The new year has come for the 2008 Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by
ABA. This years 1st tournament for the TN Central Division was on J. Percy Priest, February 16th out of Fate Sanders Marina. I had very high hopes for this tournament and this year as one of my goals was to take down Adam Wagner as the divisions champion for the 3rd year in a row. Plus this is my home waters and had been on a good deep water bite with a 3/8 oz Tight Lines football jig and my usual Bitsy Bug. During pre-fish on Thursday I had a 4 and a couple 3's coming out of 25 ft of water and on Friday I had another 4 and 3 but both came less then 5ft of water. It was during the evening hours after the water had warmed to 51 degrees in the shallows.
Conditions:
Cloudy
variable winds
1ft water visibility and depends on what part of lake you are fishing.
water temps had fallen to 46 to 48 degrees.
I had a plan of fishing deep from the start near Jones Mill area on some ledges that have brush piles and then work my way up lake hitting bluffs and ledges with wood. I got boat 38 out of 46 and headed out. I got to my 1st spot with no one on it and began with my jig. I fished it solid for a couple hours with jigs, cranks, SWL's and a drop shot. NOTHING, little did I know this was my fortune for the rest of the day.
I went from spot to spot, running and gunning. I ran a whole tank of gas and for those that know me, I rarely run over 1/2 tank and tend to stay close to where I start. I ran all over the lake like I had never run. I went from Jones Mill area to Elm Hill, to the dam to suggs creek then to Hole in the wall, then to 4-corners, then to Long Hunter points, then back to Jones Mill, then ran way up river to Spring Creek, then to the east and west fork of Stones river and came all the way back to Jones Mill. I would hate to say how many miles I put on that boat.
All for 2 bites and 1 little dink. First 6 hrs of the tournament I fished slow with jigs and cranks. The last two hours I fished shallow with cranks, shad raps, traps, speed traps, spinnerbaits, bandits you name it I threw it and nothing going. Yes you are getting the picture, I ZEROED, THE BIG GOOSE EGG - NADA, NOTHING, ZILTZ, how many ways can I say I did not weigh a single fish. I was pretty ticked about it too. I have yet to have a zero in a Weekend Series tournament. No spin, no excuses, no nothing, I just flat out failed to adjust and catch fish.
I can honestly say I am not even sure what I did wrong. I hear the tournament was won by shallow fish in less then 4ft of water on cranks down lake. I don't quite get it, lake temps 46-48 degrees and clearer water down lake past Hobson Pike bridge. Why in the world were those bass in shallow water with such cold temps? I was always taught don't go shallow until the water hits 50 degrees. I guess the fish forgot to read the books about what they are supposed to do.
I learned my lesson and will move on. No matter what I will always check the shallows!
Well it is on to Center Hill on March 8th. I am looking forward to this tournament as I have always done well on Center Hill, just missing a win last year. I will be heading out this coming Sunday to start scouting around and fish a little bit. Bet your sweet booty I will be checking some shallow water too!
Billy Harris
www.billyharrisbasspro.com
