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Blog Archive for the B.A.S.S. Elite Series Lakes Pickwick and Guntersville 2010

April 27, 2010

The Cementman and I are on the road again with the Red Ranger for another Spring time adventure to the heart of the South, Alabama. We are going to Marshal the B.A.S.S. Elite Series events on Lake Pickwick and Guntersville. B.A.S.S. Elite anglers are fishing back to back weekends starting this Thursday. That reminds me, make sure you have your Fantasy Fishing Team in place by midnight on Wednesday.

We left Michigan this morning at 6:00 am. The stars were out, and we got to watch the sun rise. We headed south on I196 to 94 and then took 94 to I65 South.

Rick readying the red Ranger

I've been making the drive to Alabama for over twenty-five years or so. I've a brother and sister-in-law who live in northern Alabama, and we love spending time with them. In a few years, we hope to winter down that way.

Going through southern Indiana on this trip, I noticed that they have built a new wind turbine farm.

Wind farming in southern Indiana

There were at least a hundred large windmills out there weaving wind into electrical impulses. Recently I read where they are having town meetings in Holland, MI to discuss such farms. A company wants to put one out in Lake Michigan. I've heard of other such meetings, on the east side of the state, for the same type of thing on St. Clair and Erie. I'll have to read more about it to form an informed opinion. I would have to say that initially they make sense. Here's an article I found on a wind farm up in the Cadillac area. It's entitled West Michigan community leaders take field trip to see wind turbines in action (Video and photo gallery) .

When we were passing through the wind turbines, I thought about having a small turbine mounted on the roof that might help supplant the regular power system. Some day maybe, but for now we are using gasoline. We made three stops for gas on the way down and spent about $140. We do have over half a tank left. Gas prices averaged $2.75 a gallon. The lowest we saw was $2.64 a gallon.

$2.64 a gallon was the cheapest we saw.

We made great time on the way south. We encountered a couple of construction areas where traffic slowed to 45 mph, but there was just a couple such areas. We got through Indianapolis at about 10:20 a.m., and rolled into Louisville at around noonish.

Rolling through Louisville.

Once we hit Louisville, it started to cloud up, and we had intermittent rain. Sometimes it got quite heavy. The ole Red Ranger swam through the road weather well.

Yup she's still following us.

We stopped at one of my favorite quick lunch spots in Cave City, Kentucky. It's a Long John Silver/A&W Root Beer restaurant. We had a quick bite, chicken and fish planks with shrimp for me, chili dogs and onion rings for the Cementman. We didn't take too long to eat, and we were back on the road in about twenty minutes.

A dreary misty, Cave City, Kentucky

It was only about a three hour run from Cave City to Athens, AL. Athens is the second and third exit in to Alabama.

Welcome To Alabama!

Alabama Welcome Center

We rolled in to Athens at about 4:00 p.m. CT. It ended up taking about eleven hours. When we arrived my brother-in-law was home from work, and we chit chatted until my sister-in-law came home. We then headed out for dinner at at the Old Greenbrier Barbecue . It's one of those "local" great eating places in the south.

Once you sit down, they bring you a big basket of hush puppies. As far as I'm concerned, that's all I needed to eat. However, I did order a pulled pork dinner that came with a side of sweet vinegar slaw and a baked sweet potato. The Cementman on the other hand, ordered his usual hamburger. "Boring."

Tomorrow, we get to sleep in a bit. We have to be at McFarland Park in Florence, AL at 4:15 p.m. to register and then sit in on our orientation meeting. After that, we are paired with our Thursday pro. We then have a light dinner with them.

The weather for Thursday looks like it should be pretty nice. Low 80's and sunny. Time to break out the sunscreen.

I haven't had much time to check out the internet chatter on the Pickwick event. I did read a summary that included some comments from Randy Howell and Matt Herren. Howell seems to think the fish will be mostly post spawn. Herren feels that the full moon will keep the fish on the bank. Here's the "Bigger bite awaits Bassmaster Elite Series pros at Alabama Charge on Pickwick Lake " article.

I am too tired to type much more, so I think I'm going hit the hay right after I pick my Alabama Charge Fantasy Team. The parting cast of the day is Dave Mercer's Facts of Fishing #14. Take care and I'll try to be back on tomorrow night with a recap of our Wednesday activities.

April 28, 2010

It's Day 2 of our Alabama Red Ranger adventure. We got up quite early today despite being able to sleep in. Must be intrepidation associated with the Alabama Charge which starts tomorrow morning.

After waiting for Rick to finish his beauty sleep, and believe me he needs all he can get, we drank a few cups of coffee and got the Cementman signed up for B.A.S.S. Fantasy Fishing . We then went up to Walmart. I needed to get a photo album to put some pictures in that I took last year when I was fishing with Tommy Biffle. He won the tournament, and I thought he might like the pictures I took.

They didn't have the kind of album I wanted at my local Wally World, so I wasn't very hopeful that they would have any here. However, I was wrong. They had just what I wanted, and they were on clearance for $3. My lucky day. They albums hold 100 pictures and I had 105.

Next, was breakfast at Shoney's, the South's version of Elias Brothers Big Boy. The Cementman wasn't eating any biscuits at my favorite morning stop, Bojangles. They make a mean chicken biscuit, but Rick is a picky eater and wanted pancakes.

After breakfast, we headed to West End . I've said it before, and will probably perseverate some more on it, but West End is one of the biggest little tackle shops you are ever going to find. They have a ton of tackle! I would hate to even venture a guess at how much they have invested in inventory. They have more Lucky Craft baits than I have seen in any three Bass Pro Shops combined.

We checked out baits, and then looked at the new Boyd Duckett Micro Guide rods . I'd love to have me one of those rods. Maybe I'll win the lottery, or start pouring concrete.

While we were at West End we inquired about out of state licenses. They sell a seven day or an annual.

We were thinking while eating breakfast, that we should have gotten up and gone over to the Elk River ramp and spent some time out on Wheeler. We didn't think we'd have enough time, but if we would have gotten up and gone, we could have fished for three or four hours. Oh well, we'll have several days left to fish, but today would have been a perfect day. The temperature was about 60, and the winds were calm.

Instead of fishing, we headed back to Paula and Charlie's. Rick worked in his boat while I filled Biffle's photo album.

Around noon we got ready and headed to Florence. It's about a fifty minute drive. We first found the Florence Coliseum where we needed to go to register at 3:00 p.m.

Once we found the Coliseum, we programmed the Garmin for McFarland Park. That's where the pros will taking off and where we will need to be at 5:30 a.m. We thought it was about 15 miles from downtown, but it turned out to be just a few blocks away.

McFarland Park, Florence, Alabama

We drove into the park and right away started seeing a bunch of the Pro's rigs. Many were still out prefishing. We meandered through the parking lot taking a some pictures. Here are a few of the wrapped trucks we saw.

Kevin Short's Truck

Aaron Marten's Ride

Gary Klein's Vehicle

Jason Williamson's Wrapped Ride

We moved from the parking lot to watch a few pros load their boats. We met and talked to a couple of other would be Marshals doing just what we were doing while waiting for the registration to begin.

I saw Tommy Biffle loading his boat, but didn't recognize him with the new boat wrap. The same thing almost happened when I saw Matt Herren ride up. When I saw him coming in I saw he too had a new boat wrap, but this time I wasn't thrown off and I walked down on the ramp and said hello. He's a great guy and always treats you like a long lost buddy. I really appreciated his willingness to talk for a bit. Here are some of the pictures of some of the pros loading up to get ready for their 4:15 meeting at the Coliseum.

Matt Herren and Terry "Big Show" Scrogins

Todd Faircloth

Mike Iaconelli

Tommy Biffle's New Wrap

Koto Kiriyama and his rig.

We had a fun afternoon talking to folks around the ramp area. We walked down to where they were putting up the stage and gawked at the spectacular view from the weigh-in site. Florence is a beautiful area. It would certainly make a good vacation destination. The locals we talked to said that we would thoroughly enjoy the ride on Pickwick. It's a beautiful area with picture postcard views.

The B.A.S.S. Weigh-in Stage in Florence on Pickwick

The Cementman contemplating the dive or maybe just enjoying the view.

The picture above shows Rick standing on the bluff overlooking Pickwick. I told him I'd give him ten bucks to go over and dive off the bluff on the far side. It would have made one heck of a picture for the blog. That Rick is just no fun. Where's his sense of daring? That bluff could only be three or four hundred feet high. I'd have enough time for two or even three good pictures before he hit the water.

At a little before three we headed back to register. You line up and go through several stations. The first stop has an official that finds the form we mailed in months ago, and also gives you a BPS $25 gift card. A second confirms all the information. The third person gave you your shirt. By the way, the shirts were a vast improvement over last year. Very nice Columbia long sleeve shirts. The fourth volunteer gave you your hat, a tube of SPF25 lip balm, and some fishing lures. The fifth stop was at a table where they gave you a stainless steel ESPN mug. Not a bad haul.

Sitting in the stands after registration

Some of the loot they gave us.

After we registered, we sat in the bleachers and they gave us about a 15 minute orientation and answered questions. When that was over we moved to the bleachers next to the Pros and waited for them to have their meeting with Tournament Director Trip Weldon. When that meeting concluded Keith Allen, the B.A.S.S. MC, called out a pro and paired them with a Marshal. You then met with your pro and arranged a meeting place and time for the morning. Rick drew Bobby Lane , and I drew Dave Wolak

Waiting to be paired with your Thursday Pro

Once that was taken care of they had a dinner for everyone. They had chili, sliced beef, pulled pork, chicken wings, potato skins, salad and drinks. Some of the pros left right away having other commitments at car dealerships etc. We ate more that we should have and then jumped in the truck and headed back to Athens.

It's 10:00 p.m. here already and I have to get up at 3:30 a.m. We need to leave by 4:00 a.m. to be sure we're there by 5:30 a.m. I did do a quick check on the Bassmaster site and here's the latest article they have up entitled "Hundreds a Day" . Don't forget that you can watch the weigh-in on ESPN 360 at 3:30 p.m. Both Rick and I are in the fourth flight which means we will sit around the take off area until after 7:00 a.m. and then won't be back until 4:00 p.m. We'll miss three fourths of the weigh-in. Oh well maybe Friday we'll be in an earlier flight.

I tell you what, this is a lot of fun. A great opportunity and an unbelievable adventure. I'd highly recommend you give it a try.

Take care and stay tuned. If this old body holds together, I'll be blogging again tomorrow night after Day 1 of the Alabama Charge.

April 29, 2010

Man, I'm dead dog tired tonight. I got to bed last night at 11:30 p.m., and we had to get up at 3:30 a.m. We wanted to be sure we got to McFarland Park in Florence, Alabama for the Elite Series Alabama Charge on time to meet our boaters.

If you check the aforementioned link you'll see that Kevin Short finished the day today with a little over 20 lbs. He did his damage with a jig and a crankbait. You can take a look at the overall standings by using this Alabama Charge First Day Standings link.

Rick and I parted ways early to meet our first day boaters. I got in Dave Wolak's Tundra and backed him in. I then carefully parked his trailer in one of the poorest designed parking areas I have ever seen. The way the traffic flowed just didn't make any sense.

I floated around with Dave getting acquainted as we waited for our fourth flight take off. Dave currently lives in North Carolina, and is married and has a four year old boy. He's originally from Pennsylvania. He's quite an athlete. He set high school hitting records in baseball and teaches freestyle skiing. He just competed in a ten mile road race and plans on running the Disney Marathon in January. We had quite a long time to talk, and it was certainly my pleasure to get to know him.

Here are some of the pictures from this morning.

Zell Rowland's rig was the first one I saw this morning.

Marty Stone rolled in next.

Boyd was chipper this morning.

The Day 1 morning flotilla.

The Pros do a lot of jostling and nobody pays any mind as the boats pinball around.

Zell Rowland and Denny Brauer yucking it up.

James Niggemeyer and his Day 1 Marshal

Moving closer to take off.

Dave made about a 35 minute run first thing. I should have bought and brought a helmet, because the ride was cold and loud. The roar of the wind, as you run the lake at 70 plus mile per hour, gives you brain freeze. I was sure happy to have my BPS 100 MPH rain gear on. It wasn't raining, but the rain gear keeps you toasty warm.

Before we left B.A.S.S. officials motioned Dave over to the dock and they gave me a digital video camera to use for the day. They told me to just shoot pictures. When we blasted off, I was filming and videoed the first 5 minutes of our ride down lake. I tried to film a potpourri of things throughout the day. I don't know what B.A.S.S. will do with it.

I just took a minute out of typing to check the B.A.S.S. Photo Gallery and found they have a picture of Rick and Bobby Lane taking off in their "Launch Gallery" pictures. You can also see Rick and I in the Marshal's meeting pictures. We're in the very top row of bleachers, and you can just see my yellow, black, and white Bass Cat shirt.

When Wolak arrived at his starting spot, he dropped the trolling motor and had a fish on right away. His first five or so fish weren't very big but they were in the livewell. He was culling by 7:45 a.m. He culled all of his early fish and ended the day with 16 lbs. even. Not to shabby! I'm not going to go over his techniques and lures until after the tournament ends.

Dave Wolak starts his Day 1 on fire.

Dave making one of his many culls.

It was a great day on the water. Got to see a small part of the beautiful Pickwick area. It really is a post card vacation destination, especially if you want to do a little fishing. Dave caught fish wherever he went. I would guess he caught sixty bass today. Here are some more pictures.

A look from the boat over Pickwick Lake

Just one of the many beautiful homes around the lake.

We were in the fourth flight and had to be back in at 4:00 p.m. We got back early and then bobbed around the harbor area waiting for a spot at the dock. Dave bagged his fish and headed to the scales.

Everyone must check in on time or face a penalty.

Bobby Lane and Rick coming in to weigh their fish.

Davey Hite coming in.

Kelly Jordan at weigh in Day 1

Dave Wolak talking to road roomy Clark Rheem

We came in so late we missed much of the weigh-in. Here is a picture of Dave Wolak weighing in his 16 pound limit. Every pro had a limit today.

Wolak on stage with MC Keith Allen and Tournament Director, Trip Weldon

Last but not least here are a couple of pictures of Rick and I with our first day pros. I forgot already if I mentioned who we drew for tomorrow. Rick drew Stephen Browning, and I will be riding with Kenyon Hill.

Bobby Lane and Rick

Dave Wolak and I

I'm near my limit tonight. Hopefully, I can get back on with another blog for Day 2 of the Alabama Charge. Take care, and wish you were here.

April 30, 2010

Friday, and it was Day 2 for the B.A.S.S. Elite anglers on Lake Pickwick, in Florence, Alabama. The complete field fished today in hopes of making the top 47 who fish again on Saturday. Making that cut is important because those anglers all take home at least a $10,000 check.

Rick and I were out of the sack again by 3:30 a.m. We were at the McFarland Park ramp at 5:05 a.m. Once we arrived I had some extra time before I had to meet my pro, so I kicked my seat in the truck back and checked out the back of my eyelids until 5:30 a.m. Once my morning nap alarm rang, I got my tackle bag and met Kenyon Hill at the boat dock. He was already tied up when I got there, so I stowed my gear and started taking pictures.

B.A.S.S. in Florence, AL

Friday Morning at McFarland Park, Florence AL

The dock traffic picking up early.

Guy Eaker in his farewell season at 70 years young.

Kenyon and Keith Allan keeping the crowd entertained on the docks.

The mornings are a bit of hurry up and wait. It takes a while to dump a 100 boats in the water and get everything organized and ready. The tournament officials really do a great job of keeping everyone on schedule. They have a loud public address system set up, and they can convey information and get people where they need to be quite efficiently. When instructions aren't being given over the P.A. the music is blaring. It's a happening scene.

As the minutes tick by, boats begin to stage by number. The order of take off is reversed from the day before. The boats line up and have to pass alongside of a B.A.S.S. official who makes sure your kill switch works, and your live wells are on and empty. They ask if you know what time check in for that flight is, and then they send you out. You motor at idle speed to the main lake, and once the anglers pass the no wake zone it is hammer down time.

Making it all official, almost hammer time.

Motoring through the "No Wake Zone" to the main lake.

Kenyon Hill at the wheel running 70 mph.

Running Wide Open on Pickwick

Kenyon made about a 30 minute run to his starting spot. It didn't take him long to get in to the fish. As I stated yesterday, I am not going to get in to techniques and baits until after the tournament is over. I'll do a separate write up on each of the anglers I rode with.

Kenyon Hill getting righteous at first light.

Time to fill the live wells.

Kenyon had a pretty good day and caught at least 30-40 bass. He culled all his fish at least twice. Later in the afternoon he hooked a nice kicker fish that weighed five pounds or better. That put his total at just a little over fifteen pounds and gave him enough to fish on Saturday.

Culling fish is time consuming, but it's something every angler hopes to do.

Adding a kicker fish makes the day a lot more fun.

Once anglers check in at the end of the day their fish need to be bagged. Volunteers hand out bags to the anglers as they tie up at the dock. Actually you get two bags, an inner mesh bag, and a outer heavy duty bag with a zipper top. The pros carry their fish to the area behind the weigh-in stage. There, an official pulls the inner bag out and checks the fish. They must measure and be all alive. From there, the pros place the fish that are in the mesh bag into large tanks filled with treated, oxygenated, iced water. They then wait until they're called up the steps to the stage. Trip Weldon takes the fish and weighs them. Keith Allan talks to the angler and plays to the crowd. As soon as the fish are weighed, a volunteer takes the fish and runs them to the B.A.S.S. release boat. The boat is equipped with large aerated tanks. When the tanks fill up with fish they run them out into the lake and release them.

Kenyon on stage Day 2 of the Alabama Charge

I'm beginning to run on fumes again tonight. It's been a lot of fun, but getting up at 3:30 a.m. and spending twelve hours outdoors takes it out of you. I have at least 20 more pictures resized that I would like to put on the blog today, and twice that many that I'll put in a slide show later, but they are not going on the blog tonight.

Before I quit typing and take a shower, however, I want to make sure I put up some links you can use to access the information that B.A.S.S. has on their website.

Kevin Short maintained his hold on first place bringing in a bag that weighed 18-10 lbs. for a two day total of 38-13 lbs. Here's the article detailing Short's day entitled "Short Widens Gap."

Once you take a look at that article you may want to check out the complete standings, with this Standings After Day 2 in the Alabama Charge link.

I have remarked before about the quality of the photography on the B.A.S.S. site. Not only are there pictures composed well, they choose their photogenic subjects well. Check out the guy in the very first picture in their gallery under Day 2 Launch . It's the one that has the little picture of Shaw Grigsby eating the banana. Click on that link and check out the Marshal with Kenyon Hill.

They had to work me in I think, because they had the Cementman in the Day 1 Launch gallery, picture number 21.

Tomorrow Rick drew Dennis Tietje a B.A.S.S. rookie from Roanoke, Louisiana, and I drew Kevin Wirth from Crestwood, Kentucky. It should be another great day despite the fact that there is some heavy rain moving in.

Take care, and with the Lord willing I'll be blogging tomorrow night. I'll be adding to all the reports after the tournament and posting more pictures. I'm taking a ton of them!

May 1, 2010

"Thirty days has September, April, June, and November…" Indeed, another month has gone under the bridge. I usually break the blog and archive it each month, but I won't do that until I get home for this Alabama swing.

You may have notice that I took the 2010 Tear Drop Tournament schedule off the blog heading. My number two son has updated the site, and the buttons on the main page now have current info including the schedule, rules, and this year's flyer can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF file. When I get back home, I plan on putting up a new slideshow of pictures. So stay tuned, as they say.

Yesterday, the Cementman and I were on the water riding with the B.A.S.S. pros again. I guess I'd better preface the rest of this blog by saying I'm a day behind. On our way home Saturday, I got a call from Chuck Harbin asking me if I was interested in riding on Sunday as well. I thought about it for about a half second and said, "You bet!" He told me I would be riding Shaw Grigsby. I knew I needed to get the blog for that day done, but riding with Shaw took precedence. So, I went to bed at 8:30 p.m. I will, even though the last day is in the books, finish Day 3 tonight and then post Day 4 tomorrow.

Day 3 had me riding with Kevin "The Jockey" Wirth, and Rick was riding with Dennis Tietje. Rick and I would part ways quite early each morning to help our pros put their boats in and then park their rigs.

Walking back from parking Kevin's truck and trailer, I spotted Stephen Browning's Koppers Live Target Lures truck. It really looked sharp in the early morning light.

Stephen Browning's Live Target wrapped truck.

Kevin is quite gregarious and cajoled with just about every angler we encountered in our short trip from the ramp to the dock area near the check in.

Kevin Worth Day 3 of the Alabama Charge

B.A.S.S. Pro Dennis Tietje and the Cementman

Pros Marty Robinson and Kevin Wirth

Dave Wolak and his Marshal on Saturday morning.

There were actually two ramps at McFarland Park. One was at the far end of the "canal," about a quarter mile from the mouth of Pickwick. The other ramp was right at the mouth. Next to that ramp is where the stage and "Fun Zone" were set up. Some pros used the southern ramp, but most used the northern one further from the take off point. There was better parking at the northern ramp.

Kevin was in the first flight. Right after the Star Spangled Banner was played the boats lined up in number order for take off.

The Star Spangled Banner is played twice. Once in the morning, and again before weigh-in.

B.A.S.S. Official Chuck Harbin lining up boats

Your livewells must be open and running.

Last minute reminder of check in time and were off

I was really happy to hear from Kevin that we would be locking through to Wilson Lake. Wilson is the part of the Tennessee River that is dammed between Wheeler Lake and Pickwick. My other two pros had went West on Pickwick.

B.A.S.S. Officials had made arrangement to have the lockmaster lock anglers through at 6:45 a.m. The locks would be open for the return at around 1:30 p.m. It takes about 45 minutes to lock through, and commercial traffic takes precedence over bass boats. You lock through knowing you might not make it back on time if there are barges moving through.

We had about a half hour to fish before we had to head east to the lock. In that time, Kevin boated two keeper fish, and one was a nice largemouth about 2.5 lbs.

When we arrived at the lock area Kevin fished some shoreline until the lockmaster called us into the lock by blowing a loud horn.

Waiting to be called into the lock.

Entering the lock.

Looking back toward Pickwick from inside the lock.

Five pros locked through to Wilson: Denny Brauer, Derek Remitz, Mark Burgess, Skeet Reese and Kevin Wirth. You motor into the lock, and then one boat ties up to these canister looking objects on the wall that rise with the water. The other boats rafted together tied to that boat. Denny and Skeet rafted together on one side and Remitz, Burgess, and Wirth were on the other. It takes about 45 minutes for the lock to flood and raise you the 100 ft. up to Wilson Lake. I was told it is the largest lock in the country.

Derek Remitz and across the lock Brauer and Reese

Once the lockmaster lets you leave the lock you idle out of the area, and then everyone scattered. Kevin ran the length of the lake and fished near Wheeler Dam.

Kevin Wirth on Wilson Lake near Wheeler Dam

While we were fishing on Wilson down near Wheeler Dam the lock there began to empty into what they call the "Blow Hole." The water surges out and flies probably twenty feet high. There is a siren that rings to warn you and lights flash as well.

A close up shot of the "Blow Hole."

You can get a little perspective of how much water is released from the lock.

The fishing on Wilson was not what Kevin hoped it would be. He caught a limit but had a couple of small fish that he needed to cull in order to gain valuable points. Try as he might he didn't catch any culls, and he had to reenter the lock with a litle over ten pounds.

Reentering the lock to head back to Pickwick

Going Down

Once out of the locks we had about 45 minutes to fish before we had to check in for weigh-in. Kevin headed to the bluff wall right across from the weigh-in site. He wasn't there a minute before he hooked up. He culled his smallest two fish there.

Kevin hoping to cull in the last few minutes of the day.

I mentioned before that you are penalized if you come in late. When you do come in, you toss the official a small float that they give you in the morning with your boat number on it. They place the floats in a box in numerical order to be sure everyone checks in. Its a safety issue. With approximately 100 boats out on the water they need to be sure all are accounted for at the end of the day.

We got back just before Rick and his pro Dennis Tietje motored up.

Dennis and Rick coming in.

Once we have check in, we help the pros bag their fish. I followed Kevin to the stage and waited until he weighed his fish. When he came off the stage I was there to meet him to help load his boat. While I waited for him to appear on stage, I took some pictures of some of the goings.

Ish Monroe on stage.

Just a small slice of the large crowd that was there on Saturday.

Kevin Short weighs in another good bag on Saturday!

Kevin Wirth weighing in with 13 lbs.

You may or not have known that Kevin Wirth use to be a jockey. Saturday was the Kentucky Derby, but all Kevin was focussing on was catching more fish. Each cull would earn him precious points for the overall standings. He wants to make that Classic cut. He's a good guy. I sure hope he makes it.

I forgot to mention that as Kevin was rounding out his limit across from the weigh-in stage, the tornado sirens came on. These sirens also have speakers that were blaring out for everyone to take shelter immediately. I looked across the river at the stage and could see the crowd. I expected to see them run for cover. On the contrary. I don't think one person left! These folks in the south love their bass fishing.

Kevin and I talked about what we should do and decided to stay right where we were and fish. We were right up against a 300 ft. bluff wall. It was probably one of the safest places to be. The sirens went on for about 15 minutes and then quit. Shortly after the weigh-in concluded, however, the sky opened up. It poured.

Me waiting in line to load Kevin behind Skeet Reese who finished Day 3 as the new leader.

Because of the tornado warning, B.A.S.S. Officials ran everyone through the weigh-in very quickly. Normally the top 12 would have stayed for a briefing, and the Marshals would have been paired right afterward. Because of the storm, the meeting was held in a local hotel, and Chuck Harbin said he would call the Marshals that were selected to go out Sunday.

During the Wednesday registration, there was a list for Marshals to sign if they wanted to go out on Sunday. Rick and I signed up, but we were about 13th and 14th on the waiting list. We didn't think we really had a shot at going, but on the trip back to Athens, Chuck called me and asked if I wanted to go out with Shaw Grigsby. I wanted to tell him that it was a pretty dumb question, but I didn't. He said that several other Marshals on the list had dropped out because Sunday was suppose to be a lousy weather day. Rough weather or not, I was going to be ready, willing, and able. I felt bad that Rick didn't get to go, but we had talked about it, and we knew that if one of us was picked that it would be all good.

Well somehow it's gotten late and I'm the only one up. I can hear Rick and Charlie snoring. I'm going to be checking the backs of my eyelids out very soon as well. The screen is literally getting blurry.

Take care, and stay tuned tomorrow, and as Paul Harvey use to say, "I'll have the rest of the story."

May 4, 2010

I guess maybe I had better get busy and wrap up the Alabama Charge. As you probably already know, I was one lucky son of a gun and drew a ride on the 12 cut day. They only needed six Marshals for Sunday, and I was the last one to be called. Being the last one, I was paired with the last pro to make the cut, Shaw Grigsby from Gainesville, Florida.

Certainly if you fish you know who Shaw Grigsby is. You may have watched him on his TV Show "One More Cast ." He is a pros pro and is well respected as one of the nicest guys on the tour. He's fished professionally for over twenty-six years. He's married with three kids. He's made the Classic twelve times and has had 53 top ten finishes. He's nearing the $1.7 million dollar mark in career earnings.

When Chuck Harbin called and told me that I would be riding with Shaw he said to be at McFarland Park at 5:30 a.m. and meet Shaw at the dock. I got there at 5:05 a.m. and Shaw was just backing his boat into the water.

At that time of the morning, it's still quite dark, so it's flash photography and that limits the shots I can take. I don't have one of those nice 35 mm type digital cameras. I do have an old 35 mm Canon EF with all the lenses, and for years I have been clicking away. I would dearly love to have a better camera and the option to use different focal length lenses. My little digital pocket camera is doing a pretty good job, and if it gets wet from traveling in the boat with all the spray and wet weather we've been experiencing, I'm not out a lot of money.

Speaking of weather, Sunday was forecasted to get nasty. The weather was probably the key for me getting the ride. A number of Marshals decided not to go out because of it. I had my B.A.S.S. Pro Shops 100 MPH gear. It's the best darn rainsuit I've ever owned and it keeps you warm and dry, so I was ready to go.

You might think that being this far south, at this time of year, it would be hot. On the contrary, in the morning, it has been cool and once the pros crank those 250s up and put them on plane, you're glad to have your rain suit on. Most pros and marshals wore hooded sweatshirts under them as well. I kept my rainsuit on most of the day each day rain or shine.

I also wore my Mustang PFD all day every day. I would say that 90 % or more of the pros wore them vs. the more traditional jacket. A Coast Guard approved PFD is of course required in the tournament and it must be on whenever the gas engine is on. The pros usually take their PFD off when they stop because their engine kill switch is clipped to them. The kill switch shuts the big motor down in case the driver is ejected or is jostled away from the boat controls. At check in each morning, you must demonstrate that your kill switch is in working order. The pros have to pull it showing that it in deed shuts the motor down.

After I introduced myself to Shaw, I got out of the way and let him take care of his morning preparation. Keith Allan was busy with his microphone walking up and down the dock interviewing the top 12. He had a wireless microphone that was hooked up to very loud P.A. sound system and anyone in the marina area could hear it.

Shaw and Keith Allan Day 4 of the Alabama Charge

I made my way up and down the docks Sunday morning snapping a few photographs of the top twelve. The B.A.S.S. Officials have the Top 12 anglers tie up at the dock in their order of finish. Skeet Reese lead the field after Day 3, so he was in the number one hole.

Skeet at the docks in the number one spot heading in to Day 4.

Mark Zona was there for ESPN interviewing anglers.

Bill Lowen, giving the low down to Zona.

Dean Rojas, Mike Iaconelli, Steve Kennedy

Dean Rojas, Ike, and Steve Kennedy discussing strategy.

E squared waiting to go.

Kevin Short and sundry others.

Mike and Lowrance Tech Lady Taking Stock

Each morning a number of techs cruise the dock meeting with the pros. The Lowrance tech met with my boater, Shaw Grigsby, and they talked about how things were going and what he needed. After she met with Shaw, she went and talked with Ike.

Another tech we met at the Wednesday briefing was Deb. She was in charge of the Bass Trak phones and cameras. On Day 1 she gave me a small cell phone size digital video camera and just said shoot video of anything I wanted. They then take the footage, and if they like it, they use it for the Bass Cam videos on the website. On Saturday and Sunday, they give each Marshal a Bass Trak phone. The phone is all set up with a list of all the pros that are fishing. You select the pro you're riding with and then each time they catch a fish you punch in the weight. The phones have a GPS feature that allows B.A.S.S. to track where all the anglers are and gives them a pretty close estimate on how much weight each has during the course of the day.

One last piece of equipment that they have is a digital video camera that is mounted to a post that fits in the hole for the back seat pedestal. That camera simply runs all day. The Marshal is given a battery for it that has to be replaced halfway through the day. You have to be a bit careful not to stand in front of it and to make sure that you don't go to the bathroom without covering the camera with your hat.

When Shaw took off for his first morning spot, the Bass Trak camera wasn't tight and tilted way up. He had me call Chuck Harbin to make sure he got a hold of Deb to check the focus of the camera after we repositioned it. She can access the camera online and make sure it's positioned right. He was quite adamant that I call. Making the final day was his chance to shine, and he wanted to capitalize on the TV time that would help promote his career. Sponsors like the exposure.

Deb setting up a Bass Trak Camera on Day 4

As the early morning darkness began to give way, Trip Weldon got on the PA system and announced that he wanted all the anglers to meet at one end of the dock. Once they were all congregated, he made a rather unexpected decision to shorten the tournament day due to inclement weather expected to rock the area starting around noon.

Anglers meeting Day 4 Pickwick Lake May 2, 2010

The decision to shorten the day was received with a goodly amount of grousing. Several of the Day 4 pros were making long runs, and a shortened day would significantly impact their fishing time. Skeet was locking through to Wilson, and that takes an hour and a half which really cut his day short. Trip is made fun of a bit by the Pros because he says, "It is what it is." quite often, and he said it again that morning after making his decision to shorten the day. He's the tournament director, and like it or not, all his decisions are final. The previous day did end with tornado sirens blaring and Sunday was being forecasted to be even worse.

It was time to get the show on the road, and so the anglers got in their boats and the National Anthem was played.

The Star Spangled Banner and then it's time to start the engines.

Shaw took off and ran east to the dam. There we moved in quite close to the spillway and he started fishing. The law requires that if you are fishing close to the dam that you must wear your lifejacket.

Shaw's starting spot on Day 4

When you're near the dam don't ignore the warnings.

Shaw moved right up to the spillway and began dunking a jig along it. Several of his jig pitches were follow up up with a shakey head. He's a Strike King pro, so his jig and trailer were Strike King. He said he usually uses a 3/4 ounce jig, but because of the rocks he was going with a half ounce football head. He used a green pumpkin Rage Craw trailer. His shakey head looked to be an eighth ounce, and he was using a green pumpkin straight tail worm. One thing I notice was Shaw didn't use any dip to change the color of the tails. My other pros each colored the tip of the tail chartreuse.

Shaw mining the spillway wall.

If you've seen Shaw fishing before you know he goes to the max to keep the sun off him. If you have that "red head" kind of skin that is easily burned you have to really take care of yourself or end up later in life with carcinoma, skin cancer.

Shaw wore his gloves and head balaclava all day.

Shaw caught several largemouth by the dam, and then on his way back out of the dam area, he hooked a dandy smallmouth that went 4-3 lbs. on his pig and jig. Just after he boated the smallmouth he rounded out his limit, and we left for what he called his big fish area.

Shaw swinging in what turned out to be his kicker fish.

Shaw's 4-3 smallie.

There were three fingers down near the Wilson Dam. The north channel took you to the locks. The south channel took you down to the dam where Shaw started. The middle channel was where Shaw headed to hopefully cull with some big smallies. He had caught his kicker fish there the day before on the last cast of the day, just three minutes before he was due in. He just made the check in and that fish ended up putting him in to the final spot to fish on Sunday.

The second area wasn't all that big, and Shaw said that five of the pros that had made the top twelve had shared it all week. Edward Evers, Aaron Marten, Cliff Pace, Steve Kennedy, and Shaw were the pros that were bunched together. They fished shoreline rip rap and isolated rock humps that were scattered throughout the bay. There was also a tip off the peninsula on the south side that the current swept that seemed to be a sweet spot that the anglers moved to periodically.

When we pulled into the bay, the four pros were there. Aaron was back in the east end with Edward Evers. Steve Kennedy was on that point that rounded into the south channel. Cliff Pace was just off shore on what Shaw said was a series of rock humps. Shaw wanted to be on those humps, and as we motored slowly in to position, he asked Cliff what he was fishing. Cliff said he was fishing the humps that Shaw wanted. Shaw said that he wouldn't bother him and moved out into the middle of the bay to fish some other rock piles. Shaw told me that sitting in twelfth, and really out of contention for the win, that he would give his best spot to Cliff. He was really rooting for him to do well, and when Cliff caught a good one, he would shout words of encouragement to him. Shaw talked about how important it is to get that first win, and he was hoping that Cliff, who started the day in third, could catch a big bag that would put him over the top.

Cliff Pace fishing for a win on Pickwick

Spectator boats watching Kennedy on his point

Aaron Martens and Edward Evers fishing the community hole.

When Shaw moved out to the middle of the bay he relied, as the pros do, heavily on his electronics. All the pros I have ridden with to this point had Humminbird graphs. Shaw used Lowrance. On his front graph he had it partitioned in a screen that had four views. One was side imaging, one was down imaging, one was GPS position, and the other Sirius weather. That Sirius weather feature gives him minute by minute weather radar. During the day Sunday, I could watch the graph on his console and see the storm. It was a doozy, but it stayed just west of us circling northeast. I could see it constantly hammering Nashville all day.

Lowrance HDS 10 Sirius Weather Radar on Shaw's boat.

When Shaw moved out to the center of the bay he started throwing his shakey head. I could easily see the other boats and no one was boating fish. Shaw proceeded to bang three largemouth in pretty short order. I could see the rest of the group paying attention to his bent rod. Two of the fish he caught culled. Shaw was hoping for a bigger bite than what he was getting. As the morning wore on, I saw Cliff Pace boat several nice smallmouth that he culled with. He was putting together a nice bag to catch Skeet with.

Shaw culling late morning on Day 4

At around 11:30 we heard the horn blow calling Skeet back into the lock from Wilson Lake. He was the only angler who locked through to Wilson on Sunday. It would take him forty-five minutes to get dropped down to Pickwick. As they lower the lock, a lot of water gushes out of the "blow hole" creating more current flow. You could see the tower of water from where we were in the community hole.

As the water geysered up, Aaron Marten motored over to where Steve Kennedy had been sitting on the point. There, the current would begin to flow more vigorously. Kennedy had left the area earlier and move up river near the bridge to fish. When he heard the lock emptying, he came back and headed to his point, but Aaron was already there. I watched Martens catch a bunch of fish there. Kennedy saw him too, and he motored by quite slowly. I got the feeling that he wasn't pleased that Aaron was on his point.

Shaw never did get his big bite, but he had a pretty good limit that he hoped to move up with. Every place that you can move up on that final day means more Classic points. (Shaw ended up moving from 12th to 8th.)

We headed for the weigh-in when Shaw saw Cliff pull up his trolling motor. Shaw wanted to follow him in just to make sure nothing happened that might jeopardize his being late. Shaw was really rooting for him to do well.

We got back to the dock with 45 seconds to spare on the check-in clock. We cut it pretty close, but on this shortened last day every minute and every second counted.

Evers and Ike arriving back for the weigh-in Day 4 on Pickwick

Day 3 Leader Skeet Reese readying for the weigh-in.

The night before, all of Skeets rods in his boat were stolen.

Obviously he travels with some spares!

At the dock, I really thought that Cliff Pace was going to win this thing. He had been in third, and from what I saw him catch, he really seemed to have a good bag. However, once I saw all the media attention that Kevin Short was getting, you began to smell something fishy. You kind of knew he had also caught them good.

Kevin Short looking pretty happy at the docks before weigh-in.

Something tells me that Kevin Short had caught them good.

Shaw bagging his fish for the weigh-in.

Dean Rojas, making his way to the scale on Day 4.

Who would be hoisting the trophy?

The anglers weigh-in on the final day in reverse order starting with twelfth place. That was Shaw. When he weighed in he was placed in the Toyota Tundra hot seat signifying the angler currently in first place. Unfortunately, he wasn't there long.

Shaw weighing in on Day 4 to take the lead.

Shaw taking the hot seat.

As the weigh-in proceeded the skies were really looking ominous. When Shaw left the stage, I met him, and got a quick picture. He then went for the truck and told me to jump in the boat and put it on the trailer. I helped him put the cover on as raindrops began to fall. Shaw was in a hurry to leave because he had to be at an event for his sponsors in Scottsboro later that afternoon.

My Day 4 Pro Shaw Grigsby and Me

Shaw and I shook hands and wished each other well, and he took off. Just as he did the skies opened up. It began to rain hard and everyone headed for their vehicles. Consequently, I didn't get any more pictures. I really wanted a shot of Kevin Short, who won the event with a whopping final day sack over twenty pounds. He had two kickers in the six pound range. You will have to use this link to see the fish and read about his final day come from behind win. Here's a link to Bass Fan's article entitled 23-05 In Half A Day Event's Biggest Sack Propels Short To Second Victory .

I would have to say that having Day 4 shortened worked out well for me. After getting up four days in a row at 3:25 a.m., and spending all day on the water, then working well in to the evening on the blog, it had left me bone tired.

We headed home after the weigh-in to feast on a huge shrimp seafood boil that my brother and sister-in-law had fixed for us. They had some company over, and we relaxed and pigged out.

I'm still a couple of days behind on the blog, and tonight I'll try to get another one done. We spent the last two days fishing, and today we're heading to Guntersville to register for that event.

Take care, stay tuned, and wish you were here.

May 6, 2010

The Cementman and I are back in the Red Ranger saddle at Guntersville Lake in Alabama for the Elite Series Southern Challenge. We got here early Wednesday and found the Guntersville State Park. The park encompasses 6,000 acres, so it took us a bit to find the ramp. The B.A.S.S. stage, tech trailers, and tents were already set up. We cruise the lot and then headed up to find the lodge where the registration meeting would occur.

Wow, is all I can say about the Guntersville State Park Lodge. It's a beautiful building on top of a mountain overlooking the lake. There is a large deck and the pictures just don't do it justice. You have to put this on you bucket list.

The Guntersville State Park Lodge needs to be on your bucket list.

The view from the top is spectacular!

The pictures can not capture the splendor of the view.

We registered and got our of our gifts. We now have double of everything including another $25 BPS card. The pairing took place and Mr. Lucky drew Mike Iaconelli. We both were talking about drawing him and the Cementman strikes again. There is really isn't a bad ride on the Elite Series. I drew Cliff Crochet, a rookie from Louisiana. Rick and I both were looking forward to Thursday's competition. We heard that the fishing was going to be good!

I got down to the ramp at about 5:15 a.m. and met Cliff. He told me he had had a rough morning. When he got to his boat his power poles were down. At first he thought someone had been messing with his boat, maybe joking around.

What had happened was a switch shorted out and started the hydraulic pump. It was running when Cliff found it in the morning and probably had been running all night. It got so hot it melted the hydraulic reservoir and he lost all of his fluid. The techs didn't have time to fix them so they wrapped them and sent him on his way.

Skeeter techs taking a look at Cliff Crochet's power poles.

We put in Cliff's boat and motored over to the take of point

Motoring over Thursday morning to the take off area.

Which way do we go and where do we start?

The mornings are always fun. The pros are all in a good mood, giving each other a hard time and meeting on the side to trade information. I snap way more pictures than I have time to put on the blog. Big names are everywhere.

Gary Klein socializing at the dock.

Derek Remitz and significant other discussing spooning.

Steve Kennedy rolling up ready for the sun.

Steve is quite a cut up and this hat drew lots of attention.

Some tie up to the dock, while others prefer to float.

Steven Browning in the Live Target

boat.

Buck Knives, Bill Lowen has been red hot lately.

Rick and I parted company early Thursday morning after we parked the truck. Rick had an urgent meeting with a porta potty and then he had to meet Ike who was putting in across the lake and motoring over. He was planning on picking Rick up on the dock. I looked for quite a while and finally spotted the dynamic duo.

Ike and the Cementman arrive on the scene.

Bradley Roy the 19 year old Elite Series rookie, and the Rookie of the year contender, drew Alton Jones' son as a Marshal.

Bradley Roy and his Marshal, young Alton Jones Jr.

The young guns making their way to line up for take off.

Fred Roumbanis hanging loose.

One man's baits are another mans fancy. I really don't know what that means.

Another Cementman siting.

The boats begin to move through the check in line.

Live well lids open with livewells running.

After a time check we're hammer down and running hard.

Cliff made about a 20 minute run first thing. He had a spot upriver that he wanted to try that he had had some luck on during practice. It was up in the Goose Pond area. It didn't take him long to put his first fish in the boat.

Fish On!

Cliff's first fish wasn't a big one, but those were coming!

We fished around Cliff's spot for about 35 minutes and caught a couple of two and a half pounders. It took him a bit to get lined up on his waypoint, but when he did it was game on. He caught them fast and furious. Several times he had three or four cast in a row where he stuck a nice fish.

Trying to keep those big ones from jumping is tough!

Do you smell bacon? Cliff was. He had some hogs in the livewell.

And they kept coming!

After a short time Cliff was culling a very nice limit. Now the problem was making the decision to keep whacking them, leave and look for more spots, or stay and protect this spot. Cliff decided to stay and protect this spot.

Culling takes time away from fishing, but most would always like the opportunity.

Cliff had a good limit by 8:00 a.m. and he decided to stay on his spot and protect it. At least three other Elite anglers showed an interest in fishing it. There were also several locals who saw Cliff whacking them and motored over and try to move in on him.

Several boats fished around Cliff, but he protected his spot.

With forty-five left in the day Cliff did make one stop on the way back in. We didn't hit any fish though. We checked in about fifteen minutes early. Being in the third flight meant a lot of boats were already in.

Rookies Cliff Chrochet and Bradley Roy

Waiting in the bag line.

Red hot, lava hot, Skeet Reese bagging his fish.

Once the fish are bagged the anglers take them up to the back of the stage where they are checked by B.A.S.S. Officials and then weighed on stage.

Waiting at the tanks.

I didn't get to spend a lot of time watching the weigh-in. I had to ride back to the ramp and help Cliff get the boat on. Actually his dad met us at the dock and backed the trailer in. I did get to see the G-Man hoist a few good uns.

The G-Man, Gerald Swindle hoisting a couple of big pigs.

The "Cajun Baby" Chris Chrochet and Me

Well, it's way later than I wanted to be up. I headed for the rain locker and bed. I am going to do a quick spell check, but I'm not going to proof read tonight. I hope you will indulge me that. It took me three hours tonight to do this blog. We're beat most nights, but we're having a ball. Take care and wish you were here. Oh, by the way I drew Clark Rheem for tomorrow and Rick drew Boyd Duckett. One other little thing, Skeet Reese is the Day One leader with 29-3. Here's the story Bassmaster Day 1 . If you're interested in the standings here they are: Day One Standings .

May 7, 2010

Today was Day 2 of the Bassmaster Elite Series Southern Challenge on Lake Guntersville, AL. Wow, what a fishery. This is certainly the best largemouth bass and big largemouth bass that I have ever been on. We are seeing a lot of big fish being caught and brought to the scales at Guntersville State Park .

Guntersville State Park

Rick had a ride today with Mr. Boyd Duckett . I rode with Arkansas' Clark Rheem .

Clark Rheem and Me, I'm the old one.

Boyd "Sneakers" Duckett and the Cementman

We are definitely getting the routine down. Up at 4:15 a.m. Get ready and then drive to the ramp at Guntersville State Park. We either help the pro with his boat or meet him at the dock. Some of the pros are staying on the lake and drive their boats across. The road to the State Park is up down and around. A very windy road and many prefer not to make the trip by land.

We're usually hooked up with our Pro by 5:30 a.m. The pros may do some last minute preparation, but most are tied and ready to go. They bob around the dock or some prefer to tie up. In any case, it's a wait till take off time usually around 6:10 a.m.

Britt Meyers and Bradley Roy discussing the day's possibilities.

Cliff Crochet and Clark Rheem exchange greetings.

Marshals, in blue, waiting for their rides.

Cliff "Cajun Baby" Crochet and Dean Rojas

Mark Burgess checking his coordinates before take off.

All morning, I tried to find Boyd's boat so that I could snap some pictures of Rick and Boyd before they took off. I didn't think I was going to catch them. I figured they had already left in an earlier flight. However, soon I spotted Boyd's red and yellow boat.

Boyd Duckett and Rick "The Cementman" Skinner

The pack begins to move toward the take off point.

Take off is randomly assigned by the computer. The order is reversed Day 2.

What's this? A smile on Tommy Biffle's face!

Chuck Harbin is the first official you meet.

Next, comes the livewell check.

I don't know this B.A.S.S. official's name, but he's worked for them for years.

Keith Allen announces the pro and then a time check is given. Pros are reminded of their check in time.

Once the kill switch is pulled, to show that it's working, the pros clip it back on, and it's hammer time. I am seriously considering a helmet or facemask for the long rides we encounter as a Marshal. The roar of the wind past your ears is deafening and after 30 to 40 minutes of it, I have a pretty good headache. I always have my raincoat on to run in the morning and it helps, because it zips way up covering my ears, but I would really like a helmet. Many of the pros wear them.

Clark up and running.

Clark really wanted to stop on a deep water point. The day before the fish had been stacked up there, however, Kevin Wirth was on it and was protecting it. There have been some real shouting matches thus far over whose spot is whose. They get fairly heated. Clark felt a little frustrated and decided instead of fighting over it, he would run some other water.

He started on some rip rap that had some culvert, almost bridge like culverts. He was throwing a chatterbait with a pearl gray soft plastic jerkbait as a trailer. It didn't take him long to hook up.

Clark's starting spot Friday morning.

A pretty good largemouth to start the day.

Into the livewell.

Some of the culverts didn't look big enough for a bass boat, but Clark managed to squeeze through them. He stuck a pretty good one halfway down the tube.

I didn't take Clark for a cave dweller.

We ran a series of culverts and bridges. The next culvert was a bit larger.

Hooked up again. No bats, but lots of swallows.

Not a bad one at all. A solid 4 or 5 pounder.

Guntersville is notorious for locals jumping your spot. The lake was quite busy and even the culverts had competition for the pros.

This guy had a mess of good size crappie.

After running his smaller culverts, Clark made a long run and fished a bridge off the main lake that had a lot of current flowing through its pilings. Current really makes the big fish bite on Guntersville.

Clark worked the edges of the bridges carefully before moving to the pilings.

Clark had a little milk run that included two major bridges and several culverts. In between, he would check to see if Kevin Wirth was still guarding Clark's deep water spot. He fished a little of what wirth would give him, but could never get on the sweet spot.

Kevin Wirth shared his spot with Remitz, but not Clark.

While Wirth was pushing off Clark, Derek caught this nice five pounder.

Clark didn't stay long on the deep water point. He wanted to, but just didn't want to have his head all caught up in conflict. We stayed only a few minutes and then were off to hit his milk run again.

We slipped through the smallest culvert and this was the reward.

Clark had a pair of 2.5 pounders he desperately wanted to cull.

Clark shared his bridges with his roomy Dave Wolak. Grant Goldbeck also was there.

Dave Wolak, Clark's traveling partner.

Grant Goldbeck

When time ran out Clark had three good fish in the well and two that were in the two and a half pound range. He ended up weighing in about 19 lbs. It was close but he made the Saturday cut and earned a $10,000 check.

Clark heading in to weigh his fish.

All of the Elite pros have power poles. They are remotely operated with a foot button. the poles extend down into the water to a depth of 8 ft. They are a shallow water anchoring system. If you ask any pro, they wouldn't be without them.

Two power poles extended holding the back of the boat at the dock.

The pros wouldn't be without their power poles. They use them a lot.

Ish Monroe coming in to the dock.

Once they pros dock, they get in line and wait for a bag. They may not use their own.

Day 1 leader Skeet Reese looking quite relaxed.

Once the pros have a bag they carry their fish to the weigh-in area. They keep them refreshed in aerated and chemically treated tanks. Fish care is very important to B.A.S.S.

The pros caring for their fish before weigh-in.

Clark was boat number 91 today. So, by the time I got in and up to the stage it was about over. I did get a shot of two good ones being hoisted by Terry Butcher.

The pros caring for their fish before weigh-in.

Clark Rheem on stage.

The day ended with Skeet Reese atop the leader board. The weights weren't quite as high as last year, but they were darn good. Here is a look at the day courtesy of BassFan: Day 2 Standings at Guntersville . Don't forget to check out the B.A.S.S. Gallery Photos . They take some great pictures.

Remember too, that you can go to ESPN 360 and watch the weigh-ins live at 3:30 p.m.

Remember, I'm running on fumes and again am not going to proof read this. Just too tired. Rick has been snoring for two hours already and I need to hit the hay. Take care and wish your were here.

May 8, 2010

The Red Ranger Adventure continued again today with Rick and I leaving the motel at 4:30 a.m. to meet our pros at the dock for Day 3 of the Bassmaster Elite Series Southern Challenge on Lake Guntersville, AL.

One of the docks at Guntersville State Park

The forecast for today was for rain this morning and winds 10 to 20 mph. We didn't get the rain, but it blew all of 20 mph all day long. I wore my rainsuit until noon. I put my jacket back on after a bit because of the wind. Tomorrow the weather is going to be much cooler and it's forecasted to be a lot less windy.

The routine is the same each day, so if you have been reading the blog it may be a bit redundant. However, if you're like me, I like to see the pictures. Here's some of the morning shots from today.

Charlie Hartley doing an ESPN interview.

Britt Myers preparing tackle Day 3 at Guntersville.

Ish Monroe waiting to rock and roll.

Gay Klein talking with his Marshal.

John Crews and the Cementman

Crews and Rick trading stories at daylight on Guntersville

Time to line up for the morning check in.

Both Rick and I would be riding in BassCats.

The G-Man motors for the take off.

Chuck Harbin lines up Ish Monroe and John Crews

Britt and Charlie are in the second flight which is held 15 minutes.

Brett Chapman leaves from the dock to line up in the second flight.

Britt Myers and Scott Rook discussing a Day 1 problem with another angler.

Day Wolak makes his way to the second flight check in.

Chuck and Deb on the dock. Deb is in charge of Bass Trak phones. All the Marshals have them Saturday and Sunday.

Keith Allen mans the microphone all morning.

Pull your kill switch, and listen for your due in time.

In short order we're up and the Cat is running wide open!

Britt ran south and ran for only about 10 minutes. The wind was up and it was a very rough ride. If you're going to Marshal expect some long rough rides. You will more that likely be without a console, so you get the full effect. Eye wear is a must. I would also recommend, regardless of the weather, to have your full raingear on. A helmet, with a good face shield, is also not a bad idea.

Britt's first stop was a bridge not far from where our motel was. I could have walked down to meet him. He was concerned about how many locals would be there bank fishing and wondered how many local bass boats would be there. Word was that there were several other smaller tournaments on the lake. Bass fishing is very popular down here. If you have this kind of fishery you attract a crowd.

It didn't take Britt long to hook up. He caught his first fish on a jig after breaking off several in the rocks.

Britt's starting spot on Day 3.

Fish On!

Boat flipping a keeper.

Not a monster, but it was a start.

The bridge was a popular spot and the traffic around it got pretty heavy. Before we left it though Britt had four fish in the box. One of them was this dandy.

A solid four pounder.

Did I mention that Britt runs a Cat.

Britt left his starting spot and ran to another bridge. There was a local right on his key spot. The gram-pa and his grandson told Britt that they would move so he could fish and that they would just stay off and watch. Britt moved in on his spot, got the right angle and proceeded to whack them for several minutes cast after cast. He even caught a double. One of them was a nice keeper.

A double on the crankbait!

And it's another nice Lake Guntersville largemouth.

For a while, they were coming almost every cast.

The only thing that slowed Britt up at his second spot was that he had to stop periodically and cull fish. A necessary, but time consuming task. You can't make another cast until you cull, and you can't cull a dead fish. If one looks iffy you have to decide whether to keep it or release it and hope you catch another. On Guntersville, it's a pretty safe bet that an iffy fish has to go.

Anglers use floats to know which fish is which in the livewell.

Using the balance beam to determine which fish to cull.

Britt caught a ton of fish on his spot. It really was unbelievable how many fish were there. He stayed on his second spot the rest of the day. He was afraid to move because locals watch you catch them and will move in when you leave. If you leave fish to find fish it may cost you.

Britt really needed to get as much weight as he could. He knew he wasn't going to make the top twelve cut, but a big move up means critically needed points for the Classic. It's very important sponsor wise to make the Classic. Britt left with about twenty pounds. It actually was a tad bit more when they hit the scales, 21-04 lbs. Here's a link to the Day 3 Story at Guntersville with Standings . As we motored to the check in I saw my Day 1 pro from Pickwick Dave Wolak. Dave said he had a good day and had some good weight to move up with. Dave ended up in 18th overall.

Dave Wolak delivering his fish on Day 3.

Britt motors up to the dock for weigh-in.

The "Cajun Baby" Cliff Crochet motors in.

Scott Rook and Clark Rheem discuss their day.

Jared Lintner and Britt tie up together and wait for bags.

The pros enter the line up for the stage weigh-in.

Bass Zones "The Legend" Harold Allan interviewing the new leader, Davey Hite.

Gary Klein and Cliff Pace exchanging some information about their days.

KVD has again found his groove and made the top twelve at Guntersville. He'll fish tomorrow to see if he can catch Davey Hite. Guntersville has some big fish, so anythings possible, but it will be and upwave battle.

KVD on stage making the top twelve at Guntersville.

The folks in the South love their bass fishing. There was a very large crowd on hand for today's weigh-in. It created a real traffic jam in the area.

Just a portion of the folks at the weigh-in.

Once again, despite being dead dog tired, both Rick and I had a great day. We saw a lot of the lake and got some 1:1 bass fishing instruction. Rick's pro really whacked them today. Rick was in awe of the numbers and size of the fish that Crews boated today. Crews is currently sitting in third place.

Rick and his Day 3 Pro John Crews

Britt Meyers and I had a great day!

Tomorrow, Rick and I are both going out again. Only six Marshals will go out and Rick and will be two of them. I will be riding with Derek Remitz, and Rick has drawn Stephen Browning. It should be another great day. Stay tuned, and once again I apologize for not proof reading this blog. Just too tired, and I have to get to bed. Take care, and wish you were here.

May 10/11, 2010

As you already know, I didn't get a blog entry done after the tournament. Just too many things to do and not enough time. Plus, and I know it's an old refrain, but I was plum tuckered out.

I'm going to try and work on this entry while we're traveling back to Michigan. If Rick wouldn't hit every single bump it would help.

We just got out of the Bass Pro Shop in Clarksville, Indiana. It's Exit 5, on Interstate 65, just over the line from Louisville, Kentucky. Rick has been itchin' to spend his BPS gift cards. We have three $25 cards from our three Marshal events and Rick had a BPS card that Dave Appleton, the videographer from BPS who filmed KVD on his lake, gave him. We each found enough stuff to eat up most, or all of the cards, in my case. We're now as Willie would say, "On the road again."

I had good intentions of continuing the Blog on Monday traveling I65, but reading and or typing on my laptop gave me one of those dizzy headaches, so I had to quit.

We got home Monday night around 8:30 pm. The trip back was significantly longer because, one we got hung up in Nashville traffic, two Rick got involved with a snake oil salesman at Bass Pro, and third, we happened to be traveling in opposite directions with my number two son. We were about to pass each other traveling, as I said, in opposite directions on I94, so we stopped and visited with him and his buddy Matt for a bit at Culvers.

Once home we unpacked in the dark, because rain was eminent. We jabber jawed with number 3 son and my wife until around 11:00 p.m., which is way past the Cementman's bedtime, and he needs his beauty sleep believe you me.

I got up fairly early this morning at 5:15 a.m. to see Rick off. He likes to leave early. I ended up missing him because he left at 4:15 a.m. He certainly believes in "The early bird getting the worm." I called him when I got up, and he was almost to Baldwin already. That call officially concluded the "2010 Red Ranger Adventure." It was a memorable trip, and it will be hard to top. We'll see though if we can start working on another one though for next year. For now, I'm going to finally finish the Day 4 competition on Guntersville.

Day 4 of the B.A.S.S. Elite Series Guntersville Synergy Southern Challenge ended with Skeet "I made a deal with the Devil" Reese winning his second event of the year. He's been in the top five in all five tournaments. An amazing feat! Lacking for an ounce on the Delta, Skeet would have won three out of five Bassmaster Elite Events. It really is incredible, and a streak like this won't likely be matched. It's quite rare at this level in any sport to put together a winning streak like this. Here is Skeet's Guntersville story from three of the top fishing news sites: Bass Fan , Bass Zone , Bassmaster .

The Cementman an I started our day with a 4:15 a.m. wake up call from the desk at Day's Inn in Guntersville . At least 5 of the B.A.S.S. pros stayed there. There were also at least 5 other bass boats out in the parking lot as well. It appeared to be a popular spot for anglers to stay.

The rate there was very reasonable and the rooms were fine. Nothing exorbitant, but clean and neat. They seemed to have plenty of plug ins for the boats, which is very important. You need to be able to charge those trolling motor batteries.

The Day's Inn right is next door to Crawmama's , a restaurant that Derek Remitz, a Guntersville resident, says is the best food in town.

The motel is also within a half mile from two different ramps on Guntersville.

It took us about 18 minutes each morning to drive from the motel to the ramps at Guntersville State Park. If you're thinking about a trip to Guntersville fishing trip with the guys, Day's Inn would be a good bet. If you decide to go and take the wife, the Lodge at Guntersville State Park is the spot. You would win big points with that decision.

After Day 3, we were on our way back to the Days Inn when Chuck Harbin called me to say I had been picked for Sunday. I asked him if Rick had as well, and he told me he had. He went on to say that I would be riding with Derek Remitz and Rick would be paired again with Stephen Browning . Stephen has his boat and tow vehicle wrapped by Kopper's Large Target .

Stephen Browning's Live Target Wrap

We both were expecting to ride on Sunday, because we have the system figured out, plus we've gotten to know Harbin who picks the final day Marshals. For those reasons we were confident of a Sunday ride despite our 6/100 odds.

After a very short night, we got to the ramp a little latter than the prior three days. With just 12 anglers, their was more time to get things done and boats launched. Keith Allan went up and down the docks interviewing the top 12. Deb Wilkenson was also in and out of boats installing cameras and distributing the Nextel phones to the Marshals. I also got a hand held camera again that they want the Marshals to use to record videos for the internet. I really didn't want to take it, because I couldn't get as many of my own pictures taken. Oh well, I had to multi task. Take video, take stills, and text in weights for each fish caught with the Nextel.

We were pretty well versed in morning procedures, after all this was Rick's 7th ride during the past two weeks, and the eighth for me.

Browning was late, the Cementman was patiently waiting.

Morizo Shimizu waits and basks in the final twelve spotlight.

Cliff Pace whiles away the time doing an interview with ESPN.

Fred Roumbanis putting himself in a position to win again.

Russ Lane mulling over the many decisions that may win him $100,000.

John Crews is meticulous in his preparation.

Skeet Reese is on fire and smokin' the Elite field.

Stephen Browning currently sitting in 16th place in the AOY Standings.

Derek "The Wolverine" Remitz , a Guntersville resident, and he's sitting #9 in the AOY Race.

Paul Elias , the B.A.S.S. heavyweight record holder gets ready to do battle.

Davey Hite , the Day 3 leader, with a five pound lead.

I didn't take any pictures as the boats moved from the docks, because I was filming with the B.A.S.S. video camera. I'm not sure what they do with all the footage, and I will have to look to see if any of the video I shot was used on Bassmaster.com.

Well, instead of being a tad bit lazy, I did look up the BassCast video footage for Guntersville. None of mine was used, but I did see myself in the Day 4 launch video .

Once we blasted off, Remitz head upriver. After having ridden for three days on Guntersville, I was beginning to learn my way around. We ran about 20 minutes, and it was a rough and cold ride. The temperature had dropped from the low 90s down to the mid 40s.

Derek's starting spot was a shell bed off the river channel near Goose Pond . He had been very successful there during the first three days.

I was familiar with the area because the Cementman and I fished near Goose Pond last year. We spent a day there before we Marshaled the 2009 Lake Wheeler B.A.S.S. event. I also spent all of Day 1 in the Goose Pond area with Cliff Crochet my Day 1 pro. He caught a 22 lb. bag there in about 20 minutes.

2007 Elite Series Rookie of the Year Derek Remitz running to his starting spot.

Running upriver toward Goose Pond

Derek had a myriad of spots to hit on the lake. He was hoping to find another one of the Guntersville schools that would ensure him a move up the leaderboard. His starting spot yielded two keepers. One was a fat four pounder and the other a two pounder that he would hopefully cull.

Remitz hoping to find that school of big ones.

The first bass was in the boat early.

Despite working as hard or harder than any of the pros I rode with, Derek just couldn't get on the fish. He caught about 12 fish, but only three were keepers. I would have to say that I admire the attitude composure he maintained over the course of the day. He didn't get angry or give up. He kept grinding, but the fish just wouldn't cooperate. We burned a lot of gas running and gunning. I'm sure he was very disappointed, but he did make the top twelve, and that is tough to do. As 3:15 p.m. drew near we headed for the docks and check in at exactly 3:15.

Derek coming in to the docks at Guntersville State Park.

Derek kept his head held high despite a disappointing day.

Once we docked and got Derek's fish bagged, we headed for the stage. We saw Skeet carrying his bag up, and the entourage that followed him gave you the idea that Skeet had done it again. It appeared that he had caught another good bag. Would it be enough to eclipse Hite's 5 pound lead going in to the day. Only time would tell.

Skeet making his way to the weigh-in staging area.

The top twelve awaiting their fate.

KVD and Mark Davis taking it easy before the big show.

I walked around the stage to the front and was amazed at the crowd. It was the largest I had seen at any of the other B.A.S.S. events I had Marshaled. The south loves their bass fishing.

B.A.S.S. officials whipped up the crowd throwing out shirts, hats, etc.

The Lake Guntersville crowd was huge!

They anglers weigh-in in reverse order starting with the angler in twelfth place. After weighing in the fish the pro who takes the lead gets to sit in the Toyota Tundra "Hot Seat."

Fred Roumbanis takes the "Hot Seat."

Steve Browning talks about his frustrating day.

Derek Remitz talking to Keith Allen about his day on Guntersville.

KVD reminding people that he hasn't given up on the season.

John Crews showing off one of his big ones.

Morizo Shimizo takes the hot seat with a 27 lb. bag. The largest of the day!

Skeet shows off two of his big fish, and takes the lead with one angler to go. His fish weighed 25-15 lbs.

Skeet takes the hot seat awaiting Davey Hite's turn at the scales.

Skeet was wound tighter than a seven day clock while waiting for Davey Hite to weigh his fish. He was bouncing and tapping his legs nervously waiting for the final verdict. Before Keith Allan called the weight, he beckoned Reese to come up on stage. Once Davey's 13-06 lb. bag was announced, Skeet was fist pumping and jumping in the air.

The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!

Reese is a phenomenal angler, and what he had done so far deserves to be celebrated. He's an emotional guy and had tears in his eyes. It never gets old for a true competitor.

One happy camper!

Five top fives in a row! Two wins out of five, amazing!

If you haven't read any of the final day's stories, here is one from Bassfan that's quite good. It's entitled Reese Tops 100-Pound Mark, Wins By 7 1/2 . Here is a look at the overall Guntersville Final Standings . You may also want to look at the great photos that James Overstreet takes for Bassmaster. There in the B.A.S.S. Photo Gallery .

That pretty much wraps up our Day 4 on Lake Guntersville. As the crowd started moving toward their cars, wee gathered our things and made our way to the truck and headed to my brother and sister-in-laws. They were waiting on us for dinner and had steaks ready for the grill.

In the next few days I'll be wrapping up the "Red Ranger Adventure." I will be talking about our two days of fishing, as well as detailing my day on the water with each pro. Until then take care and remember to take some time out of your work day to do something that puts a smile on your face, if only for a few minutes.