It seems that no matter when we decide to fish East Lake Toho the weather is the biggest factor in how the way the day goes. Sunday was no different as the morning started out with 45 degree temperature's and a steady rain that kept you just wet enough to make it miserable. Then you have to deal with the muddy parking lot at Ralph Chisholm Park and a ramp that would only allow four or five boats to be tied up at once. The eighteen brave teams who showed up were determined to make the best of the day and the lake. Some teams were more determined than others as Jeff Merritt and Brian Chapman did not have a motor that was running but still stayed out the whole day, Tim Iler did some lifting a few days ago and his back was really hurting him but a little pill would help him thru the day, Jimmy Blount has been battling a cold most of the week but still came out to fish with us. There was some bright spots, Mike Neal has a brand new Bass Cat and will be using it soon (nice boat) and Jennifer and Lloyd Hamilton showed up with a load of Entenmanns sweets at the ramp. The club members made short work of them and there was even enough for some people to take home later. Later on Jennifer and Lloyd came to the rescue of Rick Jenkins who's battery's died at the mouth of Boggy Creek and needed a jump start to get back to the ramp.
First place was taken by Mike Calloway and William Flood with 14.28 pounds on the strength of a 7.20 pound big East Lake Toho mama that was caught at 2.35 pm on a easy swimmer by Mike. Mr. Flood did the net honors but said the one he had on just before Mike's catch was bigger. This is Mike's second big bass for the year and puts the team in a solid second place for the year.
Second place with 9.42 pounds was taken by Tim Iler and Larry Cruce using their number one bait , top water jerk bait, all day and landing between 30 and 40 fish. This is their third time finishing in the top three in the first five tournaments which is why they are in the lead for Bassmaster of the year points standings.
Only one tenth of a pound separated second and third as the team of Matt and Buddy Byrd finished with 9.32 pounds. Their catch was topped off with the second largest bass of the day at 3.32 pounds and came on a mega speed worm. Good job on a tough day.
Andrew Nelson fishing in his aluminum boat claimed the Small Creel prize with a 1.39 pounder narrowly edging out President Dwayne Haga for the generous gifts donated from Bitter's Bait and Tackle Shop.
The club voted to do both days of the Okeechobee Tournament out of Harney Pond Canal on March 25-26.
The next tournament will be on West Lake Toho on February 26 and will be launching out of Whaley's Landing, See you there!
