Old Hickory 8-13-2011

Tournament day!  Arrived at the ramp at 4:50 and located my partner for the day, Sam. He expertly backed the boat in and we were on the water by 5:10 waiting for safe light. We stopped at my favorite grass bed a short way from the ramp. Caught my first keeper while it still very low light, not very big but a club keeper. We thought we found a pattern for the day, work the grass. But it didn't work out that way.  From there we fished the wood at the mouth of Spencer Creek. I caught another quick one on a mojo rigged fluke. A few minutes later hooked what felt like a nice fish. He made a strong run toward deep water but alas, he went free. All lost bass that were not seen can be any size you wish (6,5,4 ?). We continued down that bank. We both picked up 2-3 more keepers, mine on a jig and the fluke and Sam on a power worm. 

We headed down lake to a cove with great grass. I'm just stubborn when it comes to grass. Fished all the way down the line of grass without a bite. Just as we turned to back down the line, I hooked my fifth fish on a fluke. A minute later Sam connected on another keeper. We tried a few other spots, even on a ledge, with no more hookups. Headed back to Spencer Creek to fish a drop with no success. Had one more spot before weigh in. With 10 minutes to go Sam connected with a nice fish on that motor oil worm. It was a 3.13 and good enough for big fish. It was a much tougher day than we expected. Some said the full moon allowed the fish to feed all night.  

I wound up with the only limit and took first with 6.38 not impressive but still first. Sam with 3 fish was second and Rob was third. Still great to be on water.