Top Six North GA Division - West Point lake

Thursday October 16 - Day 273 - Seven days missed

Got to the campground last night and settled in. Got up this morning
and took the boat to the ramp before 7 - still dark. Could see the far
bank about 3/4 mile away when we drove up to the ramp. Ten minutes
later we got the boat in the water and could not see the end of the
dock - fog rolled in. When I hit hte power switch it blinked but did
not come on. No GPS - managed to get to the far side but knew I could
not find the hump I wanted to start on. Decided to check the battery
the accessories run on and the positive connector was loose - guess
the rough water at Martin last Sunday did it. Got it tightened up and
turned on the GPS and went right to the hump.

Jordan got a nice spotted bass on a topwater but that was it. We
started hitting other humps in the fog - I kept throwing topwater,
detremined they would hit it. Water temp was75 degrees and clear.

When the fog lifted at 10:30 still had not caught a fish although some
had come up schooling near us. Started running points and humps -
nothing. When the wind got up after lunch thought that would help -
nope.

Jordan caught a few fish on a variety of baits but I stuck with
topwater and nothing. Finally threw a jig head some and caught two
nice spots - better than two pounds each - on one hump. Went back to
topwater - still nothing but Jordan got a few more before we quit at 5
PM.

Went back to the campground and grilled pork chops for dinner. Asleep
by 8:30.

Friday October 17 - Day 274 - Seven days missed

Rain predicted but nothing but a good breeze when we put in just
before daylight. We had to be in by 4 to register the team for the
Top Six. Ran up to a point with a drop I like but no hits. Went
across to two water pumping stations on a very deep bank. Jordan got
one on a popper then another one or two on crankbaits. I had no hits.
Rain started about 9 and we put on rainsuits. Jordan caught another
fish or two then by 11 sat down in the bottom of the boat and went to
sleep.

I threw topwater till my arms ached. Switched to a jig head and landed
three or four bass, two keeper spots. Jordan woke up and said he was
soaked - his FLW rainsuit was not working. He seemed miserable but I
kept fishing - throwing a buzzbait now. Had one hit at it but missed.

Pretty disgusted with practice - no pattern, few fish. Topwater a
complete bust.

Gave up at 2 and went in to register - they opened at 2. Saw some old
friends. We took the boat out and took hot showers, got dressed in
dry stuff and went to the marina to eat supper before the draw at 6
PM.

My parnters were not on much either. My flight was first out on
Saturday - fishing 7:10 to 3, then last out on Sunday, fishing about
7:30 to 2:30. We set up time and place to meet, got back to the
campground and in bed by 8:00 PM.

Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Saturday October 18 - Day 275 - Seven days missed

Got up a little before 5 to a much cooler day - 52 degrees. Windy
when we got to the lake. Met partner and we took off right at 7:10,
boat #16 of about 90, ran to the ridge where I got the two good spots
Thursday. Worked it with topwater, spinnerbait and crankbaits, no
hits, then turned to make another pass with worms. Two boats pulled in
on it ahead of me - local fishermen, not in tournament. There were
boats everywhere, another 100 boat tournament going on also, with our
90 boats, and a bunch of folks fishing for the day.

We hit a couple of spots then ran to a roadbed back in a creek.
Partner got two keeper spots on jighead - I didn't get a bite. Worked
it for an hour, no more hits. Went out to another roadbed with a big
rock pile on it and I got a solid 2 pound spot on my first cast, then
a keeper spot. Worked it for an hour but no more hits.

We fished several more spots. Right at noon I was fishing a jig and
pig in a treetop and reeled it in to make another cast. A suicide spot
about 2 pounds grabbed it right beside the boat and I swung it in.
Three in the boat.

After trying a few spots partner wanted to hit I suggested spending
the last few minutes on the drop I started on yesterday. I worked it a
few minutes and saw some fish down 16 feet deep. Backed off and cast a
jig head to them and got a thump - landed a 2.5 pound spot, best of
the day. Wind blew us off it while I was putting it in the boat and I
didn't have time to get back on it right before we had to go in.

Lots of people with one or two fish. My four weighed 7.52. Jordan had
gotten a 3 pounder on top early and had four weighing 8.8 - leading
our team. Kwong had three weighing five pounds, Brent had two at 3
pounds and Billy had one at one pound - we figured we had about 26
pounds total, wondered if that would keep us in top 25 to qualify for
the big tournament next spring. They are taking top 25 teams from
north and south division.

Got back to the campground, plugged up the boat, grilled a steak and
was in bed by 7 PM.


Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Jordan caught a few fish on a variety of baits but I stuck with
topwater and nothing. * Finally threw a jig head some and caught two
nice spots - better than two pounds each - on one hump. Went back to
topwater - still nothing but Jordan got a few more before we quit at 5
PM.

Went back to the campground and grilled pork chops for dinner. *Asleep
by 8:30.

Sunday October 19 - Day 276 - Seven days missed

Met my partner at 7 - we were in the last flight and near the middle
so no hurry. We took off at about 7:30 and ran straight to the drop
where I got the fish yesterday. I have caught some good bass there at
daylight in the past.

Started out on the end and worked in. When I got close to the bank my
partner threw a spinnerbait to some shoreline brush. Suddenly he said
"Fish On' about the time one hit my worm. I set the hook but missed
then netted his 2 pound spot.

We worked around and I missed another hit, then caught a solid 2 pound
spot. He got another one, just a keeper. We fished the place hard for
an hour but no more hits, even out in the deeper brush.

We tried a cove still in the shade with a variety of baits and I got a
13 inch largemouth - non keeper. About 10:30 ran down to the rock pile
where I got two yesterday - not a hit. As I pulled off it another
boat moved in to fish it. We went back to the roadbed where my
partner got two yesterday - a boat was leaving it. We worked it
without a hit. As we left there was a third boat fishing the rock
pile - these fish are getting hammered.

Went out to the ridge where I started yesterday and first cast got a
keeper spot. Fished it to the other end and got another one. Where
were they yesterday? Stayed on it an hour but no hits. Left and
tried to fish another point but a boat was on it. Went to one of my
partner's spots and worked it - no bites.

Ran to the drop for the last hour of fishing. I started throwing an
Old Monster 10.5 inch worm hopling to entice a big largemouth. Felt
some brush then a thump. Dropped the rod tip, set the hook and felt
weight, then slack. Reeled in a bare hook, had stripped the worm off.

Picked up my jig head and threw it to the brush. Got a thump and set
the hook and my line broke at the reel. Guess I had a loop that got
burned without knowing it. Pretty disgusted.

With about 15 minutes left we saw a bass boat headed toward us. We
were fishing about 50 feet inside a green channel marker, sitting in
15 feet throwing toward a shallow water buoy in 3 feet. The channel
is at least 1/4 mile wide behind us.

Three idiots headed right toward us. They came off plane about 100
feet away and turned toward the bank. A guy sitting on the front
platform blocked the driver's view, I guess. I thought they were going
to fish the shallow end of the drop. Instead he got half on plane and
headed toward the shallow water danger marker!

Suddenly he realized it was there and turned and went between us and
it. We were casting to it so we were not far away. I said several
things at the top of my voice as they passed but none of the three
would look at me. I called them several names I won't print here.

It is bad enough when a skidoo or ski boat driver is so stupid or such
an inconsiderate AH they do something like that, but when other
fishermen do it I want to shoot them.

We fished a few more minutes then went in. My three weighed 5.1 -
wished I had more.

When they started calling out clubs they started at 15th. We were
talking and thought we had about 45 pounds. They started at 45 and
went up - we figured we had miscaculated. We had, we forgot to add in
the 1/10 pound bonus for live bass. My club finished 9th overall and
got our entry fee back and qualified for the state tournament. My 13
pounds (with bonus) put me first on the team.

Was amazed it took only 19 pounds to place first - and about 15 to
place 12th. If this had been the big tournament the top 12 would have
been the state team and, as happens all too often, I would have missed
it by about one good keeper fish.

We will be back for the statewide tournament the end of next April.


Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

"Ronnie" wrote in message
...
Sunday October 19 - Day 276 - Seven days missed

Met my partner at 7 - we were in the last flight and near the middle
so no hurry. We took off at about 7:30 and ran straight to the drop
where I got the fish yesterday. I have caught some good bass there at
daylight in the past.

Started out on the end and worked in. When I got close to the bank my
partner threw a spinnerbait to some shoreline brush. Suddenly he said
"Fish On' about the time one hit my worm. I set the hook but missed
then netted his 2 pound spot.

We worked around and I missed another hit, then caught a solid 2 pound
spot. He got another one, just a keeper. We fished the place hard for
an hour but no more hits, even out in the deeper brush.

We tried a cove still in the shade with a variety of baits and I got a
13 inch largemouth - non keeper. About 10:30 ran down to the rock pile
where I got two yesterday - not a hit. As I pulled off it another
boat moved in to fish it. We went back to the roadbed where my
partner got two yesterday - a boat was leaving it. We worked it
without a hit. As we left there was a third boat fishing the rock
pile - these fish are getting hammered.

Went out to the ridge where I started yesterday and first cast got a
keeper spot. Fished it to the other end and got another one. Where
were they yesterday? Stayed on it an hour but no hits. Left and
tried to fish another point but a boat was on it. Went to one of my
partner's spots and worked it - no bites.

Ran to the drop for the last hour of fishing. I started throwing an
Old Monster 10.5 inch worm hopling to entice a big largemouth. Felt
some brush then a thump. Dropped the rod tip, set the hook and felt
weight, then slack. Reeled in a bare hook, had stripped the worm off.

Picked up my jig head and threw it to the brush. Got a thump and set
the hook and my line broke at the reel. Guess I had a loop that got
burned without knowing it. Pretty disgusted.

With about 15 minutes left we saw a bass boat headed toward us. We
were fishing about 50 feet inside a green channel marker, sitting in
15 feet throwing toward a shallow water buoy in 3 feet. The channel
is at least 1/4 mile wide behind us.

Three idiots headed right toward us. They came off plane about 100
feet away and turned toward the bank. A guy sitting on the front
platform blocked the driver's view, I guess. I thought they were going
to fish the shallow end of the drop. Instead he got half on plane and
headed toward the shallow water danger marker!

Suddenly he realized it was there and turned and went between us and
it. We were casting to it so we were not far away. I said several
things at the top of my voice as they passed but none of the three
would look at me. I called them several names I won't print here.

It is bad enough when a skidoo or ski boat driver is so stupid or such
an inconsiderate AH they do something like that, but when other
fishermen do it I want to shoot them.

We fished a few more minutes then went in. My three weighed 5.1 -
wished I had more.

When they started calling out clubs they started at 15th. We were
talking and thought we had about 45 pounds. They started at 45 and
went up - we figured we had miscaculated. We had, we forgot to add in
the 1/10 pound bonus for live bass. My club finished 9th overall and
got our entry fee back and qualified for the state tournament. My 13
pounds (with bonus) put me first on the team.

Was amazed it took only 19 pounds to place first - and about 15 to
place 12th. If this had been the big tournament the top 12 would have
been the state team and, as happens all too often, I would have missed
it by about one good keeper fish.

We will be back for the statewide tournament the end of next April.


Congratulations Ronnie. That's the thing about tournament fishing, if
you're doing bad, you think someone, somewhere is loading the boat. AND, if
you're doing well, you're positive that it's not going to be enough. And
then, to make matters worse, if you think you've got a good sack of fish and
will finish in the money, someone absolutely hammered the bigguns!

Sometimes I think that tournament fishing is as much mental as it is
producing fish...

Good job in finishing where you did.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

On Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:17:23 -0700 (PDT), Ronnie
backed into a tree whilst ridin inna park
then wrote:

Sunday October 19 - Day 276 - Seven days missed

Met my partner at 7 - we were in the last flight and near the middle
so no hurry. We took off at about 7:30 and ran straight to the drop
where I got the fish yesterday. I have caught some good bass there at
daylight in the past.

Started out on the end and worked in. When I got close to the bank my
partner threw a spinnerbait to some shoreline brush. Suddenly he said
"Fish On' about the time one hit my worm. I set the hook but missed
then netted his 2 pound spot.

We worked around and I missed another hit, then caught a solid 2 pound
spot. He got another one, just a keeper. We fished the place hard for
an hour but no more hits, even out in the deeper brush.

We tried a cove still in the shade with a variety of baits and I got a
13 inch largemouth - non keeper. About 10:30 ran down to the rock pile
where I got two yesterday - not a hit. As I pulled off it another
boat moved in to fish it. We went back to the roadbed where my
partner got two yesterday - a boat was leaving it. We worked it
without a hit. As we left there was a third boat fishing the rock
pile - these fish are getting hammered.

Went out to the ridge where I started yesterday and first cast got a
keeper spot. Fished it to the other end and got another one. Where
were they yesterday? Stayed on it an hour but no hits. Left and
tried to fish another point but a boat was on it. Went to one of my
partner's spots and worked it - no bites.

Ran to the drop for the last hour of fishing. I started throwing an
Old Monster 10.5 inch worm hopling to entice a big largemouth. Felt
some brush then a thump. Dropped the rod tip, set the hook and felt
weight, then slack. Reeled in a bare hook, had stripped the worm off.

Picked up my jig head and threw it to the brush. Got a thump and set
the hook and my line broke at the reel. Guess I had a loop that got
burned without knowing it. Pretty disgusted.

With about 15 minutes left we saw a bass boat headed toward us. We
were fishing about 50 feet inside a green channel marker, sitting in
15 feet throwing toward a shallow water buoy in 3 feet. The channel
is at least 1/4 mile wide behind us.

Three idiots headed right toward us. They came off plane about 100
feet away and turned toward the bank. A guy sitting on the front
platform blocked the driver's view, I guess. I thought they were going
to fish the shallow end of the drop. Instead he got half on plane and
headed toward the shallow water danger marker!

Suddenly he realized it was there and turned and went between us and
it. We were casting to it so we were not far away. I said several
things at the top of my voice as they passed but none of the three
would look at me. I called them several names I won't print here.

It is bad enough when a skidoo or ski boat driver is so stupid or such
an inconsiderate AH they do something like that, but when other
fishermen do it I want to shoot them.

We fished a few more minutes then went in. My three weighed 5.1 -
wished I had more.

When they started calling out clubs they started at 15th. We were
talking and thought we had about 45 pounds. They started at 45 and
went up - we figured we had miscaculated. We had, we forgot to add in
the 1/10 pound bonus for live bass. My club finished 9th overall and
got our entry fee back and qualified for the state tournament. My 13
pounds (with bonus) put me first on the team.

Was amazed it took only 19 pounds to place first - and about 15 to
place 12th. If this had been the big tournament the top 12 would have
been the state team and, as happens all too often, I would have missed
it by about one good keeper fish.

We will be back for the statewide tournament the end of next April.


Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

A great read Ronnie, I always enjoy your postings. Congrates on
making the spring tourney! Hope you take it all.

Dan

Hi:
Have been lurking here for a while now.
Figured it was about time to let those that post know I like to read them.
I may not say it often enough to keep the posters going, but hope you keep
posting anyway.
As for me, will have to wait till summer to get back to fishing.
Stuck here in the north country, Wisconsin. And since I hate to compete with
JC by walking on water, will not be fishing for awhile.
Today is a nice enough day to be out on the boat, but it is put up for
winter already. Dumb Me....
Anyway thanks again to all of you posters!!!!!!!
Dan

--

Sometimes the best thing to do:
Is nothing at all.

Way to go Ronnie!!!

I like how modest you are, I'll try to remember that when I get into my
first tourney in the Southern Classic 2010

Mike


"Ronnie" wrote in message
...
Sunday October 19 - Day 276 - Seven days missed

Met my partner at 7 - we were in the last flight and near the middle
so no hurry. We took off at about 7:30 and ran straight to the drop
where I got the fish yesterday. I have caught some good bass there at
daylight in the past.

Started out on the end and worked in. When I got close to the bank my
partner threw a spinnerbait to some shoreline brush. Suddenly he said
"Fish On' about the time one hit my worm. I set the hook but missed
then netted his 2 pound spot.

We worked around and I missed another hit, then caught a solid 2 pound
spot. He got another one, just a keeper. We fished the place hard for
an hour but no more hits, even out in the deeper brush.

We tried a cove still in the shade with a variety of baits and I got a
13 inch largemouth - non keeper. About 10:30 ran down to the rock pile
where I got two yesterday - not a hit. As I pulled off it another
boat moved in to fish it. We went back to the roadbed where my
partner got two yesterday - a boat was leaving it. We worked it
without a hit. As we left there was a third boat fishing the rock
pile - these fish are getting hammered.

Went out to the ridge where I started yesterday and first cast got a
keeper spot. Fished it to the other end and got another one. Where
were they yesterday? Stayed on it an hour but no hits. Left and
tried to fish another point but a boat was on it. Went to one of my
partner's spots and worked it - no bites.

Ran to the drop for the last hour of fishing. I started throwing an
Old Monster 10.5 inch worm hopling to entice a big largemouth. Felt
some brush then a thump. Dropped the rod tip, set the hook and felt
weight, then slack. Reeled in a bare hook, had stripped the worm off.

Picked up my jig head and threw it to the brush. Got a thump and set
the hook and my line broke at the reel. Guess I had a loop that got
burned without knowing it. Pretty disgusted.

With about 15 minutes left we saw a bass boat headed toward us. We
were fishing about 50 feet inside a green channel marker, sitting in
15 feet throwing toward a shallow water buoy in 3 feet. The channel
is at least 1/4 mile wide behind us.

Three idiots headed right toward us. They came off plane about 100
feet away and turned toward the bank. A guy sitting on the front
platform blocked the driver's view, I guess. I thought they were going
to fish the shallow end of the drop. Instead he got half on plane and
headed toward the shallow water danger marker!

Suddenly he realized it was there and turned and went between us and
it. We were casting to it so we were not far away. I said several
things at the top of my voice as they passed but none of the three
would look at me. I called them several names I won't print here.

It is bad enough when a skidoo or ski boat driver is so stupid or such
an inconsiderate AH they do something like that, but when other
fishermen do it I want to shoot them.

We fished a few more minutes then went in. My three weighed 5.1 -
wished I had more.

When they started calling out clubs they started at 15th. We were
talking and thought we had about 45 pounds. They started at 45 and
went up - we figured we had miscaculated. We had, we forgot to add in
the 1/10 pound bonus for live bass. My club finished 9th overall and
got our entry fee back and qualified for the state tournament. My 13
pounds (with bonus) put me first on the team.

Was amazed it took only 19 pounds to place first - and about 15 to
place 12th. If this had been the big tournament the top 12 would have
been the state team and, as happens all too often, I would have missed
it by about one good keeper fish.

We will be back for the statewide tournament the end of next April.


Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com