That fact, however, didn't appear to dampen the spirit of those 25 anglers in 15 boats who turned out for today's tournament. Collectively, they brought 64 bass to the scales, for a grand total weight of 133.13 lbs., an average weight per fish of 2.08 lbs., and an average weight per boat of 8.87 lbs.
Those contestants who went home with a pay envelope in their pockets included the following:
Here is how the remaining competitors lined up:
* The team of Gary Coderre and Dave Anderson, with five fish weighing 12.80 lbs., and a 3.49-lb. big fish.
* The team of David Dozier and Nelson Anderson, with five fish weighing 12.04 lbs., and a 2.72-lb. big fish.
* Jim Calhoun, with five fish weighing 10.67 lbs., and a 3.81-lb. big fish.
* Jim Wilder, with five fish weighing 10.64 lbs., and a 3.11-lb. big fish.
* The team of Allen Napier and Chris Napier, with five fish weighing 10.27 lbs., and a 2.99-lb. big fish.
* Rusty Girard, with five fish weighing 9.28 lbs., and a 2.66-lb. big fish.
* The husband-wife team of Andy and Diana Morath, with four fish weighing 7.39 lbs., and a 2.79-lb. big fish.
* Skip Schaible, with three fish weighing 4.50 lbs., and a 2.23-lb. big fish.
* The team of Jimmy Crist and Eric Killian, with two fish weighing 3.20 lbs., and a 1.92-lb. big fish.
* The team of Steve Bailey and Dennis Dean didn't weigh any fish.
Three more anglers (Wayne Hayes, Jimmy Crist and Dave Anderson) completed requirements for competing in our annual, season-ending, two-day Classic.
Congratulations to all of today's winners, and thanks to everyone who came out to participate. For planning purposes, our next event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 6. As the old saying goes, "Y'all come, ya hear?"
There have been five bass over 6 lbs. weighed thus far during this coronavirus-shortened tournament season, including one today by the team of Wayne Hayes and Craig Jones. The latest tipped the scales at 6.03 lbs. For the sake of comparison, consider that my records reveal big-fish honors back in 2010 and 2011 usually were awarded for fish in the 2-to-4-lb. class. Quite a difference, huh?
Of course, a lot of things were different back in those early days. We usually didn't have but about half as many anglers as show up for events today. And there were a lot more older boats in the arena than there are now. A lot of fellas drive state-of-the-art bass boats today, whereas 10 years ago, johnboats, Carolina skiffs and the like constituted a lot of the platforms.
As for the lineup of participants, we often fished tournaments with only 10 or 12 fellas back in the day, compared to the 20 to 25 that often show up for the events now.
Yessir, the sport has grown by leaps and bounds. Remember when the uniform of choice for most bass tournaments--club events, that is--was a jumpsuit, decorated with all kinds of patches? If a guy was to show up for a tournament in one of those today, I can well imagine the ribbin' he would be forced to take. It likely would rank right up there with what would happen if I were to show up for an event wearing a cheap hairpiece. I'd be forced to leave town and change my name if I ever wanted a moment's peace again. Just so you know, I have no such intentions.
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