PTCBA Fishes Last Tournament Of 2004

Well, it was a fight to the finish as it usually is. Going into the last tournament of the year, Mick Keener had a 3.30 pound lead over Jim Norton.

We traveled to Lake Oconee for the Grand Finale of the 2004 season. Some good fish were caught on Friday in practice, including a nine pounder caught by Donnie Hendrickson.

A cold front was fast approaching and instead of the typical fog, we had to deal with the wind. It was blowing pretty good even before safe light, and increased during the day.

The fish seemed to be not as aggressive as they had been the day before, and most anglers caught just one or two fish.

Always a threat on Lake Oconee, Donnie Hendrickson brought the only limit to the scales. He had 9.20 pounds.

Matt Davis had a great catch of three fish and a weight of 8.00 pounds. Matt took second place and the big fish pot with his 4.75 pound lunker. So far, Matt has beaten Cliff and Bud from the back of the boat. Who's next?

Jim Norton figured he would need about fifteen pounds to be able to take the lead in the year-to-date standings. He was planning on the leader, Mick Keener, catching about his usual ten pounds. Jim only had only two fish and 4.25 pounds, but it was enough for third place and more.

Jim took the Angler of the Year title with a 0.95 pound lead as Mick brought a sack full of nothing to the scales. One keeper fish was all he needed, but it didn't happen. A tough break for Mick, but he will be right back in there next year.

Fourth place went to Bud Whatley who had a solo 3.95 pound fish. Bud was too busy netting Matt's fish to catch any more.

In comparison to last year, the numbers at this year's Oconee tournament was about the same.

Lake Martin Family Weekend

The 2004 family camping weekend at Lake Martin was October 15-17. Six club members and their families broke out the tents and sleeping bags (along with the electric heaters and port-a-potties) and braved the elements at Wind Creek State Park.

Other than Friday being a bit windy, the weather was perfect for fall camping. We only got a few drops of rain Thursday night when the front passed.

The weather didn't have a negative effect on the fishing, though. Fish were caught shallow on finesse worms and crankbaits.

The dinner menus were awesome even though our resident chef Timeril LaGriffin was not in attendance. He taught us well. Thursday night Donnie prepared a huge pot of cassoulet, our new favorite. It was awesome! Friday night we smoked chickens and boiled corn. Saturday night was the fish fry which is always the culinary highlight of the weekend.

The kids had a good time riding their bikes around the campground, playing at the playground and fishing from the bank and from the boat.

The big story was Jacob Sullivan (6 years) and his catching of numerous spotted bass. Jake was using a Texas-rigged junebug U-tail worm rigged on a Dale Earnhardt Jr. Zebco combo. He was rockin'!

Drew Norton also makes the news with his Ioconelli-style "I own you!" remarks directed to the fish he caught. After the chest-beating the fish came unhooked and dropped back into the lake.

A lot of small spots were caught for the fryer, but there were some quality spots and largemouth caught also. Matt Davis had a spot that weighed about four pounds.

Click here to see the pictures.

West Point Unfriendly

It seems every time we go to West Point Lake we have a bad tournament. Except for the 8.55 pound fish Eddie caught back in March, our West Point tournaments have been tough.

This month was no different. While the fish were biting there pretty good the weekend before, when tournament day came it was a different story.

13 anglers caught a total of 15 fish, 10 of those being spots. Five guys zeroed, while four only had one fish. No one had a limit. Several "big" fish were lost at the boat, throwing the hook after showing themselves. It seemed the fish were not aggressive at all and not getting the bait in theirs mouths.

That being said, hats off to the guys who did catch some fish. Leading the way was Ronnie Hendrickson with his second win of the year. Ronnie had three fish and a weight of 4.95 pounds. He also had the big fish of the tournament at 2.35 pounds.

Second place went to James Kelley who also had three fish. His total weight was 4.40 pounds.

Mick Keener stayed on top of the Year-to-Date standings with a catch of three spots and 3.05 pounds.

Rounding out the top four was Eddie Privett. Eddie had two spots and a weight of 2.15 pounds.

Next month is the Grand Finale at Lake Oconee. With only 3.30 pounds separating first and second place, it is sure to be a close finish.

Bost Is Back

After an eight month hiatus, Cliff Bost has returned to active status. At our September trip to Lake Mitchell, Cliff showed everyone he hasn't lost his touch by taking the win with a 10.25 pound limit.

Andy Treon was close on Cliff's heels with a 9.55 pound limit. Both Cliff and Andy were fishing in the same general area.

Third place went to Mick Keener who weighed three fish and had a total weight of 5.70 pounds. (He would have placed second if Larry hadn't caught his fish!) Larry Yon placed fourth with two fish, one of them a 4.15 pound largemouth that took the big fish money.

The tournament was originally scheduled to be two separate tournaments, one on Lake Mitchell and one on Lake Jordan. At the September meeting, a motion was made to fish Lake Mitchell both days and keep it two individual tournaments. Ultimately, that is what we did.

The second day (second tournament) creel was slightly better than the first.

Andy Treon stayed consistent and brought another limit to the scales on Sunday. His total weight was 9.30 pounds and that was good enough for the win.

Jim Norton, who missed the first day, played a good game of catch-up on Sunday. He brought four fish to the scales, including the big fish of 3.25 pounds. Jim's total weight was 8.40 pounds, enough to hold second place in the YTD standings.

Matt Davis placed third (his first top-four finish in a PTCBA tourney) with four fish and 6.25 pounds, spanking Cliff from the back of Cliff's boat. Congratulations, Matt!

Rounding out the top four was Ronnie Hendrickson. Ronnie had four fish and a total weight of 4.50 pounds. Four seems to be Ronnie's lucky number.

Joe Schwering Takes It All At Eufaula

In was another tough tournament at Lake Eufaula. There were twelve anglers motivated enough to fish in the July heat—only four of those brought fish to the scales.

The bite was non-existent for most of the club. It was very hot, and the Corps didn't pull any water. Reports had indicated that the fish were shallow in the grass with the high water levels. That didn't seem to be the case, but the ledge bite wasn't too good either.

Joe Schwering brought a pair of largemouth that weighed a total of 7.65 pounds. One of those fish was a nice six pounder that took big fish for the tournament and the lunker pot.

Mick Keener placed second with two fish that totaled 3.35 pounds. Lanier Hunt had a solo fish that weighed 2.25 pounds—enough for third place. Fourth went to Mike Sullivan who had one fish and 1.25 pounds.

Joe's big fish is the sixth lunker caught in the club this year, the second for Joe.

The Buck Stops Here

Prospective member Buck Hilliard won an extremely tough tournament at Lake Eufaula on June 12. If the "ledge bite" was on, it must have been on ledges that we didn't fish. Buck had two fish and a total weight of 4.50 pounds. Congratulations, Buck.

Ronnie Hendrickson finished second with a pair of fish that weighed 3.50 pounds. He also took the big fish money for a 2.40 pound Lake Eufaula Lunker.

Joe Schwering caught a couple late-afternoon fish and placed third. He had 3.05 pounds. Jim Daughtry took fourth with a single dead fish that weighed 1.95 pounds.

Keener Wins A Tough One At Clarks Hill

Tough might not be the best way to describe it. Horrible, terrible or just plain ugly might be better descriptions of the May tournament on Clarks Hill.

The club hadn't been to the Hill in a few years due to the low water levels. Since the lake is nearly full, we decided to return (although later than our usual April tournament).

Some members were able to pre-fish and reported tough conditions, but there were some keepers caught.

Saturday proved even tougher. There was no lack of small fish, but a keeper was very hard to come by. Sunday was even worse.

In the end it was Mick Keener in the top spot. Ris Cowan placed second, Ronnie Hendrickson took third, and Bud Whatley rounded out the top four.

PTCBA Places Tenth At Top Six Classic

DeHaven Catches DeLunker

The Georgia B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation Top Six Classic was held April 26-27 on Lake Eufaula. The Peachtree City Bass Anglers sent a team of six anglers to the event to compete with 86 other Federated teams from the state of Georgia. There were almost 500 contestants—only 12 of which would move on to the regional federation tournament.

Leading the team was Don DeHaven. Don caught four  fish, including a 7.15 pound lunker on day one of the tournament. He placed 32nd with a total weight of 12.35 pounds. Don's lunker ended up not only being big fish of the day, but the biggest fish of the tournament. Don received a trophy and a check for $1235.

The Peachtree City Bass Anglers placed tenth as a team, winning a check for $200. Every team member caught fish. The club had a total of 20 fish and 50.60 pounds.

For detailed results of the Top Six Classic, visit the GBCF website.

Treon Wins At Eufaula

This year, the Peachtree City Bass Anglers held a single-day tournament on Lake Eufaula during the official practice for the Top Six Classic.

It was slim pickings for most of the club, but Andy Treon managed to catch a limit. He took the top spot with five fish and a total weight of 8.60 pounds.

Donnie Hendrickson took second place with a lone fish that weighed 3.20 pounds. That was also the big fish of the tournament.

Third place went to Jim Norton. Jim maintained his position at the top of the YTD points with a pair of largemouth that weighed 3.20 pounds. Mick Keener placed fourth with a single fish and a weight of 2.50 pounds.

April 4, 2004: Hell Freezes Over!

It happened once before when the Eagles got back together—this month it happened again. Jim Daughtry won his first tournament since joining the PTCBA. Jim had 5 fish and 15.15 pounds. (see 'hearing' below)

Jim Norton stayed consistent with a strong second-place finish. Jim had 4 fish and 8.80 pounds on Saturday and was leading the field at the day-one weigh-in. Unfortunately, Jim was the victim of Evinruditis, a common ailment among those driving boats with Evinrude engines. Symptoms of Evinruditis include loud clanging or grinding noises, followed by a large reduction in speed. Jim was driving a borrowed boat when he came down with the dreaded disease. It was enough to end his tournament and force him to go home.

James Kelley placed third with 4 fish and 7.45 pounds. He also was limited to one day of fishing, but it was enough for third place. The club's newest member, Bud Whatley finished in fourth place with a consistent catch. Bud had one fish each day and a total weight of 3.80 pounds.

New Hearing Aid Allows Angler To Hear Fish

PTCBA member Jim Daughtry was recently fitted with a special hearing device which apparently allows one to actually hear fish in their natural habitat. This cutting-edge technology had never been used in tournament angling, but was proven to work this month at a PTCBA tournament on Lake Hartwell.

Daughtry, an old fart who drives a Ranger, used the hearing aid to catch 5 fish that weighed a total of 15.15 pounds and win the tournament. This was Jim's first win since he joined the club a few years ago.

"This unit is amazing" Daughtry said of his new hearing aid. "I can hear 'em grittin' their teeth".

Devine intervention may have had something to do with Jim catching those fish. He had recently sold a loan to a preacher who was praying for him and told him he would catch fish. At any rate, Jim will continue testing the hearing device at future tournaments.

Jim's win launched him into fifth place in the year-to-date standings.

It has been rumored that the old tradition of shirt tail cutting will be reinstated at the May meeting. Congratulations, Jim. We all have high expectations of you now.

The next tournament for the PTCBA will be held on Lake Eufaula on April 24.

Lunker of the Decade?

Eddie Privett didn't let the tough conditions bother him. Real estate was at a premium on West Point as there were several other tournaments on the lake that day. Any where you went you were fishing behind someone else. While most anglers were lucky to catch one or two squeakers, Eddie managed three fish, and they weren't squeakers.

Eddie's three fish weighed 14.60 pounds—more than enough to win and enough to launch Eddie to the third spot in the YTD points.. The big one tipped the scales at 8.55 pounds and is the biggest fish the PTCBA has weighed in at least the last ten years. Eddie could have won the tournament with that one fish, but he added a kicker that was in the 5 pound range and another that was about 2 pounds. It was an awesome catch and that lunker will surely hold the big fish record for some time.

Joe Schwering followed up last month's win with a second place finish. Joe had four fish and 7.70 pounds.

Points leader Jim Norton held onto his position with a pair of fish that weighed 4.30 pounds—good enough for third place. Chris Kesler took the fourth position with two fish and 3.70 pounds.

West Point Photos     West Point Creel     2004 Standings

Seminole Tough For PTCBA In February

What a difference a month makes.

Last month, the Peachtree City Bass Anglers traveled south to Lake Seminole and had a great tournament. This month we went back (at the time we normally go there) and had a tough, tough tournament.

Only four anglers brought fish to the scales on the first day. Tim Griffin was the top dog. He took all of the day-one money with a three-fish sack and the "big" fish of 2.10 pounds. Mike Sullivan had two fish and 2.65 pounds. Jim "Two Fish" Daughtry had a lone bass that weighed an even 2.00 pounds. Rounding out the anglers with fish on day one was Eddie Privett with a single fish that weighed 1.60 pounds.

The second day would prove just as tough. Even though it was warming up, the fish were still lock-jawed. Joe Schwering brought a single fish to the scales, but it was a good one. Good enough to take the big fish pot, lunker pot, and win the tournament. Joe's fish was 6.20 pounds. Mick Keener had a solitary 3.65 pound fish, and Tim Griffin and Donnie Hendrickson each had a fish.

In the end it was Joe at the top with Tim Griffin in second. Mick finished third and Mike Sullivan took fourth. (Sorry Jim)

The camera man was absent and the back-up cameras were unavailable, so there weren't any pictures taken of the fish caught on Sunday.

Ronnie Hendrickson Strong At Seminole

The Peachtree City Bass Anglers chose to go south to Lake Seminole this January in hopes of finding warmer weather and active fish. We weren't disappointed as some quality fish were caught and some big stringers were brought to the scales.

At the day-one weigh-in, Jim Norton blew away the competition with an awesome sack of fish. Jim had a limit of five fish that weighed 18.05 pounds, including a 6.50 pound lunker. Mick Keener and prospective member Ronnie Hendrickson also had impressive catches. Ronnie had three fish that weighed 13.25 pounds, including a 6.25 pound lunker. Mick had three fish and a weight of 11.90 pounds, and his big fish was 5.40 pounds.

Day two found Jim Norton without a single fish, but Mick weighed a nice 4.30 pound bass. His partner Ronnie also had a lone fish, but it was a monster--7.85 pounds.

Ronnie would take the top spot with four fish and a total weight of 21.10 pounds. Jim's 18.05 pounds was enough for second, and Mick took third with a total of four fish and 16.20 pounds. In a second-day rally (with some helpful information from Jim) Andy Treon placed fourth with three fish and 9.30 pounds.