Off and on throughout the day, we heard claps of thunder, and it generally looked as though it could rain at any moment, but each time, the thunder would stop, and the clouds would dissipate somewhat. However, it became abundantly clear during weigh-in that things were going to change...and soon.
Accordingly, the 12 anglers in six boats fishing today wasted little time after weigh-in getting their boats on their trailers, ensuring everything was lashed down, and heading home before the skies finally opened up and gave us the soaking that weather forecasters have been predicting all week long.
When all was said and done today, the tournament anglers had weighed limits of five fish for a total weight of 64.42 lbs., or an average weight per fish of 2.14 lbs.
The short list of winners included the following:
* The team of Dave Anderson and Gary Coderre, 12.62 lbs. total weight, 3.06-lb. big fish.
* The team of Steve Bailey and Dennis Dean, 8.54 lbs. total weight, 2.86-lb. big fish.
* The husband-wife team of Andy and Diana Morath, 8.39 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
* The team of Rob Peppers and Mike McCluskey, 6.64 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
Diana Morath became the 10th competitor to join the list of anglers now eligible to participate in our season-ending two-day Classic tournament in October.
Congratulations to the winners today, and thanks to everyone who came out to participate. For planning purposes, our next event is scheduled for Sunday, July 17th, from safe light (about 5:30 or 5:45 a.m.) to weigh-in at 2 p.m.
I've fished with a couple of fellas who are among the strongest hooksetters I've ever known. One is my Dewey's tournament partner, Wayne Hayes. The other is my friend, Mark Ingram.
The latter and his partner today shared something with me that happened during the tournament today.
It seems that Mark was fishing a soft-plastic bait with a tungsten weight attached, and after feeling a strike, he unleased a hookset that ultimately caused the line to break, allowing the fish to escape. Rather than accept that outcome, Mark decided to pursue the same fish yet again. On the very next cast to the same spot where he had broken off his line, Mark again felt the fish and set the hook. He achieved a successful hookup this time and, moments later, boated the fish.
The only times I can recall breaking off on a hookset have always been when the fish was buried in something underwater. And never once have I ever been lucky enough to get a second chance to catch the fish, with the remnants of the original rig still buried in its mouth.
I particularly recall a time during today's tournament, after I just had missed hooking a fish with a frog (for the third consecutive time) that Wayne asked me if I had set the hook as hard as possible. I subsequently watched him bend the hook out a tad more than it already was to see if that would help me achieve success. Unfortunately, I never had another chance to find out because my frog bite had turned off by this time.
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