| Author | Message | ||
| Picou
Lunker Username: Picou Post Number: 2349 Registered: 8-2004  Rating: N/A |
Any trip to Lake Fork is usually a great trip, but some are definitely more noteworthy than others. The trip to the lake this weekend was undoubtedly one of those that definitely bares the mark of exceeding the standard. I got a late start towards the lake on Friday due to an Academy stop but I think it was time well spent. When I did make it to the Ozzie camp I found Charles, Ozziefish, and TomC fishing on the dock and having a great time. Although they were targeting crappie Tom showed us how to catch the elusive largemouth with shiners under a crappie cork.  Charles and I, not wanting to risk any rule infractions, guarded the ice chest while I cooked the steaks. The fishing was on and the crappie were dark.  It was a great time hanging out on the dock with everyone and the laughs were plentiful. Once the steaks were done we headed into the trailer to enjoy a late but delicious meal. Michele had prepared the baked potatoes to perfection and the steaks Charles picked out were excellent.  No matter what happened on tournament day, the night before was well worth the trip Thanks Ozzie & Michele for the excellent hospitality. On Saturday, 5:30am came way too early but after some coffee we were set to go. The temperature at take off was around 38 degrees and I was not sure what this would do to the fish I was on. Charles and I had a game plan and we stuck to it. We hauled butt across the lake from Minnow Bucket up into Birch and in no time had our first keeper little, but a keeper none the less. By 9:30am the livewell was holding our limit and now it was time to cull. Unfortunately, most of the fish were under 2 pounds but we did have a solid 2 pounder in there. It was time to start culling. I kept waiting for the fish to show up on the hump the girls and I landed so many fish over and finally started seeing some. A nice little slot fish was hanging out next to the boat so I tossed my fluke over and she inhaled it.  We stayed on that spot till 10:30am and could not buy another bite throwing several different baits. We decided to move and eventually picked up a fish that allowed us to cull ounces, but a cull none the less. The fish were not cooperating and it was almost noon so we decided to move to the second hole in our game plan and it worked out. Shortly after arriving at the spot we picked up a few nice slot fish including a solid 5 pounder on the Bass Bone. Charles snapped a picture but unfortunately it vanished from the camera and is no longer there. We finally picked up another 2+ fish on the Bone and culled with it. I had gotten snagged with my wacky rig and when moving up to get it we noticed a keeper on a bed so Charles worked the fish. He kept picking up the tail so I put on a tiki-stick and he immediately picked it up and I set the hook. The fish kept the plastic and I brought back a bare hook. We worked that fish for a few more minutes and finally I was able to get him to pick up the front of the stick and landed the fish that gave us our 3rd cull opportunity. At that point we decided to look for some more bedded males to try and get us to 10 pounds. We saw a few more and none would bite but I did pick up another one on the Bass Bone fishing the middle of the cove. From that fish on, we never got bit again and it was rapidly approaching 2:00pm. We decided to make a move and it turned out to be a wash so we went into weigh in with our 5 fish for what we thought would be about 8 pounds. On the scales the limit turned out to be 8.29 pounds with 2.48 being our big bass. Ozzie & Michele brought their limit in and I believe it was 7.91 and a few of our friends were sitting comfortably with 9 pounds sacks so all we had left to do was wait. I was going with Ozzie to help him load his boat when Charles called and told me the cut was 8.58 so we were out of the money oh well I pulled up the results this morning and we tied for 32nd place out of 128 boats so overall, we did ok, just not where I wanted to be. I had set out with a goal of 10 pounds and it did not happen. I believe only 1 fish was weighed in that was over the slot and it barely made it at 8.95 pounds. They measured that fish on both sides at least 3 times and declared that it was legal. They did have a slot fish brought in and another team was 2 minutes late so their fish did not count. I missed a few fish and lost a 2 pounder on the way to the boat and I am still kicking myself for that fish. It really irks me to know that I had a fish on that would have put us in the money. I cant get that one back, I just have to execute better next time. We went back to the Ozzie trailer and I gave Charles my Hendrix 782 to try out so he walked down to the dock and started casting then came up with this his first fish of the day.  We had a great time staying with Ozzie & Michele and I cannot extend enough appreciation for them opening their home to us. It was great seeing you again TomC and I look forward to the next time we can hang out. Charles, you handled the boat exceptionally well and I enjoyed spending the day on the water with you Thanks for putting up with me. Fishing tournaments is a lot of fun, but when you get to spend the time with great people like this, it really elevates the enjoyment factor.  Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish | ||
| Dru
Crappie Username: Dru Post Number: 389 Registered: 2-2005 Rating: N/A |
Excellent Report Mike. It looks like fun was had by all. Good Food, Good Friends and Good Fishing, can't beat that. BassZone.com  
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| Zeeter
Minnow Username: Zeeter Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2007 Rating: N/A |
Mike, I finally got registered like I told you I would do this last weekend when we saw you at the Cove. Anyway man what great day on Saturday uh you really put it on your partner but I gueass thats happened to all of us. Anyway I guess i can start of by telling you how we caught most of our fish. Like you we had a limit by 9:00 mainly going with what we had practiced, throwing a bait that we had cinfidence in and knew we could catch under size fish. We caught most of the keepers on wacky rigged trick worms fished where we knew small fish would be on beds. Once we got the 5 we thought it would take to get a check we backed out and went hog hunting. No luck there as you can tell but over all was a great day. Anyway I'm all in now man so maybe we'll have to go get a little mud on that new skeeter. Catching Big Ole PIGS... It's Awesome Man Zach Hughes | ||
| Texfisher
Bass Username: Texfisher Post Number: 611 Registered: 8-2004  Rating: N/A |
Nice recap. It's nice when a plan comes together. By next tournament you guys should be well within the money. Congrats to both teams for great stringers. If you're richer than me I think we're related. If you're poorer than me I know we're related. My bass club webpage http://texbass.8m.com/
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| Tomc
Minnow Username: Tomc Post Number: 29 Registered: 12-2006  Rating: N/A |
Mike, and Charles, Way to go guys! You are nearly sniffin' the green stuff. That was close. Good job. It was a lot of fun hanging out Friday night on Oz and Michele's dock. Rick and Michele, thanks for having us out. We ended up having 16 at the house for a cookout Saturday. Terry and his son stopped out on the way back from Fork. They went down to the pond and Kyle big-fished his dad with a 3 pounder. Way to go Kyle!! Terry, It was super to see you and Kyle. Don't be strangers now that you know where we are. Thanking Him, all day long --- tomc | ||
| Picou
Lunker Username: Picou Post Number: 2351 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
Zach, welcome to the ramp bud. Glad you made it and congrats on your earnings the last two tournaments. I checked out the points and you & Jason are in 2nd place so far -- way to go!  On gettin the mud on the skeeter, you lead & I'll follow (you just need to keep the ZX250 of yours at 1/2 throttle so I can keep up  ) Sounds like a heck of a cook-out Tom, had I known you had enough food we would have stopped by there for dinner. Thanks everyone!!! I'm fired up for the April 7th tournament. I know what it will take to get a check and again my goal is 10+ pounds. I know where there should be some fat girls that time of year and a stash of 2 pounders. I will be out there looking for them the day before. Charles will be there for an extended period leading up to the tournament so we should be on fish and hopefully seeing the green instead of just smellin it this time. Ozzie is a mad man out there in April so he will be a force to recon with and of course our newest site member Zeeter sitting in 2nd for points will be a challenge to beat but it's a challenge we are up to. 3 weeks is too long to wait!!!! Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish | ||
| Zeeter
Minnow Username: Zeeter Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2007 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Mike and you are right, 3 weeks is way to long. If you know where the fat girls are, we are following you. I will be at fork pretty much from this friday until the tourney so anytime you get a chance let me know and we will have to go get em man. I think the next tourney will probably be about the same as for this one the key ( I think) is going to be where they are already done spawning and where they are still in it hot and heavy. Again thanks for the congrats. Catching Big Ole PIGS... It's Awesome Man Zach Hughes | ||
| Charles
Moderator Username: Charles Post Number: 818 Registered: 7-2004 Rating: N/A |
Welcome to the site Zach! Mike excellent recap. I had a blast watching you "school" me . Good job on carrying us! Tomc-Had a balst bs'ing with you Friday night. Hopefully we can do it again. Oz & Michele- Thanks for letting us invade your space. Your place is the bomb! | ||
| Tomc
Minnow Username: Tomc Post Number: 30 Registered: 12-2006 Rating: N/A |
Ozziefish confirmed that they missed a check by .68 I hope Ozzie did not miss netting one of Michele's fish. Thanking Him, all day long --- tomc | ||
| Picou
Lunker Username: Picou Post Number: 2353 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
Oh... I'm really sick now.... We missed a check by .29 pounds which if my math is correct is 4.46 ounces. On my last cull fish I looked at the wax board and picked the color cull float to remove. I reached in the livewell and two of the smaller fish had lost the clips that go on the jaw. In my haste I grabbed one of the fish, put him on the scale and came up with 1 lb 4 oz. I assumed that was the one I needed to cull based on possible variation in the reading so I chunked him overboard and clipped the new fish with that color. I then reached in the livewell to find the other fish that was un-clipped and he looked smaller. I put him on the scale and it was right at 1 lb. I think I tossed 4 ounces overboard. Charles, sorry buddy!!! I may have cost us a check... I joked with Charles afterwards -- "It's gonna suck if we miss a check by 4 ounces." Unfreakinbelievable......  Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish | ||
| Ozziefish
Crappie Username: Ozziefish Post Number: 499 Registered: 8-2004  Rating: N/A |
What can I say but it was our pleasure! Michele and I enjoyed hanging with all of you folks. Too bad we both missed getting a check but the house rules clearly state that if OzzieFish doen't get a check no one else can either...LOL PS: Sunday evening Crappie were the biggest to date several 14"-15"ers OzzieFish "In GOD I trust" | ||
| Zeeter
Minnow Username: Zeeter Post Number: 3 Registered: 3-2007 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Charles, Next tourney you will probably put it on ole Mike. Thats fine as long as you stay behind us in weight. Also here's a tip to give Mike.... Next time the clip is supposed to be closed when you put the fish back in the livewell ha ha J/K. Man what a way to get some table fair, drinking beer, listening to music, and catching some big ole slabs. cool huh Catching Big Ole PIGS... It's Awesome Man Zach Hughes | ||
| Wes
Moderator Username: Wes Post Number: 280 Registered: 8-2004  Rating: N/A |
Been a long time since PQ actually caught the most fish in his boat... Charles you should be ashamed Well played guys, I am sure a check is in the near future for ya'll. | ||
| Picou
Lunker Username: Picou Post Number: 2355 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
Wes, we were fishing out of Charles' boat... Zach -- bite me... I was using this system and I will not use it again. Trying to be "fish friendly"...  Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish | ||
| Zeeter
Minnow Username: Zeeter Post Number: 6 Registered: 3-2007 Rating: N/A |
Oh ok then Charles can cut you some slack. Yeah the same thing actually happen to me during an hourly tourney. I dont like em at all. What I do that might help out is buy a balance beam scale. First keeper goes in the box, Second keeper we weigh both on the balance beam which ever is smaller goes in the right box. Then when you get the third all you have to do is measure against the right box. If bigger it goes in the left box, if smaller replace it and the smallest will always be in the right box. So when you catch fish your smallest will always be in the right box. So when you have 5, 4 of the bigger ones will be in the left box and the smallest in the right box. This way you will always have the smallest seperate so you can find it fast and know if you can replace it. Little confusing but works for us. Hope it helps stud, personally I feel you should keep on using your system. HaHaHa, J/K Catching Big Ole PIGS... It's Awesome Man Zach Hughes | ||
| Charles
Moderator Username: Charles Post Number: 822 Registered: 7-2004 Rating: N/A |
Left box, right box...so which one is the "correct" box? Maybe next time we use my Cul M Rite. It will keep track of weight and colors and tell you whick one to cull! | ||
| Picou
Lunker Username: Picou Post Number: 2358 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
Yup Charles, next time you will manage the livewell and fish. I'll just stand on the front deck and look pretty...  Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish | ||
| Rumbanator
Minnow Username: Rumbanator Post Number: 94 Registered: 3-2006  Rating: N/A |
Nice recap, I almost wish I had fished with the media tourney that day because I had caught a couple of nice under fish that day that could have put me close to a check. Bummer about the 4 ounces guys. I've got a cullin' system just like that, I'll definitely double check the next time I have to cull. | ||
| Tomc
Minnow Username: Tomc Post Number: 31 Registered: 12-2006 Rating: N/A |
Mike, I agree with Charles handling the fish; and that's it. Thanking Him, all day long --- tomc | ||
| Terry
Minnow Username: Terry Post Number: 53 Registered: 1-2007 Rating: N/A |
Mike, Thanks for the great detail! Sorry to hear you guys were a little short. Tom, It was great to see you and your family again. Thank you very much for your hospitality! We had a blast fishing that little pond, Kyle is already asking to go see Tom again. | ||
| Ozziefish
Crappie Username: Ozziefish Post Number: 501 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
Terry, I see that you tried to call me while I was fishing the tournament. I tried to call you back but I guess we were caught in cell phone hell. Every time I reached for the phone it would go to VM? We'll try the next time. OzzieFish "In GOD I trust" | ||
| Picou
Lunker Username: Picou Post Number: 2361 Registered: 8-2004 Rating: N/A |
Where's the love man...  Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish | ||
| Terry
Minnow Username: Terry Post Number: 54 Registered: 1-2007 Rating: N/A |
Oz, I did try to call and saw you tried. I then figured you might be in that tourney and didn't want to bother you. I'll catch up with you next time. Thanks for trying to call back! |
