were in. We started a process of elimination. Which were "hard" on beds and which were not? I pitched a drop shot Fishbelly Hawg Shad (www.fishbelly.com) to some smaller fish while Wayne threw a beaver. We both had good results. We surmised we could get the bigger ones to bite the next day. We were due off the water at 4:00 pm and left the Copperhead launch area brimming with confidence. We were instructed to drive the vehicles to the Charlotte Convention Center, go into the assembly hall, then proceed to a nearby BP gas filling station (to fill up on FLW's tab), and reconvene at the Hotel.
The following morning at the launch, we were greeted by a few Fox Sports Net and FLW camera boats, as well as the playing of the National Anthem. Baitfish were again flipping on the water's 60 degree surface and the forecast called for partly sunny 70-75 degree skies. Wayne and I were launching third and ready. Before I could really soak the morning in, we were blasting off and my goal of competing at a high level was being realized. I pulled into Crowder's Creek about 7 miles south of Copperhead. I stopped on a rocky point which dropped quickly on its sides into 17-20 feet. Wayne and I immediately began sight fishing. One camera boat followed us in and respectfully paused next to us. A mental note of where a "corker" was lying proved true and it struck a drop shot lil' beaver then swiftly threw the hook (a sign of things to come). It was neat to have the camera boat with me when that happened. I estimated it to be 4+ lbs. I had to quickly shake that off, as that happens to me from time to time. It's really nothing new. Within another five minutes I boated my first keeper a 15 inch male which weighed approximately 1 lb. 12 oz. I regained some confidence and proceeded down the bank trying to get the other bedded bass to bite. As we zeroed in on these spawning fish, I began to figure out they are not that impressed with my offerings. Some bass would bite immediately but, most took 20 minutes or more. The educated bass wouldn't allow the business end of our lures in their mouth. This resulted in many dropped fish. And these were quality fish to boot! My first day partner and I worked the various lures we had brought with us for these shallow water bass and after 4+ hours. He had 3 keepers and I had two (my second bit on a Fishbelly Hawg Shad) and about thirty different plastics on the deck of the boat. As we continued the futile practice of trying to get some finicky bedding bass to bite the offerings we presented, time was quickly eluding us. We finally made a stand in the Mill creek portion of Lake Wylie. I throwing a Fishbelly Hawg Shad and my partner chucking a drop shot power worm, we immediately stuck and released about six keepers. (Line breakage or thrown baits). I had my chances during day one and just didn't make it happen. But those mistakes cannot happen if you expect to make a charge in a tournament of this caliber. I weighed in two bass for 2-4. I was confident I could rebound on day two and was extremely disheartened when the scales closed after day one's weigh-in. The top Eastern Boater (Jim Gildea Mass., who is very personable and a very good angler) had about 10 lbs 6 ozs. I easily should've had this.
During the pairings meeting before day two, I met Ty Garrett from Tennessee. He would be my partner for the second day of competition. Ty actually was chosen to do the "Around Town" segment for the FLWOutdoors show airing June 8, 2008. He told me he had a woman throw up on him during their water park ride and agitated an ostrich with a mating dance during filming of the wildlife segment. On day two, I committed to the shad spawn (my sight fishing baits weren't making the fish turn) going on in the area, throwing topwaters and 5" Fishbelly swim baits around riprap and skipping docks with Lil' Hustler jigs. I had about 10-12 bites this day and did manage to bring a limit to the scales, weighing 11-11, which was a relief. My biggest was 3 lb. 3oz. I believe I wouldn't have made the cut (even if I fished flawlessly on day one) as Bob Crania from Vermont brought in a decent 14lbs. + sack after day two. Congrats go to Bob.
This was by far the smoothest run tournament as well as the networking with other anglers I've been a part of. The FLW and North Carolina Federation did a superb job getting us on the water with everything we needed. I met Forest Wood, as he was the "keynote" speaker at the champion's banquet. There was also an FLW pro event going on nearby lake Norman and we got the chance to talk to some of the pro's (Larry Nixon, Dion Hibdon, Kim Bain, Jimmy Houston, Scott Suggs, Darryl Robertson, to name a few) and watch the top ten weigh in. Ron Poirier and Dick Smith were very supportive. Ron donated some baits and Dick shot some pictures and checked my mental state after a rough day one.
Everyone in our federation has the fantastic opportunity to "Live the Dream", but not everyone takes advantage of this. Many clubs in our federation are not active in our STQTs. I highly recommend (especially if you are on the fence) to participate in this year's STQT. Fishing the STQT is a great way for you to learn and improve your angling skills. Our federation is flooded with classy anglers who are willing to share tips and techniques to make you a better angler. I challenge you to fish it this year and maybe I'll see you on the water!
Mark Anthony
www.fishbelly.com
|
