Percy Priest 9-10-2011

Tournament time. Beautiful morning. Four boats waiting at the buoys. David led us in prayer. And the last tournament of the year (not counting the upcoming Classic) began in the twilight of safe light. Mike and I headed toward a point near Smith Springs that I felt would give us a good start. Wrong. Mike finally picked up an 11"er on a buzz bait and a couple of more blowups. My Spook nor my Yellow Magic Pop'R drew no interest at all. Soon left and pulled up to favorite pocket of mine. Finally picked up a 14.5" small on a fluke. This spot yielded no more so on to anther spot. Stopped at the island just south of the bridge. Again picked up a 14.75" on a fluke again but that was all.

Time to try another place, the back of Savage Creek. My strategy here was to fan cast a Red Eye Shad in the shallow water. Picked up 2 quick non-keepers but was encouraged. As I moved around into a couple of pockets I picked up another keeper on the rattle bait. Then in the next 5-6 minutes I hooked and lost 3 keepers that shook the Shad loose somehow and returned to me, 3 in 5 minutes! Fished an island with no luck then headed to Bryant Grove. Caught my fourth (and last) keeper on the Red Eye. Mike lost a really nice fish 3-4 pounds on a crank bait, breaking him off. Moved to the back of Bryant and lost another keeper on the rattler. Felt like there were more to catch here but we had 10 minutes to get back for the weigh-in.

Rob had a limit and the most weight for the win. Noah had a 4 pounder for big fish and second place. I was third with 5+ lbs. I think I may have finished 2nd in points for the year but not certain.

Looking forward to our classic on Oct 1 at New Johnsonville.