06-13-2004, 03:48 PM
[size 2]A week after our Nitro boat was destroyed at the BFL tournament, and some days of heavy rain in between, Kurt vonBrandt and guide Chad Everett of S&K Guide Service, entered the Hawghead Baits Tournament launching out of Smallwood State Park, at 6:00 AM. We used Chad's guide boat, a 2004 Triton, and fortunately the weather was a lot better than last week. The rain stopped early in morning hours, and was clearing by launch time. It was 64 degrees, with a light wind, when they took off for one of our better spots for this time of year. The water temperature was in the low 70's, and stained. I stayed at the launch area and did a few interviews while the tournament was going on. There were 3 other tournaments going on out of Smallwood also today. Most of the tournaments ranged from 25-40 boats and had an average pay out for first place of $1,000.00, and $250.00 for Lunker.
Not a major tournament by any means, but a paycheck nonetheless, and good practice for the BFL and others later in the year.
The weigh in's started at 2:30 PM, and there were about 100 people milling around as spectators between the 4 tournaments.
Many anglers brought in one or two bass, and some zeroed, but the top 5 finishers in all of them ranged from 18 pounds for first, down to around 15 pounds for third. These were team tournaments so the weights were for 6 fish per boat, not 5, and the 15 inch minimum size limit was still in effect in Maryland until June 15th. Many anglers caught numerous short fish of 12-14 1/2 inches, and some of them weighed 2 pounds, or a little better, but didn't measure. Most of the bass were caught on docks, pilings, pads, and railroad bridges, on a variety of baits ranging from crankbaits and spinnerbaits, to worms, jigs, and brush hogs. Several big bass in the 4 and 5 pound class were taken, but no real giants were weighed in, despite the state shocking several fish during the week that went 6 pounds and better.
Kurt vonBrandt and his partner, guide Chad Everett, caught 11 bass total, but only 5 measured, the others were all a little short. Their bass came on Terminator spinnerbaits and jigs, with Bearpaws Trailers, one on a Yamamoto Senko, and the final bass of the day, on a creature bait.
They ended up in fifth place with a weight of 13 pounds, and Kurt's big fish was 3.87 pounds.
At least all had a decent time, and no boats were destroyed due to bad weather, like last week.
Our boat should be repaired soon, and Kurt will be back on the water with our clients and in New York by July, in the meantime, we are fishing from the Triton in some local events in Maryland, and one at Lake Cayuga in New York.
Be sure to tune in to our new radio show for all the latest fishing reports, interviews, and tournament results at [/size][url "http://www.delawarevalleyoutdoors.com/"][#ffffff][size 2]www.delawarevalleyoutdoors.com[/size][/#ffffff][/url][size 2] called "Beyond Bass Basics." Until next time, tight lines Steve and Kurt vonBrandt S&K[/size]
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Not a major tournament by any means, but a paycheck nonetheless, and good practice for the BFL and others later in the year.
The weigh in's started at 2:30 PM, and there were about 100 people milling around as spectators between the 4 tournaments.
Many anglers brought in one or two bass, and some zeroed, but the top 5 finishers in all of them ranged from 18 pounds for first, down to around 15 pounds for third. These were team tournaments so the weights were for 6 fish per boat, not 5, and the 15 inch minimum size limit was still in effect in Maryland until June 15th. Many anglers caught numerous short fish of 12-14 1/2 inches, and some of them weighed 2 pounds, or a little better, but didn't measure. Most of the bass were caught on docks, pilings, pads, and railroad bridges, on a variety of baits ranging from crankbaits and spinnerbaits, to worms, jigs, and brush hogs. Several big bass in the 4 and 5 pound class were taken, but no real giants were weighed in, despite the state shocking several fish during the week that went 6 pounds and better.
Kurt vonBrandt and his partner, guide Chad Everett, caught 11 bass total, but only 5 measured, the others were all a little short. Their bass came on Terminator spinnerbaits and jigs, with Bearpaws Trailers, one on a Yamamoto Senko, and the final bass of the day, on a creature bait.
They ended up in fifth place with a weight of 13 pounds, and Kurt's big fish was 3.87 pounds.
At least all had a decent time, and no boats were destroyed due to bad weather, like last week.
Our boat should be repaired soon, and Kurt will be back on the water with our clients and in New York by July, in the meantime, we are fishing from the Triton in some local events in Maryland, and one at Lake Cayuga in New York.
Be sure to tune in to our new radio show for all the latest fishing reports, interviews, and tournament results at [/size][url "http://www.delawarevalleyoutdoors.com/"][#ffffff][size 2]www.delawarevalleyoutdoors.com[/size][/#ffffff][/url][size 2] called "Beyond Bass Basics." Until next time, tight lines Steve and Kurt vonBrandt S&K[/size]
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