Anyone know how the pre-fishing is going?
Anyone know how the pre-fishing is going?
The few pro's I have talked to are hurting compared to what should be this time of year. The off and on cold weather has 'em all screwed up.. .of course there are still a few in Salt Run and there are still some pre-spawners being caught in George but nothing to really speak of... i think a decent casting bite will turn on before the tourney but it wont be the sight fishing fest some hoped it would be...
This was in the Palatka paper,
Would poor weather favor area anglers?
By Greg Walker
Bassmaster Southern Open contenders finished their second day of practice on the St. Johns River Tuesday evening, and with one practice day remaining it is still a wait and see game for the 200-boat field.
For many, the hope of fair weather and good sight fishing doesnÂt hold much promise, as the weekÂs weather forecast is for chilly temperatures, wind and rain.
ÂIf by chance the weather turns out to be decent, the out-of-town guys will catch some good fish, but if not, the locals will have the advantage, said BASS Elite Pro Preston Clark at Palatka City Dock. ÂI went to areas today where there were no fish, but shook off a lot of fish in others.Â
ÂDoesnÂt look too good for sight fishing right now, said Terry Scroggins of San Mateo. ÂIt is supposed to rain during ThursdayÂs first round, and if itÂs a heavy downpour that could muddy up the springs and canals and make sight fishing tough.Â
Pro angler Chad Morgenthaler of Coulterville, Ill., a three-time Bassmaster Classic contender, said it was a productive day.
ÂI found some fish in several areas, and some good looking spots IÂll be trying tomorrow, said Morgenthaler Tuesday evening where he was attending a fish fry hosted by Georgia BoyÂs Fish Camp along with Scroggins and other pro anglers, including Mike Iaconelli, Ish Monroe and Derek Remitz.
Competition days are Thursday through Saturday with weight-in ceremonies at Palatka Riverfront Park.
The St. Johns River event is the Southern OpenÂs 2008 kickoff qualifier, where 200 pro anglers along with their co-anglers will compete for over $400,000 in cash and prizes, with a first place prize of $45,000 in cash and merchandise going to the pros.
The co-anglers first-place prize is a fully rigged 18-foot bass boat/150 H.P. motor package valued at $30,000.
Besides cash and merchandise, pros will be aiming to win enough points to give them a jump start on eligibility for the 2009 Bassmasters Elite Series and a berth in the 2009 Bassmasters Classic. At the end of the 2008 season, the top three in the Southern OpenÂs points race will win Â09 Classic berths; the top 10 will qualify to join the Elite Series, the upper echelon of competitive fishing.
Signs by Crazy Elvis, Official Decals of TeamFATBOY!
I called my stockbroker and asked him what I should be buying.
He said, \"Canned goods and ammunition\".
Good post Steve, I have been checking bassmaster's website and they have not even mentioned this event once in any of their stories or on th OPENS homepage, if you were just looking at their site you would not even know there was a tourney this weekend, good luck to all those fishing it is going to be nasty out there tomorrow
Thanks again Steve... that was a awsome report i will be down there on saterday for sure. lots of BIG names in our sport are goping to be there ....cool
skeeter E your a sick man, you posted this topic at 4 A.Mget some sleep good lord! the only time to be up at that time is to fish not play on the internet. any how the wife is not going with me saturday. I'm headind down about 1:30 P.M. after work. lets try and hook up down there. ........JOEY
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Signs by Crazy Elvis, Official Decals of TeamFATBOY!
I called my stockbroker and asked him what I should be buying.
He said, \"Canned goods and ammunition\".
JOEY,The only time you will ever see me up @ 4:00 am is to FISH.Anyway Rick and I are going to head down to Palatka around 11:30 am Saturday we are going to get some lunch and hang out around the weight in tents when we do that at other pro tournaments we always get our hands on some freebee's. You have my Cell number i will be looking for your call
I see ole Lee Stalvey Jr is in 3rd with one day to go, that boy sure is hard to beat on those waters, and Bryan Hudgins is hanging in there to fish the final day but would need a huge sack to get a top 5. Weather does not look too good for the boys fishing tomorrow, at least any of those that were sight fishing, so if Chris Daniels is still on staging fish then he may walk away with this one, although VanDam is onto something, it should be close between the top 3-4. But anything can happen down there, a 30lb bag is very possible on any given day
Jay, i would love to see Brian Hudgin's win he's a good guy. it would really help his elite series this year also he should do good on the harris chain& lake toho.
PETER T' WINS THE SOUTHERN OPEN...$50.000
Wow... Peter T, Lee Stalvey, and Bryan hudgins had a terrific day on the water to say the least. Bryan's move from30th to 6th is very impressive. Look like VanDam just ran out of fish, but the kid has got some talent for sure. Daniels had a good event as well, just fell alittle short. Those Florida guys sure can figure out those fish during pre frontal conditons. Good Job.
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