The end of the season for Space Coast Bass Finatics was capped off by the Classic Tournament held on West Lake Toho out of Whaley's Landing. The eleven teams who arrived at the launch ramp was going to be rewarded for their hard work for the past eleven months with a chance to claim the top honors for the year. The morning was still warm from the summer heat but promised to be a great day on the lake. Some teams arrived ready to go with nothing but winning on their minds, but others arrived a little on the rough side of yesterday's activities. A lot of preparation goes into the "Classic" including where to go on the lake, boat prep, tackle selection, safety equipment, fueling up and of coarse misinformation spreading to all other participants making the day go better for some , of coarse. The club was glad to see Past President Bill Groseclose back for the season finale along with newly Elected President Karl Kearcher and Vice-President Buddy Perry who were in attendance. The launch ramp was crowded , as expected, but there was a lot of courtesy and sportsmanship displayed by the several fisherman who wanted to launch their boats but graciously held back until we had moved away form the ramp. It's nice when there are no instigators around the ramp.
President Karl went over the launch procedures and weigh-in times and location along with the tournament awards to be given after the tournament was over. He discussed some items for next year and answered all questions from the twenty-one participants. The only thing missing was those tasty treats from Jennifer and Lloyd that the club members love so much. All eleven boats idled out to the point and the tournament began as our AOY team of Clayton and Greg Clark blasted off. The sun was unrelenting and reached a high of 96 degrees with the occasional cloud passing overhead to help out and a little wind of 5-10 mph to provide some relief. The water temp was high, 88-92 degrees, according to water depth and weed density. The teams spread out over the entire Kissimmee Chain of lakes as some chose to lock thru and travel south as others turned north in their search for the winning limit.
Launching from the ninth spot but easily out fishing the rest of the ten teams was Alan Elder and Wayne Smith. Weighing in a limit of Toho bass at 16.08 pounds, they won the first place prize by more than two pounds. Their bag was anchored by a 4.98 pounder, caught by Wayne, which was the second largest bass of the day. This win capped off a year that saw Alan out of competition for two months, due to work, Wayne getting married and the team almost being left out of the Classic due to a math mistake by the secretary. This was their second time as winners of the SCBF Classic Tournament. CONGRATS!
Second place goes to the father and son team of Greg Clark and Clayton Clark with 13.92 pounds. The Angler's of the Year Champion showed why are a team to beat by staying consistent and catching bass no matter what the conditions or location. Their bag included the Big Bass of the Day at 5.36 pounds and came on a black and blue flake senko, caught by Greg Clark. He proved that old guys still have it when it counts the most.
Matt Hinman and Gary Hinman returned with a limit which weighed 13.82 pounds to claim third place. The day started off a little rough for them but they regrouped and used their best flippin technic on West Lake Toho which accounted for their limit and a 3.48 pound kicker fish. Their one win and four top three finishes, along with the highest average fish weight of 2.98 pounds , places them in the lead for highest average finishes for the year at 5.2 place.
Fourth place was earned by Brian Davidson and his alternate partner President Karl Kearcher. They reported fishing from the middle of Lake Kissimmee to the north part of West Lake Toho to bag their limit of 12.91 pounds. As with most teams, flippin in the grass mats and hydrilla fields to find the bass was their road to success. The gift certificate for 4th place again came from, Shawn Mechella at Strike Zone of Melbourne, who we appreciate as he has been our sponsor all year long. Be sure you go there and thank him and return some of the generosity he has shown to the club.
The officers chose to give the remaining five thru eleven teams a small token for their efforts even if they did not weigh-in any fish. President Karl ended the year with congratulations to the Angler of the Year winners, Clayton Clark and Greg Clark, Big Bass of the Year winner Robert Kimbrough, Classic Tournament winners, Alan Elder and Wayne Smith and Big Bass for the Classic Greg Clark. He also awarded plagues to the two teams who weighed in a limit at every tournament this year, Rick Jenkins and Joe Jenkins also Bill Groseclose and Fred Reid who have registered the achievement four years in a row.
CONGRATULATIONS to the winners and all the club members for their support.
The first tournament will be on East Lake Toho at Ralph Chisholm Park ramp on September 29th
See you there.
