Last update:  June 20, 2008

2003 FLW Tour Results

What:  FLW Tour

When:   June 18-21, 2003

Where:   Lake Wheeler, AL

Finish:  31st

Winnings:  $3,500

If a lake has grass you had better be fishing in or near it.  Though I had found fish in the milfoil during practice, quickly rising water in the tournament prompted me to flip a jig into the newly flooded bushes.  The fish simply loved the  1/2 ounce black/blue Berkley Power Jig.  Several times I pitched the jig into a bush and fish came from several bushes away to eat the jig.  For unknown reasons the fish got finicky the second day and I had to down-size to a 3/8 ounce jig to finish my limit.  

What:  FLW Tour

When:   March 12-15, 2003

Where:   Lake Murray, SC

Finish:  167th

The extremely low water level made this seem like an entirely new lake.  The hydrilla in the lower part of the lake grew from the bank out to about 10’ deep.  I found quality fish on the edge of the grass in practice just before the tournament but made a big mistake in the tournament.  The warming weather brought the fish into the shallow grass and I failed to recognize this move until it was too late!  I learned to adjust faster during warming spring weather.

What:  FLW Tour

When:   February 12-15, 2003

Where:   Atchafalaya Basin, LA

Finish:  138th

What a huge fishery with a great population of 2-4 # bass!  The low water levels that are typical for this time of year keep the bass concentrated in canals with water deeper than 5’.  This made the fish fairly easy to find.  The only problem was that the competitors who spent much time practicing all tended to find the same groups of concentrated fish.  I mostly flipped a Berkley Power Hawg which I had trimmed down to about the size of a tube but just didn’t get that many bites.  The high finishers used light line and very small baits to catch fish that I believe were spawning in the muddy water.

What:  FLW Tour

When:   January 22-25, 2003

Where:   Lake Okeechobee, FL

Finish:  129th

Incredibly cold weather made mat flipping the only good way to catch quality fish.  Although I have learned how to flip mats I still have a lot to learn.  I had about six bites the first day and only hooked one.  I started more conservatively the second day by catching a small limit early on a crankbait and then flipping mats for the rest of the day.   I missed three bites.  I have decided to practice in December on Okeechobee for a week or two this year to sharpen up my mat flipping skills and equipment.