What would a fishing day be like without enough wind to blow the hat off your head and to whip those pesky knots in the braided line you're fishing? It seems readily apparent we don't have to worry very much about one of those days showing up anytime soon. For the most part, in any given year, I'd be willing to bet that you can count the total number of those "ideal" days all year long on one hand and still have fingers left over.
All that wind today, however, didn't deter those 18 anglers in 11 boats who showed up to fish the Dewey Mullins Memorial Tournament out of West Neck Marina. We brought a total of 42 bass to the scales, weighing a grand total of 101.09 lbs. The average weight per fish was 2.40 lbs., and the average weight per boat (for those 9 boats weighing fish) was 11.23 lbs.
Those anglers standing tall in the winners' circle at the end of the day included the following:
Here is the order of finish for the remaining participants in this contest:
* The team of Rob Peppers and Don Carter, five fish, 11.84 lbs. total weight, and a big fish weighing 4.11 lbs.
* The team of Dennis Dean and Steve Bailey, five fish, 11.83 lbs. total weight (after 0.50 deduction for one dead fish), and a big fish weighing 4.31 lbs.
* The team of Wayne Hayes and Ken Testorff, five fish, 10.21 lbs. total weight, and a big fish weighing 4.28 lbs.
* The team of Dave Anderson and Gary Coderre, five fish, 9.04 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
* Rusty Girard, five fish, 8.71 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
* The team of Craig Jones and Rob Chatham, two fish, 3.73 lbs. total weight, and a big fish weighing 2.89 lbs.
* Bob Clarkson did not weigh any fish, and James Calhoun was disqualified for late arrival in the boat basin for weigh-in.
Today marked the sixth tournament this season for Don Carter and Andy Morath, so they will join the list of those now eligible to fish our season-ending two-day Classic in October.
Congratulations to all of today's winners, and thanks to everyone who came out to participate. For planning purposes, our next tournament is scheduled for Saturday, July 17th, from safe light (somewhere between 5:30 and 6 a.m.), with weigh-in at 2 p.m. Incidentally, six qualifying tournaments still remain on this season's schedule.
It was nice to see today's combined total weight exceed last week's total by about 34 percent. Can only speak for my partner and I, but we found fish throughout most of the day. And yes, we also lost several fish.
One difference I noticed today, though, was the fact that several of the fish that pulled off would "return to the scene of the crime" and give you a second, or...sometimes...even a third chance to catch them. My experience for a very long time generally has been that North Landing bass give you only one chance. Certainly hope this new-to-me trend continues for a spell.
It indeed was welcome news to find a better bite today, especially after learning late Friday that I have a blown cylinder on my outboard. Have had a whole plethora of signs of trouble in recent weeks, and when my outboard mechanic heard my engine running a week ago, he knew something wasn't right.
Accordingly, it appears my Yamaha will be going into the shop within the next week for a rebuild. Have no idea how long it will take to complete the job, but my mechanic assured me today that I can ride with him for the remainder of the Dewey Mullins Memorial Tournaments scheduled for this season if necessary.
On that note, let me tell you that the difference between a ride in my friend's Ranger and my Skeeter is nothing short of the difference between night and day. Of course, I have to admit that a lot of that difference undoubtedly is attributable to the fact that Wayne is considerably more adept at boat handling than I've ever been or will ever be. The size differences between his Ranger and my Skeeter is of equal significance, too.
Can say with certainty that I thoroughly enjoyed the "quick" ride back to West Neck this afternoon as Wayne "let 'er eat" most of the way. It's no understatement to say that his Ranger can "sh*t and git" with the best of 'em. That's why that sign in his boat is always staring at you: the one, in case you're not familiar, that says "sit down, shut up, and hold on!"
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