January 23rd the Florida Parishes Bass Anglers held their first Open Bass tournament launching out of the East Pearl River. Post frontal conditions made the early morning sign up and blast off a tough ordeal. With a low of 29 degrees and a northwest wind howling at 20 mph the area’s top sticks proved they were as tough as they were good at catching bass. 28 boats turned out to try and take home a little money along with some excellent door prizes and raffle items donated by the sponsors supporting the event.
Not only were the temps and wind tough to deal with but anglers had to deal with extremely low water conditions caused by the strong winds and falling tide. The low water conditions left many of the anglers scratching their heads to find a new game plan and areas to fish. As numbers were called the majority of the boats headed north to get away from the low waters and try to find areas that would provide more water than the southern part of the river system was showing.
As always when the Pearl’s top sticks come to fish a tournament some of them will figure out the bite and this day was no exception. Over 10 lbs was needed to cash a top 5 check and the top 8 all brought in over 9 lbs. Charles Dauzat and Mark Mohr led the field with 12.78 lbs and 2nd place big bass weighing 3.42 lbs taking home $946 for their efforts. Reese Watkins, another Pearl veteran, came in second place with 11.90 lbs and first place big bass of 3.47 lbs. Reese bagged $686 in combined cash. In addition to the cash Reese also won another $200 in Mister Twister baits who sponsored 1st Place Big Bass. In total 85 bass totaling 158 lbs were brought to the scale with 15 limits. All fish were alive and released to be caught again.
1st Charles Dauzat and Mark Mohr 5/12.78 lbs
2nd Reese Watkins 5/11.90 lbs
3rd Skip Rayborn and Jeff Bruhl 5/11.39 lbs
4th Ralph Dunn 5/10.64 lbs
5th Jay and Randy Ladner 5/10.59 lbs
Not only were the temps and wind tough to deal with but anglers had to deal with extremely low water conditions caused by the strong winds and falling tide. The low water conditions left many of the anglers scratching their heads to find a new game plan and areas to fish. As numbers were called the majority of the boats headed north to get away from the low waters and try to find areas that would provide more water than the southern part of the river system was showing.
As always when the Pearl’s top sticks come to fish a tournament some of them will figure out the bite and this day was no exception. Over 10 lbs was needed to cash a top 5 check and the top 8 all brought in over 9 lbs. Charles Dauzat and Mark Mohr led the field with 12.78 lbs and 2nd place big bass weighing 3.42 lbs taking home $946 for their efforts. Reese Watkins, another Pearl veteran, came in second place with 11.90 lbs and first place big bass of 3.47 lbs. Reese bagged $686 in combined cash. In addition to the cash Reese also won another $200 in Mister Twister baits who sponsored 1st Place Big Bass. In total 85 bass totaling 158 lbs were brought to the scale with 15 limits. All fish were alive and released to be caught again.
1st Charles Dauzat and Mark Mohr 5/12.78 lbs
2nd Reese Watkins 5/11.90 lbs
3rd Skip Rayborn and Jeff Bruhl 5/11.39 lbs
4th Ralph Dunn 5/10.64 lbs
5th Jay and Randy Ladner 5/10.59 lbs
1st Charles Dauzat and Mark Mohr 5/12.78 lbs
2nd Reese Watkins 5/11.90 lbs
3rd Skip Rayborn and Jeff Bruhl 5/11.39 lbs
4th Ralph Dunn 5/10.64 lbs
5th Jay and Randy Ladner 5/10.59 lbs
2nd Reese Watkins 5/11.90 lbs
3rd Skip Rayborn and Jeff Bruhl 5/11.39 lbs
4th Ralph Dunn 5/10.64 lbs
5th Jay and Randy Ladner 5/10.59 lbs
Mister Twister Big bass was Reese with a 3.47 lbs
Charles and Mark close behind him with a 3.42 lber
Charles and Mark close behind him with a 3.42 lber
Thanks to all the sponsors that supported the FPBA in the open: Mister Twister, Legend Cartography, Southern Way Retrievers, K2 Cooler, Northshore Bass Series Tight Lines Bait & Tackle, Liquid Mayhem, Pure Fishing, Stalker Fishing Lures, New Pro Products, Jonesy Rod Sleeves, The Bait Sack, Bill Lewis Lures, Prop Chock, Premier Industrial Services, Wildwood Resorts on Toledo Bend, Louisiana Fish Fry and Santone Lures. Thank you to Joe Madere and his sons for cooking some awesome jambalaya and white beans, there is no doubt why he is one of the top competition cooks in the area. Big thanks to Keith Lusher for coming out to do the interviews for us. Thank you to all the anglers that showed up despite the cold and high winds. We will host another Open tournament this fall launching out of Manchac.
The next FPBA club tournament will be February 13th on the Tchefuncte River launching from the 4th street launch. For information to join visit our website at fpbassanglers.com. Find us on Facebook at The Florida Parishes Bass Anglers.
Anyone wishing to join can visit our web site or contact Patrick Engerran at (985) 474-6112 or at pengerran@yahoo.com or Jason Pittman at (985) 630-3656. New member apps must be turned in seven days prior to the tournament to be able to join and fish the Tchefuncte.
Anyone wishing to join can visit our web site or contact Patrick Engerran at (985) 474-6112 or at pengerran@yahoo.com or Jason Pittman at (985) 630-3656. New member apps must be turned in seven days prior to the tournament to be able to join and fish the Tchefuncte.