The song says "nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning;" however, I and 17 other Virginia anglers likely would take exception to those lyrics, given the fantastic weather and fishing day we all enjoyed today. I feel certain we, to the last man, are counting our lucky blessings to have had a day like this in late August. We 18 anglers in 10 boats brought 50 bass to the scales, for a combined total weight of 112.66 lbs., a 2.25 lb. average weight per fish, and an 11.26 lb. average weight per boat.
Those taking charge and kicking butt today included the following:
(From left) Josh Jones and Eddie Sapp, 1st Place, with 15.99 lbs. total weight, and a 4.52-lb. big fish.
Cody Wilson, 2nd Place, with 13.74 lbs. total weight, and a 5.09-lb. big fish, which earned him bragging rights as winner of the lunker pot.
(From left) Andy Morath and Zach Bubier, 3rd place, with 13.59 lbs. total weight, and a 3.95-lb. big fish.
Gary Coderre and Allen Napier (not pictured), Mystery Weight winners, with 7.48 lbs. total weight, which was closest to the drawn weight of 2.80. They didn't weigh a big fish.
Here is how everyone else lined up in the day's competition:
* Jim Crist and Eric Killian, 13.17 lbs. total weight, and a 3.45-lb. big fish.
* David Dozier and Sean Vitovich, 12.54 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
* Steve Bailey and Bobby Moore, 9.54 lbs. total weight, and a 4.11-lb. big fish.
* Dave Anderson and Ken Testorff, 9.04 lbs. total weight, and a 2.87-lb. big fish.
* Wayne Hayes, 8.81 lbs. total weight, and a 2.33-lb. big fish.
* Bob Glass and J. P. Twohig, 8.76 lbs. total weight, and a 2.64-lb. big fish.
No new names were added to the list of those eligible to participate in our season-ending two-day Classic, but several more anglers are poised to complete their qualification in the remaining weeks.
A hearty congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to everyone who came out and fished today. My sincere appreciation, as well, goes to those who helped me orchestrate the event. For planning purposes, our next event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7, from safe light (probably about 6:15) to weigh-in at 2:30.
After today, the 2019 Angler of the Year competition stacks up as follows:
Steve Bailey - 136.18 lbs.
Ken Testorff - 128.25 lbs.
Ken Testorff - 128.25 lbs.
Gary Coderre - 125.67 lbs.
Bobby Moore - 121.65 lbs.
Dave Anderson - 120.11 lbs.
Dave Anderson - 120.11 lbs.
Rob Peppers - 108.25 lbs.
Eddie Sapp - 105.14 lbs.
Eddie Sapp - 105.14 lbs.
Don Carter - 100.45 lbs.
With four more qualifying events remaining on the season's schedule, it's still anyone's ballgame to win or lose.
On a different note, I have to admit a gi-normous screwup I made today while fishing a topwater bait. After tossing the bait against the shoreline, I saw a fish smack the bait and did a hookset but didn't feel anything, so figured I had missed. One more crank of the reel handle, and I saw what appeared to be another hit, with another swing and another miss, or so I thought. After a third episode of this action, Dave hollered from the rear pedestal, "Hey, Ken, you've got the fish; he's just swimming toward the boat with your bait. Reel him in."
I raised the rod tip a bit and, sure enough, saw the fish indeed was hooked and started reeling, but by now, I had allowed the fish enough slack, and he politely let go of my bait. I've never felt like a bigger fool before in my life. It's downright sad when you can't tell a fish is hooked and have to be told so by your partner. Nevertheless, that's what happened today.
I wouldn't blame Dave if he called me tomorrow and told me that he's going to find a new partner.
On a different note, I have to admit a gi-normous screwup I made today while fishing a topwater bait. After tossing the bait against the shoreline, I saw a fish smack the bait and did a hookset but didn't feel anything, so figured I had missed. One more crank of the reel handle, and I saw what appeared to be another hit, with another swing and another miss, or so I thought. After a third episode of this action, Dave hollered from the rear pedestal, "Hey, Ken, you've got the fish; he's just swimming toward the boat with your bait. Reel him in."
I raised the rod tip a bit and, sure enough, saw the fish indeed was hooked and started reeling, but by now, I had allowed the fish enough slack, and he politely let go of my bait. I've never felt like a bigger fool before in my life. It's downright sad when you can't tell a fish is hooked and have to be told so by your partner. Nevertheless, that's what happened today.
I wouldn't blame Dave if he called me tomorrow and told me that he's going to find a new partner.
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