Wish me luck!

[Allen Morgan]

Tomorrow, for the first time ever, I am participating in a Bass Tournament.

It's a "just for fun" tourney amongst some friends on my local fishing forum.  There is a Big-Bass pot, but it won't be to terribly big.  It's at a lake I've never been to.  This lake is fairly small, and the water is known for being the color and clarity of chocolate milk.  This is going to be interesting.  Not to mention the fact that I rarely actually target LMBs, although I do catch them fairly frequently.

What's really interesting, is that this is shaping up to be more of a kayaker vs. powerboat tourney.  And yes, I'll be in my kayak!

[Allen Morgan]

Probably about 50 miles south, Greg.  Bell Cow.  The map book I have for the state doesn't even SHOW this lake.  I had to look it up online last night, then I got all excited when I started seeing all the standing timber in the satellite images.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Really great report, Allen.
Fine job.

What kayak are you in?

[Allen Morgan]

David, I have a 2007 Perception Search 13.

It's proving to be well suited for lake fishing.  Fairly narrow for it's size; I can maintain 5.5 or 5.6 mph for about 150 yards in a sprint, and cruise at 3.5 mph for several miles.  I was taking some interesting chop today; following seas (I think that's what you call it when the waves are overtaking you from behind?) mixed with a large boat wake coming almost from my beam.  Had to turn into that a bit, taking the boat wake from the right front quarter, and the wind-driven waves from my right rear quarter.  A very interesting rocking motion, to say the least.

I just reconfigured my anchor trolley.  Now my connection point goes all the way from bow to stern.  I haven't done a backwards drift, bow to the wind, like I normally do when drifting for cats, but I did do several drifts dragging my drift sock from the stern.  Hardly any wind-cocking issues.

Here's a pic just after I re-did the anchor trolley:

The only thing missing is my crate, which normally sits in the tankwell.  That is a serious-looking piece of hardware.  I'll have to get a pic with the crate in the tankwell tomorrow.

[Allen Morgan]

And here's my boat with the crate in it.  I added some rod-holders made out of PVC, and I have a mount for 360 white light.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Good open water boat. I bet it tracks nicely.
I'm selling my little Hobie Mirage this week, to get a float tube. mine is too small, only 10 feet, and cramped. It is also not suited to bigger water... which my home lake has plenty of, so I keep to waters that could as readily be fished from a tube.
The tube is also easier to get in and out the truck. I'm just not into wrestling kayaks....

[dick tabbert]

Congrats Allen on the big fish pot. The main thing is you caught something and it didn't hurt being big fish great job.

[Leo Nguyen]

Looks like a grand time in the water, although the winning position wasn't in your favor. As long as you had fun, that what counts. Of course, 1st placed would have been nice.

[carl hendrix]

way to go allen!!  at least you did place first with the biggest!!  and showed the power boat guys-- don't mess with me!!  hahha great story buddy!!

[Jen Nayfly]

Very nice Allen! WTG!

[David Dillman]

Good job, with the big fish pot.  I figured the kayaks would have a good showing.  Sounds like you had fun and that is what is important!!!

Dilly