Greetings fellow CSBA Members! I hope this month’s newsletter finds you all enjoying the cooling temperatures and the Fall bite!
On October 8th CSBA hosted our eighth and final club tournament of the 2011 season on Truman. The recent weather has been in a stable and relatively warm pattern for several weeks now. Daytime temperatures lately have been pleasant, albeit warm for this time of year ranging from the low to high 80’s with nary a cloud in the skies day after day. This has somewhat confused the bass and slowed the much anticipated fall migration to the shallows. Regardless, 13 competitors made their way to Warsaw to see if anyone could coax a few Truman bass into biting.
With this being the final points tournament of the 2011 season, the race was on between those in contention to win the coveted Angler of the Year title and the inaugural AOY prize, a brand new custom rod of his choice! Heading into this tournament we’ve had a 3 way battle for the lead between the smoking hot all year long Bryant Haddock, the always consistent Jim Terrell and the current momentum leader Deon Hockensmith. All 3 anglers were within 20 points of each other going into this tournament, so the lead could easily go to any of them depending on how their catch faired. Unfortunately, Bryant Haddock was unable to fish due to commitments to his Missouri B.A.S.S. Federation team who’s qualifier tournament was also taking place on Truman this weekend. So that left a 2 way shootout between Jim and Deon!
With the warm Fall thus far, the pre-fishing bite was dismal at best. Reports indicated some smaller fish could be found shallow in the backs of the creeks and cuts, with the better fish coming from the deeper water or sweet spots adjacent to deep water. Local reports indicated the fish were scattered throughout the entire lake stuck somewhere between their summer haunts and the shallows. Water temps were holding in the low 70’s still which didn’t help anything nor did the 20 mph howling South wind both Friday and Saturday. There were plenty of shad schools around, but the bass didn’t seem to be doing anything with them just yet. But as usual someone always manages to figure them out one way or another!
Apparently the winners circle agreed with him so much last month, our esteemed President Deon Hockensmith managed to find his way back to the top spot by weighing in 4 Truman keepers that tipped the scales to 9.44lbs. Deon is usually a safe bet to be in contention on Truman in the Fall, but today especially his main goal was “just to beat Jim”. Fortune smiled on him today when he accomplished what he set out to do! Deon indicated he caught his fish relatively shallow, however close to deep water flipping brush hogs to wood cover. Congratulations to Deon on back to back wins!
With a new custom rod on the line, it was obvious Jim Terrell came with a purpose this tournament. Jim did his best to beat out Deon for first place, but lady luck wouldn’t have it. Jim did however weigh in an impressive 3 fish bag that tipped the scales to 8.89lbs which included the day’s boater big bass at 3.59lbs, earning him second place honors. I was not able to get a report from Jim on how he caught his fish, but assume it was flipping something resembling a brush hog near deep water. Congratulations to Jim on second place!
With both Deon and Jim finishing so well, the difference between their first and second place finishes was only 7 points. It’s going to be a close one, too close for either to call which won the AOY title. We’d have to figure the points to see for sure!
Rounding out the final paying spot and the first time in the money this year was Darren Lofts. Darren hooked 2 fish from the back of my boat that weighed in at 4.68 lbs to take 3rd place honors. Darren fished very well, taking his two keepers on spinnerbaits fished in the back of main channel cuts off of wood. Darren reminded me a lot of fishing with Bryant Haddock. He remained focused and fished very well all day. Even in spite of the howling winds he presented his bait well and his catch showed it. Just like Bryant, if you put Darren on fish, he’ll catch them! Congratulations to Darren on his fine finish, the first of many more to come I’m certain!
Non-Boater big bass honors went to, stop the presses, can you believe it, Terry Tholen for his 2.79lb chunk! Congratulations Terry!
Rounding out the rest of the field
4th place, Jeff Wilson 2 bass 3.92 lbs
5th place, Charlie Aulgur 2 bass 3.18 lbs
6th place, Terry Tholen 1 bass 2.79 lbs
7th place, Bryan Penrod 1 bass 2.54 lbs
8th place, Terry Corum 1 bass 1.89 lbs
9th place, Pat Greisen 1 bass 1.87 lbs
10th place, Paul Boesel 0 bass 0 lbs
10th place, Bill Howell 0 bass 0 lbs
10th place, Garry Gustafson 0 bass 0 lbs
10th place, Larry Hedenskog 0 bass 0 lbs