Big Indiana Bass

Transition Time

The crappie are moving out, but the big gills and redears are moving in.

USA Bassin Open Tournament 5/20 @ Geist

I just wanted to remind everyone that USA Bassin and Brownies Marine will be hosting an open tournament this Sunday 5/20 at Geist Reservoir. Entry fee is $75 with a $10 optional big bass pot. You don't have to be a USA Bassin member to fish this!! We will be taking off at safe daylight and will fish for 8 hours. We are expecting a great turnout so make sure you show up early enough to get registered and ready.

Brownies Marine has been kind enough to bring up a new Nitro Z9 for you guy and gals to check out. They will also be giving out some goodies, so you don't want to miss out! Check out Brownies great services and boats at Welcome to Brownies Marine.

If you are a USA Bassin member, you will be able to use these points towards your regional qualification!!

Please let me know if you have any questions about this!

Brad Ray
317-841-9995
brad@rayinsurancegroup.com

IBF Brookville Pictures

More pictures from last weekends IBF event at Brookville Res.

On Tour with Todd: Potomac River FLW Tour Major, Practice Wrap-Up Journal

Terrance and I are having breakfast at Denny's in Waldorf, MD this morning reflecting on an interesting week that's now behind us.  The Potomac is a historic and beautiful body of water that's full of different types of vegetation and a lot of largemouth.  There are a lot of different ways to catch fish here, and it really plays to my junk-fishing style.

We got in late Saturday night after a disappointing finish at the Ky Lake Everstart. My powerhead went down at noon on Day 2 with almost 3 hours of fishing time left. I missed a check by 10 ounces.  I had to catch a ride with another boat heading north to the weigh in, then drive 60 miles to load my boat and bring it back to the Moors for the Evinrude tech to replace my powerhead.  I ended up leaving the Moors Friday night after 10PM and drove all night pulling the Red Gold Tomatoes boat home to see my family for a few hours and watch my two sons play baseball on Saturday morning. 

Terrance and I left for the 11-hour drive to the Potomac at noon and rolled in at midnight for a short night's sleep before practice began.  On the way out, we were able to catch the live weigh-in at Ky Lake, and my good friend DJ Smith ended up with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  He won his first ever tournament, a big one, as a Co-Angler in the Everstart Central Division.  DJ had practiced with me all week and obviously took a liking to Ky Lake.  He's now a proud Ranger Boat owner - way to go DJ!

There are two philosophies on how to fish here at the Potomac - run the tide and try to hit as many places as you can at the right time, or hunker down in an area and spend your whole day there and figure out how to catch the fish as they reposition. Anyone that knows me knows that I like to stay on the move, so I'll definitely be running the tide here.  But timing is crucial. Its a 3-foot fluctuation in water level and takes some getting used to.  You can fish the right place at the wrong time and not get bit.

I've found some areas that have a lot of fish in them, but there are a lot of boats fishing them, too.  The Potomac has a lot of community holes.  I'm hoping 12-13#/day will make the Top 50 here, and I like my chances.  I look forward to seeing how it plays out.  This is definitely a turning point in my season.  I've had to overcome some adversity over the past few weeks - being away from home for two weeks, mechanical failures, navigating new places, and going through the struggles that every bass professional goes through.  However, I feel strong and ready to get the ship steered back in the right direction, and get back in the race to make the Forrest Wood Cup.

IBF BROOKVILLE RESULTS - MAY 13, 2012

INDIANA BASS FEDERATION
INVITATIONAL TRAIL 2012

The second stop on the Invitational Trail proved to be a great fishing experience for many. The Trail had not been to Brookville in several years, and it proved that we have been missing out. As one of the long time Trail Anglers stated to me, “I have not been here in years, but I will gladly come back.”

55 Anglers along with 53 Co-Anglers brought 18 five fish limits to the scales. The average weight was 2.1 lbs. Most bags had largemouth and smallmouth mixed.The Big Bass of the event went to eventual winner Drew Foster with a 7.14 lb. Largemouth. Several fish in the 4 lb. range, but none in the 5 or 6 lb. class.

The weather changed from mostly sunny on Saturday to cloudy and drizzling on Sunday. Several of the anglers stated they caught them real good on Saturday but on Sunday they did not catch as many. Listed below are the placing and payout. The payout is 70% of the entry. 30% is for expenses and Classic Fund. Paying six places on each side = 40%, 25%, 15%, 10%, 6% and 4%.

Congratulations to:

ANGLERS       
1. Drew Foster - Brookville; 5 @ 14.06 lbs.+ BB @ 7.14 - $2,310.00 + $550 BB
2. Greg Jones - Shelbyville; 5 @ 13.34 - $1,443.75
3. Chris Burk - Brookville; 5 @ 13.16 - $866.25
4. Phil Miller -  Greensburg; 5 @ 13.06 - $577.50
5. Jason Howery - Avon; 5 @ 11.66 - $346.50
6. T.J. Edwards - St. Paul; 5 @ 11.56 - $231.00 solar bats
7. Mark Peiser - Pittsboro; 5 @ 11.46  First out of the money rod from A2O
 
CO-ANGLERS
1. James Stone - Greenwood; 5 @ 9.7 lbs.- $1,113.00
2. Craig Scholle - Sunman; 5 @ 8.06 - $695.63
3. Tyler Mosier - Bloomington; 3 @ 7.18 - $417.37
4. Brody McWilliams - Greenwood; 4 @ 6.44 - $278.25
5. Dennis Greenlee -  Indianapolis; 2 @ 6.06 + BB @ 3.84 - $166.95 + $255.00
6. Lewis Mallory - Martinsville; 3 @ 6.04 - $111.30
7. Gordon Reilly - Indianapolis; 3 @ 5.86 - First out of the money rod from A2O
 
Complete results and year to date totals attached below. Pictures to follow. 
Remember to thank those who support our trail. Mention the trail and save your receipts.
Next Tournament June 10 at Rocky Point. Registration will be at the Big Tails Tackle Store downtown Tell City.

Kenny

 

Download Brookville_results-2012(1)

Download Standings_5-13-12_after_2_events

Status of the Eagle Creek Bass Fishery

BIB "On the Road": Eagle Creek - 5.12.12

Saturday found me headed out to Eagle Creek for the first time this year, only the target was crappie. Friend and jig tyer Don Dusanic joined me for what has become an annual spring trip to the lake chasing after these panfish. We were greeted with a full parking lot when we hit the lake somewhat close to 2:00.

The first thing I noticed was that the water seemed awfully clear. The first couple casts once we got out on the lake confirmed my suspicions. Over much of the lower lake where we fished, I could see my jig down 4'-5' into the water, almost spooky clear. Still, with temps in the low 70's, I went looking for shallow water spawners, which is exactly what we found at this time last year. Turns out the fish had a different idea.

We never found the spawners or the shallow fish, and we were relegated to jig fishing, so after a fishless half hour, I decided to check out some deeper stuff. This turned out to be the right decision.

It was still sunny and mostly calm on our first stop, an old brushpile on top of a midlake flat. So, after spotting the top on my side-imaging unit (so as not to drive right over it in the clear water), we made a few casts and got our first couple crappie. This was enough to get me to drop anchor and hold us in position so we could make long casts over these fish without spooking them. The NanoFil line really came into play here, as that stuff simply allows for amazingly long casts with tiny jigs, perfect for these exact type of conditions.

We stayed anchored for nearly an hour, catching a slow but steady bite on some nice crappie. We also managed a walleye, a white bass and a few bluegill off the area. Things finally slowed down though, so we left to look for more similar type areas. We managed one here and one there on our next couple spots, but nothing worth sticking around for.

With time winding down, a south breeze that finally kicked in and some incoming clouds, I graphed one more point at the mouth of a small spawning pocket. Here the crappie were stacked up on an old brushtop. Keeping the boat facing into the wind, we began tossing our jigs over the point and swimming them through the tree top. We were rewarded with the best bite of the day, popping a nice limit of quality crappie (10" and above).

Here's a couple more pics from the trip.

BIB "On the Road": Waveland - 5.11.12

Had a great evening out at Waveland yesterday. Not a ton of boats, and just a slight breeze made for a good jon boat day. Thought there might be something going out deep, but only managed a few. Went shallow and figured them out pretty quick - they were chowing. Still looks like several bass are spawning or guarding, and many others have started to feed up shallow. Strikes were pretty vicious. Lots of females appeared spawned out - long and a bit skinny, but very healthy looking. Best fish went 4-04; Best 5 went a smidge over 18 pounds. Cranks, swimming jigs and Spooks.

 

Eastside Bassmasters Lake Waveland Team Tournament

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION:

When: Sunday June 17, 2012
Where: Lake Waveland - Park Ramp
Launch Time: 6:00 am or safe light
Weigh In Time: 3:00 pm

Entry Fee: $60 Per Team
Optional Big Bass Pot $10 Per Team
FIRST PLACE $500

Limited to the first 25 teams entered

Entry form and detailed rules attached as a downloadable file below.

• Download 2012_Waveland_July_Front1
• Download 2012_Waveland_July_Rules1

Memorial Day Open Tournament: White River

Monday May 28th at the Broad Ripple park ramp.

6:30 am until 12:30 pm

$40.00 per boat, fish alone or with a partner. 5 fish limit, 12 inch minimum size. NO DEAD FISH WILL BE WEIGHED! No culling in the parking lot, all culling must be done on the water. Basically lets make sure we all take care of our fish!

$10.00 goes towards Big Bass. We will payout 1 spot for every 4 boats entered. Off limits will be the 465 bridge, no fishing past the bridge.

Hope to see some new faces!

Brookville IBF Updates

Greetings;  the Brookville tournament scheduled for Sunday May 13 is now above 50 boats. As of this time, 5:34 PM Wednesday, we are exactly even with Anglers and Co-anglers. I have also had many calls from persons inquiring about entering at the registration meeting.

The lake level has been steadily rising and the Garr Hill ramp is now open and useable.  The lake was only 6 inches below summer pool as of 6:00AM this morning.

I spoke with the DNR Lake Manager this morning and he informed me that Kent's Harbor, Quakertown Marina and an area at the dam are off limits. Violators may be ticketed and or removed from the lake. I understand that all of these areas are marked by buoys as 'No Fishing' or 'No Boats'. We will also mark the area in the back of the cove at the ramp as off limits. I will try to put orange traffic cones on the bank in that cove to indicate the off limits line.
 
I have been also told there is a traffic restriction in the town of Liberty. But you may use city side streets to get through town. The local Police there say that NO Semi's are allowed through that area but we will be OK with our boat trailers. Just give yourself extra time.
 
The registration meeting is from 3:00PM to 5:00 PM and pairings shortly thereafter.  I have mistakenly to told some 4 to 6.REMEMBER, 3:00 PM to 5:00PM at Garr Hill Ramp. Garr Hill Road crosses State Rd 101 just a few miles north of the dam. You may prefish Friday and Saturday,  but may not be on the water Monday thru Thursday.
 
Thanks, Kenny

Updated World Rankings

BassFan has updated their world rankings as of May 7, and I've compiled the list of Indiana anglers and their current standing. Movement higher in the rankings is in green (by number of places advanced since last rankings), and movement lower in the rankings is in red. Only one angler (Todd Hollowell) stayed the same. Here are the BassFan rankings:

BassFan isn't the only ranking organization any more though. A site called BassRankings.com also maintains a multitude of rankings including 1-year and 2-year lists for both pro's and co's, plus other categories including women's and minor league standings. Many of the Indiana pro's aren't listed yet due to their 5 event minimum requirement in order to get ranked. Others appear in both the pro and the co-listings for having fished enough in both (Jacob Wheeler, for example).

Searching their list is more difficult since it is name and rank only, and not searchable by home state. As such, I only looked up a few that came to mind and I could easily spot. On the co-angler minor league side, Rod Yoder was 163rd in the 2-year, and 434th in the 1-year co-angler rankings. Terry Hollowell was 44th in the 2-year, while Jacob was 37th in the 1-year.

On the boater side, Todd Hollowell ranked 37th on the 2-year minor league boater side, but hasn't fished enough events to rank on the pro list. Jacob Wheeler, however, is curently ranked 13th in the 1-year standings due to his extra events (FLW Cup, FLW Open + 3 FLW Tours).

Check out BassRankings.com when you have time and look up your favorite Indiana angler to see where they currently stand in the many ranking lists maintained by the site.