Since we weren't able to make this tournament I was wondering if anyone wants to share what they did to catch their fish and what the weather and water conditions were.
Anyone want to share patterns used in BHAM?
Since we weren't able to make this tournament I was wondering if anyone wants to share what they did to catch their fish and what the weather and water conditions were.
Seemed like crawfish patterns did pretty well. Fishing picked up for me when I started throwing a jig n pig, a lure a pretty much throw most of the time anyway, but regrettedly didn't fish with much till later in the day. Typically I don't get onto a midsummer jig bite at least in MS. Unfortunately although I caught plenty of fish this trip, I simply could not break the 15" mark. In all my dozen trips to Alabama to fish, looking back at my records this was the smallest 3 fish total I've ever caught, and as luck would have it would be on tourney day, lol.
Still a fun trip, and first place couldn't have gone to a better guy especially on his birthday. It was just destiny.
The Birmingham stop was incredible. Jeff and I caught tons of fish, but like he said the size stayed away from us unfortunately. July is definitely a funny fishing month. We found fish in the shoal water and in the pools. I had an early morning topwater bite, but then switched to jigs, weightless worms, and divers. I will say that on tourney day every fish caught was a little more meaningful and every fish that got off was a little more painful. It really added an extra element of fun to an already incredible sport.
I didn't wake up near as early as the Mississippi gang but early enough.
Left Bogart Georgia at 3:30am and headed toward "Sweet Home Alabama".
When I arrived at the creek it was still a little dark but I could tell the water would be fishable.
I have not fished this particular spot in about 12 years.
Last Tournament I was with my son and it was just a little too swift to take a chance.
When it got light enough to see, I was a little disappointed.
Water had about 1ft visibility. I like this creek a little clearer, but I figured it would still fish.
My plan was to go downstream about 1.5 miles, but a tenth of a mile down it was completely blocked with blow-downs.
Missed a couple of small one on a dark spinner-bait and headed back upstream.
Worked my way upstream and changed to a white spinner-bait and started landing some small fish.
Threw plastics, buzzbaits, and a swim-bait.
They were hitting the white spinner-bait, but they were all less than 14 inches.
I was getting a little discouraged and thinking hard about trying somewhere else while I still had time.
I tied on Lowhybred's favorite lure the J-11.
First cast...before I even gave it a twitch....an Alabama Spot nailed it!
He gave me a ride. Soon as I flopped him in the yak, the bait flew out and he started jumping.
I threw my leg over him and tried to calm down.
You can see the stain in the water pretty good in this pic.
I continued upstream fishing hard and catching several more fish in the 14 inch range.
I knew I needed another good one.
Got blocked about a mile upstream by more blow-downs so I headed back.
About thirty feet from where I caught that 1st big Spot, I threw the J-11 again.
It exploded!!!
This fish was pulling me back and forth while I was trying to keep it out of the trees.
I was about to go face first into hanging limbs...sat on the butt of the rod so I could back paddle...prayed it would still be there...it was.
5lb Largemouth with the heart of a Spotted Bass.
It never jumped.
Thought I needed one more decent fish, but had to head back.
I had a great partner in Willyredeemed.
Great fun!
Oh! It was also my Birthday weekend.
I turned 46 today.
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish.
Mark Twain
The Birmingham stop was fun..Lots of fish! i agree it was hard to break that 15" mark.. a lot of them would get to your lure before the big ones could.... i fished clear waters and it was easy pickings...the bigger profile lure wasnt producing as much ..5 inch basstrix paddle tail did do some damage but a lot of them would chase but turn around... I even slowed down my retrieve but nothing... then was when i knew i had to finesse it up.. Drop shotting and shakey head was key to getting bit...well it did break the 15" mark .. a 16.25..nothing to brag about haha.. but yeah Congrats to Bama Spot tho!
Man it sounds like I missed a really excitting tournament! Congrats David, that was one awesome performance there. That 20" spot is a beautifult fish and that kicker largemouth is awesome too. How much do you think that spot weighed?
A big congrats goes out to all who fished this tournament. Hope to see you guys in Roanoke!
I didn't weigh it, but best guess...a little more than 3.5lbs.Originally Posted by LowHybred09
It fought better than the LM.
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish.
Mark Twain
I was thinking it might go 4lbs. Nice fish for sure.
the stretch of river i fished was stained with about 2.5ft of visibility. i took a gamble and stayed on the water and was by myself. it was a tough day for tournament fishing, but a great day for fishing in general. the stripers were chasing shad and u could see them busting the top water all day. i figured if the stripers were chasing, the water was just clear enough for bass to hit, too. i tried throwing the buzzbait, pitboss, senko, trickworm, frog, spinnerbait, chatterbait...nothing. then, i switched over to a white 5" berkley split belly paddle tail swimbait and a spro bbz-1 (blue back herring & sexy lav shad). all my hits came off swimbaits. there's a 3lbs spot in the choccolocco that probably still has my sexy lav shad bbz-1.
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