Mann in Crowd

The Forrest Wood Cup got underway at 7:00 this morning, and by 8:00 Tom Mann Jr. already had eight spectator or camera boats following him from spot to spot. Mann, who lives near Lake Lanier in Buford and who has fished its deep clear water for decades is considered by many the favorite to win the tournament. I'm glad to report that everyone was staying a respectful distance back and staying out of Mann's way.

The tournament launched at Laurel Park, which is well up Lanier's Chestatee River arm. Most boats turned right (down lake) at blast off, but eight or ten turned left, heading up the Chestatee.

I spent a few hours on the lake riding with a volunteer from a local bass club to shoot photos and check out the action. Most anglers we saw appeared to be fishing structure near deep water with drop-shot rigs or other finesse approaches. We didn't venture way up the rivers, though.

We did see a handful of fish caught, including a couple from the backs of boats.

It'll be fun to see what everyone brings to the scales this afternoon!