Post by dannyp on Oct 29, 2017 20:26:53 GMT -1
Top Six 2017 Lake Lanier Oct 27-28
The Big Shanty Bassmasters competed in the GA. B.A.S.S. Nation Classic this past weekend, Oct 27-28 in Gainesville Ga at Lake Lanier.
Al Frix, President of the Club, Scott Bates, vice president and tournament director, Danny Perdue, Club Secretary/Treasurer, Andy Henderson, Sammy Young, and Michal Miranda represented the club.
We were able to find a VRBO House in Gainesville for our Lodging needs that were very nice and had plenty of parking for all 3 boats and vehicles.
We all got up there on Wednesday and I registered the team with Ga B.A.S.S. Nation president Wayne Barr that morning and Al and I went out to prefish some. We had Wednesday and Thursday as Official practice days. The general meeting was held Thursday evening with parings conducted for both days.
At the meeting Ga B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Wes Meadows, informed us he was going to give us an extra hour of fishing on Friday due to the incoming wet and rainy Saturday. So we were supposed to weigh in at 3 now 4. Notice I said SUPPOSE.
Anyway as the meeting was going on every once in a while they would take a small break and draw raffle tickets that they sold for prizes, Andy made out like a bandit winning at least 2 tackle packs worth about $70 a pop, and the next to the last draw I scored a Mojo rod from St. Croix.
Day one and we had an almost 2 hour fog delay- Just before it was safe to blast off Wes gave us an extra hour to fish so now we are due in by 5 but Sat would be cut by an hour, Now due in at 2.
All in all the partners we all drew were pretty good fellas, of course you hope to draw someone from the lake but that’s the luck of the Irish. (Guess we fared better at the raffle draw then the tournament)
Fishing was a very tough grind as the upper end of the lake was in turnover mode. Majority of fish I hear were caught on the lower end of the lake. While none of us placed it was a fun time. Especially for a few of our first timers;
Danny Perdue
Michael Miranda:
This was my first experience of taking part in a bigger tournament. I was excited as well as apprehensive; NOT knowing what to expect.
The house the club rented was great. And in my opinion, it was perfect for what we needed it for. Location was also good. The horseshoe shaped drive way was perfect. I'm glad it had it.
The pre-fishing with Scott and Andy opened my eyes on what it takes to hopefully one year make a push for AOY. Those two have plenty of knowledge and attack the green fish in very different ways. I learned ALOT.
The tournament meeting and registration was good. As we pulled up, I saw a tunnel hulled aluminium rig and I told everyone, I would draw that guy. I did. My luck, huh. Not as good as (Andy's 3 raffle wins or Danny's raffle prize) luck. But it was a unforseen lucky draw.
Tournament day one fog was a beast, yet the national anthem; in that same fog; seeing all the anglers standing and respecting our country and old glory just reminds me this is the greatest country in the world. It brought a tear to my eye. God bless the USA.
My day one angler Mark was a strong angler and was on the shakeyhead under dock bite all afternoon catching his limit, but I was bound and determined to catch them using the techniques that I was using during pre fishing with Andy and Scott. And that WAS NOT the ticket. Had to shakeyhead late to scratch out a few shorts. Yep, I'm a knucklehead. Oh well, you live you learn.
Day two, I drew out a true river rat from Tifton. He was also a great angler who caught 8 or 9 fish and had 3 good size keepers. Chad was a master in skipping jigs in the Skinny water. He and his tunnel hull aluminum rig were NOT afraid to bang off boulders, log jams or anything else that would crunch up fiberglass bass boats. We ran way way up the hooch into some swift and really shallow (less than a foot) water, and boy I was out of my element! But Chad's hospitality and willingness to teach was top notch. A truly great experience even though I blanked again.
All in all this was a great time and learning experience for a first year club fisherman. Thank you Big Shanty Bassmasters for the chance to represent the club in the state tourney. If I had to do it all over again, I would have slept more and been more versatile in my angling, going with my gut and fish my strengths. I'll know this next time if i get another shot at top 6. I got a chance to really talk to some of the guys and I learned alot about fishing and about my new fishing family. It makes me feel lucky to be part of Big Shanty. Thanks again!
Andy Henderson;
Always look forward to hanging out with fishing buddies. Had a great experience over the 4 days of fishing, learned a lot about the lake between Laurel Park and Brown's Bridge. Hope I can make it back to Top Six next year to give a better showing. I had 2 great partners that made for an enjoyable day on the water, even in the rain.
Scott Bates;
Fellas I had a great time this with y'all this weekend!!! Next year going to be a different story on the lake, kick bass and taking names.
Sammy Young;
I had fun also. Hopefully next year we’ll all place top 10
Al Frix;
Was a blast even though I was there under protest 😂
In closing, we are all tired and beat but would do it again,
A Shout out thank you to our Club Sponsors; Southern Clean, Commercial cleaning services, and Matt Burch of Burch's Tackle Shop, LLC in Canton. We certainly do appreciate your support.
We are accepting memberships, you do not need to own a boat to join. If you want to have the great experience we just had then please check us out
www.bigshantybassmasters.com
Facebook www.facebook.com/Big-Shanty-Bassmasters-205858456452639/