The SCBF club members have spent the past eleven months trying to get to this day as the final eleven teams met at the West Lake Toho's City Ramp to decide the "Classic" champion for this season. The club has held the end of the season classic for the past 33 years and have had many defining moments that makes this club one of the best in Florida. The club history, organization, participation, ideals and fellowship remains the driving force behind each successful year. The eleven teams arrived at the boat ramp and parking lot which was surprisingly uncongested and quite open as no other tournaments was scheduled for that day. The coffee shop was open for some last minute coffee or for a welcome breakfast sandwich. Many team members were eager to get the day underway and after a short club meeting held by President Karl, who explained the particulars for the day and weigh in, the orderly takeoff had began under cloudy skies, no moon and very little wind. The lake definitely had a lot of hydrilla and lilly pads growing in the summer conditions. There was also a wide variety of weather changes as the calm morning gave way to some wind up to 12 mph and some nice cooling clouds but then some passing rain showers that was a welcome.
There was some close competition as two teams topped the twenty pound mark and four bass over six pounds were brought to the scales.
First place was claimed by Mike Hampton and Tim Kopf who topped the scales with a huge limit weighing 23.81 pounds, which is their second "Classic" win. They fished scattered hydrilla and lilly pads on the west side of the lake where they could find clean water using mostly flukes and speed worms. The morning bite seamed the best as soon as the wind put a ripple on the water and clouds moved over the sun. Tim Kopf hooked up with a 8.10 pound bucket mouth swamp donkey using a speed worm to cap off their limit and take home the Big Bass Honors for the "Classic".
The team of Raymond Taylor and alternate Don Hinman posted another great bag at 21.16 pounds to easily claim second place. Cheered on by his family, friends and dad Clyde, who was out with a medical issue. Their limit was anchored by a nice 6.44 pound big bass landed by Raymond. He credited top water plugs for most of their success. Raymond and Clyde also took home the Angler of the Year trophy for the club. Good job Guys!!!
Third place goes to Jack Berry and Adam Brands, who used magnum speed worms to catch 14.58 pounds of Toho bass. Jack and Adam has a little trouble getting thru the thick hydrilla around Grass island at the takeoff but managed to get down to Shingle Creek area to catch most of their limit which was capped off by a 6.16 pound big bass.
There were no major malfunctions or equipment breakdowns reported along with any parking lot, ramp or lake altercations which makes for a great day of fishing and a fine season ending conclusion President Karl concluded the year with a thanks to all and best wished for the next year which will begin on East Lake Toho on September 26th out of Ralph V. Chisholm Park ramp.
