This was a great start to the 2016-17 year for Space Coast Bass Finatics. Twenty teams arrived at the ramp ready to go, in spite of the hoards of mosquitoes and pesky bugs. Most of the old teams have returned along with several new teams as well as a few alternates, which only improved the clubs competitiveness. We welcome our new friends, some from as far away as Ormond Beach like Lloyd and Jennifer Hamilton or Kirk Williams from Palm Coast, but most were from Brevard County.

The results of the final tournament of the year for the club were almost predictable from the previous months. Teams that had been doing good all year continued to dominate the top spots. The weather cooperated for most of the day as the rain held off until the middle of the weigh-in and the wind did not get up as much as was anticipated.

The following teams worked hard all year and now have the opportunity to compete in the 2016 BASSMASTER CLASSIC to be held on Lake Poinsett.

Team 1. Larry Cruce and Tim Iler, winner of the Bassmaster of the Year with 316 points
Team 2. Jackie Barber and BJ Biles , BJ is the winner of the Big Bass of the 2015-2016 year
Team 3. Dwayne Haga and Dave Metzler, new President and Vice- Persident for 2016-2017
Team 4. Jimmy Blount and Jack Berry, Jack is the new Treasurer 2016-2017
Team 5. Bill Groseclose and Fred Reid, weighed in a limit at every tournament this year

The final tournament for SCBF this year was at Lake Washington Sunday the 31st and fifteen teams competed not only against each other but against low water levels, high mosquito count, and temperatures in the mid 90s. The cloud cover helped keep the temperature down somewhat but the fish did not cooperate like that had in past years as the weights were lower. The only big catches seem to have come from an abundance of mud fish and garfish which everyone had their fair.

After five seconds and three third place finishes Mike finally wins one at Toho. Fishing in Lake Kissimmee he totaled 12.59 pounds and big bass for the tournament weighing 4.98 pounds.
Congratulations

The day was one of right and wrong decisions for the thirteen teams that came out to the boat ramp in the coolness of daybreak at Lake Poinsett. Should we stay in the lake, go to the north river, go to Lake Winder, go to south river or maybe we should go all the way to the dam at Lake Washington? The weather was not going to help, as the sun was relentless and the wind changed direction, when there was any, and the rain swept across the area quickly but did drop the temperature just when it got to hot to continue for some people.

Mr. Jimmy Blount encountered a beautiful big headed lady while pre-fishing for Poinsett. Mr. Berry says she was around 8 1/2 pounds despite her svelte figure. Nice bass indeed.

The Club assembled at the Overstreet Landing at Lake Kissimmee Sunday May 22nd and was met with a full moon and winds blowing out of the northwest.The past weeks rainfall and constant wind had turned the lake dirty in most places but if clean water could be found bass would be there. The water level had come up about a foot and the back water areas were now opened up to the club members. Most teams reported that the bass were biting early and shut off during the afternoon.

Don Hinman and Matt Hinman took the classic tournament on Lake Washington on Saturday with a mega bag weighing 21 plus pounds. The win along with the Calcutta netted they a nice payday along with bragging rites for the next year. The team of Jimmy Blount and Jack Berry finished in the fourth position with 15 pounds and walked away with some very nice rods donated by Halo. Congratulations to all the members who participated in the Strike Zone Tournament Trail this year.

The newest members of SCBF proves that first time out is a charm as they brought in the winning bag at last Sundays club tournament on Miami-Garcia Impoundment. Their total of 20.66 pounds out classed the field of seventeen teams which was the second largest field since the last time we fished there in September. Just to make their victory complete Kirk also landed the largest bass of the event coming in at a healthy 8.53 pounds. Mark who is a Air Force member and hails from Rockledge and his brother Kirk who traveled all the way from Palm Coast used mostly flukes to catch their winning bag.