The 2018 bass tournament season hits full stride this week, at least from my perspective. The season is well underway and has been for a few week. In fact, an FLW Costa Series event, an FLW Tour event and a Bassmaster Open are in the books. The Bassmaster Elite Series begin this week, though, and to me, the tournament season hits full stride once the FLW Tour and the Elite Series are underway.
The Elites are fishing Lake Martin in Alabama this week. Practice begins this morning. Last word I heard was that the lake was muddy and the water was cold. This week's weather looks pretty mild, though, so it will be interesting to hear practice reports and more importantly see tournament results!
I don't suppose will see anyone bring 31 pounds and change to the scales, like Bobby Lane did on day 1 on the Kissimmee Chain! That said, I suspect some of the guys will unlock good patterns and bring in some fat sacks of pretty spotted bass.
Showing posts with label Kissimmee Chain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kissimmee Chain. Show all posts
Monday, February 5, 2018
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Anticipation
It's hard to convey or even imagine the sense of anticipation that has to hanging over Toho area campgrounds, motel parking lots, gas stations and lots near Big Toho Marina about now. The first official launch of the 2015 FLW Tour season is less than two hours away.
Some pros undoubtedly didn't sleep -- or slept very little -- as they wondered how practice finds would translate today or imagined what the season could bring. By now those same pros are likely checking tackle they've already checked five times, just to keep hands and minds occupied, maybe by flashlight in the ramp area.
Others slept soundly and are getting ready for another day at the office. Don't let the coolness fool you, though. Their excited and at least a little bit anxious as well.
Six events all have to be won by someone. Those who perform best over the course of the season will qualify for the Forrest Wood Cup, and the best of the best will take the Angler-of-the-Year title. The year's biggest story lines are all total unknowns right now, and they'll begin to unfold this weekend.
For now, though, the focus must be on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, where the full field will fish for the next two days and top performers will continue through Sunday. It's about time to decide whether to stay close or make a run and play the locking game, whether to cover water or concentrate on a spot, whether to punch mats, target spawners, throw moving baits or mix it up... So many decisions. Such large ramifications.
Several big bags will be brought to the scales this afternoon, but some pros are apt to return disappointed and trying to figure out how to regroup and salvage tomorrow. I saw a few photos of big bass from practice. I also read more than a few reports about tough practices.
I'm fairly eager for things to get started, and I'm 500 miles away and with nothing at stake. I'll keep an eye on the FLWFishing Twitter feed through the day. For now, like the anglers and folks who are on site. I can only wait and anticipate.
Some pros undoubtedly didn't sleep -- or slept very little -- as they wondered how practice finds would translate today or imagined what the season could bring. By now those same pros are likely checking tackle they've already checked five times, just to keep hands and minds occupied, maybe by flashlight in the ramp area.
Others slept soundly and are getting ready for another day at the office. Don't let the coolness fool you, though. Their excited and at least a little bit anxious as well.
Six events all have to be won by someone. Those who perform best over the course of the season will qualify for the Forrest Wood Cup, and the best of the best will take the Angler-of-the-Year title. The year's biggest story lines are all total unknowns right now, and they'll begin to unfold this weekend.
For now, though, the focus must be on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, where the full field will fish for the next two days and top performers will continue through Sunday. It's about time to decide whether to stay close or make a run and play the locking game, whether to cover water or concentrate on a spot, whether to punch mats, target spawners, throw moving baits or mix it up... So many decisions. Such large ramifications.
Several big bags will be brought to the scales this afternoon, but some pros are apt to return disappointed and trying to figure out how to regroup and salvage tomorrow. I saw a few photos of big bass from practice. I also read more than a few reports about tough practices.
I'm fairly eager for things to get started, and I'm 500 miles away and with nothing at stake. I'll keep an eye on the FLWFishing Twitter feed through the day. For now, like the anglers and folks who are on site. I can only wait and anticipate.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
It All Begins Today
Day one of practice for the @Walmart FLW Tour event on Toho is underway! Good luck to all! #FLWFishing pic.twitter.com/ivhGLkxivg
— FLW (@FLWFishing) March 1, 2015
Things have started! FLW Tour Pros have launched or are launching all over the Kissimmee Lakes chain in central Florida to practice for the tour opener, which begins on Thursday. Despite patches of snow that linger outside my window at home, the start of the FLW Tour season suggests that spring really is coming fairly soon. I haven't looked at Kissimmee weather, but I suspect the pros will be targeting pre-spawn and even spawning fish. And as the tour itself moves north, so will warmer conditions. The excitement isn't just about spring and warmer weather, though. If you read this blog from time to time you know that I don't really mind cold and even go north instead of south through the winter so I can ice-fish. I just look forward to beginning of each new season, as a fishing writer and as a fan of the sport. I'm eager to see which pros figure things out at each tournament and how the fish behave, and to watch the many story lines that unfold through the season.
Even though the Bassmaster Classic was last weekend, that's a season cap for last year, not a fresh start, so it doesn't satisfy my desire to get things started anew.
I don't know which events I'll attend in person this week, but I'm always tracking them from wherever I am, both through the official tour feeds and through social media from various anglers. I suspect that in all the new excitement, a lot of cool Toho photos and notes will get posted today -- even more than normal for practice -- so I'll definitely have my eyes open!
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
B.A.S.S. Opens Start Tomorrow
Looking for a couple more of these tomorrow! @BASS_nation @Abu_Garcia @spiderwire @areaccessories @UnderArmour pic.twitter.com/B4pXzR1gIE
— Hunter Shryock (@boomer496) January 14, 2015
Having had my eyes mostly pointed north, where single-digit temperatures have the ice setting up nicely for next week's Pennsylvania ice adventure, it's almost hard for me to believe that tomorrow B.A.S.S. will be starting the Southern Opens season on Florida's Kissimmee Chain and that some guys will be sight-casting for spawning bass. Next comes the first Rayovac on Okeechobee, and the tournament season and spring progress from there.Reports I've seen suggest that some big bass are being caught, although I gather that a major lack of grass has changed the face of the Kissimmee Chain fishery quite a bit from what most pros are used to seeing. It's always fun for me to see how well the fish bite, how they are caught and who figures out the right patterns.
I'm especially interested in watching Alton Jones Jr. competing in the Opens this year. I first met "Little Alton" when he about 10, I'd guess, so I'm certainly excited about the start of his pro career. He was a good fisherman, even then, and I can't imagine anyone entering the pro ranks with a much fuller understanding of all aspects of pro fishing.
Of course, I'll have to find out how Day 1 went tomorrow evening. I have a morning appointment with some Chattooga River trout.
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